For more than five decades, Space Mountain has remained a major part of Disney Parks, even as the experience behind that famous name has continued to evolve.
Disney has introduced different versions across its resorts, sometimes using temporary overlays and other times replacing entire concepts. That pattern is continuing, but two upcoming projects couldn't be more different.
One will revive an element guests haven't seen operate since 2009. The other will rethink Space Mountain for a new era.
One Name Has Covered Plenty of Different Experiences
Space Mountain debuted at Magic Kingdom in 1975 and later expanded to other Disney destinations.
Disneyland opened its coaster in 1977, followed by Tokyo Disneyland in 1983. Space Mountain: De la Terre à la Lune arrived at Disneyland Paris in 1995, and Hong Kong Disneyland received its attraction in 2005.
Those coasters haven't remained untouched.
Disneyland has offered Rockin' Space Mountain, Space Mountain Ghost Galaxy, and Hyperspace Mountain over the years. Hong Kong Disneyland has also featured a Star Wars-inspired Hyperspace Mountain.
Some of the biggest reinventions happened in Paris.
The resort's original ride drew inspiration from Jules Verne and a fictional journey from Earth to the Moon. In 2005, Space Mountain: Mission 2 changed its destination by carrying riders beyond the Moon.
Hyperspace Mountain later replaced that concept with a Star Wars adventure.
Disney has now decided to revisit the ride's beginnings.
A Familiar Piece of the Past Will Work Again
Disney announced at D23 earlier this month that Space Mountain: De la Terre à la Lune will return to Disneyland Paris as a new interpretation of the 1995 attraction.
Hyperspace Mountain will continue operating through the end of 2027. A refurbishment lasting several months will follow.
Rather than simply recreating the old ride, Imagineers will combine familiar elements with new additions. The Jules Verne influence and original score will return alongside updates to the scenery, queue, effects, and technical components.
The plans also include restoring the Columbiad Cannon.
At 22 meters long, the Cannon was closely tied to the original story. The fictional Baltimore Gun Club built it to send moontrains toward the Moon.
Its elaborate appearance includes smiling suns, colorful designs, an archer, and the Baltimore Gun Club emblem.
Mechanical problems eventually stopped its movement in 2009, leaving the feature stationary for roughly 17 years.
Imagineers now intend to get it working again.
The attraction's launch will accelerate riders from 0 to 44 mph in less than 2 seconds. Disney also plans to introduce additional effects around the sequence.
A Smaller Cannon Is Arriving Much Earlier
Guests won't have to wait until after 2027 to see Disney put the Columbiad Cannon back in the spotlight.
A limited-edition replica figure returns to Disneyland Paris on September 4 and will remain available while supplies last.
Disney will sell it at Deco by Disney in Disney Village and Harrington's Fine China & Porcelain on Main Street, U.S.A.
Its return takes on added meaning following Disney's D23 announcement. The full-size Cannon has spent years as a stationary piece of the attraction, but its future now looks considerably different.
And the changes underway in Paris aren't the only major developments for Space Mountain.
Tokyo Is Taking the Concept Somewhere New
Tokyo Disneyland will introduce Space Mountain Earthrise in 2027.
Although Disney is keeping the familiar name, Earthrise represents a much larger overhaul than a traditional refurbishment.
The indoor coaster will feature new architecture, a newly developed ride system, theatrical elements, and a different story. Riders will leave Earth behind and venture farther into space as lighting and sound effects recreate cosmic phenomena.
The ride vehicles will also feature onboard audio. Earthrise will become the first roller coaster at Tokyo Disney Resort to include that feature.
Its name draws from the view of Earth appearing above the Moon's surface. Disney will incorporate that idea into a story celebrating Earth's beauty and its position within the universe.
The Same Attraction Is Getting Two Very Different Reboots
Space Mountain's next chapters show how differently Disney can handle the same attraction concept.
Tokyo Disneyland is beginning again with another ride system and storyline. Disneyland Paris is instead looking to its own history for inspiration.
That approach will bring the Jules Verne influence back after years of Star Wars and give a long-inactive effect another opportunity to operate.
The Columbiad Cannon has remained physically in place throughout those years. What disappeared was its movement.
Now, for the first time since 2009, Disney has plans to change that.
