A new look at construction at Tokyo Disneyland suggests Disney’s next-generation Space Mountain is continuing to take shape as crews push forward on one of the resort’s largest-ever redevelopment projects.
The attraction may not open until 2027, but work on the replacement coaster is already transforming Tomorrowland. The project follows the closure of Tokyo Disneyland’s original Space Mountain, which operated from the park’s opening day in 1983 until its final ride cycle on July 31, 2024.
Space Mountain has long held a special place within Disney’s collection of attractions. The high-speed indoor coaster debuted at Walt Disney World in 1975 before expanding to Disneyland Resort two years later. Additional versions eventually arrived at Disney parks around the world, helping establish the attraction as a staple of Disney’s Tomorrowland-themed lands.
At Tokyo Disneyland, the ride remained largely unchanged for decades. While Disney parks in Paris and Hong Kong introduced alternate versions such as Hyperspace Mountain, Tokyo Disney Resort ultimately decided to replace its aging attraction entirely rather than modernize the existing structure.
That decision led to the permanent closure and demolition of the original mountain in 2024. As crews dismantled the iconic building, longtime visitors watched a familiar piece of Tokyo Disneyland disappear from the horizon.
The new Space Mountain represents more than just a replacement coaster. It serves as the focal point of a larger Tomorrowland redevelopment being undertaken by Oriental Land Company and Tokyo Disney Resort. Plans include a newly designed plaza surrounding the attraction, helping reshape the entire area into a more cohesive, futuristic environment.
Official figures released by Oriental Land Company show just how substantial the project has become. The company has allocated approximately ¥70.5 billion—roughly $461 million USD—for the development, making it one of the most expensive attraction-focused investments Disney fans have seen.
Despite widespread use of the fan-created title “Space Mountain Earthrise,” Disney has not confirmed a name for the attraction. Publicly released project information continues to list the ride as “Space Mountain (2027).”
Recent footage shared online by X user @tacchi0712 highlights the latest progress. The video offers a closer look at construction activity occurring behind the walls and appears to reveal major structural development on the future attraction. Fans also noticed what looked to be lighting elements illuminating portions of the project for the first time.
“Space Mountain. Lit up!?”
スペースマウンテン。ライトアップ！？ pic.twitter.com/S0kQlKQgfN
— おとと (@tacchi0712) June 17, 2026
The investment reflects a larger trend at Tokyo Disney Resort, which has spent heavily on expanding and updating its parks. The opening of Fantasy Springs at Tokyo DisneySea demonstrated the resort’s willingness to commit significant resources to major projects, and the new Space Mountain is expected to become a similar headline attraction once complete.
Concept art released by Disney showcases a radically different interpretation of the famous mountain. Gone is the classic 1983 design, replaced by a sleek, glowing structure featuring dramatic lighting and a distinctly futuristic appearance. Disney has indicated the attraction will combine new technology, updated storytelling elements, and modern architectural design to create a fresh take on the iconic coaster.
Although guests still have more than a year to wait before boarding the attraction, visible progress continues to build excitement. With construction advancing and Tomorrowland’s transformation well underway, the countdown is on for the arrival of a new Space Mountain era at Tokyo Disneyland in 2027.
What are your thoughts on the new Space Mountain attraction? Let us know in the comments down below!
