Tomorrowland fans, you’re going to want to sit down for this one.

At Destination D23 in Disney World, Disney dropped some major news about updates coming to Magic Kingdom’s Tomorrowland. We’re talking ride overlays, attraction refreshes, and even some completely new technology making its way into a beloved classic. With announcements covering TRON Lightcycle / Run, Carousel of Progress, and Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin, there’s a lot to take in. Let’s break it all down so you’re ready for what’s ahead.

TRON Lightcycle / Run Overlay

In case you missed it, TRON Lightcycle / Run is about to get a futuristic glow-up in celebration of the new Disney film Tron: Ares, releasing October 10th, 2025. For a limited time, the attraction will swap its iconic blue tones for a bold red overlay. That means both the visuals and the ride vehicles themselves are getting an entirely new look.

Disney Imagineers revealed that not only will the canopy and track pulse with vibrant red hues, but the Lightcycles will take on the same color as well. Guests can also expect their ride photos to reflect the new design, which means your ride snapshot is going to look dramatically different from what you’re used to.

But the changes don’t stop there. A brand-new soundtrack is also coming to the attraction, with Nine Inch Nails providing industrial-inspired music designed to mirror the intensity of the new film. Disney explained, “The pulsating industrial sounds of Nine Inch Nails will drive the ride’s energy, pushing your experience between the Grid and reality into a fully immersive, futuristic symphony of light, speed, and sound.”

This limited-time overlay kicks off September 15th at Magic Kingdom (and September 16th at Shanghai Disneyland). Disney hasn’t shared how long it will run, so if you want to experience this one-of-a-kind ride transformation, make sure you prioritize it during your visit this fall.

Carousel of Progress Update

Now let’s talk about a true Disney classic. Carousel of Progress has been delighting Magic Kingdom guests since the 1970s, but the attraction’s history goes all the way back to the 1964 World’s Fair. For decades, fans have enjoyed watching John, Sarah, and their family move through the decades of technological progress, but big news is coming for this Tomorrowland staple.

Disney Imagineers announced that the attraction will soon debut an animatronic of Walt Disney himself. That’s right—after more than 30 years without updates, the show will be refreshed to include a brand-new opening scene featuring a lifelike figure of Walt. The addition was created in collaboration with The Walt Disney Family Museum, whose executive director called it an exciting milestone to celebrate Walt’s vision and inspire new generations.

This won’t be the first time we’ve seen Walt brought to life in animatronic form—Disneyland Park recently introduced a figure of him in Walt Disney: A Magical Life. But this marks the very first animatronic of Walt at Disney World, and the fact that it’s in Carousel of Progress makes perfect sense.

Details about updates to the other scenes are still under wraps, but Disney has hinted that changes may be coming for John, Sarah, and the rest of the family, too. No timeline has been announced just yet, but we’ll be keeping an eye out for construction updates and new reveals.

Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin

And finally, Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin is getting a major round of upgrades. The attraction temporarily closed on August 4th, 2025, to prepare for the updates, and it will reopen next year with some pretty big changes.

First, riders will meet a brand-new character named Buddy. Buddy is a cheerful support robot created by Walt Disney Imagineering and Pixar Animation Studios, and he’ll welcome guests to Star Command before they blast off on their mission. This opening scene is designed to be interactive, giving guests the chance to practice their aim and prepare for their fight against Zurg.

Second, the ride vehicles themselves are getting a redesign inspired by Buzz Lightyear’s classic Star Command colors. They’ll now feature video monitors that display real-time scoring updates and new gameplay elements, which means you’ll be able to track your progress while zapping targets throughout the ride.

And speaking of zapping, the blasters are also being completely reimagined. Guests will use handheld blasters equipped with always-on lasers, vibration effects, and lighting cues so you can actually see where you’re aiming. Each star cruiser will also feature two different blaster colors, making it easier for players to track their own shots.

Finally, the ride’s static “Z” targets are being upgraded with new interactive technology. Targets will now light up and react when hit, adding a more dynamic layer to gameplay. Disney Imagineers recently tested the new targets and blasters, and the project’s creative director said the team learned a lot during the playtests. These changes should make the ride feel fresh, modern, and more fun for guests of all ages.

What This Means for Tomorrowland

All of these updates show that Disney is investing heavily in Tomorrowland’s future. With a high-tech TRON overlay, a refreshed Carousel of Progress, and a fully upgraded Space Ranger Spin, the land is getting a mix of nostalgic nods and cutting-edge enhancements. We’ll keep sharing updates as Disney announces timelines and additional details, but for now, we recommend planning your visits around the TRON overlay this fall and keeping an eye out for Space Ranger Spin’s reopening next year. Carousel of Progress will likely take longer, but the addition of Walt himself is going to be worth the wait.

As always, be sure to keep following DFB for more Disney news and updates.

5 Game-Changing Updates Announced for Magic Kingdom in 2025

Which of these Tomorrowland updates are you most excited to experience first — TRON’s red overlay, Walt’s debut in Carousel of Progress, or the refreshed Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin? Tell us in the comments!