There are quite a few attractions at Disneyland lately that are hitting milestones. Buzz Lightyear Astro Blasters is the next one to have a birthday! Today I would like to talk about this attraction and tell you some interesting facts in today’s post.
Buzz Lightyear Astro Blasters Turns 15
Buzz Lightyear Astro Blasters is an interactive dark ride that opened in Disneyland on March 17, 2005. This attraction is based on the Disney/Pixar Toy Story films. During your ride through space, you board the ride vehicle, take your laser cannon, and prepare for battle!
From here on, you are in space (the Gamma Quadrant) to help Buzz Lightyear battle Emperor Zurg. As you travel through this ride there are targets all over. In fact, there are four different sizes of targets.
Take your laser gun and aim! As a result of hitting the lit targets, you get points for each target hit. Which by the way, in front of you is your score. You get to compete with your family member or friend that is with you in the vehicle.
Each vehicle has a joystick, this way you can turn the vehicle around if you like to help with your aim (or throw off your opponent…)
During your travels through the Gamma Quadrant, you will encounter lots of different space creatures until you ultimately encounter The Evil Emperor Zurg.
Smile!
At some point during your space travels, Disney takes a photo of you. At the end of the ride, you can look at your photo and have it sent to your email address. It is a nice photo opportunity with your scores at the top and a very cool souvenir to have when you get back home.
The Ride Vehicles
Buzz Lightyear Astro Blasters uses the Omnimover system. The Omnimover is a continuously moving ride system with vehicles that are clam-shaped. Like the ones in Haunted Mansion and Little Mermaid Undersea Adventure. However, the ones in Buzz Lightyear do not have the fullback that comes over your head.
As a result of the continuously moving vehicle system (Omnimover) on Buzz Lightyear Astro Blasters, it is considered a high capacity attraction. This means they can load and unload guests faster which keeps the line moving along quickly.
Fact
Another fact about Buzz Lightyear Astro Blasters is that it replaced the cue for the short-lived Rocket Rods attraction. Before that, this location was the Circle-Vision 360 Theatre which showed you different places all over America on eight movie screens that went all around the room showing you the 360 views as if you were right there turning in a circle.
Tip
If the ride slows or stops it is usually to help give time to people who need it to get on and off the attraction. The laser guns and targets still work! Keep going and do not stop shooting the targets. I like it when this happens. Watch those points add up.
Points
As I mentioned earlier, there are four different targets throughout Buzz Lightyear. These targets are worth different points.
Round = 100 points
Square = 1,000 points
Diamond = 5,000 points
Triangle = 10,000 points
Fact
In 2005, Disney released an internet game version that pairs you with someone on the ride. Both scores were added together, so the rider’s score would be higher. However, Disney has since disabled this.
FastPass Attraction
Finally, Buzz Lightyear is a FastPass attraction. This means that you can get or reserve a FastPass and come to the ride at your selected time and get into the FastPass line. Usually, the FastPass line will move faster than the standby line.
A FastPass is basically a ticket that is holding your place in line, while you can go out and explore elsewhere inside of Disneyland while you are waiting. It is a good thing and a bad thing… Good when you have one, not so good if you don’t and the park is busy.
In Conclusion
Buzz Lightyear Astro Blasters is a great interactive dark ride that you can compete with friends and family for a high score. With a high capacity capability and a chance to defeat Evil Emperor Zurg, Buzz Lightyear Astro Blasters is a fun attraction you won’t want to miss!
Come Follow Me!
I am on Pinterest.
I am also on Facebook.
Please feel free to pin and share!
Question or Comments?
I hope you enjoyed today’s information and facts on Buzz Lightyear Astro Blasters. If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to leave them below!
Thanks for stopping by Life in Mouse Years!
New Here?
Here are some other blog posts that you may be interested in.
Leave a Reply