It’s a significant year for the Toy The franchise as an original film is 30 years old – and one of its most emblematic rides is a major overhaul to Disney World.
Confirmed in March 2025, Space Ranger Spin of Buzz Lightyear, located in Magic Kingdom Tomorrowland At Orlando, Florida Resort, undergoes a significant renovation.
The goal? Greater immersion and increase in the level of pleasure. The attraction already allows you to board a driving vehicle, run it and join Star Command in the fight against Zurg. Since its original opening, guests have used integrated blasters to reach a variety of targets, but the updates to come and pass things to the next level. Disney shared in the spring that blasters would be removable rather than fixed in place, and that the target discs would obtain a complete overhaul.
During a Disney World media event at the end of July, we had an overview of the new experience – test the updated blasters and be among the first to see the new driving vehicles.
I was already enthusiastic about the changes to one of my favorite attractions, but after trying them, I am convinced: Disney uses practical technology in the most intelligent way possible to stimulate immersion.
As we have seen with recent projects such as the Hauned Mansion fair on the Disney Treasury or the Walt Disney Audio-Animatronic in Disneyland, Disney’s final objective is not a question of specifications and performance.
Take the new Blasters, for example. I was able to manage a pre-production version, and the improvements are obvious. They are more ergonomic with a smaller global construction which is now free to move in any direction. This means that you can aim where you want without running the entire driving vehicle, which should be a big plus for precision. Previously, these blasters were bolted and could not be raised – just a fixed movement on the left, right, high or low.
There are also other improvements: integrated haptics give comments when you reach a target, LEDs light up when you press the trigger at the front and back, and each blaster in a vehicle now has its own color for easy identification. You will become red or green, and the targets are also transformed with this shade. As a person who has lost track of my photos in the sea of red LEDs before, it is a huge upgrade.
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Targets also change. Instead of the original lighting discs, the new versions have circular LED screens with physical elements. The yellow “Z” familiar for Zurg remains, but the support is now dynamic with animated hyperspace effects, and there is the potential for thematic overlays. As you can imagine, if you press the Bullseye, the target reacts with perfectly synchronized visuals, a sound and a return of blaster.
Disney also unveiled the redesigned driving vehicles, wearing after the own Buzz Lightyear costume. They are thinner but should always comfortably accommodate two runners.
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And yes, the rating system is also shone. The old LED number is crowned at 999,999 for the “Galactic Hero” status is exchanged for screens that will follow the scores far beyond.
Although I have not been able to sit in the updated vehicle or see the new screens in action, they feel like the cherry in addition to the global experience. Improved blasters manage much better, and the freedom to withdraw the frame should considerably extend the number of objectives you can achieve – and increase competition.
Technological improvements under the hood – including haptic engines, a smoother trigger and integrated LEDs – associated with redesigned target discs, really bring this attraction in the modern era. I can’t wait to experience the full version when it started in 2026.
Once Disney World confirms an opening date, we will share an update. We are also impatiently awaiting the new promised scene – essentially the visuals you will see along the track – and the beginnings of a brand new Imagineering Animatronic have developed.
In the meantime, while waiting for the official opening, you can review Toy On Disney +, one of the best streaming services. Who knows – maybe a full POV will fall on the launch day.
