Major Overhaul Announced for Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin

[mrsap]

BREAKING: Major Overhaul Announced for Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin – New Vehicles, Blasters, Targets, Animatronics, & Scene​

Walt Disney World has just revealed that major changes are coming to Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin at the Magic Kingdom.

Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin opened at the Magic Kingdom on November 3, 1998. It replaced Delta Dreamflight.

The attraction will close in August 2025 and reopen in 2026 with the following changes. A more specific timeline will be announced at a later date.

New Scene​

A new scene is coming to the beginning of the ride featuring a brand new character. Buddy the robot is a support-bot whose job is to make sure all Space Rangers are ready to go and perform final systems checks on the Star Cruiser ride vehicles. The scene will also give guests a chance for target practice — including some of the new, interactive features.

New Ride Vehicles​

New ride vehicles are coming to Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin. The updated Star Cruisers will have a new look inspired by Star Command, as well as video monitors with real-time scoring and “other exciting features.”

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The anchored blasters will be replaced with handheld devices that feature an always-on laser to help with aim. Each Star Cruiser will have two different colors of blasters, which will also have new light, sound, and haptic effects.

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The old Z-targets are being updated to interact with the blasters, with each hit triggering lighting effects and more. Further interactivity was teased, with the announcement saying that these new targets “open the door for a few other ideas Imagineers have in mind.”

Imagineers are already playtesting the targets, blasters, and other gameplay developments.

 

[kylenne]

This is fantastic news, it badly needs it.

 

[reddog21]

So there just going to replicate what was done in Tokyo Disneyland.

 

[pens4821]

While I’m happy because it needs done, I’m also upset at the timing. Our plan is to go in January. This is one of our favorite rides, as well as BTM and RnR. I know nothing has been announced for RnR yet, but I’m assuming all three will be closed. That’s very disappointing, and now thinking of delaying our trip a little but January/February is really the best time for us.

 

[OKW Lover]

Sounds like a really good update. Love this attraction.

 

[OP95]

very happy it’s getting a refurb but it looks like all my favourite rides are closing before I go in November

 

[mrsap]

PHOTOS, VIDEO: We Got To Play-Test The NEW Buzz Lightyear Blasters, Here’s Everything We Learned​

We were able to play-test the new blasters and targets coming to Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin and learn more about what is in store for this ride update.


New Buzz Lightyear Blasters Play-Test



This play-test specifically highlighted the new blasters and updated targets that will be a part of the ride once it reopens from its major overhaul in 2026.

The entire experience is very similar to Buzz Lightyear Planet Rescue at Shanghai Disneyland and Ant-Man and The Wasp: Nano Battle! at Hong Kong Disneyland. It is likely what is also being planned for the Wreck-It Ralph attraction replacing Buzz Lightyear’s Astro Blasters at Tokyo Disneyland, which will also open in 2026.



The new blasters themselves are very light, just like those at Disneyland aboard Buzz Lightyear Astro Blasters. They are also no longer mounted to the ride vehicle, allowing for a greater range of motion from the rider when aiming.



The blasters will have different colors, and the targets will now react in that color so you know exactly which target you’re hitting as the player. The blasters will also have light and haptics on the actual guns that show if you’re firing or if you’ve successfully hit a target.

In addition, the Star Cruiser ride vehicles for Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin will be brand new, after all these decades. The current vehicles on the ride go all the way back to 1972; Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin opened in 1998, replacing Delta Dreamflight.


The vehicles will also have video monitors that provide real-time scoring updates and other features.


The new targets will have screens that react with animation and lighting effects as you hit them.


Above, you can see both the green and orange blasters creating shock-like visuals on the target, with a coordinating color ring around the target that was hit.


You can see the blaster in action in our post on X (formerly Twitter) below:

https://twitter.com/x/status/1904867126130655315

The attraction is scheduled to close in August 2025 to make these changes and will reopen in 2026. A more specific timeline will be shared at a later date.



The updated attraction will also feature a new scene at the beginning, featuring the new character “Buddy,” a support robot from Star Command. Created by Walt Disney Imagineering and Pixar Animation Studios, Buddy will make sure departing Space Rangers are fully prepared for their mission and do final system checks on their Star Cruisers.

For a better look at what the experience will be like, check out our ride-through POV for Ant-Man and The Wasp: Nano Battle! below:

Also watch our historic retrospective of If You Had Wings, Delta Dreamflight, and Space Ranger Spin:

Are you excited to see this update make its way to Magic Kingdom next year? Share your thoughts with us on social media.

 

[scrappinginontario]

So excited for these updates as it will be easier to know when I miss my targets - most of the targets!

 

[DaviVascaino]

I will be back in Feb 2026, chances of this being reopened? Probably zero

 

[cisco911]

I'm going August 3 to 8...hopefully August means after that!!!! So many things going down for refurb!

 

[scrappinginontario]

Does anyone know if the ride vehicles in the attractions that are similar to the new one are still turned by riders or, do they follow and automatic version of the ride vehicle turning?

 

[DisneyMountainWoman]

I love the update but they need to wait on it... at least till thunder mountain is back open.

 

[Dave006]

I love the update but they need to wait on it... at least till thunder mountain is back open.

I will mention it to Bob Iger this weekend at dinner, that @DisneyMountainWoman on DIS want's you to wait until March 2026.

Dave

 

[TCRAIG]

Hallelujah! But I wish they’d wait til 2026….

 

[nerdboyrockstar]

This is great news... for my scores. I rode it in Shanghai where suddenly I was a freakin' Space Ranger after years of being a total loser.. sorry.. Space Cadet at MK. It really allows you to see where you're aiming a lot better which is ideal for those of us with little to no hand/eye coordination.

 

[kylenne]

@ “I wish they’d wait”

They waited almost 30 years and let this ride get into a dilapidated state that’s showed up by a ride down the street at HS. Buzz came out when the PlayStation (no number) was the hot thing on the streets and hasn’t been touched since. It very much shows, and it’s frankly an embarrassment. On top of the antiquated tech there’s constantly broken ride vehicles, all the issues w the targeting reticule, etc.

No one likes to miss their faves but the reality is no matter when they refurb something it’s going to happen during somebody’s trip. And tbqh this thing is so janky now what are you even really missing lol. Every ride on it is more depressing than the last.

 

[bullcat_02]

Excited about the revamp but also bummed. I will be there with my 73 year old mother in December and she will probably not be able to experience the revamp. We have to save for years to afford a trip and mom really wants to do a Disney cruise in a few years before she gets too old.

 

[Neener16]

I’m very upset I won’t be able to embarrass myself with my pathetic score when I go in August. I even found an article that gives you pointers on how to increase your score that I was going to read ahead of time.

 

[Pluto777]

I love the update but they need to wait on it... at least till thunder mountain is back open.

Anyone have info on precise dates WHEN in August? (Beginning? Middle? End of August?)

 

[scrappinginontario]

Anyone have info on precise dates WHEN in August? (Beginning? Middle? End of August?)

No, an official date has not been announced. We have an Aug trip planned too so we’re planning for it being closed and will be excited if it’s not.