Inside the Refurbished Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin: New Video Shows Play Testing Underway

Walt Disney Imagineering just gave us a brand-new look inside the refurbished Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin — and it’s clear the attraction is getting very close to its April 8, 2026 reopening at Magic Kingdom. A new video shared by WDI shows Imagineers in the middle of play testing with all targets installed and vehicles running on the track.

Quick Summary

• Disney Imagineering released a behind-the-scenes video showing the inside of the refurbished Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin.
• The video reveals updated show scenes, the Buddy robot character, new ride vehicle blasters, and the refreshed hyperspace tunnel.
• Imagineers explain the creative decisions behind the refurbishment and their goals for the updated experience.
• The video is a great preview of what to expect when the attraction reopens on April 8, 2026.

Play Testing Is Underway

In the video, an Imagineer walks viewers through the current state of the refurbishment. Today, we’re over here at Buzz Lightyear Space Ranger Spin, and we’re play testing with our Imagineers as we prepare to open,” they said. “Going back to 2024 when we were play testing right here in this scene, we’re now at the point where we have all of our targets installed, all of our vehicles in the track, and I’m really excited to see guests get to experience this very soon.”

The team is currently working through technical bugs, gathering feedback from internal play testing, and wrapping up final show set details. It’s essentially the last mile before opening day.

What’s Actually New on the Ride

This isn’t just a paint job. The refurbishment brings a genuinely upgraded ride experience across nearly every touchpoint:

New vehicles feature Star Command styling with onboard screens that display real-time scoring throughout the ride. Handheld blasters replace the original fixed cannons — the new ones come with vibration feedback, sound effects, and an always-on laser to help you actually track your shots. No more guessing where you’re aiming.

Buddy, a brand-new support robot character created by Walt Disney Imagineering and Pixar, is introduced in a reworked opening sequence. The hyperspace tunnel now features new projection technology showing Buzz Lightyear and Emperor Zurg together for the first time during the actual ride.

Interactive targets throughout the attraction now visually react and light up when hit, giving you real-time feedback on every shot. The Imagineer teased new Easter eggs hidden throughout for riders to discover, along with a refreshed queue and possible Toy Story 5 references woven into the experience.

The New Marquee Is Already Done

If you’ve walked by Tomorrowland lately, you may have already spotted the new marquee at the attraction entrance — a Space Mountain-style white spire design that’s a significant upgrade from the old look. It’s been complete for a while now, and it gives the whole entrance a much sharper, more cohesive Tomorrowland feel.

Opening April 8, 2026

Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin officially reopens April 8, 2026. With play testing well underway and most of the show set complete, this timeline looks very much on track. If you’re visiting Magic Kingdom around that date, you’ll want this at the top of your list — the gameplay improvements alone make it worth riding even if you’ve done the original dozens of times.

To infinity, and finally open again.

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