When a new land opens in a Walt Disney World theme park, there’s a huge amount of hype and excitement. Disney is incredibly good at telling stories, so you’ll be seeing the marketing teams taking their message to the masses through videos, photos and articles that focus on what’s going on.
This is a great way to learn about the exclusives and insider tips…but until you step foot into the land…it’s impossible to gauge the scale of what the Imagineers have created. I saw this first hand back in 2008 when Toy Story Mania opened at Disney’s Hollywood Studios and again with New Fantasyland and Pandora: The World of Avatar. New is always better, but sometimes enhancing the existing is what we all have wanted.
THE STORY IS SET IN ANDY’S BACKYARD
Just like any of the Toy Story experiences, you’ll be shrunk to the size of a toy and everything around you will be in that scale. A lunch box restaurant, Tinker Toys as decorations and so much more will bring the land to life.
TOY STORY MANIA MOVED IT’S ENTRANCE
Pixar Place is leaving us, which means that everything in that section of the area has to either be moved or closed. There will be new character experiences in the new Toy Story Land, so the big change comes with Toy Story Mania. It’s not closing…but it’s got a new entrance. In order to fit in the new area, you’ll be entering through a carnival game box that the attraction actually came in!
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SLINKY DOG DASH COASTER
The main draw for the land is Slinky Dog Dash Coaster, which is a family friendly roller coaster which will fit somewhere in between Goofy’s Barnstormer and Seven Dwarfs Mine Train. Huge fan of the decision to put Slinky front and centre, as he’s been one of my favorite Pixar characters since 1994!
Huge lines daily for this attraction, but just like the Na’Vi River Journey in Pandora: The World of Avatar…wait times will level out eventually.
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ALIEN SWIRLING SAUCERS
The second new attraction in Toy Story Land is a spinning experience in which you put your trust in the Aliens, as they try to be chosen by the Claw. If you’ve seen Tow Mater’s Junkyard Jamboree at Disney’s California Adventure, then you’ve got this covered.
RELATIVE SIZE
When we compare the footprint of Toy Story Land, you won’t have to look far.
- Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge is 14 acres
- Pandora: The World of Avatar is 12 acres
- Toy Story Land is 11 acres
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WOODY’S LUNCH BOX
Quick Service at Disney’s Hollywood Studios just took a nice step forward with the addition of Woody’s Lunch Box. Sponsored by Babybel, the offerings will be focused around quick grab n go sandwiches, from a BBQ Brisket Melt and a Monte Cristo with Raspberry Jam. Is it going to revolutionize dining at the Studios?
Probably not…but options are GREAT when you’re putting together a fully realized dining plan for your vacation.
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OPENING DATE
June 30th, 2018 was the opening date for Toy Story Land in Disney’s Hollywood Studios.
We spend a lot of time planning a vacation to the Walt Disney World Resort in Florida, so knowing the opening date will allow you to plan accordingly. If something is in the first year, expect big crowds as some folks make their annual trip to Disney.
FINAL THOUGHTS
The opening to any experience at Disney will be put under a microscope, so knowing that folks will have an opinion on whether or not the Imagineers had full control or if the budget was cut…all of that doesn’t really matter in the end.
Go into the land knowing that talented folks have been dedicated to bringing the story to life and it’s all for you to remember the magic in the end:)