Disney World replaces classic restaurant

• A longtime Tomorrowland snack spot just got a futuristic makeover.
• Disney’s newest Magic Kingdom addition is big on nostalgia.
• The move fits into a larger refresh across the park’s most iconic land.

If you're lucky enough to get to visit a Disney theme park every couple of years (or even more often), one of the best things about return visits is seeing what's new.

Of course, there are always can't-miss old favorites, but part of the fun is exploring the latest rides and attractions.

Disney World is once again updating its theme park landscape — this time, by saying goodbye to a longtime Tomorrowland favorite.

The company has confirmed that AstroFizz will officially replace Cool Ship, a decades-old snack stand beloved for its retro space-age theme and Coca-Cola misting fans.

The new kiosk represents a blend of nostalgia and novelty — a hallmark of Disney’s evolving strategy to keep its parks fresh while tapping into social-media-ready branding demanded by younger generations.

The update, first reported by BlogMickey, offers the first look at AstroFizz’s new menu and exterior design. Though the space is small, it has outsized meaning for parkgoers who grew up seeing Cool Ship as a Tomorrowland staple.

Disney's Tomorrowland has a new look

For years, Cool Ship was a familiar stop near the entrance to Space Mountain and the Tomorrowland Transit Authority PeopleMover. But in mid-2025, the stand closed, sparking speculation that Disney was preparing a thematic overhaul of the surrounding area.

The walls have since come down, revealing a bright new AstroFizz marquee — complete with glowing signage and a futuristic vibe. While Disney has not confirmed an opening date, preview photos like those shared on WDWMagic suggest that it’s nearly ready for guests.

What’s on the new AstroFizz menu

AstroFizz will focus on frozen beverages and themed snacks, keeping with Tomorrowland’s quick-service tradition but adding more visual appeal. According to Disney’s internal park update and BlogMickey’s coverage, the offerings will include:

• Frozen slushies in Coca-Cola, Fanta Blue Raspberry, and Fanta Orange flavors
• A Cherry Cola Churro rolled in cherry sugar, topped with Coca-Cola Cherry icing and popping candies
• Classic buttery popcorn

The colorful churro, in particular, is expected to be the breakout hit — tailor-made for Instagram and TikTok photos, much like the neon snacks that debuted at Tron Lightcycle Run last year.

Related: Disney clarifies rules for major theme park service after abuse

For casual guests, a snack-stand update might seem minor. However, in the broader context of Disney’s operations, even small changes are part of a larger strategy: keeping high-traffic park areas visually refreshed while subtly adjusting the guest experience.

The rebranding also ties into a wider Tomorrowland modernization effort, including new lighting packages, updated walkways, and improved crowd flow near Space Mountain.

"Disney has struggled to make smaller restaurants like the new AstroFizz stand out, but this at least has some items that are not available at every other stand in Magic Kingdom," Co-editor of TheStreet and Disney expert Dan Kline says.

AstroFizz is also an example of how Disney continues to capitalize on nostalgia.

No one markets nostalgia as well as Disney

The news sparked mixed reactions across Disney fan forums. Repeat visitors expressed some sadness over losing the Cool Ship name, which dated back to the 1990s. Others say the update is overdue, and that Tomorrowland needed more variety and energy in its snack options.

One fan wrote on Reddit, "A worthy replacement in terms of design in my opinion. This fits the more 1960s retro future vibe they [have] been shifting to very well and the architecture is kind of interesting! I will miss the 1990s version of retro future because that’s what I grew up with, so it holds a special place in my heart.”

In typical Disney fashion, small refreshes like this often test new menu ideas before they appear in larger venues, giving AstroFizz potential to shape future park snack trends

What's next for Disney

While Disney has not provided an official launch date, the company traditionally rolls out smaller food locations quietly before peak seasons. If AstroFizz follows that trend, the kiosk could be operational by early holiday season, ahead of the park’s lucrative Christmas period.

Fans visiting this winter may notice additional changes nearby, as Disney continues its slow, steady refresh of Tomorrowland ahead of the Magic Kingdom’s next major anniversary.

Disney’s earnings 2024-2025

• The Disney Experiences division, which includes parks and resorts, generated $32.5 billion in fiscal 2024 revenue, accounting for roughly 39% of total company earnings, according to SEC filings.
• For the quarter ended March 29, 2025 (Q2 FY25), Disney reported revenues of $23.621 billion, up 7% year over year.
• Disney reported a 9% increase in per-guest spending across U.S. parks, fueled by premium food and beverage sales — a category to which small stands like AstroFizz directly contribute.
  Source: The Walt Disney Company

By replacing Cool Ship with AstroFizz, Disney is reinforcing its brand’s most profitable business line: themed park experiences that pair emotion with spending.

"The company’s current expansion efforts focusing on new rides and experiences ‘provide more capacity and more value to our guests,'” said The Walt Disney Company CEO Bob Iger at the 2025 Annual Meeting of Shareholders on March 20, 2025.

For longtime fans, the change marks the end of an era. For Disney, it’s another reminder that no space in its parks — not even a snack stand — is too small to reimagine.

(The Arena Group will earn a commission if you book a trip.)

Please make a free appointment with TheStreet’s Travel Agent Partner, Postcard Travel, or email Amy Post at [email protected] or call or text her at 386-383-2472.

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