In this post we give an overview of Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin, a dark game ride at Disney’s Magic Kingdom theme park in Walt Disney World. We cover the basics of the ride, how to ride it, and our thoughts on the experience before closing with an FAQ. Read on to learn more!
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This post is a quick guide to Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin, but we have related content that dives deeper into topics. Our Magic Kingdom Lightning Lane post covers Lightning Lane strategy in depth. The Magic Kingdom Rides and Entertainment Guide gives brief introductions to all the park’s offerings. For putting together your day at the park, we have a One Day Plan for Magic Kingdom.
Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin Basics
Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin is a dark game ride at Magic Kingdom in Walt Disney World. The ride
does not offer rider switch
is a Tier 2 ride on Lightning Lane Multi Pass
does not have a single rider line
is a part of Early Entry at Magic Kingdom
is about 5 minutes long
If you’re visiting Magic Kingdom with small children the ride doesn’t have a height requirement and may or may not be worth your time. While it is fun and colorful, the shooting component will be completely lost on the littlest kids, and the ride doesn’t quite stand alone as a dark ride, in our opinion. There’s one dark tunnel portion that sometimes spooks our toddler. We usually ride it, but I wouldn’t feel bad missing it.
Where is Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin located?
Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin is located in Tomorrowland at Magic Kingdom.
Entering the park you’ll go to the hub and then turn right, passing under the giant Tomorrowland gate. On your right you’ll pass Monsters Inc. Laugh Floor and then reach Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin.
If you’re riding it first at rope drop, you’ll queue with the group heading into Tomorrowland. Most will be heading to Space Mountain, but you’ll depart from them before that, heading to the right to Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin. There’s usually not a good reason to be riding Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin at rope drop.
How to Ride Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin
The Lightning Lane for Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin is up there with Haunted Mansion and Winnie the Pooh as one you’ll want to keep your eye on early (it will presumably be even more popular once the refurbishment is done). As Zoe is a huge fan of the ride, I’ve always got one eye on Space Ranger spin, and I’ll frequently find myself trying to modify a bad time to a better one while I’m also working my way through the nearby Fantasyland rides.
If you’re not using Multi Pass, your best option for a short wait on Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin is to head there early as part of a Fantasyland or Tomorrowland rope drop. It’s higher priority than rides like Dumbo, Barnstormer, Under the Sea, and Mad Tea Party.
To 999,999 And…Nope, That’s the Limit!
Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin is a dark laser-blaster game ride. Each vehicle seats two people and is equipped with two laser blasters for shooting targets throughout the ride.
The targets have different values up to 100,000, and the game has a maximum score of 999,999. Guests who achieve this score with photographic proof can ask the Cast Members at the exit store for a “Galactic Hero” sticker (sometimes replaced by a celebration button) that grants them absolutely no benefit other than looking super cool.
My go-to line for these sorts of rides is that the game component will be lost on younger kids, so it’s maybe not as essential a ride. But Zoe has seemingly always enjoyed it, because I guess bright colors, cool neon aliens, and Buzz Lightyear are enough to make it worth riding.
There’s no story to keep track of, nor any complicated tricks like in Toy Story Mania. Some coordination between the two players is needed, though, as there’s one joystick in the middle that rotates the vehicle.
You can watch a video of the ride here:
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