The Ultimate Buzz Lightyear Glow-Up Is Coming to Disney World!
If you and your kiddos are fans of everyone’s favorite Space Ranger (and honestly, who isn’t?), you’re going to want to sit down for this one…
Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin is getting a MAJOR makeover next year! 🚀✨
I nearly spilled my Dole Whip when I heard about all the amazing updates coming to this iconic Tomorrowland attraction! As a slightly competitive fan who has ridden this ride approximately 8,472 times (not an exaggeration), I am BEYOND thrilled about these changes.
Let’s Break Down All The Buzz-worthy Details:
Meet Buddy: Your New Favorite Robot!
First up, we’re getting an adorable new character named Buddy! This helpful little support-bot will be greeting Space Rangers at the beginning of their journey, making sure everyone is prepped and ready for their mission.
I’m already imagining the cute merchandise opportunities (Disney, if you’re reading this, please make Buddy plushies immediately). I think the kids are all going to absolutely LOSE THEIR MINDS over this new character!
Star Cruisers That Actually Look Like… Star Cruisers!
The ride vehicles are getting a complete redesign with colors inspired by Buzz and Star Command. But the real game-changer? They’re adding VIDEO MONITORS to each cruiser that will show real-time scoring updates!
No more frantically trying to keep track of your points while competing with your partner! (Patrick, I’m still convinced you cheated last time. There’s no way you hit 950,000 points legitimately.)
Blasters That Actually Work Like Blasters Should!
Raise your hand if you’ve ever spent half the ride wondering if your blaster was even working! 🙋♀️
The new handheld blasters will feature an ALWAYS-ON laser so you can actually see where you’re aiming! Plus, they’ll have different colors per cruiser, along with lighting, sound, and vibration effects. This is huge for little ones who get frustrated with the current system. (or big ones. I admit it, I’ve gotten cranky a few times when I thought I wasn’t scoring for hits I was SURE I’d made!)
I’ve seen grown men throw temper tantrums because they couldn’t tell if they were hitting anything. This update alone would have been enough to make me happy!
Targets That Actually React When You Hit Them!
The Z targets are getting a tech upgrade so they’ll light up and react when hit. According to the Disney Imagineers, they’ve been playtesting these new features, and apparently, there are even more surprises they haven’t revealed yet!
The Only Downside…
Unfortunately, to make all these magical changes happen, the ride will temporarily close in August and won’t reopen until sometime next year. I know, I know – it’s a bummer. But based on everything I’m hearing, it’ll be TOTALLY worth the wait!
So if your Disney trip is planned for late summer or fall, make sure to squeeze in one last ride on the current version before it transforms! (I’m thinking Mom and I might have to ride a couple extra times during our next trip in May!) And if you’re planning a trip for next year, congratulations – you’ll get to experience all these amazing upgrades firsthand!
What do you think about these changes? Are you as excited as I am? Let me know in the comments below!
To Infinity and Beyond!
