Walt Disney World Resort is looking ahead to several new experiences arriving in the coming years, and Magic Kingdom’s Tomorrowland will soon see one of its classic rides return with several upgrades.
Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin has been closed since August 2025 while Walt Disney Imagineering carried out a major refurbishment. Disney has confirmed that the attraction will reopen in spring 2026.
The interactive ride has been a longtime Tomorrowland favorite, inviting guests to join Buzz Lightyear’s mission to defeat Emperor Zurg. When the attraction returns, riders will find both familiar gameplay and new additions designed to enhance the experience.
One of the most notable changes involves the introduction of a new show scene featuring a character named Buddy. Imagineers worked with Pixar to develop the character, which helps expand the Star Command storyline inside the attraction. Pixar is also preparing to release Toy Story 5 (2026) in June, making the timing of the new addition particularly notable for fans of the franchise.
Alongside the story changes, the ride vehicles themselves are being updated with new technology. The original ride featured stationary Z-blasters attached to each vehicle. Those have now been replaced with handheld versions, allowing riders to move and aim the blasters more freely while targeting enemies during the mission.
Each ride vehicle will also include a digital screen that tracks scores in real time. The update is meant to make it easier for guests to follow their points throughout the attraction and increase the competitive element between players. Disney shared the reopening timeframe while previewing upcoming experiences at the resort.
“Across Magic Kingdom in Tomorrowland, I’m ready to take on Evil Emperor Zurg with the help of updated ride vehicles, cool new handheld blasters, and interactive targets at Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin,” Disney Parks Blog wrote in its 2026 Walt Disney World Resort roundup, “and guests of all ages won’t need to wait too long to try for that Galactic Hero rank, because the attraction reopens spring 2026!”
Recently, Walt Disney World began promoting the attraction’s return, offering a first look at footage highlighting the refreshed ride.
Disney fan Drew Smith (@DrewDisneyDude) shared that the resort has started advertising the upcoming reopening.
“NEW: Walt Disney World is promoting the reopening of Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin at Magic Kingdom!
The attraction is “relaunching sooooooon” with a new show scene, updated ride vehicles, handheld blasters, interactive targets, and more!”
NEW: Walt Disney World is promoting the reopening of Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin at Magic Kingdom!
The attraction is “relaunching sooooooon” with a new show scene, updated ride vehicles, handheld blasters, interactive targets, and more! pic.twitter.com/iE0rClzN6v
— Drew Smith (@DrewDisneyDude) March 4, 2026
Space Ranger Spin’s refurbishment happened while multiple Magic Kingdom attractions were closed for upgrades or maintenance. Big Thunder Mountain Railroad was among the rides that closed last year and is still unavailable as work continues.
Despite the extended downtime, anticipation for the attraction’s return remains strong. Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin first opened in 1998 and quickly became one of Tomorrowland’s signature rides, allowing guests to compete for high scores while helping Buzz Lightyear stop Emperor Zurg.
Disney’s updates suggest the company is focused on modernizing the attraction without changing its core gameplay. The combination of handheld blasters, upgraded vehicles, and clearer scoring will likely make the ride feel different for returning guests while still keeping the familiar mission intact.
For many visitors, the challenge of earning the Galactic Hero title is a tradition at Magic Kingdom. The refreshed attraction will soon give guests another opportunity to take aim at targets and compete for top scores.
The reopening also comes as Magic Kingdom prepares for a major expansion that will bring entirely new areas to the park, including Piston Peak National Park and Villains Land. With spring 2026 approaching, Tomorrowland’s space battle is nearly ready to resume.
How do you feel about the new things coming to Walt Disney World Resort this year? Let us know in the comments down below!
