Buzz Lightyear: It's like being in a video game!!
Written: Apr 22 '06 (Updated May 16 '06)
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Totally interactive, fastpasses available, familiar characters
Cons: Lines can get long, not all parents will appreciate their kids playing with "guns"
The Bottom Line: A unique, interactive game the whole family can enjoy!!
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| modernmarvel's Full Review: Buzz Lightyear Astro Blasters |
My six year old son's favorite ride in Disneyland is, by far, the Buzz Lightyear ride. Not only does it have some great characters, it is completely interactive and unlike any other ride in the California Park!
THE WAITING AREA - FASTPASSES
Like a lot of attractions in Disneyland, most of the waiting area for this attraction is outside. The entrance to the ride isn't obvious because the entrance to the ride, the fastpass distribution and the fastpass entrance are all in one place.
There are fastpasses available for this ride. I haven't seen the fastpasses run out on this ride like I have on other more popular rides, such as Splash Mountain. If you have smaller children who find it hard to wait in long lines, definitely consider getting a fastpass for this ride.
If you enter the stand-by line, be prepared to wait. Even on slow days, this wait can be long. I don't think I have had less than a 20 minute wait and have waited as long as 50 minutes. The outside queue area is on cement. You are kept in line by poles with chains or more solid metal railings. The line snakes around first the front of the exhibit, then up along the side. The part on the side is shaded sometimes. On the side of the attraction is some nice landscaping that adults will enjoy more than kids. Depending on how the line is set up, sometimes you get a glimpse of Ariel's Grotto.
Once you enter the attraction, the line gets a lot more entertaining. Immediately upon entering, you see a three foot tall walkie talkie. There are lots of colorful signs with images from the movie Toy Story. What is even better is that, once you proceed to the next room, you see an eight foot tall Buzz Lightyear. His face and mouth move and he is explaining how you must help him defeat Evil Emperor Zurg. This scene does a great job of setting up the story of the ride. My six year old definitely felt like he was helping Buzz Lightyear.
Once you enter the attraction, it takes about ten minutes to board the vehicles.
THE RIDE VEHICLES
The ride vehicles are slow moving white cars. They are decorated with neon colors to look a little like spaceships. Two adults can fit comfortably in each car. I have ridden in one with my six year old and one year old children. However, there are only two "guns" per car so, if you squeeze in with another child, that child won't get to play the game. The ride is very smooth and there are no bumps or sudden acceleration. The riders have the option to spin the vehicle. If you don't spin it, it sometimes spins on its own but the movements are smooth.
THE RIDE
I think Buzz Lightyear is one of the most original rides in Disneyland. First of all, they do a great job at building a simple story for the ride. You must assist Buzz Lightyear and defeat Zurg. This storyline totally appeals to my kids each time we visit.
Of course, like many family-oriented rides, you board a ride car and move through scenes. The scenes feature 3-D characters from the Buzz Lightyear and Zurg plot line of the movie Toy Story. For the most part, you only see those little green aliens, Buzz and Zurg. The scenes are done mostly with neon in blacklight so everything seems to glow. The scenes feature some movement and some pretty good scenes although detail in the scenes are not really the point of this ride.
The main idea of this ride is that you are in a type of video game. You shoot your laser gun at square targets on the 3-D scenes. Some of the targets are moving. Some targets are close and some are far away. Some are on walls and some are on Zurg himself who appears in almost every scene. since the targets are usually on your left and right, you can spin your vehicle to get a better shot at the targets. As you hit the targets, you get points. You get more points when the targets are lit. This seems to happen randomly. Your points display on a screen in front of you on your ride vehicle. Since there are two riders, two guns and two scores, you can compete against your fellow rider.
The laser guns don't really shoot a beam, so although you are pulling a trigger, you can't really see what you are hitting. Hitting the targets seems like it would be tough, especially for little ones. My son seems to randomly fire his gun and he still gets a score every time. I try to aim and shoot and I don't do much better than his random firings. My son is always delighted with his score which is usually in the thousands. I am always happy with mine and usually get something respectable.
I have been going on this ride for several years with my kids. They always love it and ask to go again. I like it because the ride is gentle and it seems to take a little longer than some of the other Disney rides. This one is definitely a family favorite.
AGE APPROPRIATENESS
There are no age limitations on this ride and I have taken babies on it with no problems. All kids seem to enjoy it from preschoolers to high schoolers and adults seem to like it too. The only bummer is that the ride vehicles only really hold two people so the family can't ride together.
OTHER THOUGHTS
They take your picture in the ride and you can view it on the way out. You can purchase the picture if it is any good. If it isn't good, it is usually at least worth a laugh.
There is a gift shop on the way out of the ride but you don't have to exit through the gift shop. You can continue along the exit hallway of the ride and land back near where you started. I really appreciate this quick escape so I don't have to try to guide my kids through lots of appealing merchandise each time we go on this ride.
This ride involves "gun" play although the laser guns are not really shaped like actual guns. I don't allow my kids to play with guns at home but I don't mind this ride since it is so fantasy-based. Still, some parents might object to the "gun" play and may not want to take their kids on this ride.
FINAL RECOMMENDATION
I really, really like this ride. The ride is smooth so I can go on it over and over again without feeling sick. The interactive portion is great, you really feel like part of the action. The Buzz Lightyear character appeals to all of my kids. I highly recommend this ride.
MY REVIEWS OF THE DISNEY THEME PARKS IN CALIFORNIA
Disneyland
Disney's California Adventure
MY REVIEW OF THEME PARK HOTELS IN CALIFORNIA
Disney’s Grand Californian
Mariott Suites Anaheim
Residence Inn Anaheim
MY REVIEW OF THEME PARK RESTAURANTS
Storyteller’s Cafe
Blue Bayou
Wine Country Trattoria
MY REVIEWS OF INDIVIDUAL RIDES AND ATTRACTIONS IN DISNEY’S CALIFORNIA ADVENTURE
Soarin’ Over California
Grizzly River Run
The Sun Wheel
Orange Stinger
Mulholland Madness
Jumpin’ Jellyfish
Playhouse Disney Live on Stage
Twilight Zone Tower of Terror
Monster’s Inc. Mike & Sully to the Rescue
Jim Henson’s Muppet Vision 3D
It’s Tough to be a Bug 3D
Princess Dot Puddle Park
Heimlich’s Chew Chew Train
Tuck and Roll’s Drive ‘Em Buggies
Flik’s Flyers
Francis’ Ladybug Boogie
Misson Tortilla Factory Tour
Boudin Bakery Factory Tour
MY REVIEWS OF INDIVIDUAL RIDES AND ATTRACTIONS IN DISNEYLAND
Pirates of the Caribbean
Indiana Jones Adventure
Storybook Land Canal Boats
Snow White’s Scary Adventures
Pinocchio’s Daring Journey
Peter Pan’s Flight
Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride
Alice in Wonderland
Matterhorn Bobsleds
It’s a Small World
Tarzan’s Tree House
Aladdin’s Oasis
Splash Mountain
The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh
Autotopia
Honey, I Shrunk the Audience 3D
Astro Orbitor
MY REVIEWS OF OTHER THINGS TO SEE IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
Legoland
SeaWorld San Diego
Birch Aquarium at Scripps
The San Diego Zoo
The San Diego Wild Animal Park
Balboa Park
Cabrillo National Monument
San Diego’s Old Town
The Museum of Making Music
Recommended:
Yes
Best Suited For: Families
Best Time to Travel Here: Anytime
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Epinions.com ID:
modernmarvel
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Can anyone recommend a western family dude ranch for a vacation this summer?
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