Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin - ***SOFT OPENING TODAY 3/30***

[scrappinginontario]

Disney World Files New, Lengthy Permit for Buzz Lighter’s Space Ranger Spin at Magic Kingdom

A new permit filed by Walt Disney World is raising eyebrows here at BlogMickey HQ. The permit, which was filed earlier this week, is for Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin at Magic Kingdom. What makes this permit interesting is the expiration date – especially when the attraction is getting ready to reopen after a facelift.

What caught our eye was the expiration date for the permit. Typically, permits leave the expiration field blank, which allows the permit to default to a 1-year expiration date. That is usually plenty of time for the average project at Walt Disney World. However, longer-term projects require expiration dates well into the future. That’s the case with this permit.

The permit has an expiration date of April 2, 2027, roughly 14-months from the day it was filed. This indicates that there is an extensive amount of work expected for whatever the project is. Unfortunately, the scope of work is listed as “general construction”, which is apparently just descriptive enough to satisfy the government.

As to what the project could be, that remains a mystery for now. The Buzz Lightyear attraction is scheduled to reopen this Spring, which means that there will be roughly a year of work left on whatever project this permit covers. Given that the permit is not assigned to Walt Disney Imagineering, we don’t expect the work to be creative in nature, but it will be interesting to see if we’re able to spot anything nonetheless.

Things that make you go Hmmmm....

I wonder if there is any concern that they will be lengthening the closure? It appears BlogMickey thinks it may be invisible to guests and it will open in the Spring as planned. Sure hope that's the case!!

 

[mrsap]

More Preparations for Concrete Work at Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin at Walt Disney World

After a large hole appeared yesterday at the entrance of Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin in Magic Kingdom, we boarded the PeopleMover today for a closer look at the ongoing construction.



The PeopleMover in Tomorrowland offers a unique look down into the construction zone for Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin. The attraction has been closed since August for a major overhaul, which includes new vehicles, blasters, and targets.

Our reporter said that the tunnel portion where you can look down on the lighted targets smells heavily of fresh paint.







More prep work has been done on the concrete forms that are in this hole in front of the attraction entrance. These forms will eventually be filled with concrete for a foundation. The former entrance archway and signs were removedin mid January. Crews began to tear up pavement soon after.

 

[mrsap]

Construction Underway for New Attraction Marquee at Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin

As you’ll see in our photos below, infrastructure work is underway for a new attraction marquee.

 

[mrsap]

Concrete Poured for New Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin Entrance

The wooden framework in a hole in the ground outside Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin has been replaced by a concrete base. The Magic Kingdom ride is undergoing a major overhaul and has been closed since last summer.



The concrete was poured into the wooden frame. Then once the concrete had solidified, the excess wood was removed from the hole, leaving an oblong concrete form with some poles sticking out of it and a thin trench in the center. We don’t know exactly what will go on this base but it’s clearly for some kind of new entrance structure as all of the old infrastructure was torn down.


Most of the pavement in front of Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin was removed. Tarps sit over the dirt areas.

 

[mrsap]

Dirt Added to Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin Entrance

 

[mrsap]

More Concrete Poured Outside Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin in Magic Kingdom

 

[mrsap]

Disney World Updates Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin Website with New Ride Details

Disney added the following blurb on the webpage for Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin:

Incoming Transmission – Enhancements Acquired

Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin is almost back and will be power-packed with more fun at Magic Kingdom park! Star Command’s top minds have added a series of enhancements, including handheld blasters for more freedom of movement, additional interactive targets, scores that go lightyears beyond what you can imagine, and Buddy—our newest crew member!

Don’t miss your chance to team up with Buzz and save the galaxy on a supercharged adventure with fun that goes to infinity and beyond.

Walt Disney World website

In addition, Disney changed a phrase from “Junior Space Ranger” to “Rookie Space Ranger”. Not sure if that’ll be significant or not, but we’ll see when the attraction reopens this Spring!

 

[georgina]

'Almost back'? I'm not very hopeful it will be open when we take grandson to MK on March 18.

 

[mrsap]

PHOTOS: Concrete Refurbishment Continues Outside Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin

When visiting Tomorrowland this morning, we could see that work is underway outside of Space Ranger Spin.

As you can see, the ground immediately in front of the attraction is torn up.

Here is another look at the construction.

From the Tomorrowland Transit Authority PeopleMover, we could see that some new concrete has been poured.

Clearly, there is still work to be done.

Here is a look at the construction materials lying in wait.

A Peek Inside​

Before we wrap up here, let’s check inside Space Ranger Spin.

While riding the PeopleMover, we also spotted the new targets set to debut later this year.

Here is one last look.

 

[mrsap]

Concrete and Pavement Construction Continues Outside Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin in Magic Kingdom​

In our construction update last week, the two long rectangles on the ground, along with the front of the center section, were mostly filled with freshly poured concrete. These areas are now hardened and the remaining areas needing concrete are now the patches of dirt closer to the doors and one central piece. New forms are now in place and it looks as if they are preparing for the final pouring.


Around the front, the wooden forms around the angular pieces of concrete have vanished, while more forms have appeared around the possible new ride sign element.



Gray panels that were on the walls to either side of the entrance doors are still removed and set on the ground, revealing openings in the wall that expose metal studs and plywood.

 

[mrsap]

Work Continues on the Buzz Lightyear Space Ranger Spin Exterior Refurbishment​

From aboard the Tomorrowland Transit Authority PeopleMover, we can see Disney is still repaving the area.

It looks like there is still work to be done.

Here is one last look.

Finally, infrastructure installation also continues.



With the attraction set to reopen later this year, construction should progress quickly.

 

[js]

Hi. Is there an approximation of when Buzz should be completed? It is the only attraction that my grandson talks about wanting to do.

Thank you.

 

[scrappinginontario]

Hi. Is there an approximation of when Buzz should be completed? It is the only attraction that my grandson talks about wanting to do.

Thank you.

A reopening date has not been announced at this time. I believe they initially said, 'Spring' but nothing more than that. It's still a bit off as they're still doing major work so it won't be in the near future I don't believe.

When a reopening date is announce you can be sure that it will be published in this thread.

 

[mrsap]

Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin Updated Entrance Signs Installed​

The new structure consists of three thin white spires with a starry sign attached to them. There’s no lettering on the sign yet but we expect the name of the ride will go over the stars.


Below the starry sign are smaller digital signs for the Stand-By Entrance and Lightning Lane entrance.


Also notice how all color has been stripped or painted over on the façade behind the sign. In our last construction update, there were still purple and blue elements around the doors.


It looks like the middle spire may light up.

 

[MPD]

Saw this ad on FB. No idea when "sooooon" will be though.

https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=3167783770073562

 

[js]

A reopening date has not been announced at this time. I believe they initially said, 'Spring' but nothing more than that. It's still a bit off as they're still doing major work so it won't be in the near future I don't believe.

When a reopening date is announce you can be sure that it will be published in this thread.

Thank you so much! I never understood how people would care so much if an attraction was down. They all need to be refurbished but now that I have a grandson that says his favorite attraction is Buzz and that's all he wants to do, I'm following closely LOL We have prepared him, but only so much an almost 5 year old gets LOL

Thank you for all this information! I appreciate it very much!

 

[garris3404]

Sure hope it's open for our trip mid-April.

 

[HollowxBastion]

This trip felt very empty without Space Ranger Spin, it's usually an attraction i do multiple times on a trip

 

[allthgoodnamesrgone]

We do too. We’ll miss it this month. But the DL version is better, so the refurb should be well worth it.

 

[mrsap]

Disney Teases ‘Toy Story 5’ Easter Eggs & Queue Updates at Refreshed Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin

Disney has added some special surprises in store for Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin, which is going through a major update at Magic Kingdom. In addition to the announced changes, Imagineers teased Easter eggs and queue updates at the other attraction.

“We put a lot of love into reimagining this classic and keeping it the same experience but plussed up,” Justin DeTolla, creative director at Walt Disney Imagineering, told Fox 35 Orlando.

“We wanted to make sure that we preserved a lot of those special secrets that we know our superfans love to find,” said Walt Disney Imagineering producer Kimberly Alison. “But now that we have all digital targets, it allowed us to actually take a look at the gameplay and add even more fun surprises. So we do encourage riders to keep a really sharp eye out as they ride.”

Fox 35 asked about Toy Story 5 references and Alison replied, “We’re going to say keep a sharp eye out when you ride. There are some fun surprises that we can’t wait for you guys to discover.”

As for the queue, Alison said they are “reassessing” it so it would “feel refreshed” like the rest of the attraction. Imagineers didn’t yet share details, however.