Disney has confirmed that Star Wars Hyperspace Mountain at Disneyland Paris will be closing at the end of 2027 to allow for a major reimagining that will bring back the resort's iconic original attraction: Space Mountain – De la Terre à la Lune.
Fans gathered at D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event were treated to major global park news during Horizons: A Carousel of Progress, the Disney Experiences showcase, including this milestone announcement for Disneyland Paris.
The decision marks a historic return to the Jules Verne–inspired steampunk roots that originally set the new Parisian version apart from every other Space Mountain coaster in the world.
The Genesis: A Unique French Masterpiece (1995)
When Disneyland Paris opened in 1992 as Euro Disney, it notably lacked a Space Mountain on opening day due to budget constraints and design alterations. Instead of copying the sleek, white sci-fi domes of Tomorrowland in both California and Florida, Imagineers created Discoveryland—a land grounded in European retro-futurism and the visions of classic thinkers like Jules Verne, H.G. Wells, and Leonardo da Vinci.
On 1st June 1995, Space Mountain – De la Terre à la Lune opened to critical acclaim, saving the financial trajectory of the young resort. Inspired by Jules Verne’s 1865 novel From the Earth to the Moon, the attraction featured a stunning bronze-and-gold mountain facade, a 22-metre Columbiad Cannon that launched trains up an incline, synchronized onboard audio composed by Steve Bramson, and three inversions—a world-first for a Space Mountain layout.
Guests were not just travelling through dark space; they were being shot out of a cannon toward a smiling, Georges Méliès-style Moon.
Evolution: Mission 2 and the Arrival of Star Wars
In 2005, to celebrate the resort’s 13th anniversary, the original narrative was retired in favour of Space Mountain: Mission 2. The attraction’s theme shifted from a Victorian-era lunar voyage to a modern cosmic trip beyond the Moon to the edge of the universe, featuring updated visual effects, a brand-new soundtrack by Michael Giacchino, and launch sequences that started from the bottom of the cannon rather than the mid-way point.
The biggest shift came in May 2017 as part of Disneyland Paris’s 25th anniversary celebrations. The ride received a complete overlay: Star Wars Hyperspace Mountain.
The Jules Verne storyline was entirely replaced with a Rebel Alliance reconnaissance mission to Jakku, complete with TIE fighters, X-wings, laser fire, and John Williams’ iconic score. While popular with casual visitors, theme park purists and European fans lamented the loss of the ride's unique aesthetic identity, arguing that the Star Wars IP clashed with Discoveryland's Victorian retro-futurism.
Bringing Back the Moon: What to Expect in 2028
After a decade under the Star Wars banner, Disney confirmed at D23 that Star Wars Hyperspace Mountain will run its final missions through the end of 2027. Walt Disney Imagineering Paris will then begin a comprehensive multi-month refurbishment to restore the coaster to its original 1995 concept, updated for a modern generation.
Key details confirmed for the reimagining include:
- Restored Jules Verne Narrative: A return to an idealized 19th-century vision of space travel, restoring the original Victorian steampunk storytelling in Discoveryland.
- Show & Visual Upgrades: Comprehensive updates to indoor show sets, props, special effects, queue line design, and an enhanced launch sequence inside the Columbiad Cannon.
- The Original Score: The beloved soundtrack by composer Steve Bramson will return fully remastered for the onboard audio system.
- Technical Maintenance: Overhaul of technical systems and track infrastructure to ensure smoother operations for years to come.
The project forms part of Disneyland Paris's wider 'New Magic' enhancement initiative across classic Disneyland Park attractions.
Planning Your Visit
Fans looking to experience Star Wars Hyperspace Mountain one last time have until the end of December 2027 to ride. The attraction will then close for an extended period, with the reimagined Space Mountain – De la Terre à la Lune expected to welcome its first riders in 2028.
