Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin Getting New Ride Vehicles, Blasters
It’s time to add another countdown clock! Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin will close in August for a refurbishment. The ride will return in 2026 with a new scene, new ride vehicles, and improved gameplay. Imagineers are collaborating with Pixar Animation Studios on the project.
The new scene revolves around Buddy, a friendly robot who will “play a key role on the Star Command team”. Basically, Buddy makes sure everyone is ready to play. From Disney:
“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 are on the way, featuring designs “inspired by the colors of Buzz Lightyear and Star Command.” These upgraded vehicles come equipped with video monitors that display scoring updates and other interactive elements. But the real highlight? New handheld blasters! The updated models now feature always-on lasers. And your laser isn’t the same color as your partner’s.
The blasters aren’t the only gameplay improvement. The “Z targets” are being upgraded with new tech that will have them light up when hit. Imagineers have other ideas for the targets, but they didn’t share those with me.
Imagineers have already been play-testing some of these enhancements. Justin DeTolla, the project’s creative director, said, “Everyone had a great time, and our team learned a lot. 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.”
Imagineers aren’t the only lucky ones playing with the new toys. Alicia Stella was able to shoot a few targets with the updated blasters.
I’m looking forward to knowing what I’m doing on this ride!
Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin closes for a refurbishment this August. We’ll let you know the second that happens.
