Magic Kingdom's Buzz Lightyear Soft Opening Continues Ahead of April 8 Reopening

21 days ago in "Buzz Lightyear's Space Ranger Spin"

Magic Kingdom's Buzz Lightyear Soft Opening Photos - March 31 2026
Posted: Tuesday March 31, 2026 9:15am ET by WDWMAGIC Staff

Buzz Lightyear's Space Ranger Spin soft opened for its second consecutive day this morning beginning 9am at Magic Kingdom, one hour after the 8am park opening.

It appears the plan may be to continue soft openings until the official April 8 reopening date, and there will not be any specific Annual Passholder preview days. However, Disney has not confirmed any preview period.

The ride remains unlisted on My Disney Experience wait times, and only standby line is available. Lightning Lane is not operating during the soft opening period.

As always with soft openings, the attraction is likely to close at any time without notice, or may not operate on certain days. Do not plan around it being part of daily operations until April 8.

Soft openings allow Disney to test newly refreshed attractions with real guests before the official debut. The practice helps identify any operational issues and gives Cast Members additional training time.

The refreshed Buzz Lightyear's Space Ranger Spin features new handheld blasters with laser targeting, updated ride vehicles, a new Buddy practice scene, refreshed show scenes, and a revamped scoring system.

The attraction officially reopens on April 8, 2026.

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𝐌𝖆𝖓 𝖎𝖓 𝐖𝖊𝖇10 days ago

Having watched @wdwmagic ride-through POV... I'm quite happy. Good job WDI!

wdwmagic10 days ago

Here is a walk-through

flynnibus10 days ago

Its in wdwmagic’a video. But besides changing the barrier between the lines it mostly looks the same

ChrisFL10 days ago

I don't think I saw any queue photos posted but seeing it in the background of some videos it looks close to the same, which is disappointing. I feel like they could have done more, even with the small space it occupies

Centauri Space Station10 days ago

Nah it should’ve happened years ago so therefore it sucks! /s

CaptJackSparrow10 days ago

It’s a fantastic refurb. that’s it, full stop.

HMF12 days ago

Store Command really ranks up there along with most of the original DCA in terms of some of the worst in -park nomenclature WDI has ever done.

FigmentJedi12 days ago

DL is even more overt about it being toys, it ends with the Aliens declaring that Zurg will be returned to the store for being a bad toy and there's a giant receipt.

HMF12 days ago

No one is denying that. I would rather have something new but knowing the "value-imagineering" that tends to come with todays WDI I am quite pleased that this refurbishment actually turned out well.

HakunaMatata8912 days ago

long overdue refurb but it looks fantastic

Mr. Engagement12 days ago

I'm on the other extreme– I'd love to see them celebrate attraction milestones all the time: the millionth ride, an anniversary, a world record... I also appreciate when they do a last week/month/day/ride for closing attractions.

JMcMahonEsq12 days ago

So once again you’re saying you are making things up and can’t answer/add anything of substance?

Centauri Space Station12 days ago

“Wow how dare they celebrate a massive update that completely redid the scoring system, upgraded targets, ride vehicles, and new scenes”

Sirwalterraleigh12 days ago

There’s a very thin line between “anti joy” and “anti low standard immaturity” …I’ll hit the door now 🚪

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