Buzz Lightyear's
Space Ranger Spin

Tomorrowland
Magic Kingdom

Attraction | Touring Tips | Kids and Characters | Dining/Shopping | Interesting Facts

BUZZ LIGHTYEAR'S SPACE RANGER SPIN

To Infinity and Beyond!

Become one of Buzz Lightyear's Junior Space Rangers and enter into battle with the evil Emperor Zurg! This is a great interactive ride that is fun for the whole family. Located in Tomorrowland, the entrance to Buzz Lightyear's Space Ranger Spin is opposite the Tomorrowland Transit Authority.

After winding through a brightly lit queue that sets up the premise of the attraction (an animated Buzz Lightyear explains your mission to stop the evil Emperor Zurg from stealing the Universe's cystollic fusion cell supply (batteries), you'll climb aboard your own XP-38 Space Cruiser and spin through 10 interactive scenes (scaled to the size of toys).

As a Junior Space Ranger you find yourself battling huge robots for 4 1/2 minutes, while exploring planets and even hijacking a flying saucer.

To save the universe and become a Space Ranger you must collect points. Throughout the ride, locate the orange colored Emperor Zurg insignias (lightning bolt-type Z's), target them with your laser cannons and fire! You'll know if you successfully hit the target by your score on the dashboard.

At the end of the mission, you can compare your score against the Space Ranger chart to find your rank.

Each vehicle has a central joystick for spinning and two laser cannons, each with its own score board.

Read about the similar Buzz Lightyear's Astro Blasters at Disneyland in California HERE.

TOURING TIPS

This is a FASTPASS attraction! Even though the line moves quickly, it is recommended you use FASTPASS if the standby line is longer than 20 minutes. Grab a FASTPASS and then hop on the Tomorrowland Transit Authority for a relaxing ride around Tomorrowland.

Guests using an ECV must transfer to a wheelchair to ride this attraction.

There are no height restrictions for Buzz Lightyear's Space Ranger Spin.

The space cruisers move at a slow forward speed, and young children will be as fascinated by their ability to make the vehicle spin around as they will be by shooting at targets.

Don't forget to look for the Hidden Mickeys!

READER TIPS! Pam Forrester writes: Remember to shoot for those targets high up and far away -- they are really worth big points.

Margaret Weatherford says: The cars at Buzz Lightyear will hold three smaller people but have only two guns. The first time I visited it I did not know this and sat in the middle between two teenagers, who did share a little, but as the grown-up I did not want to be selfish. For children it could be a real disappointment.

Tips for Scoring Big on Buzz:

In general, aim for targets far away for the most points. Also, things that are moving are worth more points than things that are stationary, and things that are down low, at hard-to-reach angles are worth more, too. NOTE: Target values change periodically, but we have found:

As you approach the orange robot on your left (the Rock'em Sock'em type Robot), try to hit the Z on the inside of the robot's left hand -- that's 100,000 points.

There is also a claw hanging from the ceiling -- the Z on it is supposedly worth 100,000 points, too.

The top of the volcano is worth 25,000 points and it will erupt when you hit it.

In the battery room, try to hit the batteries on the bottom -- they'll fall over when you do, and some are worth 50,000 points. Also aim for the tiny batteries -- the smaller they are, the more points they're worth.

If you hit the moving wormlike creature that sways left to right that's on your right in the next room, it's worth at least 50,000 points.

On the right side of the next scene, you'll see Zurg sitting in a device with a meter on the bottom of it, rating your shot from "pitiful" on up. If you hit the target at the very bottom of the meter, that should also be worth 100,000 points.

It turns out if you hold the trigger of your laser down, you'll occasionally get 1,000 points even if you don't hit anything. When you're going through the red spiral light room, hold your thumb down for a few extra points.

In the room after that, the one with the animated rockets, follow the spaceships until they pause and aim for the Z on them -- if you look closely, you'll see a metal plate on the wall (there's one on each side) under the animation. Hitting those scores a significant number of points, too.

DINING/SHOPPING

The Lunching Pad is the closest place to get snacks and beverages.

There is a rocket-shaped souvenir cart with Toy Story and Buzz Lightyear merchandise for sale just outside of the attraction. There are also two nearby Tomorrowland stores: Mickey's Star Traders and Merchant of Venus.

Be sure to check out your photo at the end of the ride! Guests are now able to buy a photo of themselves riding Buzz Lightyear's Space Ranger Spin! This is the first ride photo available to ALL guests, no matter their height or age. (Other ride photos are available at so-called "thrill rides" like the Rock'n'Roller Coaster and Splash Mountain, which have height restrictions.) Photos will be taken during the ride (at the end) and will be available for purchase at the new shop located at the ride's exit. The shop, Buzz Imaging, will sell the ride photos as follows (as of 3/09):

Photos
1 8x10 photo = $18.95
1 18x24 poster = $27.95
2 11x14 posters = $27.95

Packages
2 5x7 photos = $21.95
4 4x6 photos = $27.95
1 5x7, 2 4x6, and 4 wallets $27.95
4 5x7 photos = $32.95
1 5x7 and 4 wallets = $21.95

In addition to photos, frames, t-shirts and pennants are also available at the shop. Also, don't miss the photo op with Zurg behind bars -- little ones can crawl behind the bars with him and pose!

READER TIP! Phyllis Kelly writes: We were one of the very first lucky riders to have our photos taken last Friday when they started this! Just one tip to your readers... the pictures are taken at the end of the ride, where Zurg is captured. The cars lock so you won't spin out of the picture. BUT make sure your little ones are seated in the middle of the car. We had to go back in and retake our photos because my son (7 years old) was hidden behind his laser gun! The Cast Member said that that is a problem they have with the smaller kids.

INTERESTING FACTS

In case you were wondering about the lasers, Disney says,"They are a Class II laser product certified by the Food and Drug Administration for this type of application, which includes exposure to Space Rangers of all ages. These lasers are very similar to those that you come into contact with on a daily basis, such as bar code scanners at your grocery store."

Buzz Lightyear's Space Ranger Spin, presented by Mattel, opened on October 7, 1998. Previously in that location were the following attractions: If You Had Wings (6/5/1972), Dreamflight (6/26/1989), and Take Flight! (1/5/1996).

Ride Photo Opportunity was added September 2003.