Walt Disney Imagineers have shared details on the major refurbishment of Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin at Magic Kingdom, set to reopen this spring after closing in August 2025. The updates include handheld blasters, a new character named Buddy, and hidden Easter eggs possibly hinting at Toy Story 5. These changes aim to modernize the interactive shooter while preserving fan-favorite elements.
Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin, a Tomorrowland staple since 1998, is undergoing its most significant overhaul to date. The attraction closed in August 2025 for refurbishment and is expected to reopen in spring 2026, according to announcements from Walt Disney Imagineering.
Key additions include a new support robot character named Buddy, created in collaboration with Pixar Animation Studios. Buddy appears in a reworked opening scene, where riders use practice paddles to calibrate handheld blasters before the mission begins. Kimberly Alison, a producer with Walt Disney Imagineering, noted that this setup helps riders, especially first-timers, learn to aim effectively.
The ride replaces fixed cannons with portable handheld blasters featuring haptic feedback, sound effects, and always-on lasers in green or red colors to distinguish shots between riders in the same vehicle. Justin DeTolla, creative director, confirmed the blasters are fully untethered for freer aiming.
Digital targets now react by lighting up in the matching blaster color when hit, enhancing feedback. The scoring system removes the previous 999,999 cap, allowing totals over one million while retaining the Galactic Hero ranking. Updated vehicles draw from Buzz Lightyear’s color scheme and include onboard monitors for real-time scores.
Imagineers have also woven in hidden Easter eggs and surprises throughout the ride, enabled by the digital upgrades. Alison encouraged riders to "keep a really sharp eye out as they ride," hinting at possible nods to Toy Story 5, slated for summer 2026 release. When asked about film references, she responded, "There are some fun surprises that we can’t wait for you guys to discover."
The queue area is being refreshed, though specifics remain undisclosed. Exterior work includes a new Space Mountain-style white spire marquee, now installed with digital wait time displays. These enhancements modernize gameplay while maintaining the core mission against Emperor Zurg.
