Astro Orbiter Closing for Lengthy Refurbishment at Magic Kingdom Starting January 2025

Dec 16, 2024 in "Astro Orbiter"

Posted: Monday December 16, 2024 8:20am ET by WDWMAGIC Staff

Disney has announced that Astro Orbiter, the classic spinning rocket attraction in Tomorrowland at Magic Kingdom, will close for refurbishment beginning January 13, 2025. The closure is expected to last through summer 2025, with no specific reopening date provided.

Astro Orbiter, located atop the Tomorrowland Transit Authority PeopleMover platform, is known for its elevated views of the park and thrilling experience as guests soar in planetary-themed rockets. While Disney has not shared details about the scope of the refurbishment, extended closures often suggest ride system maintenance.

Astro Orbiter last received significant updates in 2014, when its color scheme and lighting effects were refreshed. It remains to be seen if the upcoming refurbishment will bring noticeable enhancements to the attraction or if the updates will focus primarily on maintenance.

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    ToTBellHopFeb 17, 2025

    Should be that way for the next couple months.

    SplashJacketFeb 17, 2025

    I would post a status update on Astro Orbiter, but it’s just gone, so nothing to report!

    ChrisFLFeb 05, 2025

    With Fantastic 4 having a prominent presence in IOA, highly doubtful

    electricFeb 04, 2025

    There's that lol

    UberMouseFeb 04, 2025

    Silly question, but is it possible that we get this.. ?

    Agent HFeb 04, 2025

    Okay everyone an insider told me what Astro orbiter is being rethemed to now I can’t put it into words so I’ll use a picture instead 😉

    Ricky SpanishFeb 04, 2025

    A Disney bus driver told us that it’s being rethemed to Muppets “Pigs in Space”

    Agent HFeb 04, 2025

    What do you mean? you want them to stack construction walls on top of each other?

    monothingieFeb 04, 2025

    What attached IP do you suppose this thing comes back with? Fingers crossed that it's Tianna's Bayou Astro Orbiter!

    wdw71fanFeb 04, 2025

    Thats exactly correct, but whats really going to confuse you is the crane getting past the tomorrowland entry signage :)

    Coaster LoverFeb 04, 2025

    Crazy that they strip it out completely like that. I guess that's the best (easiest? most thorough? most efficient?) way to properly x-ray the metal components to test for any points of metal fatigue? Or are they literally 1-for-1 replacing everything every ~10 years?

    wdwmagicFeb 04, 2025

    Yep

    James AlucobondFeb 04, 2025

    Yes. Same process.

    Disgruntled WaltFeb 04, 2025

    So was the refurbishment THIS extensive back in 2014 or whenever it was last redone? Did they remove the entire ride system back then as well?