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Credit: DisneyTomorrowland fans, the wait is almost over! While Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin has been dark for months, we just received our most significant update yet. Today, Walt Disney Imagineering shared a stunning first look at the high-tech reimagining currently taking place inside the attraction.
The ride initially closed earlier than expected back in August 2025, and as we head into the final stretch of construction, new details from Good Morning America and official Disney social channels have revealed that this is much more than a simple paint job.
Here is everything you need to know about the 2026 Buzz Lightyear refurbishment and the significant gameplay changes coming to Magic Kingdom.
A First Look Inside: Meet Buddy and the New Hyperspace
In a series of “behind-the-scenes” updates released today, Disney Imagineers showcased the hyperspace tunnel, which has been completely overhauled with brand-new digital media.
- Introducing “Buddy”: The attraction will feature a brand-new character named Buddy, a high-energy support robot created by Imagineering and Pixar. Buddy will greet Space Rangers in the opening scene, helping you calibrate your blasters and run “system checks” before you launch into battle.
- The Hyperspace Upgrade: The iconic “tunnel” scene now features crisp, modern projections. For the first time, Buzz Lightyear himself will appear in this sequence, joining the battle to help you target Emperor Zurg’s new “space mines.”
- Physical Buzz Animatronic: Disney confirmed that Buzz will now physically appear within the attraction’s battle scenes for the first time, moving beyond just the queue animatronic.
Major Gameplay Overhaul: Handheld Blasters & Reactive Targets
For years, the biggest complaint from Galactic Heroes was the “fixed” blasters that were notoriously difficult to aim. Those days are officially over. When the ride reopens in Spring 2026, it will feature:
- Handheld Blasters: Similar to the popular versions at Disneyland and Tokyo Disney, the new blasters are tethered but handheld, allowing for a much wider range of motion and significantly better aim.
- Always-On Lasers: You no longer have to guess which dot is yours! Each blaster now features an always-on laser pointer (in two different colors per vehicle), allowing you to track your shots in real-time.
- Reactive Targets: The static “Z” targets have been replaced with new tech that lights up and reacts when hit, providing instant feedback and haptic vibration in your blaster.
- Onboard Scoring Monitors: The ride vehicles have been redesigned with sleeker Star Command styling and digital screens that show your real-time score and rank updates.
The Reopening Timeline: When Can You Defeat Zurg?
Disney has officially confirmed a Spring 2026 reopening date. Although an exact date hasn’t been confirmed, a new permit for exterior signage was filed on January 5, 2026. In the world of Disney construction, the installation of the marquee and entrance signage is usually one of the final steps before “soft openings” begin.
Industry insiders expect the ride to be fully operational in time for the Spring Break crowds in late March or April 2026, coinciding with the reopening of the refurbished Big Thunder Mountain Railroad.
Pro Tip: How to See the Progress Today
If you’re in Magic Kingdom right now, don’t forget the ultimate hack! The Tomorrowland Transit Authority PeopleMover is still the best way to see the construction. As the PeopleMover glides through the Buzz Lightyear building, you can actually see the work lights on and catch glimpses of the new reactive targets and show scenes being tested.
Are you excited for the new handheld blasters, or do you miss the classic “fixed” shooters? Let us know in the comments!