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First Look Inside Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin Refurbishment Brings Big Zurg Energy
Good Morning America just gave us our first real peek inside the refreshed Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin at Magic Kingdom, and Space Rangers, this one is aiming for infinity and then some. The newly revealed footage shows a reworked opening scene that better sets the stage for your galactic mission, complete with alien helpers opening the airlock and Buzz Lightyear himself finally joining guests inside the attraction. According to Walt Disney Imagineering Executive Producer Wyatt Winter, this updated intro is all about pulling riders directly into the battle against Emperor Zurg from the very first moment.
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One of the biggest additions is Buddy, a brand-new support robot created by Imagineering and Pixar, who runs system checks and gives Space Rangers a morale boost before launch. The hyperspace tunnel has also been completely refreshed with new projection technology, featuring Buzz, Zurg, and floating space mines that guests can zap for extra points. Visual Effects Designer Shay explained that the tunnel now includes layered effects and new animation, while Pixar animator Tasha shared how the team had to rethink animation entirely to make it work seamlessly inside a projected tunnel environment.
Gameplay is also getting a major power-up. The ride vehicles have been redesigned with Star Command styling and now include onboard screens that show real-time scoring. Fixed blasters are officially retired and replaced with handheld versions that feature vibration, sound effects, and an always-on laser to help guests actually see where they’re aiming. Targets throughout the ride now light up and react when hit, making it much easier to know when you’ve successfully blasted Zurg’s army. Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin closed in August 2025 and is set to reopen in spring 2026, though Disney has not announced an exact return date just yet.
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