Walt Disney World's Magic Kingdom has set an opening date for the refurbished Big Thunder Mountain Railroad attraction as it reopens its Buzz Lightyear's Space Ranger Spin ride.
Starting with Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, the updated ride is reopening on 3 May after completing a "mountain-top to cavern-deep refurbishment", Disney said in a blog post.
A key part of the refurbishment was installing a new track and refreshed passenger trains, while preserving the ride's classic storytelling.
Additionally, Big Thunder Mountain Railroad will reopen with a lowered height requirement of 38".
New effects have been added to enhance the attraction, including scenes in underground caverns "full of phosphorescent pools" and "shimmering and illuminating iridescent stalagmites and stalactites", Disney said.
As for Buzz Lightyear's Space Ranger Spin, this has reopened with new ride vehicles, interactive targets and hand-held blasters, new lighting, sound and vibration effects, and a new Star Command support bot named Buddy.
Created by Walt Disney Imagineering and Pixar Animation Studios to join the Star Command team, Buddy is a friendly robot who helps prepare riders for their experience.
The Star Cruiser ride vehicles have a new look inspired by the colours of Buzz Lightyear and Star Command, as well as onboard video monitors with real-time scoring updates.
Also, each vehicle is equipped with new handheld blasters designed for better aim, and the targets have been upgraded with new technology that let riders know when they've hit them.
Disney World recently announced the opening dates of several new and refreshed attractions across its parks.
Images courtesy of Disney
