Walt Disney Imagineering Files Construction Permit for Major Buzz Lightyear Ride Update

3 days ago in "Buzz Lightyear's Space Ranger Spin"

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Buzz Lightyears Space Ranger Spin Updates 2025

Posted: Wednesday March 26, 2025 11:00am ET by WDWMAGIC Staff

Walt Disney Imagineering has filed a Notice of Commencement for Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin at Magic Kingdom, marking the next step in the attraction’s upcoming refurbishment. The permit lists Icarus Exhibits as the contractor, with the scope of work described as “Install Set Elements.”

Buzz Lightyears Space Ranger Spin Updates 2025

This filing supports Disney’s just announced plans to update the attraction with:

A brand-new opening scene featuring a support-bot named Buddy
Redesigned ride vehicles inspired by Star Command colors, with onboard video monitors
Handheld blasters featuring improved aiming and feedback features
Interactive targets that react when hit

Icarus Exhibits has worked on various Disney projects in the past, typically involving themed construction and scenic installations. Their role in this project likely involves fabrication and installation of physical sets tied to the new show elements.

Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin is scheduled to close temporarily in August 2025 to allow for this work, with the updated ride expected to reopen in 2026.

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MickMinn222 minutes ago

Really excited about this announcement. This is my favorite ride and been dreading that it could be on the chopping block. Still could be, but this is much needed TLC for buzz. I’m really interested to see what they do with the queue. The announcement makes it seem relatively “quick” which not sure they could do too much. Plus doubt they would add any exterior structures to have more of the queue indoors especially if any larger work is planned for tommorowland.

Chip Chipperson1 hour ago

You're right, it's just very insistent and illogical criticism.

JD802 hours ago

Those were all amazing to witness unfold.

Gusey3 hours ago

But it was at one point after the update was announced. I still don't understand why Disney announcing an update to Buzz at a "What's happening this Summer" media event is such a bad thing?

lazyboy97o4 hours ago

The track being enclosed has been expressed as a desire. There isn’t some wide expectation. It also didn’t come out of nowhere, but experience. Just like people desiring the innovation of hand held blasters for 20 years has come from experience.

Gusey4 hours ago

And the enclosed track part of my message that you ignored? That did manifest from nowhere. Your point that nobody was speculating about the Test Track update once it was announced so nobody would have speculated about Buzz's update if the details weren't announced doesn't stand

Agent H6 hours ago

You realize that when they said their taking inspiration they didn’t mean to imply they’re rebuilding half the old ride?

lazyboy97o6 hours ago

And why are people thinking that? Oh right, because it was Disney who said the attraction would be taking inspiration from World of Motion. It didn’t just manifest out of nowhere.

larryz6 hours ago

Really? Where were you during: plastic straws unbranded napkins RFID soda cups gift shop homogenization osborne lights at DHS dancing lights at Epcot Tacos and Stargate?

larryz6 hours ago

You mean 1988, when there were only two parks, 6 hotels and Ft Wilderness?

FigmentFan826 hours ago

Great news and great job with the marketing to excite parks fans. Looking forward to riding once this comes back up with the new stuff!

Disgruntled Walt6 hours ago

It's so thick, you could cut the tension in the fan community with a knife. I think there would be fewer complaints about this if they weren't doing so many boneheaded things right now (RoA, MuppetVision, and in my opinion, Dinosaur). I haven't complained about this change...I'm very glad to hear it's happening, but I can understand the folks who are so, um, disgruntled, that they can't even see a positive at this point. For them, Disney has crossed the Rubicon and everything will be examined under a microscope—I don't blame them, but for this one, I actually like what they're doing.

HauntedPirate6 hours ago

So you’re being willfully ignorant and lacking basic reading comprehension. And again - NO ONE IS COMPLAINING. We’re done here.

Sir_Cliff7 hours ago

I'm surprised this has become so heated. Not even the additions to Buzz, but the fact they have announced them. At any rate, it does also strike me that there is a lot of fan anxiety about and hostility to the destruction of Rivers of America and addition of Cars in Frontierland amidst the general bad feeling around the cost and complexity of a WDW vacation. In addition to helping to soothe those who might get annoyed about another attraction being down, they probably want to put as much out there as possible that promotes the notion they're investing in the parks on things of which almost everyone will approve. This is that sort of 'good news story' they can put out at a time they need it that almost everyone will take as a positive... or so they thought!