‘Toy Story’ Ride Permanently Closes at Disney to Make Way for ‘Wreck-It Ralph’ Attraction

As of today, Pixar’s most successful franchise has a slightly smaller footprint in Disney parks worldwide as another Toy Story-themed attraction closes its doors.

Toy Story and Disney Theme Parks Worldwide

Pixar’s iconic Toy Story franchise has long held a major presence across Disney parks, captivating guests with the adventures of Woody, Buzz Lightyear, Jessie, and their toy friends.

Credit: Disney

From Disney’s Hollywood Studios to Shanghai Disneyland, Toy Story attractions and themed lands bring the beloved animated world to life, offering everything from immersive ride experiences to character encounters.

Currently, four Disney parks—Disney’s Hollywood Studios, Walt Disney Studios Park, Hong Kong Disneyland, and Shanghai Disneyland—are home to entire lands dedicated to Toy Story, while Tokyo DisneySea and Disney California Adventure Park host versions of the popular Toy Story Midway Mania ride.

The History and Legacy of Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin

Long before there was Toy Story Midway Mania, there was Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin. Disney’s first Toy Story attraction opened in 1998 at Magic Kingdom in Orlando. The interactive ride quickly became a fan favorite, inviting guests to join Buzz in an intergalactic mission to defeat the Evil Emperor Zurg and earn the status of Galactic Hero.

Credit: Disney

Over the years, the ride’s popularity led to duplicates across the globe, making Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin a staple in Disney castle parks worldwide. In fact, there was a time when it was one of the few rides to be present in every single Disney castle park worldwide.

Why Did Tokyo Disneyland Close Buzz Lightyear’s Astro Blasters?

The decision to close Tokyo Disneyland’s Buzz Lightyear’s Astro Blasters marks the end of Buzz’s global dominance, as the ride is now absent from two Disney parks.

Back in 2017, Hong Kong Disneyland retired its version of Buzz Lightyear Astro Blasters and replaced it with the Marvel-themed Ant-Man and The Wasp: Nano Battle!, a high-tech attraction that offered a new experience for park-goers.

Credit: Tokyo Disney Resort

Now, Tokyo Disneyland has followed suit, closing its version of the ride to make way for a brand-new Wreck-It Ralph (2012) attraction.

The closure of the ride (which has already been scrubbed from the Tokyo Disney Resort website) was first announced by the park’s operator, the Oriental Land Company, back in April. The plan includes not only the new attraction but also a complete retheme of the nearby Planet M store, aligning the area with the digital gaming world of Wreck-It Ralph.

Disney’s First Wreck-It Ralph Attraction Set to Open in 2026

Scheduled to open in 2026, Tokyo Disneyland’s new Wreck-It Ralph attraction will be the first of its kind, bringing a unique experience to Disney parks.

💡 News 💡

Starting in 2026, Tokyo Disneyland will be introducing a new attraction set in the world of the Disney film “Wreck-It Ralph”!
This is an indoor attraction that is a revamped version of “Buzz Lightyear’s Astro Blasters.”

💡ニュース💡

2026年度以降、東京ディズニーランドにディズニー映画『シュガー・ラッシュ』の世界を舞台とした新規アトラクションの導入を決定！
「バズ・ライトイヤーのアストロブラスター」をリニューアルして誕生する、屋内型のアトラクションです。https://t.co/T68hEMdk2x pic.twitter.com/hWca0ZCkcO

— 東京ディズニーリゾートPR【公式】 (@TDR_PR) April 26, 2024

The attraction is set within the candy-filled video game world of Sugar Rush, home to fan-favorite character Vanellope Von Schweetz (voiced by Sarah Silverman). According to concept art, the attraction will include similar ride vehicles and blasters to those seen in Ant-Man and The Wasp: Nano Battle!, hinting at an interactive, gaming-style adventure.

In this new experience, guests will join Vanellope and Ralph (John C. Reilly) on a mission to save Sugar Rush from sugar bugs unleashed by the mischievous King Candy (Alan Tudyk). Blending immersive technology with beloved Wreck-It Ralph characters, the ride promises an exciting, family-friendly quest through the vibrant world of Sugar Rush.

What’s Next for Buzz Lightyear?

With Tokyo Disneyland’s Astro Blasters now retired, fans are beginning to question the future of other Buzz Lightyear rides at Disney parks worldwide.

Credit: Tokyo Disney Resort

Currently, versions of the ride are still in operation at Magic Kingdom Park in Florida, Disneyland Park in California, Disneyland Paris, and Shanghai Disneyland. Disneyland Paris and Shanghai Disneyland are most likely safe for now, as Paris’s ride is one of the newer additions, and Shanghai Disneyland’s version opened less than a decade ago.

However, Magic Kingdom and Disneyland in Anaheim are slightly more at risk if Disney continues to upgrade its attractions with newer, updated IP, which seems to be its favorite activity lately.

Is Disney Moving Away from Buzz Lightyear?

The popularity of Buzz Lightyear has fluctuated in recent years. In 2022, Pixar released a Toy Story spinoff film focusing on the ‘real-life’ Buzz Lightyear. Despite high expectations, the film struggled at the box office, leading to a major shift within Pixar as executives responsible for the film were reportedly laid off.

Credit: Pixar

Additionally, the film’s poor performance left it out of the Disneyland Resort’s Pixar Fest celebration, casting doubts on Buzz Lightyear’s current role within the Pixar lineup.

While Buzz may have faced challenges, Disney is set to release Toy Story 5 in June 2026, reviving Buzz’s character alongside Woody, Jessie, and the rest of the iconic toy crew. However, reactions to the upcoming sequel have been mixed, with some fans questioning the need for another installment after the emotionally charged Toy Story 4.

Could We See More Disney Parks Transitioning Away from Toy Story?

Disney’s D23 Expo this summer revealed a number of planned additions to Disney parks, though we’re yet to see the majority for ourselves (and likely won’t for many years).

Credit: Disney

The unpredictability of Disney park updates means that anything is possible—future transitions could replace existing Toy Story attractions, or they could expand the franchise’s presence with new experiences. With Disney’s legacy of reinvention and commitment to keeping attractions fresh, the parks may still surprise fans with unexpected changes to beloved rides.

Do you think Disney should replace more Buzz Lightyear rides in its parks?