“BUZZ LIGHTYEAR ASTRO BLASTERS” LANDS IN TOMORROWLAND DURING “THE HAPPIEST HOMECOMING ON EARTH”

New Attraction Features First-Ever Interactive Online Component

ANAHEIM , Calif. , May 5, 2004 – Famed intergalactic hero Buzz Lightyear has been tapped to help Disneyland celebrate its golden anniversary with the addition of a new out-of-this-world attraction, “Buzz Lightyear Astro Blasters.”  The new attraction premieres in Tomorrowland in 2005 during the park’s 18-month-long worldwide “The Happiest Homecoming on Earth” 50^th anniversary celebration that debuts on May 5, 2005 . 

The space adventure stars Buzz Lightyear; the intrepid galactic hero from Disney/Pixar’s hit film Toy Story.  Enlisting 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.

The attraction 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. 

“It will be especially popular with the video game generation,” said Barry Braverman, senior vice president of Walt Disney Imagineering.  “Players will jump back on the attraction again and again to improve their scores and top friends and family members.” 

          Imagineers will incorporate a brand new online component inviting at-home fans to join in the excitement.  Guests on the attraction will be virtually paired up with internet partners who will join the adventure at Disneyland in real time through web cam technology.  At-home participants will help increase the scores of guests on the attraction by raising the value of targets along the way.  This groundbreaking innovation, melding a Disney theme park attraction with real-time online interaction, will be a first for any Disney theme park.

“Buzz Lightyear Astro Blasters” will be located at the entrance to Tomorrowland, in the former site occupied by the CircleVision Theater, and will be a Disney FASTPASS attraction. Featuring a host of familiar faces, including those popular little green, three-eyed aliens, the black light adventure features a vibrant and colorful cosmic setting. 

A similar attraction, “Buzz Lightyear’s Space Rangers Spin,” opened on October 7, 1998 in the Magic Kingdom Park at Walt Disney Resort in Florida and has consistently been one of the most popular attractions in the Magic Kingdom .

Premiering on May 5, 2005 “The Happiest Homecoming on Earth,” an extraordinary celebration of the golden 50^th anniversary of Disneyland, will pay tribute to the millions of guests and Cast Members who have contributed to the rich legacy of “The Happiest Place on Earth” over the past five decades.  The 18-month long occasion represents the biggest celebration in the history of Disney theme parks and is the first truly global Disney event (with commemorative events planned at each of the Disney theme parks around the world in salute to Disneyland ).

home