Disney Park Drops ‘Toy Story,’ Permanently Closes Ride After 20 Years

One Disney theme park has officially closed its Toy Story ride, bringing an end to one of Disney’s most iconic attractions.

The End of an Era: Buzz Lightyear’s Astro Blasters Closes

As Pixar’s most popular franchise, Toy Story has long held a powerful presence across Disney parks globally.

Credit: Disney

The beloved franchise has inspired themed lands at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, Walt Disney Studios Park, Hong Kong Disneyland, and Shanghai Disneyland. The adventures of Woody (Tom Hanks), Jessie (Joan Cusack), and Buzz Lightyear (Tim Allen) have shaped Disney park experiences and continue to be major draws at nearly every resort.

The Global Legacy of Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin

Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin first opened in Magic Kingdom in 1998 as Disney’s first Toy Story-themed attraction, making it a groundbreaking addition to the park.

This interactive dark ride invited guests to join Buzz on a mission to defeat the Evil Emperor Zurg, competing for high scores by targeting Zurg’s robotic minions.

Credit: Disney

Its success led Disney to introduce the ride to numerous parks worldwide, eventually creating versions at Disneyland, Disneyland Paris, Hong Kong Disneyland, Tokyo Disneyland, and Shanghai Disneyland, making Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin a staple of Disney’s Tomorrowland.

However, Buzz Lightyear’s Astro Blasters was removed from Hong Kong Disneyland in 2017, making way for Ant-Man and The Wasp: Nano Battle! as part of its Stark Expo expansion. This attraction brought a fresh, high-tech spin to the space once occupied by Buzz, replacing the toy astronaut’s galactic mission with a Marvel-themed showdown.

Disney’s First Wreck-It Ralph Attraction to Debut in 2026

Earlier this year, it was announced that Tokyo Disney Resort would follow suit. Its version of Buzz Lightyear’s Astro Blasters officially closed last night (October 31) after 20 years of operation, with the ride already scrapped from the Tokyo Disney Resort website.

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It will soon be rethemed to the world’s first Wreck-It Ralph attraction, reimagining the area to capture the digital gaming world of Sugar Rush from the hit film franchise.

Set to launch in 2026, the ride promises an immersive, high-energy adventure through the candy-coated racetrack of Sugar Rush, where guests will team up with Vanellope Von Schweetz (voiced by Sarah Silverman) and Ralph (John C. Reilly) to defeat sugar bugs created by King Candy (Alan Tudyk).

Credit: Dyroc, Flickr

Concept art for the new attraction reveals blaster-based gameplay reminiscent of the popular Ant-Man and The Wasp: Nano Battle!, suggesting a familiar interactive experience with a unique twist. Guests can expect an action-packed mission alongside Vanellope and Ralph, defending Sugar Rush’s colorful landscape from the scheming King Candy’s minions in an engaging new adventure.

The Future of Buzz Lightyear Attractions at Other Disney Parks

With Tokyo Disneyland’s closure of Astro Blasters, attention has turned to other Buzz Lightyear attractions still in operation around the globe.

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Currently, Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin remains a staple at Magic Kingdom in Orlando, Disneyland in Anaheim, Disneyland Paris, and Shanghai Disneyland.

While the Disneyland Paris and Shanghai Disneyland rides appear secure for now due to their relatively young age (it may not be ‘new’ at Disneyland Paris, but it’s still the most recent addition to the long-neglected French theme park), some speculate that the versions at Magic Kingdom and Disneyland could see changes in the coming years as Disney continues to refresh its attractions.

Is Buzz Lightyear’s Popularity on the Decline?

The Buzz Lightyear IP has faced challenges in recent years following Pixar’s release of Lightyear (2022), a Toy Story spinoff film intended to explore the character’s origin.

Unfortunately, the film did not resonate at the box office, leading to layoffs of some involved executives and a noticeable absence in Disney’s Pixar Fest celebration at Disneyland Resort.

Credit: Pixar

However, Buzz may regain some spotlight with the upcoming Toy Story 5, slated for release in June 2026. Though fan reactions have been mixed, with some questioning the need for a fifth installment, Disney seems committed to continuing the journey of Toy Story’s characters.

What’s Next for Disney’s Toy Story Attractions?

Disney’s D23 Expo in the summer hinted at many new additions for Disney parks, but a number of these projects are yet to be executed.

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While Disney has a history of revitalizing and reimagining park experiences, the Wreck-It Ralph attraction at Tokyo Disneyland is just one example of the brand’s evolving lineup. With Toy Story still being a prominent franchise, it’s uncertain how Disney will balance keeping classic attractions like Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin with bringing in new experiences that captivate today’s audiences.

Do you think Disney should replace other Buzz Lightyear rides?