Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin

Opened: November 3, 1998.

Location:

Tomorrowland, in between Monster’s Inc. Laugh Floor and Walt Disney’s Carousel of Progress.

Extra Magic Hours: Morning, Evening.

Ride Length: 5 minutes.

Type: Shooting Gallery, Omnimover.

Similar To: Toy Story Midway Mania.

Requirements: None.

Scary Factor: Zero. Although it’s possible to spin the vehicles around manually, it shouldn’t upset even the most prone to motion sickness and you can choose not to spin.

What to Expect: The queue for Buzz Lightyear is both outdoors and indoors, depending on length.

The interior waiting area is brightly colored and features a lot to see, including an oversized Buzz Lightyear animatronic figurine. Once you make it to the front of the line, you will board a vehicle similar to those found at Spaceship Earth, the Haunted Mansion, and other similar Omnimover/dark rides that move slowly on a conveyer-belt-like contraption. Each vehicle seats two or three, but each is only outfitted with two guns, so only stick a third person in with you if they’re happy to just ride along without shooting. There is also a small joystick that can be used to turn the car 360 degrees to get a better angle at the targets.

The object of the Space Ranger Spin is to use your mounted laser gun to shoot targets found throughout the 13 themed scenes. Unlike Toy Story Midway Mania, the scenery is “real” and not merely images projected onto a screen. Don’t be worried about the laser beam, it’s been tested and shown to be completely safe. Just don’t tell Buzz. He’ll be devastated. Otherwise, the targets that move or are otherwise difficult to hit are worth the most points.

Where to Sit:

Either seat on the bench will result in a virtually identical experience.

On-Ride Photo: Near the very end of the ride, you’ll notice a large Emperor Zurg with lights that briefly flash. Smile because that’s where the picture is taken.

FastPass+: Yes – moderate priority. Availability is better than most attractions thanks to the healthy capacity, so most guests will want to select something else in advance.

What You Miss Using FastPass+:

There are some neat details in the queue, including an animatronic Buzz Lightyear that FastPass+ largely skips.

Total Average Experience Time with FastPass+: 15 minutes.

4th FastPass+ Availability:

Expect to Wait:

When To Go: Before 10am, in the last two hours of operation, or with FastPass+.

Rating: 8/10

Commentary: A bit like a “real life” video game, Buzz is popular with virtually every person in every age group. Scores from each rider are tallied at the end so there is a competitive aspect as well. Don’t be surprised if the person with the lowest score has the most fun though.