NEWS: Disney Reveals MAJOR Changes to Space Ranger Spin at Disney World

Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin at Magic Kingdom is getting a new show scene, updated ride vehicles, and gameplay enhancements! Catch all the details below, including when the current version will close!

Here are all the details from Disney Cast Member Tyler McNulty:

Calling all Space Rangers! Exciting updates are on the horizon for Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin at Disney World’s Magic Kingdom, including a new show scene, updated ride vehicles and gameplay enhancements. Here’s what you can expect from this iconic Tomorrowland attraction next year.

Brand New Scene

As their adventure begins, guests will now be greeted by an all-new character! This friendly robot — aptly named “Buddy” — was created by Walt Disney Imagineering and Pixar Animation Studios to play a key role on the Star Command team.

As a support-bot, Buddy makes sure departing Space Rangers are fully prepared for their mission, enthusiastically providing encouragement, final system checks on their Star Cruisers and a chance to hone their blaster aim. This will be a great time for guests to check out some of the new, interactive target features before blasting off to defeat the Evil Emperor Zurg and save the galaxy.

New Ride Vehicles

Star cruisers will also receive a face lift with a new design inspired by the colors of Buzz Lightyear and Star Command. Each enhanced vehicle will also now come equipped with video monitors that provide real-time scoring updates and other exciting features.

Handheld Blasters

Each ride vehicle will now include handheld blasters for better aim, helping guests to score even more points. These new blasters will be perfect for our younger riders, allowing them to participate more in the experience.

And, if you’ve ever wondered where you’re aiming (don’t worry, you’re not alone), these enhanced blasters will now include an always-on laser and come in two different colors per star cruiser, in addition to new lighting, sound and vibration effects, so players know where they’re aiming throughout the mission.

Interactive Targets

The static Z targets found in the attraction today will be upgraded with new technology that will allow them to react and light up when hit. It also opens the door for a few other ideas Imagineers have in mind.

Work on these updates recently passed an important milestone, as fellow Imagineers were invited to participate in a playtest of the new targets, blasters and gameplay ideas. Playtests are a critical part of the design process, where the project team is able to try out variations of a concept in a real-world setting, gaining critical insights into which ideas work best and how the experience can be improved. It’s all part of delivering an out-of-this-world experience for our guests.

“Everyone had a great time, and our team learned a lot,” project creative director Justin DeTolla said. “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.”

To prepare for these updates, Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin will temporarily close in August and reopen next year. Star Command, over and out!

RELATED ARTICLE: 8 Facts and Secrets about Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin

by Kristin

Buzz Lightyear is an extremely popular and beloved character from the popular Disney-Pixar Toy Story films.  He is a space ranger who fights to keep the galaxy safe and protected.  His attraction in Tomorrowland at the Magic Kingdom has remained extremely popular over the years and it so much fun for the entire family.  Here are eight facts and secrets about this popular galactic experience:

8 – The backstory for the attraction is perfect.

The ride takes place in Buzz Lightyear’s universe and backstory. Buzz’s arch-enemy is the Evil Emperor Zurg, and this quest is all about defeating him. On the attraction, Emperor Zurg is trying to take all of the batteries from the toys to power the weapon he wants to use. You server as space ranger recruits who are trying to chase him down and stop him from doing his evil. It is a fun and completely immersive experience that is fun and exciting for all ages and all levels of players.

7 – Used to be 2 different attractions.

Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin actually replaced two different attractions that used to occupy the space. The first attraction was called If You Could Fly (previously known as If You Had Wings). This attraction was then permanently closed and a new attraction put in called Delta Dreamflight, sponsored by Delta. When Delta decided to quit sponsoring the attraction, the name was changed to Dreamflight. Dreamflight was then closed to create the beloved attraction that we enjoy today. It’s always important to respect the history and know what used to be.

6 – Buzz goes international.

The very first version of the attraction appeared at Magic Kingdom. It was the only version for many years, and then it opened in Tokyo, California, and Hong Kong. The ride will also appear in Shanghai when the park opens. Buzz is an international celebrity, and the ride has maintained its popularity through the years. I think this one is here to stay for a while.

5 – Galactic Heroes get a surprise.

You will notice that your ride vehicle is keeping score the entire time. The highest score that you can get is 999,999, which is the Galactic Hero ranking. If you get this score, be sure to talk to the cast member at the attraction. They will make a big deal out of it and give you a little something special (usually a button).

4 – The lasers are a “Class II laser product”.

Don’t worry about the lasers being harmful. Disney has confirmed that they are similar to the scanners that are used for bar codes, etc. They aren’t harmful or hot in any way. They have been certified by the Food and Drug Administration as well.

3 – Unique car movements.

The cars move continuously as they do on the Haunted Mansion, Spaceship Earth, etc. What is unique about these vehicles is that you can also make the car spin or face the direction that you want using a joystick controller from inside the vehicle. There are also two laser guns in each vehicle to use to stop Emperor Zurg.

2 – How to improve your score.

There are various tips to help get the highest score possible so that one day you can hopefully achieve the title of Galactic Hero. Here are a few of them:

• The targets that are the highest and farthest away are worth the most points.
• When you get in the 1st room, look for the orange robot. If you shoot his left hand, you’ll snag 100,000 points. Then shoot the claw for another 100,000 points.
• When you get in the 2nd room, the top of the volcano is worth 50,000 points. Make sure you shoot at the spinning target as it is worth 25,000 points.
• When you get in the 3rd room, look for the target on Emperor Zurg’s ship. It is worth big-time points. Also, aim for the batteries at the bottom of the ship as they can get you 50,000 points.

1 – Basic ride facts.

• The ride first opened in Tomorrowland at the Magic Kingdom in 1998.
• The entire ride length is about 4.5 minutes.
• There is no minimum height requirement for the attraction, so it is friendly for all.
• If you are in a scooter, you will have to transfer to enjoy the attraction. If you are in a wheelchair, there are wheelchair compatible ride vehicles, and you will not need to transfer.