In the world of Disney parks, few attractions have endured like Space Mountain. A staple of Tomorrowland since the 1970s, it’s been adapted, reimagined, and overlaid with popular franchises—most notably Star Wars. Now, a small but telling detail in a recent social media post has fans wondering if one of its most well-known overlays might soon blast off for good.
Hong Kong Disneyland, home to a permanently rebranded Hyperspace Mountain, recently saw its ambassadors share a post in which they stood in front of the large X-wing ship installed near the ride.
HKDLアンバサダーSNSが「X-Wingはもうすぐ新ミッションへ出発！」という投稿😳
「ハイパースペース・マウンテン」何か起こる？？？🤔#HKDL pic.twitter.com/kVXC3mHZu3
— Emporium HKDL情報🏰✨ (@hk_emporium) May 4, 2025
The caption read that the ship will “soon depart for a new mission.” For an attraction so deeply associated with its Star Wars theming, the comment has ignited rumors that changes could soon be on the horizon.
This wouldn’t be the first time a version of Space Mountain has undergone a dramatic shift. The original attraction at Walt Disney World debuted in 1975 and has remained relatively unchanged since, but other parks have taken a more experimental approach.
Disneyland’s Space Mountain frequently morphs into Hyperspace Mountain during seasonal events, wrapping the classic coaster in TIE fighter dogfights and John Williams’ iconic score. Disneyland Paris, meanwhile, continues to run its high-octane version—complete with inversions—under the same Star Wars overlay, though there’s long been speculation that it could revert back to its Jules Verne-inspired roots.
Meanwhile, Tokyo Disney Resort tore down its version of the ride in 2024 and is instead constructing a bigger, better replacement.
Signals of a Shift in Tomorrowland
In Hong Kong, Hyperspace Mountain has been a permanent fixture since the 2016 “Star Wars: Tomorrowland Takeover.” Though it retains the original track layout, the addition of synchronized projections, audio, and immersive theming—including the full-size X-wing—created a more modern ride experience. It was widely seen as a smart pivot toward rising Star Wars interest in the region.
But change may be coming. The mention of the X-wing’s departure, however vague, has prompted questions about the ride’s future. Could the Star Wars branding be removed? Might Tomorrowland’s aesthetic be shifting again? And, more intriguingly, is Space Mountain about to receive a full thematic overhaul?
It wouldn’t be out of place. Since 2017, Hong Kong Disneyland has steadily been reimagining its version of Tomorrowland into Stark Expo—a Marvel-branded experience that includes Iron Man Experience and Ant-Man and The Wasp: Nano Battle! A new Spider-Man attraction is also on the way, seemingly using a similar ride system to Tower of Terror. The addition of another Marvel property would solidify the land’s transition—and Space Mountain could be next.
What Comes Next?
If Hyperspace Mountain is rethemed—or restored to its original space-race concept—it would mark a significant shift in Hong Kong Disneyland’s strategy. Once a vote of confidence in Star Wars, the ride’s current overlay was viewed as a long-term investment. Its removal could reflect changing audience tastes or Disney’s shifting focus toward the ever-expanding Marvel Cinematic Universe.
Of course, all of this remains speculative. As of now, Disney has made no official announcement regarding changes to Hyperspace Mountain. The “new mission” could refer to anything—or nothing. But in a park where Tomorrowland is actively evolving, it’s no stretch to imagine the iconic coaster being next in line for reinvention.
Whether that means a Marvel overlay, a return to the classic Space Mountain aesthetic, or something entirely new, fans are watching closely. After all, in the Disney universe, even the smallest social media caption can hint at galactic change.
Do you think Disney should update more versions of Space Mountain?
