“Buzz Lightyear Astro Blasters,” New Tomorrowland Attraction, Sends Guests to “Infinity and Beyond!”
ANAHEIM, Calif. (May 3, 2005) – Disney’s trademark creative storytelling and state-of-the-art technology combine to create “Buzz Lightyear Astro Blasters,” an all-new interactive Disneyland park adventure, officially opening in Tomorrowland during the kick-off of the park’s 18-month-long “Happiest Homecoming On Earth” 50th anniversary celebration, launching May 5, 2005.
“Buzz Lightyear Astro Blasters” is inspired by a Walt Disney Pictures presentation of a Pixar Animation Studios film, “Toy Story 2.” The new out-of-this-world experience is the first Disney theme park adventure in the world to feature a real-time interactive on-line component (premiering June 6) during the actual “ride” portion of the attraction.
This never-before-attempted convergence of the real world and the virtual world allows guests on the attraction to be randomly paired with online players via web-cam technology. At-home participants will help increase the scores of riders on the attraction by raising the value of targets along the way. This pairing of technologies has resulted in the most interactive attraction at Disneyland.
The space adventure stars Buzz Lightyear; the intrepid galactic hero from the hit film “Toy Story 2.” Enlisting Disneyland guests as members of the Universe Protection Unit of the Space Ranger Corps., would-be Space Rangers help Buzz defeat the evil Emperor Zurg before he corners the world’s energy supply.
“Buzz Lightyear Astro Blasters” is an interactive experience in which guests pilot their own Space Cruisers and twist, turn and fire personal laser cannons in order to hit targets and gain points that will protect the peace of outer space from the forces of the Emperor Zurg! Total scores will appear in the Space Cruiser at the conclusion of each adventure representing your ranking in the Space Ranger Corps. Guests are compelled to ride repeatedly in order to increasingly better their scores.
“We’re delighted to unveil ‘Buzz Lightyear Astro Blasters’ as part of our milestone anniversary,” said Matt Ouimet, president of the Disneyland Resort. “We’re confident that this truly fun addition to Disneyland will be a hit with our guests as they ride again and again to improve their scores and assist Buzz in saving the universe.”
Located at the entrance to Tomorrowland, in the former site occupied by the CircleVision Theater, “Buzz Lightyear Astro Blasters” will feature Disney’s FASTPASS (a computerized system that gives guests an alternative to standard “lines” at many popular attractions in the Disneyland Resort theme parks). Featuring a host of familiar faces, including those popular Little Green Men, the black light adventure features a vibrant and colorful cosmic setting.
A similar attraction, “Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin,” opened on October 7, 1998 at Walt Disney Resort in Florida and has consistently been one of the most popular attractions in the resort’s Magic Kingdom Park.
“Buzz Lightyear Astro Blasters” joins an incredible array of new innovative adventures and astonishing entertainment premiering at Disneyland during its “Happiest Homecoming On Earth” 50th anniversary celebration, launching May 5, 2005. Other highlights include the highly-anticipated re-launch of “Space Mountain” in Tomorrowland, the spectacle of “Walt Disney’s Parade of Dreams,” “Remember . . . Dreams Come True,” (the biggest fireworks spectacular in Disneyland history), the engaging retrospective “Disneyland: The First 50 Magical Years” and the energetic “Block Party Bash” where Disney presents the Pixar Film Pals at Disney’s California Adventure.
The 50th anniversary will also be celebrated globally via the “Happiest Celebration On Earth” (Disney’s first-ever global celebration), and will be highlighted by the introduction of spectacular new shows and attractions at Walt Disney World Resort in Florida; Tokyo Disney Resort in Japan; and Disneyland Resort Paris in France, plus the first west coast itinerary for the Disney Cruise Line and the opening of Hong Kong Disneyland (September 12, 2005).
For news media inquiries and photos regarding the 50th anniversary “Happiest Homecoming On Earth” celebration, please visit disneylandnews.com or call Disneyland Resort Press and Publicity (714) 781-4500.