The Astro Orbiter at Magic Kingdom is closing for refurbishment in early 2027. Walt Disney World’s refurbishment calendar puts the brief refurbishment at three days, January 5th through 7th. Disney hasn’t said what the work involves, which leaves a question for a ride whose central lift broke after its 2025 rebuild: could Disney finally fix that broken element?
Astro Orbiter Refurbishment Set for Early 2027 at Magic Kingdom
IN THIS ARTICLE:
- The January 5th through 7th closure listed for the Astro Orbiter.
- How a three-day window compares with the 2025 rebuild.
- Whether the closure could address the ride’s central lift.
Disney’s refurbishment calendar now shows a new closure for the Tomorrowland ride in early January 2027, following the full rebuild that wrapped up in June 2025. The listing also revives questions about the broken central lift we reported in October 2025.
Closure Dates on Disney’s Calendar
Disney’s calendar lists the Astro Orbiter as closed January 5th, 6th and 7th, a Tuesday through Thursday. That appears to put the reopening at January 8th. Of course, nothing in the listing explains the work, and the attraction’s page shows no closure notice as of this writing.
A three-day window is short enough that substantial work is off the table. By comparison, the 2025 closure started in mid-January, when crews took the ride apart and removed every planet, and lasted more than five months. Whatever Disney has planned for this January has to fit between a Tuesday and a Thursday.
Could the Broken Lift Finally Be Fixed?
The central lift is supposed to raise and lower the whole attraction, separate from the joystick riders use to steer their rockets. We reported in October 2025 that it had stopped working, and Cast Members told us the ride was running at about half its usual height. When we last checked, the lift still appeared out of order.
We don’t know whether the lift is part of this work, but three days may be just enough time for a targeted fix. When we first reported the problem, it was unclear whether a fix was possible without a full teardown. If the January closure does cover the lift, we should know once testing begins and the ride prepares to reopen on January 8th.
Story So Far
- January 20, 2025: Disassembly of the Astro Orbiter begins at Magic Kingdom
- June 27, 2025: The Astro Orbiter reopens following a five-month refurbishment and rebuild
- October 16, 2025: The central lift is reported broken following the rebuild
As always, keep checking back with us here at BlogMickey.com as we continue to bring you the latest news, photos, and info from around the Disney Parks!