In theory, we’re less than two months away from a lengthy closure for Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin for an overhaul of the ride that will last into 2026. As of publish time, we have no clarification from Walt Disney World on when the Tomorrowland ride will close. That said, there are some hints and conflicting information to wade through as we try to figure out when Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin will close at Magic Kingdom.
When Will Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin Close?
Officially, Walt Disney World has said that the ride will close sometime in August. That’s helpful, but not precise when guests are already deep in the planning of their upcoming vacations. To try and help manage your expectations a bit, we’re going to take a look at some clues that will narrow down when the attraction will close. Walt Disney World has not returned requests for comment about the closure timeframe.
The biggest hint on when the ride will close is the attraction lineup for the upcoming Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party – Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin did not make the list. A common-sense reading of that information would suggest that the ride will be closed by the start of the party, which is August 15th. However, it’s not always that easy.
Walt Disney World could be keeping Space Ranger Spin off of the Not-So-Scary attraction list because the ride will not be available for the entire event. If Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin were to close toward the end of August, it’s possible that Disney simply kept the attraction off the list to ensure that guests planning for September and October trips don’t plan on riding. If Buzz were to be open for the first couple of event dates, it would be a nice surprise for attendees. That said, I don’t think that’s what they’re doing. Here’s why.
If we go back to the Not-So-Scary Halloween Party attraction list, we see that a currently closed attraction is listed as being open for the party. The Astro Orbiter has made the list, indicating that it will be open from the start of the party on August 15th. I would bet that Disney is waiting for the Astro Orbiter to reopen before they close the nearby Space Ranger Spin. In terms of capacity, the Astro Orbiter underperforms compared to Buzz, but it is something.
Assuming that the Not-So-Scary Halloween Party info is correct, we’d expect Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin to close in the first half of August, and perhaps even earlier than that if the Astro Orbiter is up and running by August 1st.
Adding to the difficulty of planning for the closure of Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin is the fact that there is no notice of the upcoming closure on the Walt Disney World website or My Disney Experience app. Even if Walt Disney World didn’t have an exact closing date for the attraction, we’d expect a notice to at least link back to the March 2025 Disney Parks Blog article that mentions the August closing timeframe.
Another difficulty when it comes to planning is that the attraction is not listed on the Walt Disney World refurbishment calendar through August 26th, as of this morning. In fact, the refurbishment calendar can’t really be trusted too much because the Astro Orbiter is listed as being under refurbishment through August 26th as well, and we know that Disney plans on having it open by the start of Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party on August 15th.
All of that is to say that we think Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin will be closed by August 15th, and I would plan accordingly if you’re visiting this Summer. Hopefully, Walt Disney World is able to provide some clarity as the refurbishment start date is quickly approaching.
So, what’s changing during the lengthy closure? A lot! Imagineering is creating a brand new scene right at the beginning of the attraction. All-new ride vehicles with handheld blasters are on the way, as well as new interactive targets and more! For a rundown of the announced changes, check out our article below!
As always, keep checking back with us here at BlogMickey.com as we continue to bring you the latest news, photos, and info from around the Disney Parks!
