Shortly after being revealed during the 2025 Disney Parks Magical Christmas Day Parade Special on ABC, Walt Disney Imagineering shared more background on Star Command’s new support bot Buddy inside the updated Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin at Magic Kingdom.
Imagineering Introduces Us to Buddy in Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin
In the video posted on the Walt Disney Imagineering Instagram account, Imagineer Mike (tagged as the Principal Story Lead) stands in front of Buddy and tells us about her function, inspiration, and personality within the attraction. A support bot who prepares you for your mission, he describes Buddy as having “youthful kid energy” that captures Toy Story’s entire “feeling of make believe.”
Buddy is the most optimistic and encouraging friend that you can imagine having. She’s here to make sure that we are as confident in our skills as she is in us. We’re here inside of Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin next to Buddy, our newest friend here inside the attraction. She is a support bot at Star Command. She’s helping us get ready for our mission, making sure our blasters are fully calibrated, making sure our star cruisers are ready to go, and giving us an opportunity to get a little target practice in before we head out.
Along with some concept art and a close-up of her targets, we also get a look at an Easter egg in Buddy’s design.
Buddy, going into this attraction, means that she’s going to be part of Toy Story, which is obviously really exciting. We’re thinking about the fun of this attraction. We’re thinking about families coming in. And then lastly, we think about what we want people to feel. We put all that together. In this case, we came up with this idea of sort of like youthful kid energy trapped in this big robot body. So Buddy has this feeling of play, this feeling of make believe, this feeling of going on an adventure with your hero at the very beginning of the attraction because that’s what she’s doing, just like you guys are. I can’t wait for guests to meet her.
Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin has been closed since August for a major overhaul, which includes new vehicles, blasters, and targets (which are currently visible from the PeopleMover). The reimagined ride will open in the spring of 2026.
Watch our POV video of the original Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin below:
Are you excited to meet Buddy in the new Space Ranger Spin? Let us know in the comments and on social media.
For the latest Disney Parks news and info, follow WDW News Today on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.
