Review: Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin Ushers in a New Galactic Era
The newly enhanced Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin is officially in previews, with a grand reopening set for April 8. I recently joined some Cast Member friends to experience these upgrades firsthand.
When the attraction debuted at Magic Kingdom in November 1998, it was a quiet gem in Tomorrowland. I recall early visits where the crowds were so light that Cast Members often let us remain in our vehicles for a second consecutive adventure.
Over the years, we mastered the tricks of the trade, hunting down elusive 100,000-point targets to reach “Galactic Hero” status. To this day, the family bragging rights belong to my wife, who frequently maxed out her score halfway through the ride before spinning our vehicle into position so I could do the same.
At its launch, the ride was a groundbreaking fusion of a traditional dark ride and a shooting gallery. It set the stage for the massive interactive hits that followed, such as Toy Story Midway Mania! in 2008, Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run in 2019, and WEB SLINGERS: A Spider-Man Adventure in 2021.
This latest update modernizes the experience while preserving most of its original look. It feels more like a 2.0 version than a complete overhaul. The ride vehicle and system mirrors the technology used in Hong Kong Disneyland’s Ant-Man and The Wasp: Nano Battle!, featuring highly responsive targeting and a sleek digital interface in the car so you can see your score.
The original fixed Space Cannons have been replaced with a handheld space blaster that you pull from a holster. You now have a strong targeting laser to help aim into the center of the “Z” targets, which is much easier to track than the previous version. In each car, one blaster is green and one is red, so it’s easier to figure out which laser is yours. When you connect with a target, the blaster vibrates, the target lights up, and a musical cue plays.
While the track layout remains the same, several key changes elevate the experience:
- Training Room: The first room now features a support-bot named Buddy. He provides encouragement and final system checks, giving you a chance to take practice shots before facing the Evil Emperor Zurg.
- Enhanced Visibility: The “Z” targets have been redesigned to make them significantly easier to locate throughout the scenes.
- Zurg’s Confrontation: The dark room featuring Zurg’s spaceship has been reimagined. Zurg now releases space mines that serve as additional targets. Successful strikes on the mines or the ship trigger a defeated mode where Zurg mocks your progress.
So how do you secure those high scores? I’ve only experienced the new attraction twice and am still refining my strategy. In the meantime, here are two tips to consider:
- Hold the Trigger: In the original iteration, you could hold down the trigger to shoot continuously. After 2 trips through the ride, we could not agree on whether it works.
- Watch for White Targets: If you see a target illuminated in white, prioritize it. These special targets yield significantly more points.
This is definitely a “do not miss” attraction with fantastic updates. Go forth, Space Rangers, and be sure to share your own tips as you master the new system.
