Buckle in, because Space Mountain just had one of the biggest nights in its 50-plus-year history and it happened twice!
During tonight’s “Horizons: A Carousel of Progress” showcase at D23 2026, engineer and YouTube sensation Mark Rober joined Walt Disney Imagineering’s Ali Rubinstein on stage for a deep dive into two completely different Space Mountain transformations happening on opposite sides of the globe. One is a callback. One is a full-blown reinvention. Both are massive. Let’s break it all down.
Disneyland Paris: Hyperspace Mountain Is Going Back to Its Roots
First stop: Disneyland Paris, where Hyperspace Mountain (the Star Wars-themed overlay that’s been running since 2017) is closing in 2027. But here’s the twist: it’s not closing to become something new. It’s closing to become something old!
The attraction will be restored to its original 1995 identity, Space Mountain: De la Terre à la Lune (that’s “From the Earth to the Moon” for anyone whose high school French is a little rusty), complete with the original Jules Verne-inspired story and its original soundtrack. For longtime Disneyland Paris fans, this is the one they’ve been asking for basically since the Star Wars overlay first went in. And now they’re getting it back, music and all!
There’s something genuinely special about a “reimagining” that isn’t about adding more effects or more IP — it’s about giving the ride its soul back. Imagineers didn’t just talk about performance upgrades here. They talked about restoring an identity. That’s a different kind of announcement, and the crowd in Anaheim felt it.
Tokyo Disneyland: Say Hello to Space Mountain: Earthrise
Now for the other side of the world, where things are going in the exact opposite direction — bigger, bolder, and brand new.
Tokyo Disneyland’s Space Mountain has been a Tomorrowland fixture since the park opened its gates, and it’s now being completely reimagined as Space Mountain: Earthrise, in partnership with Mark Rober himself. The reimagined version keeps the bones of the original concept (an indoor roller coaster journey through outer space) but layers in enhanced performance, richer show elements, and new story beats. Rubinstein described the transformation as “breathtaking,” and from the sound of it, that’s not hyperbole. Guests will literally board a rocket that blasts off into space as part of the experience, deepening the connection between Earth and the wider universe throughout the ride.
If that setup sounds a little familiar, you’re not wrong to think of Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind — Imagineers themselves have drawn the comparison. But make no mistake, Space Mountain: Earthrise isn’t a carbon copy. It’s its own ride, with its own story, built specifically for Tokyo Disneyland’s Tomorrowland.
And Earthrise isn’t traveling alone. It’s expected to open alongside Tokyo Disneyland’s new Wreck-It Ralph attraction, both part of a reimagined stretch of Tomorrowland. Word on the ground points to a Spring 2027 debut, with April 15, 2027 (Tokyo Disneyland’s anniversary) floated as a strong contender for opening day. Nothing official yet on that exact date, but if Disney wanted a reason to celebrate, that would be quite the birthday present.
A Model You Can See Right Now
Here’s the fun part: you don’t have to wait until the ride opens to get a look. Over on the D23 show floor, the Imagineering: Horizons pavilion…this year’s Carousel of Progress-themed showcase of Disney Experiences projects…includes a detailed physical model of Space Mountain: Earthrise, giving attendees an up-close look at the new Tokyo Tomorrowland before a single guest ever boards the ride.
So What Does This Mean for Space Mountain Fans?
Two parks, two completely different philosophies, one very big night for Space Mountain. Disneyland Paris is proving that sometimes the best way forward is looking back — restoring a beloved original experience that fans never stopped missing. Tokyo Disneyland is proving the opposite: that a 50-year-old concept can still be pushed into genuinely new territory with the right story and the right technology behind it.
Either way, if you’re a Space Mountain fan, tonight was basically Christmas morning. Whether you’re the type who wants your childhood soundtrack back exactly the way you remember it, or the type who wants to strap into a rocket and blast toward the stars with all-new effects, Disney just gave you a reason to start planning a trip.
Now the only question left is: which version are you more excited for? Sound off, because we already know this debate is going to run hot all weekend at D23!
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