When is Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin Opening at Walt Disney World? Recruits arriving at Star Command over the past few months have been met with a “System Suspended” notice, as Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin has closed its doors for a massive, multi-month overhaul, leaving the galaxy’s defense in the hands of a skeleton crew while the attraction undergoes a high-tech “recharge.”
Disney has confirmed that Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin will resume operations in Spring 2026, bringing with it modern upgrades that fans have requested for years.
From the Walt Disney World Website: “Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin is temporarily closed for refurbishment and is planned to reopen in Spring 2026. Read the Disney Parks Blog to learn more.”
A New Ally named “Buddy”: Guests will start their mission in an all-new opening scene featuring Buddy, a support robot created by Walt Disney Imagineering and Pixar. Buddy will guide recruits through final system checks and provide a “practice round” to help players master the new tech.
Handheld Blasters: The days of wrestling with fixed, mounted cannons are over. The enhanced Star Cruisers will feature handheld blasters similar to those found in Disneyland’s Astro Blasters. These new units include “always-on” lasers, haptic vibration, and distinct colors so you can finally tell your shots apart from your partner’s.
Upgraded Star Cruisers: The ride vehicles are receiving a Star Command-inspired facelift, including on-board video monitors that display real-time scoring updates.
Reactive Targets: The classic “Z” targets are being replaced with smart technology that allows them to light up and react when hit, providing instant feedback for every successful shot.
“We’ve been working on this project for quite some time now, so it was exciting to see it all come to life for the first time in the field,” said Justin DeTolla, Project Creative Director. The team recently hit a milestone by conducting live playtests of the new targeting systems to ensure the gameplay is as intuitive as it is competitive.
In a clever nod to the Toy Story lore, Disney has themed the current construction around a resource crisis. New signage at the attraction’s entrance informs guests that the Crystolic Fusion Power Cells have been depleted. The narrative suggests that the toys have quite literally run out of batteries, necessitating a temporary shutdown to “Initiate Immediate Recharge Protocols.”
While the toys get their fresh AA’s, Imagineers are busy behind the scenes executing the ride’s first major update since it opened in 1998.
Until the “batteries” are fully charged in 2026, Space Rangers are encouraged to report to adjacent mission zones like Space Mountain or TRON Lightcycle / Run.
When is Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin Opening at Walt Disney World
Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin – Fire your laser to earn points and defeat the Evil Emperor Zurg as you journey through a galactic space battle.
Buzz Lightyear’s arch-nemesis from Toy Story 2 is stealing batteries from helpless toys to power a new weapon of destruction. Become a Junior Space Ranger and help stop Zurg!
Board your XP-37 star cruiser and voyage deep into the Gamma Quadrant, where you’ll take aim at the glowing “Z” targets with your infrared laser cannon. Use your cruiser’s joystick to spin a full 360 degrees, so you can blast all the targets in sight.
Do you have what it takes to stop Zurg and his rampaging robot army before it’s too late? The fate of the universe is in your hands!
