Buzz Lightyear's Space Ranger Spin

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

Attraction History

Buzz Lightyear's Space Ranger Spin opened November 3, 1998. The attraction replaced Take Flight, using 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. 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 allusion that guests indeed have been shrunk.

At the end of the queue, and 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 save the universe.

Buzz also 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. Their are four different shapes of targets, round (100 points), square (1,000 points), diamond (5,000 points) and triangle (10,000 points).

The first scene in the attraction is the "Robot Attack" scene. Riders witness dozens of Zurg's robots stealing batteries. If riders shoot the large orange robot on the left arm, they will get 100,000 points.

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. In the background volcano's seem to be erupting. After getting their instructions, guests enter the loading room. Here 2 riders can board a XP-37 Space Cruiser, which comes equipted with two laser cannons and a joystick. The joystick allows guests to spin their vehicles 360 degrees, in order to aim at the various targets.

Although Buzz Lightyear's Space Ranger Spin may seem like just a moving shooting gallery, the attraction actually has a plot. The first scene shows the Robot Factory, where Zurg creates the robots. This is also where Zurg is bringing the batteries in order to create his secret weapon. After shooting the targets in the factory, the Little Green Men help guests out of the 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. Finally, after shooting the targets in the room, 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 attraction.


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.

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 was covered with a scene depicting a hair salon. Buzz Lightyear's predacessor, Take Flight allowed guests to see in through all three window, but one was covered during the change over.
  • 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 used 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