NEWS: Disney Confirms Reopening Timeline of Two Attractions at Magic Kingdom

Two popular attractions in Magic Kingdom have been closed for some time to prepare for updated versions. Both Big Thunder Mountain Railroad and Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin will reopen in 2026 with exciting updates. Disney has announced when in 2026 we can expect the attractions to reopen. Learn more below.

In spring 2026, Big Thunder Mountain Railroad will reopen at Magic Kingdom with touches of new magic and a crevasse-deep to mountain-top refurbishment. The caverns and peaks of Big Thunder Mountain Railroad will once again echo with the delighted sounds of thrill-seeking guests and the thunder of speeding train cars. Reinvesting in the beloved attraction, the familiar loops and drops of the coaster will be refreshed for guests new and old to enjoy for years to come in addition to an infusion of new magic. Newly released renderings reveal some of the fresh experiences coming to the iconic mountain, including a journey through the spectacular natural phenomena of the Rainbow Caverns … which may not be as welcoming as they first appear.

Also in spring 2026, the galactic space battle at Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin in Magic Kingdom will resume. This enhanced attraction will bring new fun with updated ride vehicles, new handheld blasters, and interactive targets.

RELATED ARTICLE: Disney Reveals MAJOR Changes to Space Ranger Spin at Disney World

by Chad and Cindy Nykamp

Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin at Magic Kingdom is getting a new show scene, updated ride vehicles, and gameplay enhancements! Catch all the details below, including when the current version will close!

Here are all the details from Disney Cast Member Tyler McNulty:

Calling all Space Rangers! Exciting updates are on the horizon for Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin at Disney World’s Magic Kingdom, including a new show scene, updated ride vehicles and gameplay enhancements. Here’s what you can expect from this iconic Tomorrowland attraction next year.

Brand New Scene

As their adventure begins, guests will now be greeted by an all-new character! This friendly robot — aptly named “Buddy” — was created by Walt Disney Imagineering and Pixar Animation Studios to play a key role on the Star Command team.

As a support-bot, Buddy makes sure departing Space Rangers are fully prepared for their mission, enthusiastically providing encouragement, final system checks on their Star Cruisers and a chance to hone their blaster aim. This will be a great time for guests to check out some of the new, interactive target features before blasting off to defeat the Evil Emperor Zurg and save the galaxy.

New Ride Vehicles

Star cruisers will also receive a face lift with a new design inspired by the colors of Buzz Lightyear and Star Command. Each enhanced vehicle will also now come equipped with video monitors that provide real-time scoring updates and other exciting features.

Handheld Blasters

Each ride vehicle will now include handheld blasters for better aim, helping guests to score even more points. These new blasters will be perfect for our younger riders, allowing them to participate more in the experience.

And, if you’ve ever wondered where you’re aiming (don’t worry, you’re not alone), these enhanced blasters will now include an always-on laser and come in two different colors per star cruiser, in addition to new lighting, sound and vibration effects, so players know where they’re aiming throughout the mission.

Interactive Targets

The static Z targets found in the attraction today will be upgraded with new technology that will allow them to react and light up when hit. It also opens the door for a few other ideas Imagineers have in mind.

Work on these updates recently passed an important milestone, as fellow Imagineers were invited to participate in a playtest of the new targets, blasters and gameplay ideas. Playtests are a critical part of the design process, where the project team is able to try out variations of a concept in a real-world setting, gaining critical insights into which ideas work best and how the experience can be improved. It’s all part of delivering an out-of-this-world experience for our guests.

“Everyone had a great time, and our team learned a lot,” project creative director Justin DeTolla said. “We’ve been working on this project for quite some time now, so it was exciting to see it all come to life for the first time in the field.”

To prepare for these updates, Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin will temporarily close in August and reopen next year. Star Command, over and out!