Now, don’t take this as word, but it has been told to Doctor Disney on good authority that the Astro Orbiter could be getting a big-time refurbishment sometime this year. Word is that the attraction will be shut down in order to put in a wheelchair accessible rocket, and this refurb could take three months at the very least.
The reason that this refurbishment would take so long is because the Astro Orbiter would essentially need to be taken apart due to not only having to put in the new rocket, but also conforming it so that particular rocket comes down in the same location every single time. This is, of course, due to a wheelchair ramp or some other form of entry/exit needing to be put in too.
Another thing with this rumored refurbishment is that the Tomorrowland Transit Authority Peoplemover (Wedway) would need to be closed down for the same amount of time as Astro Orbiter. This makes total sense and is due to the fact that the Astro Orbiter sits literally on top of the TTA.
Again, this is not confirmed, but I’ve been told this from someone that has been spot on before with all the information that has been given.
