Alright you junior space rangers, listen up! We have our first look inside Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin at Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom!
The iconic Tomorrowland attraction closed in August 2025 for a lengthy refurbishment and is scheduled to reopen in just a few weeks — on April 8th!
Join Buzz Lightyear on an intergalactic mission aboard Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin, where Star Command recruits are called upon to help save the galaxy from the evil Emperor Zurg. After boarding newly-upgraded ride vehicles, Space Rangers will meet Buddy, a new support bot who guides them through interactive target practice before launch.
The refurbishment includes redesigned Star Command ride vehicles (replacing the original If You Had Wings ride vehicles from the 1970s) with onboard scoring screens, and new handheld blasters with vibration and sound effects.
Since the blasters are now completely handheld, this improves players’ range of motion to shoot target while spinning along the track. The lasers themselves are two different colors — red or green — to help differentiate yours from your co-pilots, and are now always on for better aiming.
The attraction’s opening sequence has been completely reworked to better set up the mission.
Guests will be introduced to Buddy, a new support robot created by Walt Disney Imagineering and Pixar, who performs system checks and prepares Space Rangers before launch.
Little Green Aliens open an airlock so we can head out into space and start our battle with Emperor Zurg. Thankfully, we don’t have to face him alone, as we’re now going to see Buzz Lightyear join us for the battle!
Each of the ride scenes have received updated interactive targets that light up when hit for clearer gameplay feedback to accommodate the new blasters, along with fresh paint and new features. Everything is looking vibrant and touched up!
The hyperspace tunnel received entirely new projection media, including Buzz for the first time, and Zurg releasing space mines, which we can score more points by firing on.
What do you think of the updates for Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin? Will YOU be saving the galaxy from the Evil Emperor Zurg anytime soon?
