Attention Space Rangers! Disney World’s Magic Kingdom is gearing up to give Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin a serious makeover, and it sounds out-of-this-world! With new ride vehicles, gameplay enhancements, and even a fresh face joining the Star Command team, this iconic Tomorrowland attraction is leveling up in a big way. Here’s everything you need to know before you blast off next year!
Meet Buddy—Your New Space-Sidekick!
One of the most exciting changes coming to Space Ranger Spin is the addition of a brand-new character named Buddy! Created by Walt Disney Imagineering and Pixar Animation Studios, Buddy is a friendly support-bot who’s here to help you gear up for your mission against Emperor Zurg.
Buddy’s all about making sure you’re mission-ready, running system checks on your Star Cruiser, hyping you up with some pre-mission encouragement, and even giving you a chance to practice your blaster aim. Plus, you’ll get to test out some of the new interactive target features before blasting off to save the galaxy.
New and Improved Ride Vehicles
Your trusty Star Cruisers are getting a glow-up too! The updated ride vehicles will rock colors inspired by Buzz Lightyear and Star Command, making them look sleek and futuristic. Plus, each one will feature a video monitor that displays real-time scoring and other cool updates throughout the mission.
But that’s not all! The blasters are also getting a major upgrade. Gone are the days of awkwardly aiming while the cruiser spins—you’ll now have handheld blasters that are easier to maneuver, complete with an always-on laser. And to make it even cooler, each cruiser will come with two blaster colors and improved lighting, sound, and vibration effects.
Photos Courtesy of Disney
Interactive Targets That React to Your Aim
No more guessing whether you hit that Z target or not! The classic static targets are being replaced with reactive targets that light up and move when hit, giving you instant feedback and upping the challenge. Imagineers have already tested out these upgrades, and early reactions are super promising.
According to project creative director Justin DeTolla, playtests have been a hit with the team:
“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.”
When Can You Ride?
To make all these upgrades possible, Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin will temporarily close this August and is set to reopen next year. While it might be a bummer to lose the ride for a bit, the enhancements sound totally worth the wait.
Are you excited about Buddy and the new interactive features? Let me know your thoughts! And don’t forget to stay tuned for more theme park news and updates!
