Buzz Lightyear's Space Ranger Spin Closing for Major Refurbishment at Magic Kingdom in August 2025

By WDWMAGIC Staff · Wednesday March 26, 2025 8:16am ET · "Buzz Lightyear's Space Ranger Spin"
Buzz Lightyear's Space Ranger Spin Closing for Major Refurbishment at Magic Kingdom in August 2025

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Buzz Lightyears Space Ranger Spin Updates 2025

Buzz Lightyears Space Ranger Spin Updates 2025Buzz Lightyears Space Ranger Spin Updates 2025Buzz Lightyears Space Ranger Spin Updates 2025Buzz Lightyears Space Ranger Spin Updates 2025

Disney has announced that Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin at Magic Kingdom will close in August 2025 to undergo significant updates. The Tomorrowland attraction will return next year with a new show scene, redesigned ride vehicles, upgraded gameplay features, and enhanced interactive elements.

Here’s what you can expect from the changes:

New Show Scene Featuring “Buddy”

  • A new support-bot character named Buddy will greet guests at the start of the ride.
  • Developed by Walt Disney Imagineering and Pixar Animation Studios, Buddy helps Space Rangers prep for their mission.
  • He provides final checks, encouragement, and target practice using new interactive features.

New Ride Vehicles

  • Ride vehicles are getting a fresh look with colors inspired by Buzz Lightyear and Star Command.
  • Each vehicle will now include onboard video monitors that show real-time scoring and gameplay info.

Handheld Blasters

  • The mounted blasters will be replaced with new handheld versions.
  • These updated blasters offer better aim, constant laser visibility, and light, sound, and vibration feedback.
  • Each cruiser will include two different colored blasters, helping guests track their shots during the ride.

Interactive Targets and Gameplay Enhancements

  • Current static Z targets will be upgraded with responsive technology that lights up and reacts when hit.
  • This opens up the opportunity for additional gameplay mechanics that Imagineers are still exploring.
  • Disney Imagineering recently hosted a playtest with team members to refine the new experience.

Project Creative Director Justin DeTolla said, “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.”

Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin will close temporarily in August to allow for the refurbishment. The enhanced version of the attraction is expected to reopen in 2025.

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Well this came out of the blue… should be good I guess?
I’ve always enjoyed the star command theme but those blasters needed to change. This seems like a great update.
The competitive player in me is disappointed that they’re giving people an always-on laser, feels like that’ll help everyone bump their score… but otherwise excited how it’ll turn out
Been waiting a long time for this!
These are some LONG overdue updates which address most (all?) of the complaints that many of us had! Good on Disney for this upgrade (though I guess with Mario Kart opening up down the street showing the latest and greatest tech for this type of ride, it likely put some pressure on Disney to finally do these upgrades). Eitherway, should improve the ride substantially!
Wooooooo!!!!!

Worst buzz is finally getting some love!

I was hoping for the Tokyo changeover but this is just as good! Awesome news
Wow. I'm shocked. Didn't see it going that way. Good to hear.
Are we reckoning end of August to ensure the summer crowds get one last go before temp shutdown? 28th rather than 8th?
These upgrades are all great and necessary and should have the ride better than it was, but I am Absolutely SHOCKED they are keeping the buzz lightyear theme and not retheming it.
List of changes (TLDR for the article):

Closing in August 2025 and will reopen in 2026

-New scene/New Character (basically a scene to "test" your blaster aim before the ride actually starts)
-New ride vehicle (includes video monitor to display score and other "exciting features")
-Handheld blasters (attached to the vehicle with a flexible cable instead of the old ones which were more or less mounted to the car and could only be rotated)
-Always on laser guide (in two different colors per car) to make it easier to see where you are aiming
-Haptic responses (lights/sounds/vibrations)
-Interactive Targets (targets will light up/react when hit)
↩ replying to jannerUK
Here's hoping that Test Track is at least reopened before this goes down... otherwise we're in a situation where Test Track, Buzz, Tree of Life/Zootopia, BTMRR, and possibly TSI are all closed at the same time which is not ideal... (assuming RNRC and Dinosaurs are not also down).
Long overdue and much needed 👍🏻👍🏻
I'd rather this than Florida getting Wreck-It-Ralph.
Much needed! Great news.
With these updates, I guess the buzz theme is around for the long haul I guess.

Cool. Let’s make attractions getting updates a regular thing.