Disney has confirmed that Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin at Magic Kingdom will officially reopen on 8th April 2026 following an extended refurbishment that began in August 2025. The interactive Tomorrowland attraction has been closed for several months while Walt Disney Imagineering implemented a series of upgrades aimed at modernising gameplay, visuals, and ride technology while keeping the original storyline intact.
The updated attraction will continue to place guests in the role of Star Command recruits, joining Buzz Lightyear in a mission to defeat Emperor Zurg. However, when it returns in April, riders will encounter a refreshed experience with new show scenes, enhanced vehicles, and improved interactivity throughout the attraction.
One of the most noticeable additions is a brand-new character named Buddy, a support robot created by Walt Disney Imagineering in collaboration with Pixar Animation Studios. Buddy appears in the opening scene of the ride and helps train new recruits, guiding guests through target practice before they embark on their mission to battle Zurg across the galaxy.
Disney has also introduced upgraded handheld blasters featuring always-on laser beams along with new lighting, sound, and vibration effects to make gameplay more responsive and immersive. Interactive targets throughout the attraction have been redesigned so that they react and illuminate when hit, improving feedback for players as they compete for high scores.
Ride vehicles are also receiving updates, helping improve aiming and overall gameplay accuracy during the attraction. In addition, guests will have access to a new Disney PhotoPass opportunity at the end of the ride that displays their final score, rank, and mission results.
The refurbishment represents the largest overhaul for the attraction since it originally opened in 1998. While the core gameplay remains the same—spinning your cruiser and firing lasers at targets to score points—the technological improvements bring the experience closer to newer interactive attractions seen at other Disney parks around the world.
When Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin reopens on 8th April 2026, guests visiting Magic Kingdom’s Tomorrowland will once again be able to join Buzz on the mission to defeat Emperor Zurg, now with a refreshed story, updated technology, and more dynamic gameplay.
The reopening also forms part of a wider period of updates across Walt Disney World in 2026, as several attractions receive refurbishments and enhancements ahead of the busy summer season.