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Disney Officially Shuts Down One Version of Space Mountain

Disney has closed one version of Space Mountain, effective today.

Space Mountain has long occupied a unique position in Disney’s global ride lineup. Since opening in 1975 at Walt Disney World, Space Mountain has been one of Disney’s defining thrill rides.

Space Mountain entrance in Disney World's Magic Kingdom
Credit: Aditya Vyas, Unsplash

The enclosed roller coaster has sparked duplicates across the globe. Disney replicated the attraction at Disneyland, Tokyo Disneyland, Disneyland Paris, and Hong Kong Disneyland, adjusting track layouts, pacing, and music to suit regional audiences.

Over time, those differences became more pronounced. Disneyland Paris permanently transformed its ride into Hyperspace Mountain, fully integrating Star Wars theming. Tokyo Disneyland took a more radical approach, demolishing its original Space Mountain to make way for a completely new version.

Hong Kong Disneyland charted a different course, making the Star Wars overlay the default experience rather than a limited-time overlay.

Guests stroll outside Hyperspace Mountain at Hong Kong Disneyland
Credit: Jeremy Thompson, Flickr

That decision divided fans. Some welcomed the added narrative and characters, while others preferred the original, non-IP version. The debate persisted as Disney continued reshaping Tomorrowland concepts across its global parks.

Hyperspace Mountain Closes as Changes Continue

As of today, February 24, Hyperspace Mountain is officially closed at Hong Kong Disneyland. The attraction has entered a period described as “operational adjustments,” with a reopening window listed as late April 2026. Disney has not clarified the scope of the work.

The phrasing leaves several possibilities open. The closure could involve standard maintenance, technical upgrades, or changes to the attraction’s presentation or theming. No formal announcements have been made regarding the ride’s long-term direction.

Guests ride Hyperspace Mountain at Hong Kong Disneyland
Credit: Disney

Speculation increased in 2025 when the park quietly removed the X-Wing starfighter previously stationed outside the attraction. For frequent visitors, the absence raised questions about whether the Star Wars overlay would remain in place permanently.

The Space Mountain closure is not occurring in isolation. Mystic Manor, one of the park’s most acclaimed attractions, also closed on February 24. The trackless dark ride has been widely regarded as a cornerstone of Hong Kong Disneyland’s lineup.

Hyperspace Mountain’s neon-blue entrance shines at night at Hong Kong Disneyland
Credit: Jeremy Thompson, Flickr

What To Expect From Hong Kong Disneyland

The closure comes as Hong Kong Disneyland marks its 20th anniversary with “The Most Magical Party of All,” an extended celebration running through summer 2026. Rather than unveiling new rides, the park has leaned heavily on live entertainment and seasonal programming.

Beyond Hyperspace Mountain and Mystic Manor, the park’s attraction lineup currently includes Iron Man Experience and Ant-Man and The Wasp: Nano Battle in the Marvel-themed Stark Expo area of Tomorrowland, Big Grizzly Mountain Runaway Mine Cars in Grizzly Gulch, and the original trackless dark ride Mystic Manor when operational.

Four people are standing in front of a castle, holding balloons and popcorn buckets. They are wearing themed clothing and headbands with character ears, smiling and looking cheerful. The background features lush greenery and the iconic castle towers.
Credit: Hong Kong Disneyland

The anniversary programming is headlined by the Friendtastic parade, which features 11 floats and character groups spanning Mickey and Friends, Duffy and Friends, and Mirabel and Isabela from Encanto (2021), positioning the event as a cross-generational showcase.

Daytime entertainment also plays a central role. Disney Friends Live: Party at the Castle! runs multiple times daily in front of the Castle of Magical Dreams, blending music, choreography, and character-driven staging rather than narrative spectacle.

After dark, a special anniversary edition of Momentous anchors the celebration. The nighttime show expands its use of projections, drones, and synchronized lighting, extending visuals down Main Street, U.S.A. as Disney prioritizes scale over novelty.

What's your favorite version of Space Mountain?

Chloe James

Chloë is a theme park addict and self-proclaimed novelty hunter. She's obsessed with all things Star Wars, loves roller coasters (but hates Pixar Pal-A-Round), and lives for Disney's next Muppets project.

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