Exciting Updates Coming Buzz Light Year's Space Ranger Sprin at Disney World

A New Era for Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin

Get ready, Space Rangers! Some exciting updates are coming to Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin at the Magic Kingdom in Walt Disney World, and they’re set to take your mission into the galaxy to a whole new level. With an all-new show scene, enhanced ride vehicles, and gameplay improvements, there’s a lot to look forward to in 2025. Here's everything you need to know about the upcoming changes to this beloved attraction.

Brand New Show Scene: Meet Buddy the Robot

One of the most exciting updates for Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin is the introduction of a new character to greet you as you embark on your mission. Say hello to Buddy, the friendly robot who will play a key role on the Star Command team. Created by a collaboration between Walt Disney Imagineering and Pixar Animation Studios, Buddy is a support-bot designed to help Space Rangers prepare for their mission to defeat the evil Emperor Zurg.

Before embarking on the intergalactic journey, guests will have the chance to interact with Buddy as he enthusiastically provides final system checks on the star cruisers, offers encouragement, and helps guests fine-tune their blaster aim. This interactive moment will allow guests to get acquainted with some of the new, interactive target features that will be part of the updated experience, ensuring everyone is fully ready to blast off on their adventure.

New Ride Vehicles: Sleek and High-Tech Star Cruisers

In addition to Buddy’s new role, the ride vehicles themselves are also getting a significant upgrade. The iconic star cruisers will receive a fresh new look inspired by the colors and design of Buzz Lightyear and Star Command, making the ride even more visually captivating. These new vehicles will also come with video monitors that will provide real-time scoring updates, ensuring that players can keep track of their progress as they move through the attraction. The addition of these monitors promises to enhance the competitive fun of Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin, providing players with instant feedback as they battle Zurg and score points.

Image Courtesy of Disney

Image Courtesy of Disney

Handheld Blasters: A More Immersive Gameplay Experience

Another exciting change that guests can expect is the addition of handheld blasters to each ride vehicle. These updated blasters will offer better aim and make it easier for guests to hit targets and rack up points. This is a particularly fantastic upgrade for younger riders, as the new handheld blasters will give them a more active and engaged role in the ride experience.

For anyone who has ever wondered whether they’re aiming correctly (you’re not alone!), these enhanced blasters will feature an always-on laser, ensuring that everyone knows exactly where they’re shooting. The blasters will also come in two different colors per star cruiser, making the experience feel even more personalized. But that’s not all – these upgraded blasters will also include new lighting, sound, and vibration effects. These sensory features will offer immediate feedback, signaling when a target has been successfully hit, making the experience more exciting and interactive for all participants.

Image Courtesy of Disney

Interactive Targets: More Responsive, More Fun

One of the most anticipated updates involves the Z targets found throughout the attraction. Currently, the Z targets are static, but soon they will be upgraded with new technology that allows them to react and light up when hit. This change will add a new layer of interactivity to the ride, making the mission feel even more dynamic and engaging for guests.

The introduction of these interactive targets will also open up new possibilities for future updates and experiences. Disney Imagineers are continuing to explore new ways to enhance the interaction between riders and the targets, creating additional opportunities for exciting gameplay twists and new challenges during the mission. Maybe in the future we will see targets that change or move when they are hit. These updates promise to keep the attraction fresh and fun for everyone, regardless of how many times they’ve ridden before.

Playtesting: Ensuring the Best Possible Experienced

The process of creating these exciting updates hasn’t been quick, but it has been thorough. In fact, the new targets, blasters, and gameplay ideas recently passed an important milestone: the playtesting phase. Playtests are an essential part of the design process, allowing the Imagineers to test out the new features in a real-world setting and gather feedback to refine the experience.

As Justin DeTolla, the project’s creative director, explained, “Everyone had a great time, and our team learned a lot. We’ve been working on this project for quite some time now, so it was exciting to see it all come to life for the first time in the field.” The playtesting results have been invaluable in perfecting the interactive features and ensuring that the final product delivers a truly unforgettable experience for all Space Rangers.

Temporary Closure for Updates: What to Expect

To accommodate these exciting updates, Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin will temporarily close in August 2025 for the necessary enhancements. While this temporary closure may seem like a long wait, the update is expected to reopen the attraction next year with a completely refreshed and upgraded experience.

This brief downtime will ensure that the new show scene, ride vehicles, blasters, and interactive targets are fully integrated and ready to provide the best possible adventure for guests when the ride reopens.

Get Ready to Blast Off Into the Future

The upcoming updates to Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin are sure to make the attraction even more thrilling and immersive than ever before. With a brand-new show scene introducing Buddy the robot, revamped ride vehicles with real-time scoring, and interactive targets that react when hit, this iconic ride will take your space adventure to a whole new level.

The improvements to the blasters, targets, and overall gameplay will make it easier for guests of all ages to participate, making this an attraction that everyone in the family can enjoy. So, gear up, Space Rangers – the galaxy needs you! Get ready for a mission filled with high-tech upgrades, interactive fun, and plenty of excitement when Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin reopens in 2026. Star Command, over and out!