Didn’t see this coming but i’ve got some exciting news out of Tomorrowland! Disney just announced that Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin at Magic Kingdom is getting a major upgrade, and I couldn’t be more pumped. Starting in 2026, guests will be introduced to a brand-new character named Buddy—an adorable, helpful robot designed by Walt Disney Imagineering and Pixar. Buddy will kick off your mission with a systems check and a little encouragement to help you defeat Zurg and rack up that high score.
For more theme park-related news and information, please visit MSM News.
Calling all Space Rangers! Exciting updates are on the horizon for Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin at Disney World’s Magic Kingdom, including a new show scene, updated ride vehicles and gameplay enhancements. Here’s what you can expect from this iconic Tomorrowland attraction next year.
Brand New Scene
As their adventure begins, guests will now be greeted by an all-new character! This friendly robot — aptly named “Buddy” — was created by Walt Disney Imagineering and Pixar Animation Studios to play a key role on the Star Command team.
As a support-bot, Buddy makes sure departing Space Rangers are fully prepared for their mission, enthusiastically providing encouragement, final system checks on their Star Cruisers and a chance to hone their blaster aim. This will be a great time for guests to check out some of the new, interactive target features before blasting off to defeat the Evil Emperor Zurg and save the galaxy.
New Ride Vehicles
Star cruisers will also receive a face lift with a new design inspired by the colors of Buzz Lightyear and Star Command. Each enhanced vehicle will also now come equipped with video monitors that provide real-time scoring updates and other exciting features.
Handheld Blasters
Each ride vehicle will now include handheld blasters for better aim, helping guests to score even more points. These new blasters will be perfect for our younger riders, allowing them to participate more in the experience.
And, if you’ve ever wondered where you’re aiming (don’t worry, you’re not alone), these enhanced blasters will now include an always-on laser and come in two different colors per star cruiser, in addition to new lighting, sound and vibration effects, so players know where they’re aiming throughout the mission.
Interactive Targets
The static Z targets found in the attraction today will be upgraded with new technology that will allow them to react and light up when hit. It also opens the door for a few other ideas Imagineers have in mind.
Work on these updates recently passed an important milestone, as fellow Imagineers were invited to participate in a playtest of the new targets, blasters and gameplay ideas. Playtests are a critical part of the design process, where the project team is able to try out variations of a concept in a real-world setting, gaining critical insights into which ideas work best and how the experience can be improved. It’s all part of delivering an out-of-this-world experience for our guests.
“Everyone had a great time, and our team learned a lot,” project creative director Justin DeTolla said. “We’ve been working on this project for quite some time now, so it was exciting to see it all come to life for the first time in the field.”
To prepare for these updates, Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin will temporarily close in August and reopen next year. Star Command, over and out!
Ready for your bucket list trip? Our trusted partner, MEI-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 vacations.
Contact for a fee-free, no-obligation quote today.
Gideon’s Bakehouse debuts a brand-new Carrot Cake Cookie for April 2025! It contains warm spices, molasses, candied pecans, and a carrot cream cheese glaze.
Get ready to make a splash—because for the first time in years, both Walt Disney World water parks will be open at the same time! We’re beyond excited that starting May 21, 2025, guests will once again be able to cool off and have fun at Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon and Disney’s Blizzard Beach. Whether you’re racing down Summit Plummet or floating along Castaway Creek, this is a huge win for Disney fans looking to add a little extra magic (and a lot more water) to their vacation.
We’re heading to EPCOT for a snack-filled adventure around World Showcase and beyond, where we put some of the park’s most popular bites to the test in our ongoing series: Eat It or Beat It. This time, we’re diving fork-first into ten of EPCOT’s most talked-about treats—judging each one based on taste, value, portion size, and overall experience to help you decide if they’re worth your time (and money) or if you should skip them altogether.
