Disney Confirms Early August Closure for Buzz Lightyear Ride Makeover at Magic Kingdom

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

Buzz Lightyears Space Ranger Spin Updates 2025
Posted: Friday June 27, 2025 11:30am ET by WDWMAGIC Staff

Disney has confirmed that Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin will close beginning August 4, 2025, to start its previously announced refurbishment. The closure will allow Walt Disney Imagineering to begin installation of new set elements, updated ride systems, and enhanced gameplay features.

When it reopens in 2026, the attraction will include several changes:

  • A new opening scene introducing “Buddy,” a support robot developed by Pixar and WDI to prepare guests for their mission.
  • Redesigned ride vehicles themed to Star Command colors, featuring onboard video screens for real-time scoring.
  • Handheld blasters with improved aiming, feedback effects, and always-on lasers for easier targeting.
  • Interactive targets that light up and respond when hit, replacing the current static targets.


Recent permit activity has already signaled movement behind the scenes, including a Notice of Commencement filed by Walt Disney Imagineering listing Icarus Exhibits for set installation.

No reopening date has been announced, but Disney has said the updated attraction will debut sometime in 2026. The final day to ride before the closure will be Sunday, August 3.

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    The Underminer19 days ago

    Your due for a trip back!

    ToTBellHop24 days ago

    Like a year.

    Fox&Hound25 days ago

    Yessss! Scrub the dirty queue and put Buzz’s static face to rest!!!!!

    Animaniac93-9825 days ago

    Coincidentally, Buzz Lightyear at DLP closed a few days ago for an extended refurbishment with an unknown end date Curious if there is any overlap. DLP already had the ride vehicles with the detached laser guns, but maybe other things?

    TheTwilightZone25 days ago

    How long should we be expecting for this refurb? I will be back visiting mid/late March 26, hoping it can turnaround in 7ish months!

    gerarar25 days ago

    Closes August 4 for its refurbishment/upgrade.

    jannerUK27 days ago

    Any update yet of the date of closure in August? Beginning? Middle? End?

    Theme Park Nerdo28 days ago

    I wonder if they're gonna replace the long-deactivated Escape Hatch fog vortex effect with something new entirely during the refurb.

    Boston Bruins28 days ago

    I watched the video in question and it’s definitely just that the camera is high quality and picked up the full rays of the Escape Hatch light in the video. The light has never changed, it’s just the absence of the fog machine for the rays of light to be projected onto, as you mentioned. Very low chance of the fog machines coming back on this ride due to the mold problem the building has had for years as a result. I will note, though, that they recently fixed Zurg’s mouth in both the base charging scene and the final battle. It’s now moving properly and is synced with his audio for the first time in years. The ride in general is actually in some of the best shape it’s been in in a long, long time. Still waiting on the August refurbishment date to be announced. Should hopefully be any day.

    Theme Park Nerdo28 days ago

    Was watching a recent POV, and I think the fog is back... O.O

    ProjectXBlogApr 04, 2025

    Wow, I had no idea this effect has been down for so long! Spinning the car through this tunnel was my favorite part of the ride but I haven’t been on it in almost 20 years.

    Theme Park NerdoApr 04, 2025

    I wonder if the long-broken "jet turbine" effect in the Escape Hatch left over from Delta Dreamflight will be restored or be replaced with another effect all together during the upcoming refurb. (I'm also praying the Dreamflight cloud sign and chickens area spared too. ^^)

    HauntedPirateMar 30, 2025

    Company-provided or stickers guests bring in and apply themselves? 🤔

    HauntedPirateMar 30, 2025

    I didn’t mean there was no information about WDW available, but you knew that. And yet, here we are. 🤦‍♂️