All the buzz about Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin changes

Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin at Disney World’s Magic Kingdom will close in August 2025 for a lengthy refurbishment. When it reopens in 2026, it will feature a new show scene, updated ride vehicles, and gameplay enhancements, Disney announced.

I remember when the attraction opened 26 years ago, it was something I had never seen before, a combination shooting gallery and dark ride. Initially, it was a hidden gem in Tomorrowland, often so empty that Cast Members allowed guests to ride multiple times without exiting.

Its popularity grew, fueling competition for the highest scores and the title of Galactic Hero.

Now, Disney is going to change up the ride with a brand new scene in which a new character named “Buddy” will make “sure departing Space Rangers are fully prepared for their mission, enthusiastically providing encouragement, final system checks on their Star Cruisers and a chance to hone their blaster aim. This will be a great time for guests to check out some of the new, interactive target features before blasting off to defeat the Evil Emperor Zurg and save the galaxy, according to Disney.

The Star Cruisers are going through a new design. The old-style scoreboard on the current vehicles, looking like something from the early days of arcade games, will be replaced by video monitors that will provide real-time scoring updates and have other features.

The blasters now mounted to the Star Cruiser will be changed into handheld blasters, to what looks to be similar to the version in Disneyland. “These new blasters will be perfect for our younger riders, allowing them to participate more in the experience,” Disney said.

These enhanced blasters will also help with your aim. They will include an always-on laser and come in two different colors per star cruiser, in addition to new lighting, sound, and vibration effects, so players know where they’re aiming throughout the mission.  

“The static Z targets found in the attraction today will be upgraded with new technology that will allow them to react and light up when hit,” according to Disney. This is similar to the version in Disneyland, but will apparently open the door for other things not being mentioned, Disney said.

So, for all of us who know where the good targets are and how to get that 999,999 score, we’re going to have to learn an entire new game.

No specific closure date in August 2025 has been announced.