Buzz Lightyear's Space Ranger Spin Set for Upgrades at Walt Disney World

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

Posted: Friday December 27, 2024 11:18am ET by WDWMAGIC Staff

Walt Disney Imagineering has filed a new Notice of Commencement for Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin at Magic Kingdom. The project involves installing new projectors, with longtime Disney partner Maddox Electric handling the work.

Buzz Lightyear's Space Ranger Spin overview

Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin is a classic interactive dark ride located in Tomorrowland. Guests board ride vehicles equipped with laser blasters and compete to score points by shooting at targets inspired by Buzz Lightyear’s intergalactic battles against the villainous Emperor Zurg. The ride’s storyline casts guests as Junior Space Rangers on a mission to help Buzz defeat Zurg and save the galaxy. A scoreboard on each ride vehicle adds a competitive element, encouraging repeat rides to improve scores. The ride includes physical set pieces and a room full of projected images.

It’s not yet clear if the ride will need to close during the work or if it will be done during overnight maintenance.

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JoeCamel18 days ago

Florida sun day after day might do a bit of damage as well

ChrisFL18 days ago

Somehow I don't think Disney cares much about long term exposure to harmful things when it's also right near Tomorrowland Speedway where CMs are around gasoline/exhaust fumes all day

monothingie19 days ago

HVAC can exacerbate mold development if not properly maintained or installed properly, especially in hot/humid environments in which condensation builds up in coils and in duct work. Most guests will be fine, because there is no long-term exposure. However cast members who spend their entire shift in the building over the course of several weeks may become sensitive to its presence. All forms of mold are considered bio-hazards, while most may not be affected, continued exposure is problematic for people with compromised immune systems, pulmonary issues, people with asthma, and aggravate people who suffer from seasonal allergies. The building is 50 years old and based on the conditions of things, not taken care of very well or cleaned thoroughly. (And that's the guest facing areas) I would imagine the backstage areas are even worse.

MisterPenguin20 days ago

In Florida, there's more mold out in the open air than in a building with HVAC. Everywhere you look outside is covered in mold to some degree. While HVAC reduces molding, it doesn't eliminate it. Over time, it builds up. There is an expectation that people occasionally clean off building-up mold indoors. One expects the indoors to be significantly cleaner than the outdoors, and there to be no smell of mold. Also, differing molds have differing impacts on health. So, that there is a significant health risk is unlikely. Now, there could be an area in the ride's building that is constantly wet (think leaking roof or pipes) in which there is a very significant build-up of mold. Whether that's the case, I don't know.

HauntedPirate21 days ago

Yeah, about that last part… 😬

ChrisFL21 days ago

What's cool about Ant-Man and the Wasp is that it has an original MCU story (as much as there is one) with a villain from Captain America. I haven't been on it personally, but nice to have a unique storyline

lazyboy97o21 days ago

Ant-Man and The Wasp: Nano Battle! replaced Buzz Lightyear Astro Blasters at Hong Kong Disneyland. A Wreck-It Ralph ride is replacing Buzz Lightyear Astro Blasters at Tokyo Disneyland.

aladdin200721 days ago

Doesn't one of them have the AntMan ride instead? Was it a buzz ride before Antman or was it originally built as Antman?

ChrisFL21 days ago

One thing Buzz (or whatever similar attraction overlay were to happen) is that it's an onmimover aka super high capacity. I do think it's time for a new theme. Two other Buzz attractions have already been or are being re-themed (HK and Tokyo).

ᗩLᘿᑕ ֊ᗩζᗩᗰ21 days ago

I dare say they can't be bothered to hope it's a winner. Elio has to go into Tomorrowland, regardless of box office success. Else the land loses it's identity following in the footsteps of Frontierland. It's a shoo-in unless they're just stupid.

AndyS299221 days ago

This ride needs gutting and starting from scratch. If you ride the other versions around the World, you'll notice how bad this attraction really is. The targets don't even light up and make noises when you hit them to confirm you actually hit them like they do in all the other versions around the World. The mounted guns also need to be changed as they are not mounted on any other version and give you much better accuracy.

dennis-in-ct21 days ago

What is the reason? Different electronics? Similar to how Disneyland Paris had to rewire and retrofit Tokyo’s Fantallusion nighttime parade?

dennis-in-ct21 days ago

Maybe Disney Parks is waiting to see if Pixar’s Elio is a mega hit to incorporate the characters into an updated Tomorrowland. After seeing the trailer for Elio, I am not convinced it will be a super hit.