Astro Orbiter Planets Removed as Refurbishment Progresses at Magic Kingdom

25 days ago in "Astro Orbiter"

Astro Orbiter refurbishment - January 20, 2025
Posted: Tuesday January 21, 2025 9:40am ET by WDWMAGIC Staff

All Astro Orbiter planets, which form part of its signature orbiting theming, have now been removed as work continues in Tomorrowland.



A large crane, brought in at the start of the refurbishment, was used to remove the planets over the weekend. Based on past refurbishments, including the 2014 update, it's likely the crane will be temporarily removed once this phase of work is complete. It is expected to return later in the refurbishment to reinstall the planets and finalize other thematic elements of the attraction.


We don't yet have an exact opening date, but Disney says the Astro Orbiter will reopen in the summer of 2025.

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ChrisFL10 days ago

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

electric10 days ago

There's that lol

UberMouse10 days ago

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

Agent H10 days ago

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 Spanish10 days ago

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

Agent H10 days ago

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

monothingie11 days ago

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

wdw71fan11 days ago

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

Coaster Lover11 days ago

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?

wdwmagic11 days ago

Yep

James Alucobond11 days ago

Yes. Same process.

Disgruntled Walt11 days ago

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?

electric16 days ago

I was there last week and I cant quite figure out how the crane got in. Anyone have any insight this? It is taller than the people mover track. I assume it went down main st and by the fire dept?