A Sudden Goodbye: Original Space Mountain Attraction Closed off at Magic Kingdom
Magic Kingdom Park guests were surprised this week when one of Walt Disney World Resort’s most beloved attractions became partially inaccessible overnight. The exit queue for Space Mountain is now packed with construction materials as Disney quietly begins an unannounced refurbishment project.
Sudden Construction Begins on the Iconic Ride
On Tuesday, October 28, 2025, guests visiting Magic Kingdom Park noticed construction barriers and visible work taking place near the exit area of Space Mountain. While the coaster remains open, part of the attraction’s exit path has been blocked off with scrim and foil, marking the start of an unexpected project.
Space Mountain first opened on January 15, 1975, and quickly became a defining attraction for the park’s Tomorrowland area. Since then, versions of the indoor roller coaster have opened at Disney parks worldwide, including Disneyland Park, Tokyo Disneyland, Hong Kong Disneyland, and Disneyland Paris. However, the original Magic Kingdom version remains the oldest—and one of the most iconic.
Tokyo Disney Resort recently demolished its own Space Mountain to rebuild an entirely new version, set to debut in 2027. Now, Walt Disney World Resort has begun some (far less dramatic) changes of its own.
Guests Share Photos of the Closed-Off Area
Photos from the scene show that the once-familiar exit ramp leading out of Space Mountain has been stripped of its decorative elements. On X (formerly known as Twitter), user @FiBelleFi posted images showing the area surrounded by temporary barriers and covered in construction materials.
The exit of Space Mountain is under refurbishment.
Fabric is stapled to what was carpet walls and the exit pit which contained shiny balls is empty and not looking so pretty with ripped foil.
The exit of Space Mountain is under refurbishment.
Fabric is stapled to what was carpet walls and the exit pit which contained shiny balls is empty and not looking so pretty with ripped foil. pic.twitter.com/TxEkuFfPZ5
— Belle (@FiBelleFi) October 28, 2025
Frequent Walt Disney World Resort visitors may recognize the location as the long, downward ramp guests walk through after unloading from the ride vehicles. The decorative “ball pit” on either side of the walkway—once filled with silver spheres and glowing accents—now appears gutted.
While the main carpeting remains, the removal of these visual elements has left the area noticeably bare. Guests can still use the same walkway to leave the Space Mountain attraction, but the view now looks far from its usual futuristic aesthetic.
Disney Hasn’t Commented on What’s Happening
Walt Disney World Resort has not released any official details about the scope of this project or when the area will reopen. The company’s website lists Space Mountain as operational, but offers no mention of the visible construction taking place.
According to WDWNT, the surrounding walls of the Space Mountain exit ramp are heavily worn, suggesting that Disney could be planning a complete refresh of the space. Still, for now, Disney appears focused on repairing or reimagining the post-ride section of Space Mountain rather than altering the coaster itself.
Have you noticed any other refurbishment projects around Magic Kingdom Park, EPCOT, Disney’s Hollywood Studios, or Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park? Share your experience with Disney Dining in the comments!
