Disney Tips Your Guide To A Great Disney Vacation
Walt Disney World is leaning heavily into transformation as of late.
Across its four parks, long-running attractions have been retired, themed lands reshaped, and original IP expanded through ambitious buildouts. From the arrival of TRON Lightcycle / Run and Tiana’s Bayou Adventure to the ongoing construction of Tropical Americas and a Monsters, Inc. land, the resort has entered a new chapter—one that emphasizes high-tech immersion, evolving franchises, and crowd-tested storytelling.
Credit: Lee (myfrozenlife), Flickr
But as new lands rise, a 1990s-era favorite is quietly preparing to close its doors – at least for now.
Disney Pauses Buzz Lightyear’s Mission
Disney has confirmed that Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin will close on August 4 for an extended refurbishment. The Magic Kingdom attraction has been in operation since 1998 and was the first permanent ride at any Disney park themed to Toy Story.
The ride blends interactive gameplay with animatronic show scenes, as guests aim laser cannons at targets in a galactic battle against Emperor Zurg. It remains a staple of Tomorrowland—and a frequent source of friendly competition among parkgoers.
Credit: Disney
Disney has outlined several major changes. These include the debut of a new character, a support robot named Buddy. Designed by Walt Disney Imagineering and Pixar Animation Studios, Buddy will help “Space Rangers” prepare for their mission, offer targeting guidance, and run final system checks on the updated vehicles, which Disney calls Star Cruisers.
The Star Cruisers will be equipped with video monitors to show real-time scoring, and guests will now use handheld blasters instead of mounted cannons. New lighting and sound effects will also improve visibility and accuracy during gameplay.
A firm reopening date has not been announced, though Disney has stated the attraction will return sometime in 2026.
Credit: Disney
Ride Closures and New Lands Signal Broader Shift
The temporary closure of Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin comes amid a wave of reimaginings across Walt Disney World Resort. Magic Kingdom’s Frontierland is preparing for the closure of Tom Sawyer Island and the Rivers of America, which will be replaced by a new Cars-themed land. Based on Piston Peak National Park, the new land will be distinct from the version at Disney California Adventure.
Disney also recently confirmed that a Villains-themed land is in development, set to occupy a nearby area within Magic Kingdom.
At Disney’s Hollywood Studios, the shuttering of Muppet*Vision 3D has made way for a Monsters, Inc. expansion that includes a brand-new roller coaster and a reimagined version of Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster with a Muppets overlay. Animal Kingdom, meanwhile, is moving forward with its Tropical Americas project, which will replace DinoLand U.S.A. and introduce attractions themed to both Encanto and Indiana Jones.
Credit: Disney
A new Zootopia show is also under construction beneath the Tree of Life, taking over the space previously occupied by It’s Tough to Be a Bug!
Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin may return with familiar characters, but its updated ride system and new additions signal Disney’s continued push to modernize its parks without losing sight of what made these attractions beloved in the first place. Whether guests will embrace the changes remains to be seen – but with the mission set to resume in 2026, fans have one last summer to say goodbye to a classic.
Are you excited for the updates heading to Buzz Lightyear Space Ranger Spin?
