Disney Demolishes Classic Tomorrowland Feature as Major Magic Kingdom Changes Begin
Magic Kingdom fans are used to seeing construction walls pop up, but every now and then, Disney makes a change that feels bigger than a simple refurbishment. And right now, Tomorrowland is the latest land to feel the impact.
Guests visiting Magic Kingdom have discovered that a classic piece of Tomorrowland has been completely removed. Not covered up. Not temporarily taken down. Fully demolished.
The entrance marquee area outside Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin has been torn out as crews begin a major refresh of the attraction. For longtime fans, it’s the kind of change that instantly stands out because this entrance has been part of the Tomorrowland “look” for years. Even guests who didn’t ride the attraction regularly still recognized the marquee as one of the area’s defining features.
Now, it’s gone.
And the construction isn’t subtle. After the marquee was removed, crews began digging into the pavement outside the attraction, signaling that Disney isn’t just swapping signage. They’re rebuilding the infrastructure, likely preparing the space for an entirely new entrance experience.
While Disney hasn’t revealed exactly what the new marquee will look like, the project is already moving fast. Guests riding the Tomorrowland Transit Authority PeopleMover can clearly see the work taking place from above, and it’s obvious this is more than a basic touch-up.
The demolition is also tied to major updates coming to Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin itself. When the attraction reopens, Disney has confirmed a long list of upgrades designed to make the ride feel more modern and interactive.
One of the biggest additions is a brand-new opening scene that will introduce a new character named Buddy, described as a support-bot who helps prepare guests for their mission. This is a major storyline shift for an attraction that hasn’t seen significant changes in a long time.
Disney is also upgrading the ride’s targets. The familiar static “Z” targets will now react and light up when hit, which could completely change how the ride feels for competitive guests trying to rack up high scores.
Even the ride vehicles are getting an overhaul. The Star Cruisers will feature a refreshed design inspired by Buzz Lightyear and Star Command, along with onboard video monitors that provide real-time scoring updates.
And perhaps the biggest improvement of all is the addition of handheld blasters. Instead of the mounted blasters that guests have struggled with for years, riders will now have handheld versions with always-on lasers, vibration effects, and improved aiming.
All of these changes point to Disney investing heavily in this Tomorrowland staple, even if it means tearing down some familiar elements along the way.
For fans who love the classic look of Magic Kingdom, watching a Tomorrowland landmark get demolished is bittersweet. But for guests who have felt Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin needed a major refresh, this could be the start of a much-needed update.
One thing is clear: Tomorrowland is changing, and Disney isn’t easing into it.
