On May 5, 2005, Disneyland kicked off an 18-month long “Happiest Celebration on Earth” event to commemorate its 50th birthday. The celebration began with the launch of a number of new shows and attractions at both Disneyland and Walt Disney World, one of which included Buzz Lightyear Astro Blasters. Though it had been open to guests since March 17, this Tomorrowland attraction was treated to a special grand opening ceremony on May 5. Buzz Lightyear Astro Blasters is a videogame-inspired attraction based on Toy Story 2. Guests are invited to become Space Rangers and join Star Command on a mission to defeat Evil Emperor Zurg and his evil robots using pistols that shoot “laser beams.” Versions of this attraction appear at other Disney parks, including Walt Disney World’s Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin, the first of the Buzz Lightyear attractions. Buzz Lightyear Astro Blasters replaced Rocket Rods, which ran in the park from 1998 to 2000.
