Toy Story Land is Walt Disney World’s newest addition to Disney’s Hollywood Studios and recently opened to guests on June 30th. In this new land, guests are “honorary toys” in Andy’s backyard while he’s away and his toys are at play. There’s been a ton of coverage about the food, ride experiences, and the like; but there are a few things still you haven’t heard about Walt Disney World’s latest expansion. Take a look at what you don’t know about Toy Story Land!
It’s Toy Story Mania, not Toy Story Midway Mania
Toy Story Midway Mania, which first debuted at Hollywood Studios in 2008, has received more than just a new entrance and exit due to the opening of Toy Story Land. Toy Story Midway Mania has been renamed simply Toy Story Mania.
Not the First Toy Story Land
Disney’s Hollywood Studios’ Toy Story Land is the fourth Toy Story-themed area to debut at Disney Park. The first was the Toy Story Playland at Walt Disney Studios Paris in 2010. Hong Kong Disneyland gained the second Toy Story Land in 2011; and earlier this year, Shanghai Disneyland received a Toy Story Land as the park’s seventh themed land.
Slinky Dog Dash is a Disney First
Toy Story Land’s signature attraction is its family coaster Slinky Dog Dash. The attraction is particularly unique in that it’s Disney’s first double-launch coaster. Halfway during the ride, the coaster slows down to then launch again into the second portion of the ride.
Very Little Shade from the Florida Sun
Central Florida is akin to the surface of the sun for a significant portion of the year, which is why everyone needs to know there is very little shade or cover at Toy Story Land. I’m talking no trees or interior gift shops or restaurants. Also, there are sections of attraction queues which are uncovered and completely exposed to the elements. The lesson here? Wear sunscreen, hats, sunglasses, and even bring an umbrella to Toy Story Land.
You May Have Been There Before
The Studio Backlot Tour was one of the park’s opening day attractions which closed in 2014. The tour covered a lot of ground, much of which is being used for Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge. However, the section of the tour where guests were driven near the park’s once signature Earful Tower and the costume and materials buildings is where Toy Story Land sits today.
A Giant Easter Egg Hunt
Like the Pixar films, Toy Story Land is packed with Easter Eggs. For those who don’t know, Easter Eggs are clever references and homages from creators hidden in their work. Think of them as Hidden Mickeys, just more obscure and personal.
In Toy Story Land, look for the instructions to Andy’s Dash and Dodge Mega Coaster Kit in the queue for Slinky Dog Dash. The instructions read the kit was manufactured in Emeryville, California, a tribute to the location of Pixar Studios! Another Easter Egg is the Al’s Toy Barn price tag on Rex’s box, as the numbers stand for the Toy Story film’s theater debut: November 22nd, 1995. My personal favorite? A hidden A113 in wooden blocks, a nod to the famous classroom at the California Institute of Arts where a number of Pixar artists attended, which is present in all of the Pixar films.
In-Queue Games to Pass the Lengthy Wait Times
In addition to a brand new land, Disney also released the new Play Disney Parks mobile app for both Walt Disney World and Disneyland. The app is unique in that it offers interactive experiences and activities for guests present at the parks, including in-queue games to help pass the time spent in line. App users can play “Andy’s Board Game Blast” at Slinky Dog Dash and “Playset Party” at Toy Story Mania.
What do you think about Toy Story Land? What did you not know about this addition?
Do you know if they improved the wifi at DHS when they opened TSL? DHS has awful public wifi and dropped signals constantly (if we could even get one at all!) Many international guests depend on Disney’s wifi for MDE. Since they’ve added the new game, I hope they improved the wifi to support the increased demand!
Good point about the bad WiFi at the parks. Not sure if this is more Disney’s fault or AT&T’s for providing overall spotty service.
Disney’s fault. AT&T doesn’t provide the WiFi