Credit: Jeff Krause, FlickrFor months now, Tomorrowland at Magic Kingdom has felt a little unfinished. Construction walls have gone up. Familiar sights have disappeared. And one of the land’s longest-running attractions has been sitting quietly in the background, waiting for its next chapter.
But this week, something changed.
Guests riding the PeopleMover — often seen as a relaxing, low-stakes attraction — started noticing something unexpected below them. New interactive targets inside Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin are now clearly visible from above, confirming that the ride’s long-promised overhaul isn’t just happening behind the scenes anymore. It’s physically taking shape right in front of guests’ eyes.
And for fans who have been following every permit, rumor, and update, this sighting feels like the first real proof that the transformation is finally moving out of paperwork and into reality.
A PeopleMover Ride That Just Became a Sneak Peek
The PeopleMover has always had a reputation for offering unintentional “backstage” views. From glimpses inside Space Mountain to unexpected looks at storage areas and show buildings, it’s often where guests notice changes before Disney officially acknowledges them.
That’s exactly what happened here.
Riders began spotting freshly installed interactive targets inside Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin — targets that weren’t part of the original attraction design. While Disney hasn’t made a formal announcement tied specifically to this installation, the visibility alone tells a story. These aren’t temporary placeholders or test props. They’re clearly part of the upgraded shooting system that has been discussed for months.
Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin’s new interactive targets have been installed and are visible from the PeopleMover at Magic Kingdom! 👀 pic.twitter.com/nalQMsIMJH
— Drew Smith (@DrewDisneyDude) December 17, 2025
What makes this moment stand out even more is timing. The attraction is already closed, and Disney has been clear that it won’t reopen until sometime in 2026. Seeing permanent ride elements installed now suggests the project has moved well beyond early teardown and into full reconstruction.
Why Buzz Lightyear Needed More Than a Simple Refurbishment
Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin opened back in 1998, and for years it was a must-do attraction. Guests loved spinning their vehicles, firing laser blasters, and competing for high scores against friends and family.
Over time, though, the experience started to show its age.
As newer Toy Story attractions rolled out — especially Toy Story Mania! — the contrast became impossible to ignore. Buzz’s blasters were difficult to aim. The scoring system often felt inconsistent. Targets didn’t always respond clearly when hit. Even the ride photos looked noticeably dated compared to modern attractions.
Instead of quietly patching those issues, Disney made the decision to fully modernize the attraction, closing it entirely and committing to a top-to-bottom update rather than surface-level fixes.
What Disney Has Confirmed Is Coming to the Ride
While Disney has been cautious about sharing exact reopening dates, it has outlined several major upgrades that will define the new version of Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin — and the targets now visible from the PeopleMover line up perfectly with those plans.
The attraction is getting all-new interactive targets designed to respond more clearly and consistently when hit. This change alone addresses one of the most common guest frustrations with the original ride.
The ride vehicles are also being replaced with upgraded models that include onboard screens. These displays will track scores in real time, show progress throughout the mission, and make the competitive element easier to follow from start to finish.
And then there are the blasters.
One of the biggest complaints about the original attraction was the fixed blaster design, which made it hard — especially for kids — to aim accurately. The updated ride will feature handheld blasters with improved targeting and always-on lasers, a change that immediately brings the attraction closer to modern interactive standards.
Permits and Progress Point to a Much Bigger Overhaul
Long before guests spotted the new targets from above, Disney was already laying the groundwork behind the scenes.
Earlier permits tied to the attraction referenced extensive electrical work, which signaled that the project would involve far more than cosmetic updates. Electrical overhauls typically point to new sensors, lighting systems, interactive hardware, and upgraded control systems — all things that align with the changes Disney has promised.
Now that physical targets are visibly installed inside the show building, it’s clear those permits weren’t just early planning. The transformation is actively happening.
A New Character Changes the Flow of the Ride
Another major addition coming to the updated attraction is a brand-new character named Buddy.
Buddy will appear near the beginning of the ride and serve a very specific purpose. He’ll help prepare guests for their mission, explain how the new blasters work, and walk riders through safety and gameplay instructions before they head into the action.
This isn’t just a storytelling choice. With upgraded technology comes a learning curve, and Disney clearly wants guests to feel confident using the new systems from the start. Buddy bridges that gap, blending humor, guidance, and function into a single scene.
Why Spotting Targets From the PeopleMover Matters
At first glance, seeing a few new targets might not sound like a big deal. But in Disney terms, it’s significant.
Disney tends to keep major refurbishments tightly controlled and hidden for as long as possible. Once permanent ride elements are installed and visible, it’s a strong signal that designs are finalized and construction is moving forward at full speed.
It also helps calm lingering concerns that the project could stretch on indefinitely. While Spring 2026 remains the expected reopening window, visible progress makes that timeline feel far more tangible.
Tomorrowland Is Quietly Moving Forward Again
Buzz Lightyear’s overhaul is part of a larger shift happening in Tomorrowland.
With TRON Lightcycle / Run now open and long-standing questions about the land’s identity still floating around, updating one of Tomorrowland’s most dated attractions sends a clear message. Disney isn’t abandoning the area — it’s slowly bringing it back into the present.
The new targets visible from the PeopleMover may seem like small pieces of hardware, but they represent something bigger: a commitment to better interactivity, clearer gameplay, and a more satisfying guest experience.
What Happens Next
Disney still hasn’t announced a specific reopening date, and given the scope of the project, that isn’t surprising. New ride vehicles need to be installed. Targets must be calibrated. Blasters have to be tested and retested. Interactive attractions demand precision.
But now, guests don’t have to rely solely on rumors or permit filings.
They can actually see the progress.
From a slow-moving PeopleMover ride, the future of Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin is already visible — and for the first time in a long while, it finally feels real.