Hong Kong Disneyland’s Buzz Lightyear Astro Blasters closes on August 31, 2017, so work can begin on the attraction’s new Marvel theme.

To bid farewell to Astro Blasters, Hong Kong Disneyland has a new greeting, as well as special merchandise for fans of the ride-through shooter.

First off, Buzz Lightyear himself, along with the “Buzz Lightyear Guard”, will meet guests in Tomorrowland between now and August 31, 2017. Fans can also buy special Buzz Lightyear Astro Blasters-themed merchandise at Star Command Suppliers in Tomorrowland and Emporium on Main Street, U.S.A.

Magic Access Members will receive an exclusive Buzz Lightyear notebook by presenting an on-day receipt showing spending of HK$350 (US$45) or above in the resort. Members can also pickup a special Astro Blasters Commemorative Booklet too by heading to the Magic Access Member Service Center and showing their valid membership card.

With Buzz Lightyear Astro Blaster closing, the park will be saying goodbye to one of its opening day attractions but taking another step towards its multimillion dollar transformation.

Last November, Disney announced the closure of Astro Blasters as part of the Marvel-themed plans for Tomorrowland. With the Iron Man Experience opening in January 2017, the next step would be the transformation of Astro Blasters into an Ant-Man attraction.

The previously announced Ant-Man attraction ©Disney

With this week’s announcement, Disney has confirmed Astro Blasters’ closure, but Ant-Man’s involvement may have been shrunk down to size (sorry!). The press release now describes the attraction as a “Marvel-themed interactive shooting game” where guests “join Marvel Super Heroes to defeat invaders in this new attraction”. Perhaps Disney has decided to expand the number of characters to capitalise on its ever growing roster of heroes.

No matter the characters featured, there’s no doubt that Marvel is coming to Hong Kong in a big way, with a new Avengers attraction in its own Marvel-themed land slated for 2023.

Information and concept art from the official press release as well as the Hong Kong Disneyland website.

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