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Credit: Ken Lund, FlickrMore operational changes have hit The Happiest Place On Earth.
Disneyland’s Space Mountain may not be undergoing a headline-grabbing overhaul, but a newly confirmed refurbishment schedule shows that even the resort’s most iconic attractions continue to receive careful behind-the-scenes attention.
Beginning February 23, Space Mountain at Disneyland Park will temporarily close for a short refurbishment, with a reopening currently scheduled for February 27. The brief downtime suggests routine maintenance rather than any major creative changes, but it still plays an important role in preserving one of Tomorrowland’s most recognizable landmarks.
According to the refurbishment documentation, as reported by WDWNT, the work includes replacing suspended-ceiling light fixtures, updating door frames, and removing aging steel anchor points from the floor. These are largely infrastructural updates, the kind guests rarely notice directly, but they are essential to keeping the nearly five-decade-old attraction operating smoothly.
For a ride that has launched millions of guests into the stars since its 1977 debut, this type of maintenance is part of what allows Space Mountain to remain a reliable centerpiece of Disneyland’s thrill lineup.
The closure comes as part of a broader pattern of seasonal maintenance across the Disneyland Resort. Over at Disney California Adventure, Golden Zephyr is also slated to close for refurbishment from March 9 through March 18. Like Space Mountain’s work, this closure appears to be focused on routine upkeep rather than any significant redesign.
Together, these refurbishments highlight Disney’s ongoing efforts to balance day-to-day operations with long-term care for attractions that have become deeply ingrained in the park’s identity.
Space Mountain’s importance to Disneyland cannot be overstated. As the original version of the attraction, it set the standard for every Space Mountain that followed around the world. While newer iterations have introduced different ride systems, updated effects, or unique layouts, the Anaheim version remains a fan favorite thanks to its classic coaster design, iconic exterior, and central role in Tomorrowland.
Short refurbishments like this one help ensure that the attraction continues to deliver that familiar experience without interruption for most of the year.
While Disneyland’s Space Mountain is receiving a relatively modest refresh, the same attraction name carries far greater change overseas. At Tokyo Disneyland, Space Mountain closed permanently on July 31, 2024, marking the end of a run that began with the park’s opening in 1983. Unlike the temporary closure in Anaheim, Tokyo’s version has been fully demolished as part of a massive redevelopment of Tomorrowland.
The Oriental Land Company, which operates Tokyo Disney Resort, is investing heavily in a completely new Space Mountain experience set to open in 2027. The project includes a brand-new coaster, a redesigned show building, and a reimagined surrounding plaza, signaling a dramatic shift in how the land will look and feel. Construction has begun with the original structure removed, underscoring just how comprehensive the transformation will be.
This contrast between the two resorts is striking. In California, Space Mountain is being carefully maintained to preserve a beloved classic, while in Japan, the attraction is being reinvented from the ground up to define the future of Tomorrowland.
Both approaches reflect different philosophies, but each underscores the same reality: Space Mountain remains one of Disney’s most valuable and enduring attractions, whether it is being tuned up for another season or rebuilt to carry guests into an entirely new era.
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