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

2 hours ago 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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TheCoasterNerd1 minute ago

This one is different tho. Dumbo is a family ride. Astro Orbiter is a thrill ride - one is on the ground, the other is 2 stories in the air

ToTBellHop3 minutes ago

Apparently.

Blobbles3 minutes ago

amen brother. I miss the 1994 Tomorrowland look.

marni19716 minutes ago

Return the planets to their original design. Return the lighting to its original design. Too much to ask?

Phicinfan37 minutes ago

I for one am super excited the maintenance programs are back and moving. How long have we had rides shutting down cause the maintenance wasn't maintained? Small steps matter.

peter1143540 minutes ago

The planets spun again for a short period after the 2004 refurb. However, they did not spin after the 2014 refurb. My understanding was that during the 2014 the spinning hardware was removed and the planets were made permanently stationary.

trainplane348 minutes ago

I know they've always been a sore spot but will the planets spin for longer then a few months this time?

electric51 minutes ago

Ummmm no. This has nothing to do with that. Thanks for assuming that.

K&KDizFreaks1 hour ago

My sources say it will have an upcharge element. Scan you magic band to go up otherwise you stay on the low orbit

JD801 hour ago

Appreciate sharing that timeline.

peter114351 hour ago

This should be expected. It happens about every 10 years for a complete refurb. The current attraction opened in 1994 and had large and extended refurbs with complete dismantling and rebuild in 2004 and 2014. They are slightly behind.

Blobbles1 hour ago

Rides at Disney go down for normal Maitinence People for no reason: “how can I make this about epic universe?”

James Alucobond1 hour ago

Would be nice if they make some minor updates while it’s down to continue some of the originally planned re-theming of Tomorrowland.

JohnD1 hour ago

One of three spinning rides (Astro Orbiter, Dumbo, Magic Carpets of Aladdin) is closed for refurbishment. Whatever will people do?