Walt Disney World may be preparing guests for another visible change inside Tomorrowland at Magic Kingdom. A newly filed permit by Walt Disney Imagineering suggests that one of the land’s most recognizable visual elements tied to Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin could soon be removed and replaced.
While Disney has not made any public announcements, the permit itself offers a strong clue that change is coming—especially given the timing.
A Signage Permit With Big Implications
The permit, filed as a Notice of Commencement, lists Walt Disney Imagineering as the project owner and Design Communications Ltd. as the contractor. The scope of work is described as “install signage” at the address associated with Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin in Tomorrowland.
On its own, that wording may sound routine. However, Disney typically files permits with similar language when preparing to install large exterior signage, including attraction marquees. Historically, these filings often precede noticeable changes guests see immediately when an attraction reopens.
Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin has been closed since August 2025 and is scheduled to return this spring. Disney has already indicated the attraction will reopen feeling familiar but refreshed, making the timing of this permit especially noteworthy.
Why the Marquee Matters
If the permit does point to a new marquee, it would mean the removal of the current Buzz Lightyear sign that has served as a Tomorrowland landmark for years. That sign is more than decorative—it helps anchor the attraction visually and has long been part of the land’s identity.
Replacing it would mark a meaningful shift, even if the attraction itself remains largely unchanged. Disney has increasingly focused on modernizing Tomorrowland’s overall look rather than preserving individual elements in isolation.
Part of a Bigger Tomorrowland Shift
Over the past several years, Disney has updated signage across Tomorrowland, including Monsters Inc. Laugh Floor, the Tomorrowland PeopleMover, and the Carousel of Progress. Each update moved the land toward a cleaner, more cohesive visual style.
A refreshed Buzz Lightyear marquee would align with that strategy, suggesting Disney is continuing its slow but deliberate reimagining of Tomorrowland rather than opting for a single sweeping overhaul.
Disney has not released concept art or confirmed details, and permits are often filed well ahead of installation. Still, the filing strongly suggests that when Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin reopens, guests may notice that one familiar Tomorrowland icon is gone for good.
As changes continue to unfold at Magic Kingdom, Tomorrowland’s future-facing identity appears to be taking shape one visual update at a time.
