food IS a theme park
There are so many changes coming to Disney World!
©Disney
From new lands to the Cinderella Castle updates, we have lots to look forward to in the next few years! While we wait on some major projects to come to life, a first-time ride overlay begins soon.
One of the newest and most popular rides in Disney World is in the Magic Kingdom.
TRON Lightcycle / Run
Yep, TRON Lightcycle / Run is one of those rides that has notoriously high wait times, although you can purchase a Lightning Lane Single Pass to bypass the long standby lines. Well, we think the line for the ride might soon get a little longer because it will be getting an update to celebrate the upcoming release of a new movie, Tron: Ares.
Welcome aboard the Tomorrowland Transit Authority PeopleMover — your quiet and carefree highway in the sky. We invite you to sit back, relax, and enjoy your grand circle tour of Tomorrowland.
PeopleMover
During your ride on the PeopleMover, the narrator tells you about the different attractions around Tomorrowland in Disney World. A fan favorite part of the spiel is “Paging Mr. Morrow — Mr. Tom Morrow. Please contact Mr. Johnson in the control tower to confirm your flight to the moon.” Well, Mr. Morrow is making a special appearance soon!
Disney World never stays the same for long.
It’s closed!
Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin is officially closed for a major overhaul, and when it returns in 2026, it won’t just be a touch-up. Disney has revealed several big changes coming to the ride, and we think these are the kinds of updates that could completely change how you experience one of Tomorrowland’s most classic attractions. From a brand-new character to interactive technology and reimagined ride vehicles, the future of Space Ranger Spin looks very different. Let’s break down the four updates you’ll want to know about and why they matter way more than you think.
Your Magic Kingdom day can be the most stressful on your Disney World trip. Magic Kingdom has the most rides, and it can be hard to try to fit them all into a single visit.
TRON Lightcycle / Run
One way to get in some extra park time can be with Early Entry and Extended Evening Hours. While Extended Evening Hours is only for select Disney World Resorts, every guest staying at any Disney World Resort gets 30 minutes of extra time before the park opens. Once you scan in, where should you start?
Magic Kingdom just lost another Lightning Lane Multi Pass option, and it’s a big one.
Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin Lightning Lane sign
Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin has closed for an extended refurbishment, which means you now have ONE fewer skip-the-line option at this park. Between this closure and the ongoing Big Thunder Mountain Railroad refurb, the Magic Kingdom Lightning Lane Multi Pass list is shrinking fast. Let’s break down exactly what’s changed, what’s still available, and how you can adjust your park day strategy.
While refurbishments and closures have always been part of Walt Disney World, the current state of temporary and permanent closures at the Magic Kingdom is affecting the park experience at an unprecedented level.
Big Thunder Mountain Railroad
Over the past several months, the popular Big Thunder Mountain Railroad and Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin attractions have both closed for refurbishment. Furthermore, opening day stalwarts, the Rivers of America (including the Liberty Belle Riverboat) and Tom Sawyer Island, closed permanently to make way for the construction of the upcoming Piston Peak area. This has led to issues in both Frontierland and Tomorrowland.
Magic Kingdom is undergoing a few transformations right now, and the next time you head back into the park, things might be a little different.
Tomorrowland in Magic Kingdom
Big Thunder Mountain is still closed for refurbishment until 2026. We also have large construction walls up around the Rivers of America to make way for the new Piston Peak Cars area coming in the future. Now, over in Tomorrowland, we just had another ride close for a lengthy refurbishment. We’re talking about Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin, which is getting some big upgrades.
Marvel’s new movie, The Fantastic Four: First Steps, has officially arrived in theaters, but it’s also hit Disneyland!
Space Mountain
I’ve seen the movie, and I, personally, thought it was…well…fantastic, but it’s also pretty fantastic that Disney has brought The Fantastic Four to Disneyland in a variety of ways. Mister Fantastic, Invisible Woman, Human Torch, or The Thing are currently meeting people in Tomorrowland (which looks a lot LIKE the setting of the movie). You can also pick up some limited-time snacks and drinks celebrating the release of the movie. Well, another FANTASTIC thing is happening in Disneyland…and it’s happening at Space Mountain.
Okay, so a LOT is happening in Magic Kingdom right now. Rivers of America and Tom Sawyer Island have permanently closed as Disney begins construction on a Cars-themed expansion in Frontierland. Big Thunder Mountain Railroad is getting a huge upgrade. A new villains land is set to go behind Big Thunder Mountain Railroad.
Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin
A Tomorrowland ride is also set for a huge upgrade. Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin closes tomorrow, August 4th, so we decided to visit the ride this morning to see what its last day is like…and let’s just say, it was kinda surprising.
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