Disney World Is About to Fix One of the Most AWKWARD Ride Problems in Magic Kingdom

If you’ve ever tried to aim a mounted blaster while your ride vehicle won’t stop spinning, you already know the struggle.

Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin is finally getting a long-overdue upgrade—and it’s going to fix one of the most awkward problems in all of Magic Kingdom. Disney just announced that handheld blasters are on the way, along with a bunch of other ride enhancements that’ll actually make the game playable. If you’ve ever left that ride wondering how you scored zero, this update is for you.

The Fixed-in-Place Blaster Struggle Is REAL

Let’s just say it—those blasters on Space Ranger Spin have not aged well. They’re locked into place, they barely swivel, and unless you’ve trained your wrists like a Jedi, it can be almost impossible to aim with any kind of accuracy. If you’ve ever been stuck spinning in circles while trying to line up a shot on Zurg, only to miss every single time, yeah, you’re not alone.

That’s why this update is such a big deal. For the first time since the ride opened, the blasters are going to be handheld. That means no more fighting against the restraints of the ride vehicle just to shoot at a target. You’ll actually be able to aim—and you’ll know where you’re aiming, too, thanks to the new always-on laser that shows exactly where your shot is going.

This change is also a major win for younger riders, who often can’t even reach or properly move the current setup. The handheld version will be much easier for smaller guests to use, so now the whole family can actually play the game, not just sit and spin through it.

A Lot More Than Just New Blasters

But it’s not just the blasters that are getting an overhaul. Disney’s rolling out a full package of upgrades that might actually make this a ride people talk about again (in a good way). Here’s what else is coming:

Interactive Targets – The current targets are just static Zs that light up when you hit them—barely. The updated ones will react more clearly when hit, making it obvious when you’re scoring points and adding a lot more energy to the ride.

New Ride Vehicles – The star cruisers themselves are getting a fresh look, inspired by Buzz and Star Command. These new ride vehicles will also include real-time scoring monitors. So if you’ve ever spent the entire ride wondering how many points you’ve earned, that’s about to get a lot easier to track.

A Brand New Scene – Meet Buddy, a support robot created by Pixar and Imagineering. He’ll be in the intro scene helping guests get ready for the mission. This is more than just a new animatronic—it’s a chance to practice aiming and check out the new targets before the action begins.

These updates are already in playtesting, which means Imagineering is deep in the process of refining everything before launch. And yes, it’s all designed to deliver a smoother, more fun experience that actually works. Finally.

When Can You Ride the Upgraded Version?

Mark your calendars. The last day to ride the current version of Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin is August 3rd, 2025. The ride officially closes on August 4th to begin refurbishment, and it’s expected to reopen sometime next year with all the new features.

©Disney

If Space Ranger Spin has been more of a “skip it” than a must-do for your family, this might change your mind. The upgrades sound like they’re aiming (pun intended) to fix all the stuff that made this ride frustrating for years.