At Disneyland Paris, one of the park’s most visually commanding landmarks has quietly gone dark.
From June 2 to June 6, the French park’s Hyperspace Mountain—set in Discoveryland, a steampunk-inspired reimagining of Tomorrowland—has closed for refurbishment. For longtime guests, the closure immediately reignited speculation: Could Disney finally be retiring the Star Wars-branded overlay in favor of its original Jules Verne-themed version?
Not quite. While fans were hoping for a full thematic return to the beloved Space Mountain: De la terre à la lune, Disney is headed in a different direction.
The evolution of Space Mountain has never followed a single orbit. From its 1975 debut at Walt Disney World to iterations in Tokyo, Paris, and Hong Kong, each version has charted a distinct course. Tokyo Disney Resort went as far as permanently shuttering its Space Mountain in 2024 to make way for a rebuilt experience due to open in 2027.
Others have taken a more galactic route: Hong Kong and Paris now operate Hyperspace Mountain, where the classic storyline is swapped for a high-speed X-Wing battle through the galaxy.
But while Hyperspace Mountain’s future in Paris had felt uncertain—especially after years of reported technical problems—the latest changes suggest it’s not going anywhere.
Disney Unveils Visual Upgrades for Hyperspace Mountain
According to DLP Report, Hyperspace Mountain is slated to receive updated lighting packages designed to shift color with every train launch. While most versions of the ride remain enclosed and obscured from view, the Disneyland Paris launch sequence is visible from the exterior, making this a uniquely cinematic opportunity to highlight the ride’s kinetic energy in real time.
It’s a subtle but dynamic way to enhance the visual appeal of the ride—particularly during evening hours when Discoveryland glows with retrofuturist ambience.
Additional upgrades are in the works behind the scenes. Disneyland Paris is reportedly developing 30th anniversary merchandise for Hyperspace Mountain, despite the anniversary having already passed as of June 1. The belated release has puzzled some fans, but it points to a continued investment in the ride’s current identity rather than a pivot to the original.
For Now, ‘Star Wars’ Remains the Mission For Space Mountain
While nostalgia-driven campaigns have called for a return to De la terre à la lune, a full thematic reversion appears increasingly unlikely—at least in the short term. That version, which paid homage to the writings of Jules Verne and featured a stunning copper cannon façade, last operated in 2017.
Disney has not yet confirmed exactly when guests will see the lighting upgrade in action. The ride’s June closure marks its second refurbishment in just a few months, following maintenance work in March.
Still, for fans who had been holding their breath for a major overhaul of the thrill ride, the message is clear: Disneyland Paris is committed to Hyperspace Mountain—just with a few extra flashes.
What’s your favorite version of Space Mountain?
