Summary
Based on the character from the Pixar film “Toy Story,” this ride at Disneyland offers an immersive experience akin to stepping into a colossal video game. Riders engage in an interactive mission, shooting at targets to accumulate points while controlling their vehicle and enjoying the adventure.
The storyline draws on the beloved Pixar animated film where your objective is to assist Buzz Lightyear in thwarting Evil Emperor Zurg, who is stealing batteries from defenseless toys to fuel a nefarious weapon.
What You Need to Know
A survey conducted among 247 readers revealed that 84% consider this ride a must-do or worth riding if time permits.
- Location: Buzz Lightyear is situated in Tomorrowland.
- Rating: ★★★★
- Restrictions: No height restrictions. Kids under 7 must be with someone 14 or older.
- Ride time: Approximately 5 minutes
- Recommended for: Families, especially those with teens or preteens. It’s enjoyable even for those who don’t typically play video games.
- Fun factor: Generally high for most visitors, regardless of score.
- Wait factor: Medium to High. Use a Fastpass to lessen wait times.
- Fear factor: Low
- Herky-jerky factor: Low
- Nausea factor: Low
- Seating: Ride vehicles feature one row with two laser cannons. Three people can occupy a vehicle, but only two can shoot effectively.
- Accessibility: All guests enter through the same entrance. A transfer from ECV to wheelchair is necessary to board. Guests must transfer to the ride themselves or with assistance from companions. Handheld captioning receivers are available at Guest Relations.
How to Have More Fun
- Score points by targeting the letter “Z.” Avoid characters in blue and green; they are allies.
- Choose your scoring strategy: Focus on hitting targets accurately or shoot rapidly with less concern for precision.
- Shapes and score: Different shapes reward varying points: triangle, diamond, square, round.
- Lighted targets yield higher points.
- Multiple hits allowed: You can hit the same target more than once.
- Nesting targets: Look for targets on the Alien jack-in-the-box for higher points.
- Find the elusive 50,000 point target: Search for a small “Z” on Zurg’s chest in the second room; it’s challenging to hit but rewarding.
- Spin your vehicle: Use the joystick to spin and disrupt your companions’ aim.
- Email your results: After the ride, you can share a picture of your score.
- Ride reliability: This attraction has a history of breakdowns; aim to ride when operational.
Fun Facts
- If you visited Disneyland from the 1950s to the 1980s, this building housed various film experiences showcasing American life and the West.
- This area once served as the line queue for the now-defunct Rocket Rods ride, often criticized for its frequent technical issues.
Is It Different Than Buzz Lightyear in Florida?
The ride experience is very similar in both Disneyland and Walt Disney World, making it easy to skip in California if time is constrained.
