Walt Disney World has announced April 8, 2026, as the reopening date for Buzz Lightyear's Space Ranger Spin at Magic Kingdom, following its August 2025 closure for upgrades. Building on recent updates like the new entrance sign, the refurb includes a new Buddy animatronic, redesigned vehicles with real-time scoring, detachable handheld blasters, responsive targets, and more.
The interactive dark ride in Tomorrowland, closed since early August 2025, will end its nearly eight-month refurbishment on April 8, 2026. Previously announced enhancements—like the new audio-animatronic Buddy (replacing the disco scene with training and encouragement), onboard video monitors for scoring akin to Toy Story Mania, handheld blasters with vibration and dual-color lasers, and targets that light up green when hit—have been detailed further.
New additions include projections of Buzz Lightyear and Emperor Zurg in the hyperspace tunnel, an updated climactic battle with Buzz, Easter eggs, a refreshed queue, and possible Toy Story 5 ties. A playtesting video from Walt Disney Imagineering shows an Imagineer saying, "Today, we're over here at Buzz Lightyear Space Ranger Spin, and we're play testing with our Imagineers as we prepare to open... I'm really excited to see guests get to experience this very soon."
The new onride PhotoPass photo will show each rider's score, rank (e.g., Astro Aviator), targets hit, and mission details (Gamma Quadrant, 04.08.26). The exterior marquee—installed recently with white spires and space background, similar to Space Mountain—awaits final lettering. These modernize the 1998 attraction to match tech at parks like Hong Kong Disneyland's Ant-Man and The Wasp: Nano Battle.