Disney Just Revealed What’s REALLY Changing Inside Two Magic Kingdom Rides—And One of Them Is Getting Handheld Blasters

If you’ve been wondering what Disney’s been doing to Big Thunder Mountain Railroad and Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin while they’ve been closed, we finally have answers. And the updates are bigger than we thought.

Both attractions have been down for major refurbishments—Big Thunder since early January 2025, and Buzz Lightyear since August 2025. Disney confirmed both will reopen this spring, and the details they just shared reveal some significant changes that will fundamentally alter how guests experience these classic Magic Kingdom rides.

According to Disney Tourist Blog and WDW News Today, here’s what’s actually changing.

Big Thunder Mountain Railroad: Glowing Caverns and Rumbling Rocks

Big Thunder Mountain has been closed for over a year now, and Disney’s calling it a “mountain-top to cavern-deep refurbishment.” The attraction is getting a complete track replacement, which explains the extended timeline.

But the real story is what’s happening inside the Rainbow Caverns section. Disney revealed that the lift hill will feature enhanced shimmering and iridescent stalagmites and stalactites. Here’s the twist: these aren’t just pretty decorations. As your mine train climbs through the caverns, the rock formations will begin to glow red and rumble, signaling that you might not be welcome in this part of the wilderness.

It’s a clever way to add tension and atmosphere to what has traditionally been a scenic moment on the ride. Instead of just looking at rocks, you’ll feel like you’re intruding on something ancient and potentially dangerous.

Disney has also hinted that this refurbishment will help better connect Big Thunder Mountain Railroad with the upcoming Villains Land and Liberty Square. The work is happening simultaneously with major Frontierland construction, including filling in the Rivers of America and early phases of the Cars-themed Piston Peak area.

Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin: Handheld Blasters Change Everything

The Buzz Lightyear updates are even more substantial. This isn’t just a refresh—it’s a fundamental reimagining of how the attraction works.

First, Disney and Pixar created an entirely new character named Buddy, a friendly robot who serves on the Star Command team. Buddy appears at the beginning of the ride and features four interactive targets that replace the old Z-targets. Each target triggers lighting effects when hit, making the opening scene more dynamic.

The attraction will also feature friendly aliens opening the airlock to launch your mission against Emperor Zurg. And for the first time ever, Buzz Lightyear himself will physically appear in the attraction.

But here’s the game-changer: handheld blasters.

Anyone who’s ridden the other Buzz Lightyear attractions around the world knows that handheld blasters dramatically improve the experience. The fixed blasters on Magic Kingdom’s version have always been the attraction’s biggest limitation. With handheld blasters, guests will have full control over their aim.

Disney confirmed the new blasters will have an always-on laser and come in two colors so riders can see exactly who’s hitting what. The updated ride vehicles will also feature video monitors providing real-time scoring updates, so you’ll know immediately how you’re performing.

The vehicles themselves are getting a redesign inspired by Buzz Lightyear and Star Command’s colors, giving the whole experience a more cohesive, polished look.

Disney recently filed a permit for new signage at the attraction, which is typically one of the last steps before reopening. That suggests the spring timeline is on track.

Why These Updates Matter

These aren’t cosmetic changes. Both refurbishments represent Disney’s commitment to keeping classic attractions relevant while respecting what made them popular in the first place.

For Big Thunder Mountain, adding narrative tension to the Rainbow Caverns section enhances the storytelling without changing the fundamental ride experience. The new track ensures the attraction can operate safely for decades to come.

For Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin, the handheld blasters address the single biggest complaint guests have had since the attraction opened in 1998. Combined with updated vehicles, new characters, and real-time scoring, this refurbishment brings the ride up to modern interactive attraction standards.

Both attractions are scheduled to reopen in spring 2026, which typically means sometime between March and May. Disney hasn’t announced specific dates yet.

If you’re planning a Magic Kingdom visit this spring, keep an eye on Disney’s official announcements for exact reopening dates. Both attractions will likely have significant demand when they first come back online, so rope drop or Lightning Lane may be your best bet for shorter waits.

The fact that Disney is investing this heavily in refurbishing existing attractions—rather than just building new ones—is encouraging. It shows they understand that keeping the classics fresh is just as important as adding headliners. And based on these details, both Big Thunder Mountain Railroad and Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin should feel notably different when they reopen.