Tomorrow, Walt Disney World Resort guests will experience a noticeable shift in the Magic Kingdom as a fan-favorite Toy Story (1995) attraction is indefinitely closed for updates. At closing time on Sunday, August 3, 2025, Magic Kingdom Park will bid farewell to Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin for the time being.
This update, announced in March 2025, will bring a much-needed overhaul to the 1998 classic, which inspired similar rides at Disney parks around the world. Despite its popularity, Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin has recently faced increased scrutiny, especially as more advanced Toy Story-themed attractions like Toy Story Mania! and Slinky Dog Dash debuted.
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The interactive Tomorrowland attraction has had its fair share of issues. The laser blasters were hard to use, the ride photo felt outdated, and the Buzz Lightyear animatronic in the queue often malfunctioned. While Tokyo Disneyland and Hong Kong Disneyland opted to close their versions permanently, Walt Disney World has chosen a different path, giving the ride a much-needed update instead.
Walt Disney Imagineers have big plans for Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin, including new ride vehicles with screens for live score tracking and interactive targets. The new handheld blasters will be easier to use, and each ride vehicle will feature two always-on lasers in different colors for better tracking and shooting.
The updated ride will also include a brand-new scene starring a robot character named Buddy. This character, created by Walt Disney Imagineering and Pixar Animation Studios, will help with safety announcements and provide Magic Kingdom Park guests with a tutorial on using the new laser blasters.
Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin will officially close on Monday, August 4, 2025, and reopen sometime in 2026. Walt Disney World Resort has not provided an exact date for the ride’s return.
Did you ride Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin for a final time before the update? Share your experience with Disney Fanatic in the comments!
