What does it take to build the most expensive Disney attraction ever created? The answer is roughly 100 billion yen, a brand-new ride system, and years of secrecy. Finally, Tokyo Disneyland has confirmed the official name: Space Mountain Earthrise. Additionally, Walt Disney Imagineering unveiled a detailed model at the 2026 D23 Expo.
Walt Disney Imagineering showed off the Space Mountain Earthrise model inside its “Horizons” pavilion. As a result, fans got their clearest look yet at the coaster that will replace the beloved original Space Mountain. Furthermore, Disney announced a fresh name for the park’s other major new ride. The Wreck-It Ralph attraction now carries the official title Sugar Rush: Sweet Rescue.
This news matters for anyone who grew up riding Tokyo Disneyland’s Tomorrowland. After all, the area is getting a complete transformation, and these two attractions sit right at its heart. Below, you’ll find everything currently known about Space Mountain Earthrise, Sugar Rush: Sweet Rescue, and the reimagined Tomorrowland Plaza that connects them.
What Is Space Mountain Earthrise?
Space Mountain Earthrise is an all-new indoor roller coaster. Crews are building it from the ground up, behind the site of the original Space Mountain. Tokyo Disneyland has offered a version of this ride since the park first opened. So, this project goes far beyond a simple refresh. Instead, Imagineers designed a full rebuild with new architecture, a newly engineered ride system, and immersive storytelling throughout the journey.
The ride launches guests from Earth and sends them hurtling into space. From there, riders travel through a cosmic environment filled with light and sound effects inspired by real space phenomena. Notably, the ride vehicles will also feature an onboard audio system, marking a first for any roller coaster at Tokyo Disney Resort.
Even the building’s exterior tells a story. Curved architecture echoes the movement of celestial bodies and natural forms like trees and flowers. Disney describes this design choice as an expression of the connection between space and nature. Consequently, that theme carries through the entire attraction.
Why Did Disney Name the Ride Space Mountain Earthrise?
The name Earthrise refers to the sight of Earth rising over the Moon’s horizon, much like a sunrise seen from our own planet’s surface. It’s a striking image. According to Disney, the name captures how precious and unique Earth is within the vastness of the universe.
This concept is unique to the Japan version of Space Mountain. In fact, no other Space Mountain attraction anywhere in the world uses the Earthrise theme. That makes this ride a genuinely one-of-a-kind experience. As guests travel through the mysteries of space, the story ultimately brings them back to a renewed appreciation for home.
Inside Tomorrowland Plaza: The New Home of Space Mountain Earthrise
Space Mountain Earthrise sits at the back of a brand-new courtyard called Tomorrowland Plaza. Here, Imagineers designed a space that symbolically brings together humanity and nature. In doing so, it connects the classic Tomorrowland of the past with a more forward-looking vision of the future.
The plaza’s design leans heavily on natural elements. For instance, expect structures inspired by fire, water, earth, and wood, along with imagery drawn from the sun and moon. According to Tokyo Disneyland, these features remind guests how connected humanity, nature, and space truly are.
Once night falls, the plaza transforms with lighting and sound designed to fill the space with hope and wonder. Tokyo Disneyland describes it as a place where guests can let their dreams for the future soar. Clearly, the area functions as a gathering spot rather than just a walkway between rides.
Hungry or thirsty guests can stop at Element Express, a new snack and drink location within Tomorrowland Plaza. It’s the perfect spot to rest between attractions.
Sugar Rush: Sweet Rescue Joins the Tomorrowland Lineup
The second major addition to this reimagined Tomorrowland is Sugar Rush: Sweet Rescue, based on Walt Disney Animation Studios’ Wreck-It Ralph. This family attraction opens in spring 2027 and sends guests into a candy-coated video game world.
In the story, Ralph, Vanellope, and their friends need help saving their world from Sugar Bugs. Together, guests work to defeat King Candy and restore the Sugar Bugs to their original, adorable forms. Think gummy candies, cupcakes, and other sweet treats.
The ride’s technology sets it apart. Specifically, Sugar Rush: Sweet Rescue introduces a new interactive system to Tokyo Disney Resort. In fact, Disney describes it as the first attraction of its kind anywhere in the company’s park portfolio. Naturally, that bold claim has raised expectations for just how immersive this family-friendly ride will feel.
OLC, the company that operates Tokyo Disney Resort, plans to invest approximately 29.5 billion yen into Sugar Rush: Sweet Rescue. That figure is notably large for an attraction many fans assumed would simply reuse existing ride infrastructure. Consequently, it will be interesting to see exactly where that investment goes once the ride opens.
Guests visiting the attraction will also find Pixel Prism, a gift shop next door selling Wreck-It Ralph themed merchandise. Nearby, Popping Station, a popcorn stand, faces Tomorrowland Plaza as well.
How Much Does Space Mountain Earthrise Cost?
The budget for Space Mountain Earthrise has grown considerably since Disney first announced the project in 2022. Originally, OLC projected an investment of around 56 billion yen. That figure alone would have made this one of the priciest Disney attractions ever built.
Since then, the number has only climbed. In a recent quarterly report, the company raised the projected budget to 70.5 billion yen. Now, with the official ride names revealed, OLC confirms that total investment across the entire Tomorrowland transformation has surpassed 100 billion yen.
Currency conversion makes this figure tricky to interpret. Using exchange rates from 2019, or from the two decades before that, this budget would translate to roughly 700 million dollars. However, today’s weaker yen and stronger dollar put the real figure closer to 500 million dollars.
Regardless of currency swings, Space Mountain Earthrise will likely become the most expensive attraction Walt Disney Imagineering has ever built, at least in terms of local currency spent. Other contenders for that title include Enchanted Tale of Beauty and the Beast, Anna & Elsa’s Frozen Journey, Peter Pan’s Never Land Adventure, Avatar Flight of Passage, Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance, and Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind. That said, rising labor and material costs mean several attractions currently under construction at Walt Disney World and Disneyland Resort will likely surpass this budget soon.
How Does the Space Mountain Earthrise Ride System Compare to Cosmic Rewind?
Fans have compared Space Mountain Earthrise to Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind at EPCOT ever since Disney first announced the project. Both rides are indoor coasters built around storytelling. Also, both represent major technical leaps for Imagineering.
Guests riding the Tokyo Disney Resort Line monorail have shared photos and video showing a ride vehicle with a strong visual resemblance to Cosmic Rewind. That ride holds the distinction of being Disney’s first Omnicoaster. Imagineering developed it in partnership with Vekoma, and it remains the only Walt Disney World coaster capable of a reverse launch.
However, Space Mountain Earthrise isn’t simply a clone of its Florida counterpart. Enthusiasts monitoring construction identified a section of drop track manufactured by Intamin, a different roller coaster manufacturer entirely. Notably, Intamin has a long history with Disney parks. For example, the company built Raging Spirits at Tokyo DisneySea, Indiana Jones et le Temple du Péril at Disneyland Paris, and the Incredicoaster at Disney California Adventure.
Additionally, Intamin has partnered with Universal on rides like Jurassic World VelociCoaster and Hiccup’s Wing Gliders at Epic Universe. The manufacturer also built the Fast & Furious: Hollywood Drift Roller Coaster, found at both Universal Studios Hollywood and Universal Studios Florida.
Does the Ride Manufacturer Really Matter?
For most casual park guests, the difference between a Vekoma and an Intamin ride system means very little. Instead, it matters far more to dedicated roller coaster enthusiasts, who tend to debate these technical distinctions in detail. Even so, the underlying story matters more than the hardware.
Disney has now confirmed that Space Mountain Earthrise will function as a storytelling coaster. In other words, it blends thrilling ride mechanics with a layered narrative experience, much like Cosmic Rewind. Fans expected this given the scale of the rebuild and its enormous budget. Still, the recently spotted ride vehicles all but confirm it.
Long-standing rumors also point to an early pitch that essentially reimagined Cosmic Rewind without the Marvel branding. Many fans have also compared the concept to a next-generation take on Space Fantasy at Universal Studios Japan. So, Space Mountain Earthrise appears to land somewhere between those ideas, regardless of which manufacturer built the underlying coaster mechanism.
When Will Space Mountain Earthrise Open?
Tokyo Disneyland has not issued a precise opening date for Space Mountain Earthrise. However, all signs point toward a debut alongside Sugar Rush: Sweet Rescue, which already carries an official spring 2027 opening season. In fact, many fans expect both attractions, along with the rest of the reimagined Tomorrowland area, to open on April 15, 2027. That date happens to mark Tokyo Disneyland’s park anniversary.
As construction continues, additional details should arrive in the months ahead. Disney has already put a model on display at D23 Expo, so further reveals could follow at future Disney Parks panels. These reveals may include concept art or early test footage.
Final Thoughts
Tokyo Disneyland’s Tomorrowland transformation represents one of the most ambitious projects in the resort’s history. Overall, the park is investing well over 100 billion yen to reshape one of its most iconic areas. That investment covers Space Mountain Earthrise, Sugar Rush: Sweet Rescue, and the newly designed Tomorrowland Plaza.
Space Mountain Earthrise stands out as a passion project years in the making. Its blend of launch coaster thrills, immersive storytelling, and a uniquely Japanese theme sets it apart from every other Space Mountain in the world. Meanwhile, Sugar Rush: Sweet Rescue brings new interactive technology to the resort, giving families another reason to visit once both rides open in 2027.
Fans will need to wait for more details for now. Still, with a full-scale model already on display and construction well underway, Space Mountain Earthrise looks on track for a spring 2027 debut that could redefine what a family coaster can be.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Space Mountain Earthrise?
Space Mountain Earthrise is a brand-new indoor roller coaster under construction at Tokyo Disneyland. It replaces the park’s original Space Mountain with an entirely new ride system, storyline, and building design themed around space exploration and Earth’s place in the universe.
When will Space Mountain Earthrise open?
Disney has not confirmed an exact date, but the ride should open around the same time as Sugar Rush: Sweet Rescue in spring 2027. Many fans expect an official debut on April 15, 2027, Tokyo Disneyland’s anniversary.
How much does Space Mountain Earthrise cost?
OLC has confirmed that total investment in the Tomorrowland transformation, including Space Mountain Earthrise, now exceeds 100 billion yen. That figure translates to roughly 500 million dollars at current exchange rates.
Is Space Mountain Earthrise similar to Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind?
The two attractions share visual and conceptual similarities, including a family-friendly storytelling coaster format. However, Space Mountain Earthrise uses a different ride system manufacturer, Intamin, rather than Vekoma, which built Cosmic Rewind.
What is Sugar Rush: Sweet Rescue?
Sugar Rush: Sweet Rescue is a new Wreck-It Ralph themed attraction opening at Tokyo Disneyland in spring 2027. It features new interactive technology and invites guests to help Ralph and Vanellope save their candy-filled world from Sugar Bugs.
