Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin POV before refurbishment at Magic Kingdom + what’s changing
Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin will be closed until 2026, so enjoy our POV video of the pre-refurbishment version of this Magic Kingdom ride — and find out what’s changing.
Starting Aug. 4, 2025, Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin will be closed for refurbishment at Magic Kingdom in Walt Disney World near Orlando, Fla. The ride will reopen sometime in 2026 (opening date TBA).
Here’s a POV video of Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin, filmed during its final weeks before the refurbishment:
When it reopens in 2026, Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin will have new ride vehicles, handheld blasters, and digital targets. Plus, a new scene will introduce a character named Buddy who trains guests in how to use their blasters.
The first scene of the Buzz Lightyear ride, where the new character will presumably reside after the refurbishment, currently looks like this:
Imagineers recently tested the handheld blasters onboard the ride after hours.
In the pre-refurbishment version of Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin, the blasters attached to the ride vehicle remained in place. As a refresher, here’s what they looked like:
Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin first opened in 1998, and was followed by various other versions of the attraction at Disney theme parks globally. In Hong Kong, Buzz’s ride was later replaced with Ant-Man and The Wasp: Nano Battle! in 2019, utilizing the existing ride infrastructure. The Tokyo version recently closed and will be replaced with a “Wreck-It Ralph” ride. Other Buzz attractions still exist at Disneyland in California, Paris, and Shanghai.
Here are some final details from the Orlando version of Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin in its pre-refurbishment state:
More Attractions Magazine stories:
Follow us:
Whether you’re ready for your next Disney Destinations vacation or your first, our trusted partner Mouse Fan Travel will handle the planning so you can focus on the memories. They offer free vacation-planning services and have nearly 20 years of experience creating memorable Disney vacations. Visit Mouse Fan Travel for a fee-free, no-obligation quote today.
