Buzz Lightyear's Space Ranger Spin

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Buzz Lightyear's Space Ranger Spin is an attraction located in Tomorrowland.

Buzz Lightyear's Space Ranger Spin FastpassIcon.jpg
Buzz.jpg
The Entrance to Buzz Lightyear's Space Ranger Spin
Magic Kingdom
Land Tomorrowland
Attraction type Dark Ride/Shooting Gallery
Opening date November 3, 1998
Vehicle names XP-37 Space Cruiser
Vehicle capacity 2-3
Ride duration 4:23 minutes
Fastpass Available yes

Attraction History

Buzz Lightyear's Space Ranger Spin opened November 3, 1998. The attraction replaced Take Flight, and used the track Take Flight previously used. Buzz Lightyear's Space Ranger Spin is part shooting gallery, and part dark ride. Guests board an omnimover vehicles equipped with laser guns and a joystick, which allow them to spin their vehicle. The purpose of the attraction is for guests to get as many points as they can by shooting targets in each of the scenes. Buzz Lightyear's Space Ranger Spin is based on the Disney-Pixar Toy Story franchise.

Since it's opening in 1998, Buzz Lightyear's Space Ranger Spin hasn't experienced any major changes.

Attraction Plot

The plot of Buzz Lightyear's Space Ranger Spin begins in the queue. Here, guests will realize they have been shrunk down to the size of a toy, and that they are "Star Command" raw recruits. Details such as a giant Phillips screw-driver head, and a large toy instruction sheet add to the illusion that guests have indeed been shrunk.

At the end of the queue, an Audio Anamatronic Buzz Lightyear and a "giant" Viewmaster give riders their mission. It appears that the Evil Emperor Zurg has been stealing the "crystallic fusion cells" (batteries) used to power the Little Green Men's Vehicles. Zurg is using the batteries to fuel his secret weapon which he will use to conquer the universe. It is up to the Star Command raw recruits to stop him and save the universe. Buzz tells guests that in order to defeat Zurg guests must shoot the targets marked with Zurg's insignia (a capital Z) with their space lasers. There are dozens to potentially hundreds of targets in each room. Shooting the targets give guests points, making the objective to get as many points as possible. There are four different shapes of targets, round (100 points), square (1,000 points), diamond (5,000 points) and triangle (10,000 points. After getting their instructions, guests board their ride vehicles, the XP-37 Space Cruisers and head off to find Zurg.

The first scene in the attraction is the "Robot Attack" scene. Riders witness dozens of Zurg's robots stealing batteries. In this room many targets are located on Zurg's robots. For instance, if riders shoot the large orange robot on the left arm, they will get 100,000 points.

The Evil Emperor Zurg before he is defeated.

After witnessing the attack the Space Cruisers travel to planet Z, the home of Zurg. Here aliens of various shapes, including large snake like aliens move around. In the sky, robots can be seen bringing batteries Zurg's ship, and in the background volcano's are erupting. As the ships move on the scene switches to the Robot Factory and then to Zurgs ship. Here Zurg is creating his robots, and bringing in the batteries to create his secret weapon. After shooting the targets in the factory, the Little Green Men help guests out an escape hatch and into hyperspace.

The hyperspace room differs from every other scene in the attraction. Guests are engulfed by video screens which depict Zurg and the Space Rangers battling in space. Their is only one target in the hyperspace room.

After emerging from hyperspace, the Rangers finally face of against the Zurg himself. After shooting the targets in the room it is clear that Zurg has been defeated. The Little Green Men also manage to get their batteries back from Zurg, and Buzz Lightyear congratulates guests for a great mission. In this room, guests photos are also taken, which are available for purchase after the ride is over.


Before unloading, guests can see what level their score falls in. The levels are:

  • Level 1 Star Cadet (0 – 1,000)
  • Level 2 Space Ace (1,001 – 10,000)
  • Level 3 Planetary Pilot (10,001 – 100,000)
  • Level 4 Space Scout (100,001 – 300,000)
  • Level 5 Ranger 1st Class (300,001 – 600,000)
  • Level 6 Cosmic Commando (600,001 – 999,999)
  • Level 7 Galactic Hero (1,000,000 +)

Although level 7 is listed as a possible level, it is impossible for guests to see a score higher than 999,000.

After getting their score and unloading their vehicles guests exit into the Buzz Lightyear's Shop where ride photos and Toy Story merchandise are available for purchase.

See the Attraction!

If you want to get an idea of what you will experience on Buzz Lightyear's Space Ranger Spin, click below.

Fun Facts and Trivia

  • When riding the Tomorrowland Transit Authority PeopleMover, guests can see into the Robot Attack scene of Buzz Lightyear's Space Ranger Spin through two windows.
  • A third window is also located above Buzz Lightyear, but it was covered with a scene depicting a hair salon. However Buzz Lightyear's predacessor, Take Flight allowed guests to see in through all three window.
  • Due to these windows, it is also possible for guests on Buzz Lightyear to spot the Tomorrowland Transit Authority PeopleMover as it passes by.
  • The lasers that guests use on Buzz Lightyear's Space Ranger Spin are classified as Class II lasers, and were inspected by the EPA before use.
  • Images XR and Commander Nebula from the television series, Buzz Lightyear of Star Command can be found in the attractions exit.

References

http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/parks/magic-kingdom/attractions/buzz-lightyears-space-ranger-spin/

http://www.wdwinfo.com/wdwinfo/guides/magickingdom/tom-buzz-lightyear.htm