The Moon's coming back to Disneyland Paris.
After almost a decade of sending guests into a galaxy far, far away with Star Wars Hyperspace Mountain, Disneyland Paris has confirmed that the attraction will return to its original Jules Verne-inspired story, Space Mountain: De la Terre à la Lune (From Earth to the Moon).
For us, this is particularly exciting. One of our first ever visits to Disneyland Paris included a ride on the original version of Space Mountain, when we had only just reached the height requirement. We went on to enjoy it many times before the attraction was transformed into Space Mountain: Mission 2 in 2005, removing much of the original Jules Verne storyline. We have also ridden the current Star Wars Hyperspace Mountain countless times since its launch in 2017.
Now, the story is coming full circle.
Disneyland Paris says Star Wars Hyperspace Mountain will close at the end of 2027 for a major refurbishment, with the attraction being brought back to its original From Earth to the Moon vision while incorporating modern technology, refreshed scenery, new effects and an enhanced queue experience.
And there is one detail we’re especially happy to hear: Steve Bramson’s iconic original score will return, fully remastered.
We can’t wait to hear that music again and see the Moon return to the heart of Discoveryland.
From Earth to the Moon Returns to Disneyland Paris: Quick Overview
What is happening? Space Mountain: De la Terre à la Lune is returning to Disneyland Paris.
What is it replacing? The current Star Wars Hyperspace Mountain overlay.
When will Hyperspace Mountain close? At the end of 2027.
How long will the refurbishment take? Several months, according to Disneyland Paris.
What is coming back? The Jules Verne-inspired story, original-style theming and Steve Bramson’s fully remastered score.
What is being updated? The attraction will receive technical work, refreshed sets and props, an enhanced queue, new effects and modern technology.
Will it be exactly like the 1995 attraction? No. Disneyland Paris is creating a refreshed version that combines the original concept with modern enhancements.
Can I still ride Hyperspace Mountain? Yes. There is still plenty of time to experience the Star Wars version before its planned closure.
What don’t we know yet? Disneyland Paris has not announced the exact closure or reopening dates, or confirmed whether every original effect will return.
From Earth to the Moon is returning to Disneyland Paris
Disneyland Paris has officially confirmed that Space Mountain: De la Terre à la Lune will return following the closure and refurbishment of Star Wars Hyperspace Mountain.
The return will take the attraction back to the world of Jules Verne and the idea of an ambitious journey from the Earth to the Moon. However, this won’t simply be a case of putting the old attraction back exactly as it was in 1995.
Walt Disney Imagineering Paris is working on a refreshed version that combines the spirit of the original attraction with more than 30 years of technological developments. The refurbishment will include technical work and maintenance upgrades, alongside refreshed indoor sets and props, an enhanced queue, new effects and additional scenic details.
The story will also be revisited. Rather than recreating the attraction exactly as long-time fans remember it, the new version will transport guests to an idealised period of the very first journeys to the Moon, with the steampunk aesthetic that fits so naturally into Discoveryland.
For those of us who remember the original attraction, that combination of nostalgia and something new is particularly exciting. We loved the Jules Verne atmosphere of the original From Earth to the Moon, so the chance to experience that world again, while seeing what Imagineering can do with modern technology, has us looking forward to the refurbishment.
The music will be returning too. Steve Bramson’s original score will be fully remastered, bringing back one of the elements that made the original journey feel so memorable.
And while we still have plenty to learn about exactly what the finished attraction will look and feel like, one thing is already clear: the Moon is coming back to Discoveryland.
What happened to the original Space Mountain?
When Space Mountain: De la Terre à la Lune opened at Disneyland Paris in 1995, it was unlike anything we had experienced at the park before. Based on Jules Verne’s From the Earth to the Moon, the attraction turned a roller coaster into a journey through a fantastical version of space travel.
The story centred around the Columbiad Cannon, which would supposedly launch guests on their journey from the Earth towards the Moon. The Jules Verne influence wasn’t just something mentioned in the attraction’s description either. It was built into the atmosphere, design and storytelling, giving the ride a very different identity from the Space Mountain attractions found elsewhere.
We have particularly fond memories of those early rides. On one of our first ever visits to Disneyland Paris, we had only just become tall enough to ride the original version. That made it an especially memorable attraction for us, and we went on to enjoy it many times during subsequent visits.
There was something wonderfully ambitious about the whole experience. The huge mountain, the Victorian-inspired Discoveryland setting, the Columbiad Cannon and the idea of being fired towards the Moon all worked together to make the attraction feel like an adventure rather than simply a roller coaster.
Of course, the ride has changed considerably since those early days.
In 2005, Space Mountain: De la Terre à la Lune was transformed into Space Mountain: Mission 2. The Jules Verne storyline was removed and the attraction took on a more straightforward space exploration theme.
We enjoyed Mission 2 too, but for us, the original version always had something particularly special about it. That’s why the news that Disneyland Paris is bringing From Earth to the Moon back feels like much more than another attraction refurbishment. It brings back a piece of the Disneyland Paris we remember from those early visits.
Space Mission 2 replaced From Earth to the Moon
In 2005, the original Space Mountain: De la Terre à la Lune story came to an end when Disneyland Paris transformed the attraction into Space Mountain: Mission 2.
The change was more than a simple refresh. The Jules Verne-inspired story was removed, taking the attraction away from its original journey towards the Moon and into a new, more futuristic space adventure.
For visitors who had grown up with From Earth to the Moon, it was certainly a noticeable change. The attraction still had the same impressive mountain and thrilling launch, but the storytelling and atmosphere were different.
We had already enjoyed plenty of rides on the original version before Mission 2 arrived, so we experienced the attraction through both eras. While we enjoyed Mission 2, we did miss the distinctive Jules Verne influence that had made the original feel so closely connected to Discoveryland.
The transformation also marked the beginning of another chapter in the attraction’s history. Mission 2 would eventually make way for the next major overlay, this time taking guests to a galaxy far, far away.
That came in 2017, when Star Wars Hyperspace Mountain arrived at Disneyland Paris. And now, after experiencing that version for many years, we’re finally getting the chance to return to where the story began.
Star Wars Hyperspace Mountain
In 2017, the attraction entered another very different chapter when Star Wars Hyperspace Mountain arrived at Disneyland Paris.
The Jules Verne-inspired journey was replaced by a Star Wars mission, sending guests into a galaxy far, far away as part of a secret mission for the Rebel Alliance. The transformation brought new storytelling, effects and theming to the attraction, giving the familiar roller coaster a completely different identity.
We’ve ridden Star Wars Hyperspace Mountain many times since its introduction, and it has been a fun addition to the history of the attraction. The combination of the launch, Star Wars music, projections and the familiar twists and turns of the ride made it a very different experience from the one we remembered from our earliest visits.
After almost ten years, though, its time in Discoveryland is now coming to an end.
Disneyland Paris has confirmed that Star Wars Hyperspace Mountain will close at the end of 2027 to allow the major refurbishment to take place. So, if you’ve been meaning to experience the Star Wars version, there’s still plenty of time to do so before it disappears.
For us, the announcement is a little bittersweet. We’ve had plenty of memorable rides on Hyperspace Mountain, but knowing that the original From Earth to the Moon story is coming back makes the change particularly exciting.
After experiencing the attraction in its original form, Mission 2 and now Hyperspace Mountain, we’re looking forward to seeing how Disneyland Paris brings the Moon back while using everything Imagineering has learned over the past 30 years.
When will Hyperspace Mountain close?
Star Wars Hyperspace Mountain is expected to close at the end of 2027, when Disneyland Paris begins the major refurbishment that will bring back Space Mountain: De la Terre à la Lune.
The good news for Star Wars fans is that there is still plenty of time to ride Hyperspace Mountain before the change takes place. Disneyland Paris has not announced an exact final operating date, so we would not plan a trip around a specific closure date just yet.
The refurbishment itself is expected to last several months. During this time, the attraction will undergo technical work and maintenance upgrades, while the interior sets, props, queue and effects are refreshed for the return of the From Earth to the Moon story.
So, if Hyperspace Mountain is still on your Disneyland Paris must-do list, there’s no need to panic-book a visit tomorrow. You have time to enjoy the Star Wars version while it is still there.
For long-time fans like us, that also means there’s a nice opportunity to experience the attraction one more time before the Moon comes back. Having ridden every major version of the attraction, we’ll certainly be making the most of Hyperspace Mountain before its next transformation.
What will change when From Earth to the Moon returns?
The return of Space Mountain: De la Terre à la Lune won’t be a simple restoration of the attraction we remember from 1995. Disneyland Paris has described the project as a refurbishment that will bring back the original vision while making use of modern technology and improvements developed over the attraction’s more than 30-year history.
There will be extensive technical work and maintenance upgrades behind the scenes, but guests will also notice changes throughout the experience.
Refreshed sets and props
The indoor sets and props will be refreshed to bring the attraction back towards its Jules Verne-inspired roots. The new version will take guests into an idealised period of the very first journeys to the Moon, with a steampunk style designed to fit the wider Discoveryland setting.
For fans who remember the original attraction, this should bring back some familiar elements while introducing new scenic details and enhancements.
An enhanced queue
The queue will also be redesigned as part of the refurbishment. Disneyland Paris says guests will once again be able to watch the trains in motion from the redesigned queue, helping to build anticipation before reaching the launch.
That’s something we particularly like the sound of. The original attraction did a good job of making the journey feel like part of the story before you even reached the train, so we’re interested to see how this is brought back in a modernised way.
New effects and modern technology
The refurbishment will also introduce new effects and make use of technology that simply wasn’t available when the original attraction opened in 1995.
Disneyland Paris has already highlighted the state-of-the-art exterior dome lighting installed in 2025 as one of the technological improvements that can now form part of the attraction’s updated experience.
The result should be a version that feels familiar without being stuck in the past. It will retain the spirit of From Earth to the Moon, while using more than 30 years of technological development to create something new for today’s visitors.
And, most importantly for us, the return isn’t just about how the attraction looks. The story, atmosphere and music that made the original so memorable are coming back too.
The return of the original music
One of the details we’re particularly excited about is the return of Steve Bramson’s original score.
The music was such an important part of the atmosphere of Space Mountain: De la Terre à la Lune. It helped give the attraction its own identity and made the journey towards the Moon feel like a genuine adventure rather than simply a roller coaster in the dark.
Disneyland Paris has confirmed that the iconic score will return fully remastered as part of the refurbishment. It will accompany guests throughout their journey, beginning in the redesigned queue and continuing into the attraction itself.
For us, this is almost as exciting as seeing the Jules Verne theming return. We’ve experienced the attraction in its different forms over the years, but the original music is one of those details that immediately brings back memories of those early visits.
Hearing that score again as the attraction prepares to launch guests towards the Moon should be quite something.
And after all these years, we can’t wait to hear it again.
Will the Columbiad Cannon return to its original function?
One of the most recognisable parts of Space Mountain: De la Terre à la Lune was the huge Columbiad Cannon outside the attraction.
In the original story, this was the device that would fire guests towards the Moon, turning the launch into an important part of the Jules Verne-inspired adventure. It was more than just an impressive piece of scenery. It helped explain what the attraction was actually doing before you even stepped inside.
Disneyland Paris has confirmed that the return of From Earth to the Moon will include enhancements to the attraction’s effects, but it hasn’t confirmed that the exterior cannon will operate exactly as it did in the original version.
We certainly hope it does.
One of the things we’d love to see return is the effect that made it look as though the Columbiad was actually firing vehicles towards the Moon. Watching the cannon seemingly launch guests into space from outside the attraction was a brilliant bit of storytelling, and it helped make the whole experience feel bigger than the roller coaster itself.
For now, though, that’s firmly on our wish list rather than something Disneyland Paris has announced.
If the Imagineers can get the cannon firing towards the Moon again, we’ll be very happy indeed.
What will the new From Earth to the Moon experience be like?
At this stage, there are still plenty of details that Disneyland Paris hasn’t revealed, so we’re resisting the temptation to fill in the gaps ourselves.
What we do know is that the new Space Mountain: De la Terre à la Lune will combine the spirit of the original attraction with modern technology and improvements made over more than 30 years.
The story will return to the idea of those very first journeys to the Moon, with a steampunk interpretation of the Jules Verne-inspired world. The indoor sets and props will be refreshed, the queue will be enhanced and new effects will be introduced throughout the experience.
The return of the original score is another important part of the experience. With Steve Bramson’s music being fully remastered, the attraction should once again have the distinctive atmosphere that made the original version so memorable.
For those of us who rode the original, there’s naturally a huge amount of nostalgia attached to this announcement. But we’re also pleased that Disneyland Paris isn’t simply trying to recreate the 1995 attraction piece by piece.
A completely faithful recreation could have been fun, but using modern technology to enhance the original concept gives Imagineering the opportunity to make the attraction work for a new generation too.
That’s perhaps what makes the return so interesting. Younger visitors will get to discover the Moon for the first time, while those of us who remember the original can look for familiar details and see how the experience has evolved.
We already know what it feels like to ride this mountain as From Earth to the Moon, Mission 2 and Star Wars Hyperspace Mountain. Now we’re looking forward to finding out what happens when Disneyland Paris blends the best of its original idea with everything the attraction has learned along the way.
From Jules Verne to Star Wars and back again
The history of this attraction is almost as interesting as the ride itself. Since opening in 1995, the mountain has taken Disneyland Paris guests on several very different journeys.
1995: Space Mountain – De la Terre à la Lune
The attraction opened as Space Mountain: De la Terre à la Lune, inspired by Jules Verne’s From the Earth to the Moon. Guests were launched from the Columbiad Cannon on an ambitious journey towards the Moon.
This is the version we remember from some of our earliest visits to Disneyland Paris. We had only just become tall enough to ride, and it quickly became one of those attractions we wanted to experience again and again.
2005: Space Mountain – Mission 2
Ten years later, the attraction was transformed into Space Mountain: Mission 2. The Jules Verne storyline was removed and the experience took on a new space exploration theme.
We enjoyed this version too, but it marked the end of the original From Earth to the Moon story that had given the attraction so much of its character.
2017: Star Wars Hyperspace Mountain
In 2017, another major transformation arrived. Star Wars Hyperspace Mountain took guests away from the Moon and into a galaxy far, far away.
We’ve enjoyed many rides on this version over the years, and it has become another important part of the attraction’s history. The Star Wars overlay gave the mountain a completely different atmosphere and introduced the Rebel Alliance storyline to a new generation of guests.
End of 2027: Hyperspace Mountain closes
Disneyland Paris has confirmed that Star Wars Hyperspace Mountain will close at the end of 2027 for a refurbishment lasting several months.
That means there’s still plenty of time to experience the Star Wars version before it disappears.
The future: From Earth to the Moon returns
Following the refurbishment, Space Mountain: De la Terre à la Lune will return to Discoveryland.
The new version will bring back the Jules Verne-inspired concept, the original music and the journey towards the Moon, while incorporating refreshed scenery, new effects and modern technology.
Having experienced all three versions, we’re particularly excited to see this next chapter. In a way, the attraction is coming full circle, but this time with more than 30 years of Disneyland Paris history behind it.
Our thoughts on the return
We’re genuinely excited to see From Earth to the Moon return to Disneyland Paris.
There is a personal connection for us that makes this announcement particularly special. One of our first ever visits to Disneyland Paris included riding the original version of Space Mountain when we had only just reached the height requirement. We went on to ride it many times before the change to Mission 2 in 2005.
Since then, we’ve experienced the attraction in its different forms, including plenty of rides on Star Wars Hyperspace Mountain since 2017. Each version has had something to enjoy, but the original Jules Verne-inspired experience has always stood out in our memories.
The return of the music is a big part of that. Steve Bramson’s score was incredible, and hearing it fully remastered inside the attraction is something we’re particularly looking forward to.
We’re also intrigued by how Disneyland Paris will handle the balance between nostalgia and modern technology. We don’t necessarily want a carbon copy of the attraction we remember from the 1990s. If the new version can capture the atmosphere and storytelling of the original while making sensible use of today’s technology, we think it could be something special.
And then there’s the Columbiad Cannon.
We’d love to see the effect that made it appear as though the cannon was firing vehicles towards the Moon return as part of the refurbishment. Disneyland Paris hasn’t confirmed that this will happen, so for now it’s simply something we’re hoping to see.
After years of travelling to a galaxy far, far away, we’re more than ready to head back to the Moon.
And for those who have never experienced From Earth to the Moon, we’re hoping the new version gives a whole new generation the same sense of excitement that we remember from those early visits.
What we know so far
There are still plenty of details to come about the return of Space Mountain: De la Terre à la Lune, but Disneyland Paris has already confirmed several important parts of the project.
Here’s what we know at this stage:
Star Wars Hyperspace Mountain will close at the end of 2027 for a major refurbishment lasting several months.
Space Mountain: De la Terre à la Lune will return, bringing the Jules Verne-inspired story back to Discoveryland.
The attraction will receive technical work and maintenance upgrades as part of the refurbishment.
Indoor sets and props will be refreshed, with new scenic details and enhancements.
The queue will be redesigned, allowing guests to once again watch the trains in motion as part of the experience.
New effects will be introduced, including enhancements to the attraction’s iconic launch sequence.
Steve Bramson’s original score will return, fully remastered.
The attraction will use modern technology alongside the spirit and storytelling of the original version.
The exterior dome lighting installed in 2025 will form part of the attraction’s updated experience.
There are still some important things we don’t know. Disneyland Paris has not yet announced the exact closure date, the reopening date or every detail of the finished attraction.
We also don’t yet know whether some of the effects from the original version, including the exterior Columbiad Cannon effect that made it appear to fire vehicles towards the Moon, will return. We’d certainly love to see that again, but for now it remains a hope rather than confirmed information.
As more details are announced, we’ll be able to build a clearer picture of exactly what guests can expect when the Moon returns to Disneyland Paris.
From Earth to the Moon is coming home
After more than 30 years of changes, Space Mountain: De la Terre à la Lune is finally returning to Disneyland Paris.
We’ve experienced the attraction in all of its major forms, from the original Jules Verne-inspired version that we rode during one of our earliest visits, through Mission 2, and most recently Star Wars Hyperspace Mountain. Each version has its own memories, but seeing the Moon return to Discoveryland feels like a particularly exciting moment.
There’s still plenty we don’t know about the finished attraction, but what Disneyland Paris has confirmed already has us looking forward to the refurbishment. The return of the original story, Steve Bramson’s music, refreshed scenery and new effects should give the attraction a chance to recapture what made the original so memorable while bringing it up to date for a new generation.
And if you’ve never experienced From Earth to the Moon, you’re going to get the chance to discover a very different side of this iconic Disneyland Paris attraction.
For now, we’ll be enjoying Star Wars Hyperspace Mountain while we still can. But we’re already looking towards the Moon.
We can’t wait to see it again.
Disneyland Paris Official Update Statement
In 1995, Space Mountain – De la Terre à la Lune, paved a new way for the guest experience at Disneyland Paris, with its unique blending of thrills, world-first innovations, retro-futuristic aesthetics, and engaging storyline based on Jules Verne’s classic “From the Earth to the Moon” novel. Over the years, this guest-favorite attraction has continued to evolve, discovering new destinations, and galaxies along the way, as well as new dreams for daring guests willing to be catapulted among the stars from the 22-meter-long Columbiad Cannon. For the past ten years, guests blasted off into a galaxy far, far away with Star Wars Hyperspace Mountain, on a secret mission for the Rebel Alliance. And now, a whole new generation of guests will be able to discover the original theme of the attraction, as the upcoming refurbishment will “bring back the Moon” to the heart of this iconic attraction! Walt Disney Imagineering Paris is currently hard at work on designing the refreshed attraction’s aesthetics, as Star Wars Hyperspace Mountain is preparing to close at the end of 2027 for a refurbishment over several months.
Beyond extensive technical work and some maintenance upgrades, the attraction’s indoor sets and props, the enhanced queue and new effects will bring back the beloved “mountain” to its original vision with a shift of the 1995 story, now transporting guests to an idealized period of the very first travels to the Moon, in the steampunk style of Discoveryland. Nostalgic fans can expect special effects to enhance the iconic blast sequence!
For Imagineers, the project is about more than restoring the attraction’s original version. It is an opportunity to celebrate the beloved classic while enhancing it for a new generation. Fans will rejoice to learn that the iconic score from composer Steve Bramson will come back fully remastered to accompany guests on their journey to the Moon! Beginning in the redesigned queue, guests will once again be able to watch the trains in motion, drawing them deeper into the story. Along the way, beloved elements will return alongside new scenic details and enhancements. Combined with more than 30 years of technological advancements, including state-of-the-art exterior dome lighting installed in 2025, Space Mountain: De la Terre à la Lune will continue to be a fan-favorite.
“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. 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,” said Keith Rector, Senior Manager, Creative Art Direction at Walt Disney Imagineering Paris.
Space Mountain – De la Terre à la Lune will mark a definitive milestone in a new phase of the ‘New Magic’ initiative recently launched at Disneyland Paris. This ambitious program aims at improving the guest experience and refreshing its classic attractions to surprise and delight all generations of guests. Most recently, enhanced scenery has been added to the banks of Rivers of the Far West in Frontierland, based on Disney Legend and Imagineer Marc Davis’ original designs, with several other projects at different stages of development that will be unveiled in phases. Driven by the Walt Disney Imagineering Paris team, whose remarkable passion fuels every concept, design, and build, these projects are just the beginning of many more exceptional moments ahead for Disneyland Paris