Buzz Lightyear Spin Closes for 2025 Refurbishment
Space Rangers will have to holster their lasers for a while. Buzz Lightyear's Space Ranger Spin at Walt Disney World's Magic Kingdom closed on August 4, 2025, kicking off a major overhaul that is set to last into 2026. Disney says the upgrade will bring a brand-new scene, redesigned ride vehicles with video scoring displays, and always-on handheld blasters for sharper aim. The adjoining gift shop has also gone dark as crews begin work indoors. Disney Imagineering previewed many of the gameplay improvements earlier this year.
Key Points
- Why it matters: One of Tomorrowland's most popular family rides will be unavailable for at least a year.
- Travel impact: Expect longer standby and Lightning Lane waits at other Magic Kingdom shooters, such as Astro Orbiter and Monsters Inc. Laugh Floor.
- What's next: Disney plans a soft reopening in 2026 with a support-bot character named Buddy and interactive targets.
- Extra: Toy Story merchandise has moved to Tomorrowland Launch Depot during the closure.
Snapshot
The 27-year-old interactive dark ride has barely changed since its 1998 debut. Today's shutdown begins a top-to-bottom refresh that will mirror tech seen in Shanghai's Buzz Lightyear Planet Rescue. Guests can look forward to joystick-controlled cruisers sporting two-color handheld blasters, real-time video scoreboards, reactive targets, and haptic feedback. Disney's March preview promised a fresh show scene anchored by Buddy, a cheery service robot created with Pixar. While exterior construction walls are minimal, metal shutters now block the PeopleMover sight-lines, and an "Operations Suspended" placard greets would-be cadets at the entrance.
Background
Buzz Lightyear's Space Ranger Spin replaced Delta Dreamflight in 1998 and quickly became a cornerstone of Tomorrowland's mid-1990s makeover. The Omnimover system spins guests through scenes inspired by Toy Story 2, tasking them with zapping "Z" targets to stop the Evil Emperor Zurg. Over time, competing attractions such as Toy Story Midway Mania diluted its novelty, and fans criticized its fixed-mount blasters for inaccurate aim. The newly announced refurb follows similar shooter upgrades overseas and aligns with Disney's broader push to modernize rides rather than replace them outright. It also coincides with record attendance at Magic Kingdom, which welcomed more than 21 million visitors last year, underscoring the need for reliable, high-capacity experiences.
Latest Developments
What Guests Should Expect in 2026
Disney's communications manager Tyler McNulty outlined several headline features on the company blog: an all-new show scene starring Buddy, star-cruisers with video monitors that track scores live, and handheld blasters featuring always-on lasers, dual colorways, and haptic kickback. Interactive targets will now illuminate when hit, offering immediate feedback and higher point potential. Imagineers conducted play-tests this spring to fine-tune target behavior and sound design. During the closure, Toy Story wares typically sold at the ride exit have been relocated to Tomorrowland Launch Depot, while TRON Lightcycle / Run merchandise remains there.
Analysis
For planners, the loss of Buzz Lightyear's 1,200-per-hour capacity complicates crowd flow in Tomorrowland. Expect higher demand for popular alternatives like Space Mountain and TRON Lightcycle / Run, particularly during peak holiday periods. Standby queues may swell by 10 to 15 percent on adjacent attractions, according to historic data from previous refurbishments. Lightning Lane buyers should revise priorities, as Genie+ allocations formerly absorbed by Buzz will redistribute to other rides, tightening competition for midday slots. Operationally, Disney's decision to retrofit-rather than retheme-signals confidence in the Toy Story brand's enduring appeal. The handheld blaster upgrade addresses longstanding accuracy complaints and aligns the ride with shooter tech now standard in Shanghai, Hong Kong, and Paris. Introducing Buddy also gives Disney a merchandising hook that could surface in plush sales and mobile-game tie-ins, maximizing cross-division synergy. From a guest-experience standpoint, real-time scoring and responsive targets will modernize gameplay without altering the beloved narrative. In short, today's closure is a calculated inconvenience aimed at future-proofing a crowd-pleaser for the next decade.
Final Thoughts
A year without the neon glow of Buzz Lightyear may disappoint first-time visitors, yet the promised enhancements suggest the hiatus will be worth it. By 2026, travelers landing at Orlando International Airport (MCO) can expect a sharper, more immersive shooter that marries nostalgia with cutting-edge interactivity. Until then, plan itineraries around alternative attractions and keep monitoring refurbishment updates to stay one step ahead of the crowds. Star Command's recharge may be lengthy, but the refurbished Buzz Lightyear Space Ranger Spin refurbishment looks set to deliver an out-of-this-world payoff.