The 2026 D23 Ultimate Fan Event was chock-full of major Disney theme park announcements, ranging from details on major projects and prospective opening timelines to shock teaser announcements that fans have waited years for. One of those teasers was for the long-awaited redo of Disneyland’s Tomorrowland, which has long been afflicted by the “Tomorrowland Problem” of a futuristic land quickly becoming outdated.
View from Tomorrowland Skyline Lounge
However, while that announcement was predictably well received, there was little detail on what the new Tomorrowland will specifically entail, and how much is changing. That’s gotten us wondering just how many of Tomorrowland’s older rides, attractions, and structures are going to survive into Disney’s latest take on the future.
Space Mountain
Let’s begin with the biggest ride on our list, both in size and legacy: Space Mountain. While it may seem unimaginable, there has been a stream of rumors that Space Mountain may be replaced. Some point to a version of TRON: Lightcycle/Run coming to the West Coast…
TRON Lightcycle / Run
… while others think that the mountain could be rebuilt like the upcoming Space Mountain: Earthrise that’s coming to Tokyo Disneyland (and maybe Magic Kingdom one day as well, but that’s for a separate rumor deep dive).
However, we’re not sure how much stock to put in the idea of Space Mountain being fully replaced, unless the Tomorrowland project is a full teardown of the land. That said, it wouldn’t be surprising if a TLC refurbishment project was in the cards.
Disneyland Space Mountain
Star Tours
Speaking of groundbreaking attractions, let’s move over to Star Tours: The Adventure Continues. While a simulator experience set in a galaxy far, far away has been a Tomorrowland staple for 40 years, the reality is that having a Star Wars-themed ride in the land seems a bit redundant with Galaxy’s Edge on the other side of the park. Plus, the version of Star Tours currently operating is the early 2010s Adventure Continues version, which doesn’t elicit the same nostalgia.
Star Tours
It’s hard to say that removing Star Tours is “likely,” but it may be tempting for Disney given the large plot of land that the ride’s show building (which was once home to Adventure Thru Inner Space) takes up.
Adventure Thru Inner Space ©D23
Autopia
Perhaps no existing Tomorrowland attraction was thrown into flux by the D23 announcement more than Autopia. The ride is scheduled to replace its fleet of gas-powered vehicles by February 1st of next year. Is that still happening? Has it been canceled and the ride condemned to closure, or will the electric Autopia be the first element of the New Tomorrowland?
Autopia
Tomorrowland Theater
Over the years, the space currently known as the Tomorrowland Theater has gone by several names — including the Magic Eye Theater — and incarnations while serving as the home of Magic Journeys, Captain EO, and Honey, I Shrunk the Audience. These days, the theater is only sporadically used for showings of things like the Pixar Short Film Festival, making it, perhaps, a prime candidate to be demolished for some of the “open spaces” Disney promised for the new Tomorrowland.
Tomorrowland Theater
Tomorrowland Expo Center
Similar to the theater, the space currently known as the Tomorrowland Expo Center was once a hub of the land. The once-rotating building has hosted the Carousel of Progress, America Sings, Innoventions, and Star Wars: Launch Bay over the years. However, its current barely used state likely makes it a target for removal during a refurbishment.
Disneyland Star Wars Launch Bay
It remains to be seen how many, if any, of these rides, attractions, and structures are lost during the upcoming Disneyland Tomorrowland refurbishment. Stay tuned to DFB as more information is released on the project.
Disney Fans Are Sharing the Park “Myths” They Believed for Way Too Long, and My Mind Is Blown
Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe!
WE KNOW DISNEY.
YOU CAN, TOO.
Oh boy, planning a Disney trip can be quite the adventure, and we totally get it! But fear not, dear friends, we compiled EVERYTHING you need (and the things to avoid!) to plan the ULTIMATE Disney vacation.
Whether you're a rookie or a seasoned pro, our insider tips and tricks will have you exploring the parks like never before. So come along with us, and get planning your most magical vacation ever!
What do you hope the Tomorrowland project entails? Let us know in the comments below.
Our handy (and portable!) ebook guides make sure you get the best deals and can plan a vacation of a lifetime.
To be honest, we seldom go into Tomorrowland. I loved the original Test Track many years ago and as a kid loved the speedway where we could drive ourselves….such fun for a kid but I understand and agree with some of the issues today. Otherwise, we only went on PeopleMover and Carousel of Progress….fingers crossed we’ll like the new version. My son went on Space Mountain as a tween. Said he loved it but came out looking green ☺. I love the concept of a Tomorrowland but not sure what direction it should take. The rides for me now mostly cause motion sickness or are too dark to enjoy or are based on characters and movies we don’t care about. Sadly, most of the wdw parks are now leaning this way. Because it’s part of the MK and had Walt’s and his crew’s touch as the first park, I’m hoping they can create something wonderful.
Did no one look at the picture they showed of the Tomorrowland project at D23?
It clearly showed Space Mountain and the monorail. So the clear assumption is that those two rides are safe.