Disneyland Paris opened Space Mountain – De la Terre à la Lune in 1995, with a storyline inspired by Jules Verne’s classic From the Earth to the Moon. For the last decade, the French theme park's Space Mountain ride has been known as Star Wars Hyperspace Mountain.
With the attraction set to close at the end of 2027 for a refurbishment, Disneyland Paris has now announced that it will return to the original theme.
Including technical and maintenance upgrades, indoor sets, props, an improved queue, and new effects, the attraction will shift the story from 1995 to an idealised era of early Moon exploration, styled in Discoveryland’s steampunk aesthetic, with enhanced special effects during the iconic blast sequence.
Return of a classic theme
The project aims to celebrate the classic while enhancing it for a new generation.
Composer Steve Bramson's score will be fully remastered. Guests will once again enjoy watching the trains in motion from the redesigned queue, immersing them further into the story. Familiar elements will reappear alongside new scenic details and improvements.
The upgrade will incorporate over 30 years of technological progress, including the 2025 addition of cutting-edge exterior dome lighting.
“When Space Mountain first opened in 1995, it set a new standard as one of the most groundbreaking and immersive roller coasters across all Disney Parks," says Keith Rector, senior manager of creative art direction at Walt Disney Imagineering Paris.
"Today, as Imagineers, it is both an honor and an exciting challenge to reimagine this iconic attraction for a new generation.
"While staying true to the spirit and legacy of the original voyage, this new version will make use of all the innovations and cutting-edge technology introduced over the years in the attraction, to deliver an even more exciting experience for our guests."
Space Mountain – De la Terre à la Lune will represent a key milestone in the ‘New Magic’ initiative recently launched at Disneyland Paris, which aims to enhance guest experience and update classic attractions.
Recently, additional scenery inspired by Disney Legend and Imagineer Marc Davis’ original designs has been added to the Rivers of the Far West in Frontierland. Several other projects are in various stages of development.
New Scar animatronic
Additionally, Disneyland Paris has revealed more details of Disney Adventure World's planned new ride themed to Walt Disney Animation Studios’ The Lion King.
The water ride, set within Disney's first land dedicated to the animated classic, will feature state-of-the-art visual effects, Audio-Animatronics figures – Simba, Timon, Pumbaa, Scar and more – and the film’s soundtrack. It includes three drops, including a 16-meter-high descent from Pride Rock.
New concept art revealed at D23 shows that the Lion King ride at Disneyland Paris will include an Audio-Animatronics figure of Scar
During D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event, Disneyland Paris revealed new concept art showing the Audio-Animatronics figure of Scar in a confrontation scene in the attraction, blocking Simba’s way to becoming king of the Pride Lands.
The new flume ride, set to be one of the resort's largest attractions, will be set within an all-new immersive world dedicated to the film's characters and stories, with plenty of dining, shopping, and opportunities to meet favourite characters.
Construction has already begun following the debut of Disney Adventure World earlier this year. This new land will be a major part of the creative vision for the ongoing transformation of the second park at Disneyland Paris.
Construction is already underway for the new Lion King themed land at Disney Adventure World, Disneyland Paris
“The teams at Walt Disney Imagineering, Disneyland Paris and Disney Animation are hard at work bringing to life the beloved world of The Lion King, which has captivated audiences for more than three decades," says Michel den Dulk, vice president portfolio executive, Walt Disney Imagineering Paris
"We believe this epic story was also embraced thanks to its unforgettable villain, so we are excited to lift the curtain on Scar’s presence in this major attraction.
"Thanks to an extraordinary level of detail, our guests will experience the very heart of the film’s story, its emotion and thrills, in an entirely new way."
A unique parade
For the first time since 2017, Disneyland Park will debut a new daytime parade in 2028, exclusive to Disneyland Paris.
A new daytime parade will come to Disneyland Park at Disneyland Paris in 2028
Led by Mickey Mouse and his friends, this daily parade will feature modern floats showcasing beloved characters from Walt Disney Animation Studios, including the Genie and Jasmine from Aladdin, Tiana from The Princess and the Frog, and Rapunzel from Tangled.
The parade also includes friends like Miguel from Disney and Pixar’s Coco.
