Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin at Magic Kingdom is set to reopen on April 8, 2026, following its largest refurbishment since the attraction opened in 1998. The ride has been closed since August 4, 2025 for an extensive overhaul by Walt Disney Imagineering.
Disney officially confirmed the April 8 reopening date on March 12, 2026. The attraction’s page on disneyworld.disney.go.com describes the upcoming changes, including handheld blasters, additional interactive targets, updated scoring, and a new crew member named Buddy.
What’s New
The most notable hardware change is the replacement of the original fixed blasters with handheld units. These new blasters feature always-on lasers for easier aiming, along with haptic feedback, improved LED lighting, and new sound effects. Riders will each receive a color-coded blaster, one red and one green, so both riders in the vehicle can track their individual shots separately.
The targets throughout the ride have been fully replaced with digital, interactive versions that respond with light and visual effects when hit. This gives riders clear confirmation of successful shots and makes the scoring more dynamic. On-board displays in the updated ride vehicles now show real-time scores during the ride instead of only at the end.
The ride vehicles themselves have been redesigned with a new look inspired by Buzz Lightyear and Star Command. These replace the original vehicles, which dated back to the 1970s “If You Had Wings” attraction that previously occupied the same space.
Buddy, the New Character
A new character named Buddy, a support robot created by Walt Disney Imagineering and Pixar Animation Studios, has been added to the attraction’s opening sequence. Buddy guides riders through a training session before the main mission begins, introducing the new blasters and targets. According to Disney’s official attraction description, “Buddy is confident you’ll have everything you need to succeed.”
The climactic battle scene near the end of the ride has also been updated to include Buzz Lightyear directly in the sequence, a new addition to the attraction.
Toy Story 5 Tie-Ins
According to Disney Parks Blog, which covered the reopening announcement, Disney teased Toy Story 5 Easter eggs and additional surprises hidden within the refurbished ride. Toy Story 5 is scheduled for theatrical release on June 19, 2026, and Disney’s Parks Blog published a roundup of Toy Story experiences across all Disney parks on March 18 in connection with the film’s upcoming release.
The timing positions the Space Ranger Spin reopening as part of Disney’s broader Toy Story 5 promotional push leading into summer 2026.
Cast Member Playtests and Queue Updates
Cast member playtests of the refurbished attraction began the weekend of March 21, 2026, per reports from March 17. The exterior of the attraction is also receiving updates, including new queue handrails, lighting, and a new marquee sign styled similarly to the Space Mountain signage nearby. As of early March, the new signage was still being completed.
The ride’s post-experience also gets an upgrade: Disney PhotoPass will now include scores displayed on the on-ride photo, described as “perfect for celebrating victory and a little friendly bragging rights,” per the Disney Parks Blog description of the attraction.
What Stays the Same
The core gameplay loop remains intact. Riders still board their vehicle, use blasters to hit targets, and accumulate points to earn Space Ranger ranks while helping Buzz Lightyear defeat Emperor Zurg. Imagineers said they worked to preserve existing Easter eggs within the ride while adding new ones alongside the digital target system. Creative director Justin DeTolla of Walt Disney Imagineering told WKMG ClickOrlando: “We’ve put a lot of love into reimagining this classic and keeping it really the same experience. You’ll see the thoughtful evolution.”
The reopening coincides with Disney’s “Cool Kids’ Summer” seasonal event, which runs May 26 through September 8, 2026.
Sources: Disney Parks Blog – Toy Story Across Disney Parks (Official) | Disney Parks Blog – Toy Story Across Disney Parks
