(REVIEW) I playtested the updated Buzz Lightyear ride — here’s what surprised me
The updated Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin at Magic Kingdom is set to reopen on April 8, and after getting the chance to playtest it early, a few things immediately stood out. Best of all? It’s better than I expected.
I went in with a little hesitation. This was one of those attractions from my early teen years, and with so many newer, screen-based rides in theme parks around the world, I wasn’t sure how this version would hold up.
Did I want something new? Did I want the ride to remain the same? I had mixed feelings leading up to the playtest preview, and then I saw how Disney Imagineers explained the refresh.
It isn’t a whole new ride, just a whole new way to play with a visual glow-up. And that felt like a relief.
First impressions of the new Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin
After riding twice, it’s clear this isn’t a reinvention. It’s a refinement. The updates make the ride more intuitive and more satisfying, while still preserving the nostalgic charm that made it a classic in the first place.
photo by Dani Meyering
It still feels like the Buzz Lightyear ride you remember
The core experience hasn’t changed. As a theme park enthusiast, I have seen beloved attractions fade into neglect. It is encouraging to experience a classic Magic Kingdom ride with a glowing refresh and updated technology without losing the heart of it all.
The track is the same. The scenes and figures inside the ride have not changed. Even the queue, while refreshed with updated paint and audio, is the same. Including one of my favorite planetary hidden Mickeys, and the classic screen projection-face Buzz Lightyear audio animatronic is the same.
photo by Dani Meyering
At first, I felt a tinge of disappointment, especially with the new animatronics in Epcot’s Frozen Ever After. But then I remembered how special this Buzz animatronic is to the history of Magic Kingdom and the development of modern audio animatronics. When the attraction opened in 1998, it marked the debut of this screen-face style audio animatronic.
And so, seeing Buzz in this same style, but with a crisper look, brought a smile to my face.
What’s new on Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin
The big changes are in the ride itself. The spinning ride vehicles and arcade-style gameplay are new and enhanced. Simply put, the play is infinitely better!
The updates focus on gameplay improvements that make the gaming more rewarding:
- Practice targets in the opening scene
I loved practicing my aim alongside Buddy before the ride fully began. I quickly noticed lower targets which reminded me to look all around in the ride. - Improved target visibility
Targets are easier to see, plus a laser from the blaster helps with aim. - Enhanced feedback when you score
Hits are now confirmed with audio, visual effects, and haptic feedback in the blaster. It feels rewarding across multiple senses. - More targets, especially near the end
Additional scoring opportunities in the final tunnel ends the experience on a high note. - More responsive score tracking
Each time my score increased, I felt a sense of accomplishment thanks to the visuals on the ride vehicle’s screen.
photo by Dani Meyering
For the first time, I felt like the attraction was clearly communicating what was working.
When I hit a target, I knew it. The combination of lights, sound, and physical feedback removes the guesswork and makes the experience feel more connected. It feels encouraging.
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A surprising comparison
One of my biggest takeaways was how this ride now compares to Toy Story Mania. For the first time, I found myself enjoying Buzz Lightyear Space Ranger Spin more.
Toy Story Mania is still a great attraction, but it’s entirely screen-based. Here, you get a mix of physical sets and interactive gameplay. I am one of the old-school fans who appreciates practical sets and effects over screens.
At the same time, moments like the escape hatch tunnel, now featuring screen-based targets, add just enough of that Toy Story Mania-style interaction to modernize the ride without losing its identity.
photo by Dani Meyering
The updated Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin feels more responsive, more intuitive, and more rewarding without losing the nostalgia that makes it special.
It’s still the ride you remember. It just plays better now.
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Question regarding game play:
Are the higher value targets from the previous game version
( i.e. the bottom of Emperor Zurg’s ship) still worth the same increased value in the new version of the ride?
Just curious if the same higher valued targets remain that way in the new game
We haven’t been able to confirm every target, but we noticed some target values have changed. And, the Disney representatives we’ve spoken with have confirmed some changes.