Disney Just Revealed What’s Inside the New Buzz Lightyear Ride—And There’s a Brand-New Character You’ve Never Met

If you’ve been wondering what Disney’s been doing to Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin during its months-long closure, the wait is finally over. On Christmas morning, Disney surprised fans with an exclusive first look at the reimagined attraction during the Disney Parks Magical Christmas Day Parade special on ABC—and the updates are more substantial than anyone expected.

The ride has been closed since August 2024 for what Disney called a “major overhaul,” but details have been scarce until now. According to WDW News Today, the Christmas Day preview revealed sweeping changes to nearly every aspect of the Magic Kingdom classic, from the ride vehicles to the interactive targets to an entirely new character joining the Star Command team.

Meet Buddy: Your New Robot Sidekick

The biggest surprise is the introduction of Buddy, an all-new character created by Walt Disney Imagineering and Pixar Animation Studios specifically for this attraction. Buddy is a support bot whose job is to make sure every Space Ranger is ready for their mission.

Disney describes Buddy as “the most optimistic and encouraging friend you can imagine having—a youthful kid energy trapped inside a big robot body.” At the beginning of the attraction, Buddy greets guests and gives them a chance for target practice before the real mission begins.

But Buddy isn’t just window dressing. This new character comes with four interactive targets that replace the old static Z-targets. Each target reacts when hit, triggering lighting effects and other responses—a significant upgrade from the attraction’s original technology.

Everything Else That’s Getting Upgraded

The changes go far beyond just adding a new character. Here’s what else is coming:

New Handheld Blasters: Each ride vehicle will now include detachable handheld blasters with always-on lasers, making it easier for younger guests to aim and participate. The new blasters will feature lighting, sound, and vibration effects—a huge step up from the fixed blasters currently in the ride.

Redesigned Ride Vehicles: The star cruisers are getting a complete makeover with new colors inspired by Buzz Lightyear and Star Command. Each vehicle will also include video monitors that provide real-time scoring updates and other features, so you’ll always know how you’re doing during your mission.

Interactive Targets Throughout: The static Z-targets found throughout the attraction are being replaced with new technology that lights up and reacts when hit. This should make the entire experience feel more responsive and rewarding.

When Can You Ride It?

Disney has confirmed that Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin will reopen in spring 2026. That’s a longer closure than many fans were expecting when the ride first shut down in August, but the scope of the updates explains the timeline.

The reimagined attraction appears to address many of the complaints guests have had about the ride over the years—outdated technology, difficult-to-use blasters for kids, and static targets that don’t provide much feedback. By modernizing nearly every element while keeping the core experience intact, Disney is betting that a new generation of Space Rangers will fall in love with the attraction.

For now, guests riding the Tomorrowland Transit Authority PeopleMover can catch glimpses of the construction work in progress. Updated interactive targets became visible from the PeopleMover as early as December 17, giving eagle-eyed fans their first real-world peek at what’s coming.

The spring 2026 reopening will mark the end of what will be roughly an eight-month closure—one of the longest refurbishments for a Magic Kingdom attraction in recent memory. But if the Christmas Day preview is any indication, the wait might just be worth it.