Polygon rides the Buzz Lightyear ride

polygon.com:

We might never get to explore the vast expanses of the galaxy like epic Space Ranger Buzz Lightyear, but what we do have are fond memories of shooting bad guys at the Buzz Lightyear attraction in Disney theme parks across the world.

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. The other versions have names like Buzz Lightyear Laser Blast, Buzz Lightyear Planet Rescue, and Buzz Lightyear Astro Blasters.

Whatever the name, the premise remains the same: You load up in pairs into a little car and blast away at targets with a laser gun thing. How does it work? Disney magic! Your score then gets tabulated and displayed 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.

In celebration of Lightyearpremiering in theaters, some Polygon staffers decided to dig up some old ride photos and reminisce about blasting away aliens with their loved ones.

This is from my high school band field trip almost 10 years ago. I was not in band at the time, but they had an extra spot on the bus, so I paid for my own ticket so I could join my best friends for one last hurrah. Ah, the memories!

Anyway, my best friend and I naturally had to ride the Buzz Lightyear ride together, which ended up with me getting a disappointing score. Turns out, to win at Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin, you gotta