During the Disney Parks Magical Christmas Day Parade Special on ABC, Disney shared a first look inside the updated Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin.
Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin
At the beginning of the updated attraction, guests will be introduced to Buddy, a support-bot whose job it is to make sure all Space Rangers are ready to go. Guests will have a chance for target practice — including some of the new, interactive features.
Buddy has four interactive targets that replace the old Z-targets. Each will interact with the blasters, with each hit triggering lighting effects and more. We recently got a look at the newly installed targets through the black scrim over the viewing windows above the ride from the PeopleMover.
In the special, a quick glance at the figure was shared by Kimberly Alison, a Producer at Walt Disney Imagineering. She led Christopher Copeland, a Walt Disney World VIP Tour Guide into the attraction. Copeland has been with the company for 26 years and a guide for 16 of those years. His brother Brian was a huge fan of the Disney Parks and a former Buzz Lightyear Space Ranger Spin Cast Member, lovingly referred to a “Brian Lightyear.” He unfortunately passed away, so this was a way for Disney and Pixar to honor his memory — even gifting Copeland with a drawing of his brother and Buzz Lightyear.
The attraction has been closed since August for a major overhaul, which includes new vehicles, blasters, and targets. The reimagined ride will open in the spring of 2026.
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