Polygon rides the Buzz Lightyear ride

Although we may never be able to travel the great expanses the galaxy as the epic Space Ranger Buzz Lightyear did, what can we do? DoI have fond memories of being a bad guy at the Buzz Lightyear attraction in Disney parks around the globe.

There is — or was — a version of a Buzz Lightyear shooting dark ride in all Disney parks worldwide (though, the version in Hong Kong Disneyland was replaced by an Ant-Man ride in 2019). The first ever iteration opened in 1998 in Disney World’s Magic Kingdom, in the Tomorrowland area of the park, and is also the only one called Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin. There are also Buzz Lightyear Laser Blast (or Planet Rescue), and Buzz Lightyear Astro Blasters versions.

No matter what the name of this game, it is the same basic concept: you load your laser gun into a small car and start blasting at targets using the laser gun. It works! Disney magic! You score will then be tabulated and shown on your ride photo. If you didn’t perform well, you’re just a Star Cadet; only real MVPs get the title of Galactic Hero. It’s a ride and it’s a game and most of all — it’s a competition.

Celebrate the holiday of Lightyear Some Polygon employees decided to look through old photos of rides and recall their memories with loved ones while the film premiered in theatres.

Petrana Radulovic

Photo Credit: Petrana Radiovic/Polygon

This picture is from a field trip I took with my high school band almost 10 years ago. Although I wasn’t in the band, they offered an additional spot on the bus so I bought my ticket to join my friends and have one more chance at a good time. Oh, how wonderful memories.

However, I was forced to take the Buzz Lightyear ride along with my friend. This resulted in me scoring a dismal score. Turns out, to win at Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin, you gotta commit as hard as my friend here.

My friend would like to add that her face is her reaction when she “saw they made Buzz Lightyear hot.”

Pete Volk

Pete Volk/Polygon

My partner Tristan and I went to Disneyland shortly after getting married — we had a small ceremony near where we live, but traveled to Los Angeles after to celebrate with my family. It was our only time together, even though I loved my family.

Disneyland gave us this avant-garde photo that was blurry and filled with shadows. What is the secret to my mystery? Our laser gun is perfect.

Chelsea Stark

Photo by Chelsea Stark/Polygon

This is my killer look. No. Zurg makes me look slightly shocked, to be honest. My friend Abby deserves a shoutout, she outgunned and is cool even under pressure. I hope to be better prepared for intergalactic combat next time.

Susana Polo

Photo: Susana Poli/Polygon

When I was on a Disney trip with my family, some of our friends, and my brother in 2015, I took photos of the Buzz Lightyear ride to send to dad. My father is a big Toy Story fan who has made Pixar movies into family movie nights. My favorite picture, however, was one taken at the kiosk for ride photos. There, I was captured looking happy as a child on the wrapper of an offbrand Super Soaker. And my brother was doing a complete 180 into Master Gamer Mode. But then I guess that’s why he’s the Galactic Hero and I’m just a Star Cadet.

Samit Sarkar

Photo: Samit Sarkar/Polygon

I used to think I was pretty good at video games, but then my wife and I did Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin together… and she kicked my ass. Aside from her own lifetime of playing video games, her skills probably come from the years of practice she had playing things like Space Ranger Spin with her mother, who has since passed but was one of the most competitive people I’ve ever known. (My wife posted this photo on Facebook in 2012 with the caption “serious business.”)

Lightyear It’s available now in cinemas