🎢 Tokyo Disneyland is getting a massive makeover in 2027! Space Mountain, a beloved attraction since opening day over 40 years ago, will be completely rebuilt with cutting-edge technology. Plus, Buzz Lightyear's Astro Blasters transforms into the colorful world of Disney's "Wreck-It Ralph." Total investment: nearly $6.7 billion in long-term development. Here's what the future holds for Japan's most iconic theme park.
Tomorrowland's Major Transformation Coming Spring 2027
On January 29, 2026, Oriental Land Company officially announced that the new "Sugar Rush" themed attraction at Tokyo Disneyland's Tomorrowland will open in Spring 2027. This announcement is part of the company's ambitious long-term management strategy extending to fiscal year 2035.
The new attraction will be created by renovating "Buzz Lightyear's Astro Blasters," which closed in October 2024. This indoor shooting-style attraction, with an estimated investment of approximately 29.5 billion yen (around $197 million), is designed to provide interactive gaming experiences enjoyable for guests of all ages.
Inside the New Attraction: A Sweet Adventure to Save Candy Kingdom
"Wreck-It Ralph" (known as "Sugar Rush" in Japanese marketing) is a Disney animated film released in 2012, set in the world of arcade games. The protagonist Ralph, who has played the villain in his game for years, dreams of becoming a true hero and embarks on an adventure. Along the way, he meets the energetic young girl Vanellope, and together they experience an epic journey through the gaming universe.
In this new attraction, guests will team up with Ralph and Vanellope to save the candy world racing game from destruction caused by "Sugar Bugs" - glitches created by the villainous King Candy. Players will aim and shoot at the Sugar Bugs, restoring them to their original forms as adorable cookies and cakes.
The adjacent merchandise facility "Planet M" will also undergo theme changes and renovations, completely refreshing the overall atmosphere of the area.
Space Mountain's Complete Rebuild Also Set for 2027
The transformation of Tomorrowland doesn't stop with Sugar Rush. Space Mountain, which has been beloved by guests since Tokyo Disneyland's grand opening in 1983 - over 40 years ago - is scheduled for a complete rebuild opening in 2027.
The new Space Mountain will be constructed on the west side, behind the current facility. While maintaining its basic format as an indoor roller coaster-type attraction, it will incorporate the latest technology and special effects, designed to create a more immersive experience that engages all five senses, making guests feel as though they're truly traveling through space.
The investment has been revised upward from the initial 56 billion yen to 70.5 billion yen (approximately $470 million), demonstrating Oriental Land's enormous expectations for this project. Additionally, a new "Tomorrowland Plaza" featuring light and sound effects will be created around the attraction, offering a magical atmosphere especially at night.
Oriental Land's Long-Term Business Strategy
In April 2025, Oriental Land announced its long-term management strategy through fiscal year 2035. The company aims to continue delivering "excitement and wonder found nowhere else in the world," with an ambitious vision targeting over 1 trillion yen in revenue by fiscal 2035.
For its theme park business, the company plans to consider large-scale developments including area renovations, introduce new facilities, and continuously enhance content. The combined investment of approximately 100 billion yen ($667 million) for Sugar Rush (29.5 billion yen) and the new Space Mountain (70.5 billion yen) represents a key pillar of this strategy.
Furthermore, recognizing that accommodation demand in the Maihama and Shin-Urayasu areas remains high with occupancy rates at 95%, the company is also considering the development of new Disney hotels. Additionally, Japan's first Disney cruise business is planned to launch in fiscal 2028, with investment in the vessel alone expected to reach approximately 290 billion yen ($1.9 billion).
Japan's Thriving Theme Park Industry
According to the "Leisure White Paper 2025" published by the Japan Productivity Center, the 2024 market size for amusement parks and theme parks reached 1.019 trillion yen, expanding 4.8% year-over-year and surpassing 1 trillion yen for the first time in history.
This growth is supported by recovery from the pandemic and expanding inbound tourism demand. At Tokyo Disney Resort, the proportion of overseas guests among total visitors rose from 12.7% in fiscal year ending March 2024 to 15.3% in fiscal year ending March 2025. Combined with the weak yen effect, Japanese theme parks have become extremely attractive tourist destinations for international visitors.
Meanwhile, Universal Studios Japan also received the prestigious "2025 Applause Award" in May 2025, enhancing its international reputation. The two major theme parks in eastern and western Japan continue to push each other to greater heights, driving quality improvements across Japan's entire theme park industry.
Economic Impact on the Tourism Industry
Tokyo Disney Resort's continuous investment and expansion creates significant ripple effects on the surrounding economy, particularly in Urayasu City, Chiba Prefecture. Increased park visitors generate economic benefits for nearby hotels, restaurants, and transportation services, while also contributing to regional employment creation.
Oriental Land also emphasizes investment in human capital. In April 2024, the company implemented an average base wage increase of approximately 6% for employees including part-time workers, showing a commitment to creating a better working environment despite the estimated impact of around 6.5 billion yen on consolidated results.
"Fantasy Springs," the new themed port at Tokyo Disney Sea that opened in June 2024, has also been well-received. This largest-ever expansion project, with an investment of approximately 320 billion yen ($2.1 billion), is expected to boost consolidated revenue by approximately 75 billion yen ($500 million) annually when operating at full capacity throughout the year.
Conclusion: The Never-Ending Evolution of the Magic Kingdom
Walt Disney once said, "Disneyland will never be completed. It will continue to grow as long as there is imagination left in the world." Tokyo Disneyland continues to evolve exactly as these words suggest, even more than 40 years after its opening.
The 2027 Tomorrowland renovation is not merely an attraction update - it demonstrates new possibilities for Japan's theme park industry. The participatory experience leveraging the popular Sugar Rush IP, combined with the technologically advanced new Space Mountain, will likely set new standards for next-generation theme park experiences.
In Japan, there is a deep affection for Disneyland, and expectations for the new attractions are running high. What kind of experiences do you look for in theme parks in your country? Would you like to visit Tokyo Disneyland? We'd love to hear your thoughts!
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Reactions in Japan
I loved Buzz Lightyear's Astro Blasters so the renovation feels bittersweet... but if it's the Sugar Rush world, I'm hopeful. Can't wait to meet Vanellope!
70.5 billion yen for Space Mountain is insane, isn't it? But if it becomes the world's best Space Mountain, I'm totally on board.
As an annual pass holder, I'm so excited for 2027. Isn't a complete Tomorrowland overhaul the biggest change since opening day?
Honestly, I would have preferred an attraction from a different movie. Like Tangled or Moana. Does Sugar Rush really fit Tomorrowland?
It's sad that the Space Mountain I've been riding since childhood is gone, but I'll make it my goal to ride the new one with my son.
I hold Oriental Land stock so I'm hopeful about the long-term strategy. The cruise business is pretty aggressive. Hope dividends come back too.
Fantasy Springs at DisneySea is super crowded, so 2027 Disneyland is definitely gonna be packed... Even weekdays seem impossible.
I'm scared ticket prices will go up again. They raised them for Fantasy Springs too. Are we close to 10,000 yen being normal?
Sugar Rush's colorful world is definitely Insta-worthy 🍭 The merch is gonna be so cute, I'm already excited!
USJ is going strong with Mario and Donkey Kong, so maybe Disney is competing with gaming themes too. Competition is great for consumers.
Cast members must have it tough with so many inbound tourists. Their language skills are amazing. Please raise their salaries.
Super curious about Tomorrowland Plaza's night effects! Wonder if we can use it as a parade waiting spot.
American Disney is way too expensive for regular people. Japan is still better, but at this rate, it might become like America.
I'm an Urayasu resident and land prices are skyrocketing thanks to Disney. Mixed feelings... But tourism definitely helps the town.
Shooting attractions make your arms tired, but if it's Sugar Rush, the cuteness makes it forgivable.
They're even doing Disney cruises now. At this point they're not a theme park company, but a full entertainment conglomerate.
Wish Shanghai Disney had a Sugar Rush attraction too. Going to Tokyo is expensive, but the Japan version will definitely be high quality and worth it.
Looks like it'll be better than Florida's Space Mountain. Japanese Disney attractions have a different level of attention to detail.
I wish they'd invest in Disneyland Paris too. Tokyo keeps getting new stuff while we're jealous over here.
Traveling from Korea to Tokyo Disneyland has become a standard trip. I'll definitely go in 2027. Better book flights early.
There's no Disney park in the UK, so whenever I visit Japan it's a must-see. Excited for the new attractions.
As a German, I think Japanese theme park hospitality is the best in the world. There's good reason the high admission is worth it.
From an Italian perspective, investing $670 million is impressive. It shows how seriously they take the theme park industry economically.
Disney movies are popular in Vietnam too. Going to Tokyo Disneyland was my dream, so I want to visit after Sugar Rush opens.
Mexico doesn't have a Disney park, so Anaheim or Tokyo are the options. Japan is far but the experience quality is supposedly unmatched.
Many of my Australian friends travel to Japan. Thanks to the weak yen, Disney feels like a deal. 2027 seems like good timing.
India doesn't have a Disney park yet, so Hong Kong or Tokyo are popular. Tokyo has more variety in attractions and is better.
From Sweden's perspective, Japan's theme park market surpassing 1 trillion yen is surprising. Nordic countries don't have facilities of this scale.
Only 3 hours from Taiwan to Tokyo. Happy we can do weekend trips when the new attractions open. My kids will love Sugar Rush.
Japan is far from Egypt, but I want to visit Tokyo Disneyland at least once in my life. Curious about the new Space Mountain version.
I'm Canadian, but I prefer Tokyo's Disney parks over California or Florida. The queue management and food are on another level.
I'm a Japanese-Brazilian. Every time I visit Japan, I look forward to Disney. Planning to go with my whole family in 2027.