It’s an exciting time to be a Disney World fan! There are SO many changes happening all around the parks.
Magic Kingdom!
At Animal Kingdom, DinoLand U.S.A. is being transformed into Pueblo Esperanza, while Hollywood Studios is getting TWO new shows in May! Over at Magic Kingdom, new Villains Land and Cars attractions are coming, and Disney just announced new changes for an iconic Tomorrowland ride!
Get ready, Space Rangers! Changes are coming to Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin at Magic Kingdom! Disney has announced that a new show scene, updated ride vehicles, and gameplay enhancements will be coming to this ride sometime in 2026.
©Disney
As part of the new adventure, an all-new character — a friendly robot named “Buddy” — will make sure you’re prepared for your mission. This will also be a great time for you to see some of the new, interactive target features before blasting off.
In addition, the ride vehicles are getting a facelift with a new design inspired by the colors of Buzz Lightyear and Star Command. Each vehicle will also come equipped with video monitors that provide real-time scoring updates and other exciting features.
©Disney
Oh, and did we mention the HANDHELD BLASTERS? Yep, no more trying to wrench that static blaster into the perfect position — you’ll be able to aim and shoot easily. The new blasters will now include an always-on laser and come in two different colors so you can tell who is aiming at what!
©Disney
In addition, the static Z targets found in the attraction today will be upgraded with new technology that will allow them to react and light up when hit. It also opens the door for a few other ideas Imagineers have in mind.
To prepare for these changes, Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin will close in August and reopen sometime in 2026.
©Disney
This announcement adds another attraction to the closure list in Magic Kingdom. Big Thunder Mountain Railroad is currently receiving an overhaul and is scheduled to reopen in 2026. Astro Orbiter also closed earlier this year and is set to reopen this summer. Finally, Hall of Presidents closed in January and no reopening date has been revealed just yet.
Big Thunder Mountain Railroad
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Yay and finally! Glad it is getting a makeover!
This is a bummer for our Holiday season trip this year, I am wondering how many other rides will be closed by then, we very well may put off going this year and head over to the madness at epic universe instead.
Long overdue. I am thrilled they are updating this ride!
i am happy that you are excited about all the changes! just means higher costs which will ,makSe disney more expensive these cost increases has made it to hard for fixed income people after 25 years we have to say we can not afford you ant more MICKEY
I echo Alyson, I’m coming over from the UK, had this booked for about a year, and it feels like only half the rides in the parks will be open. Those that will be open will either be the kiddie’s ones or boring ones. Yet the prices go up, the benefits go down, Disney should have an hour early park opening like Universal, the premier pass is stupid money & the multi-pass will be next to useless once the park is open as everything will be booked.
REALLY regretting booking this holiday now ?
GREAT:) Love all the changes except for the “The new blasters will now include an always-on laser”. That means all you have to do is just move your blaster around and not really have to aim. Great for kids but not competitive adults. LOL
I hope with all these attractions getting changes that they stagger the closing so there is still plenty to do. It seems like our September trip may have so many things closed.
We’ll be there in May, and Buzz was, and is, on our list. The enhancements sound good.
Reduced attractions available makes the other lines longer and lightening lanes harder to get. That’s what is to look forward to at WDW along with the ugly construction walls. Pay more money, get less value.
Hopefully with Big Thunder down for the year, Astro-Orbiter down, and Space Ranger Spin going down later this year (and all of the Hollywood Studio and Animal Kingdom closures), Disney will keep River’s of America open till the end of this year.
Ok good at least I have 3 more trips, pending hurricanes, to ride and receive my video until the shutdown.
As long as they keep it as a wheelchair accessible ride. I think it’s a awesome idea.
Updates were really needed, always loved this ride.
If any of you and family plan to visit Universal in Orlando, make sure to ride Men in Black. It is Awesome!
I echo Frank and Alyson – Disney is making way too many changes too often – this costs money and of course, it gets passed on to all the visitors! It also makes it very difficult to plan a vacation – even one in advance – because so many things are down at once – another way to get people to return and spend more money? It feels like either a desparate attempt to stay relevent to their market or, a devous ploy to wring the most money out of people that they can. I would love to see a timeline of changes in Disney World since it opened – I bet the pace of things in the last couple years is way more than the previous 4 decades!
I’m pleased about the hand held blasters. They have these in Disneyland Paris and they’re much better.