Disney Marks 50 Years of Space Mountain with Special Celebration and Golden Fireworks Display

Jan 15, 2025 in "Space Mountain"

Gallery / 2 Photos
Space Mountain 50th Anniversary Fireworks

Posted: Wednesday January 15, 2025 6:25am ET by WDWMAGIC Staff

Space Mountain at Magic Kingdom lit up the night sky with a golden fireworks display as Disney celebrated the 50th anniversary of its iconic roller coaster.

Space Mountain 50th Anniversary Gold Look

Mickey Mouse, Astronaut Donald Duck, and friends joined Walt Disney World Ambassadors Shannon Smith-Conrad and Serena Arvizu to honor the legacy of Space Mountain. Watch the video below to see the celebration moment (4K YouTube)

A Look Back at 50 Years of Space Mountain

Space Mountain first opened its doors on January 15, 1975, forever changing the theme park experience. Developed during a period of technological innovation at Walt Disney Imagineering, the ride was inspired by Walt Disney's vision of a space-themed attraction that would immerse guests in the wonders of outer space.

1975 Space Mountain Grand Opening

Key moments in Space Mountain's history:

• Conception and Design: Originally conceptualized in the mid-1960s, Space Mountain was part of Walt Disney's plans for Disneyland. However, due to technological limitations at the time, the idea was put on hold until after Walt's passing.

• The Magic Kingdom Debut: Walt Disney World's Tomorrowland provided the perfect setting for the ambitious project. Imagineers combined cutting-edge technology with a unique narrative to create the world's first indoor roller coaster.

• Opening Day: The attraction's debut in 1975 was met with widespread acclaim. Its sleek, futuristic design and thrilling indoor ride-through quickly made it one of the most popular attractions at Magic Kingdom.

• Cultural Icon: Over the years, Space Mountain has been reimagined at Disney parks around the world, with unique versions opening in Disneyland, Tokyo Disneyland, Disneyland Paris, and Hong Kong Disneyland. Despite updates and overlays, the original ride at Magic Kingdom remains a fan favorite

Space Mountain in 1975

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MK-fan30 days ago

Happy 50th anniversary to Space Mountain!!!! I’m kind of jealous that you guys have the OG Space Mountain but we’re kinda spoiled in that dept because we have the OG everything else lol. There are many reasons as to why Space Mountain didn’t appear at Disneyland in the late 60’s first. Space Mountain was originally supposed to debut with the New Tomorrowland in 1967 with the Flying Saucers located directly under it. The reasons why we this didn’t end up happening were various ones. One being that the technology just wasn’t there, another was because the company had too much on it’s plate with other projects and WDW, another was because Walt passed on and they chose not to pursue it until later on in the future. I attached a photo that shows a Fall/Winter Disneyland map from 1966 only a couple of months before Walt died which shows a plan to open the new Tomorrowland in two phases with the 2nd phase opening in 1968 with Space Mountain. I think Walt’s passing was primarily the reason why the company didn’t go forward but it’s crazy to think Disneyland could’ve gotten a Space Mountain as early as 1968.

wdwmagic31 days ago

Space Mountain Soundscape Video Celebrates 50th Anniversary Across Disney Parks https://www.wdwmagic.com/attractions/space-mountain/news/21jan2025-space-mountain-soundscape-video-celebrates-50th-anniversary-across-disney-parks.htm

JackCHJan 17, 2025

Also, Cosmic Rewind is already sort of a “Space Mountain 2.0” with IP… makes it even less necessary on Space.

Animaniac93-98Jan 17, 2025

A Stitch retheme of Space Mountain was proposed years ago for Disneyland and more recently several other versions of Space Mountain have received Star Wars overlays, either temporarily or ongoing for years running now. I don't think WDW's Space is above that, but its unique track(s) layout and lack of tech infrastructure makes it harder to implement such things thankfully.

Tha RealestJan 17, 2025

I agree, but will they be able to help themselves?

esskayJan 17, 2025

To be clear I am only proposing retrack/repair, not a total replacement, SSE especially has a charm to it that shoudn't be touched, but it being constantly interrupted by a thud as you go over a dodgy bit of track isn't exactly great. Fix the track, slap a new narrator on it, and replace the very dated "Welcome to the future" game and call it a day for another decade. Doesn't need masses of downtime to do this, the only part that requires a short closure is the track.

RainemanJan 16, 2025

I posted this in another thread, but it fits here too.

bmr1591Jan 16, 2025

Space Mountain needs a retrack. I don't see them IPifying it. It's its own IP at this point.

Tha RealestJan 16, 2025

Agree, but counterpoint: I’d prefer the current Powers That Be leave well enough alone instead of “plussing” existing attractions. I remain firm in this view given the current state of TBA, and what they’ve done to DL Haunted Mansion so far. We’ll see what other “improvements” they’ve made to HM DL in a day or two. Flawed and janky as it is, I really done want them touching SSE.

WorldExplorerJan 16, 2025

Nowadays? You should feel special it's still there.

willtravelJan 16, 2025

When I read something like this, the only thing that comes to my thoughts is RUT ROW.......

JoeCamelJan 15, 2025

They don't want fans, fans remember how it used to be and complain about how it is. One and done with maximum extraction is the name of the game now

AndyS2992Jan 15, 2025

And here I was thinking they were going to announce a big rehab for it's 50th anniversary.. but no. It better get one soon, it's 16 years over due at this point, and then some.

esskayJan 15, 2025

2026 should be the year SM and Spaceship Earth both get a major overhaul. They're both the most due and deserving of it. Plus it would allow Disney to keep up with the trend of ensuring one major ride in both parks is down at all times.