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Disney Debuts First Look at Reimagined Buzz Lightyear Ride, Sets Spring 2026 Return

A Christmas Day preview introduced Buddy to anchor a new training scene that addresses long-running blaster reliability.

Overview

  • Buddy, a support-bot created by Walt Disney Imagineering and Pixar, greets guests at the start to calibrate blasters, check Star Cruisers and offer target practice before the mission.
  • The refurbishment adds new ride vehicles with handheld blasters, interactive targets and onboard video monitors that display real-time scoring.
  • The reveal aired during ABC’s Disney Parks Magical Christmas Day Parade, presented by Imagineering producer Kimberly Alson, with further details shared by Imagineer Mike on social media.
  • Physical progress is visible in Tomorrowland, with new targets installed and work observed from the PeopleMover as installation, calibration and testing continue.
  • Disney has not announced an exact reopening date, framing the update as a response to guest complaints and positioning the Magic Kingdom version closer to Disneyland’s experience in reliability and gameplay.