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NEW Details Revealed: A Long-Neglected Magic Kingdom Ride Is Set for a Major Overhaul


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We’ll be the first to admit that ride closures can put a damper on your Disney World vacation, but sometimes they are NECESSARY.

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Magic Kingdom

When some attractions have been open upwards of 50 years, it’s pretty necessary for Disney to close them occasionally for technological, structural, and safety updates. Even the newer rides need help sometimes, too! So when it was announced that a Magic Kingdom ride was closing for refurbishment to get some much-needed changes, we were actually fairly excited.

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Disney World recently announced that Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin in Tomorrowland will be closing to get some updates. The ride has been open since 1998, so it’s definitely due for some new technology. Now, it’s set to close in August 2025 and reopen sometime in 2026. During its closure, Imagineers will add a new show scene, update the ride vehicles, and make some gameplay advancements.

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Buzz Lightyear Space Ranger Spin

With these changes, the ride will start with a new show scene where riders are greeted by a friendly robot named Buddy. This new character was “created by Walt Disney Imagineering and Pixar Animation Studios to play a key role on the Star Command team.” Buddy will make sure that departing Space Rangers are ready for their mission, allowing them to “hone their blaster aim” by checking out the new interactive targets before they take off to the main part of the ride.

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©Disney

As for the ride vehicles, the Star Cruisers will receive an update inspired by Buzz Lightyear and featuring his signature colors. They’ll also be equipped with video monitors so you can see real-time score updates and other “exciting features.”

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©Disney

Perhaps one of the most exciting changes is the handheld blasters, similar to the models on Disneyland’s version of this ride! You’ll be able to pick up the blasters and aim more directly — the better to get Galactic Hero status. They’re designed to be easier to use, especially for younger riders. They’ll have an always-on laser with two different colors per vehicle, so you know exactly where you’re aiming.

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©Disney

Finally, we’ve got to mention those new interactive targets. The static ‘Z’ targets will now light up and react when hit. Disney has said that this change “opens the door for a few other ideas Imagineers have in mind.” Color us intrigued!

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©Disney

Imagineers have already been able to complete playtests for these changes, so they’re working on improvements, and we’ll be able to try out the changes ourselves when the ride reopens next year. We can’t wait to see how it works!

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Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin

If you want to know more about what has changed in Disney World in the past few years, check out this video from our YouTube channel.

Stay tuned to DFB for more updates on everything coming to Disney World in the future! We’ve got you covered.

16 Disney World Rides Will Be Closed in 2025 — Click Here!

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What do you think of the changes coming to this ride? Tell us in the comments!

The post NEW Details Revealed: A Long-Neglected Magic Kingdom Ride Is Set for a Major Overhaul first appeared on the disney food blog.

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