One of the most notable features of the “Toy Story-“themed Roundup Rodeo BBQ at Disney’s Hollywood Studios is the comically giant pencils given to guests to sign their receipts at the end of their meals. Or at least it was, until the restaurant decided recently to retire them as guests kept stealing the pencils.
From its opening in late March until about a week ago, guests dining at Roundup Rodeo BBQ were able to sign their checks with this comically giant pencil, with a normal-sized pen embedded inside. The giant pen helped emphasize the feeling of guests being shrunk down to the size of a toy, with other oversized household items in place around the restaurant as part of the theming.
But some guests dining at Roundup Rodeo BBQ of late, including one of our own reporters, told us they were being handed regular pens now to sign their checks. When asked why, Cast Members are informing diners that they have suspended the use of the giant pencils as guests have been stealing them, and there were no longer enough to go around for every server. Some Cast Members expressed incredulity at guests being able to sneak the giant pencils out given their size.
At this time, Cast Members are unsure when or if the giant pencils will return to the restaurant in the future. Theft of novel props from restaurants isn’t a new phenomenon, even at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. When Docking Bay 7 first opened in 2019, guests were stealing the unique-looking sporks and selling them on eBay with insane upcharges. The restaurant later began selling the sporks to help alleviate this issue.
How do you feel about these unique pencils being stolen? Let us know in the comments below!
Roundup Rodeo BBQ
Roundup Rodeo BBQ is just beyond the giant Woody statue near the main entrance to Toy Story Land.
Lanterns are tied onto the restaurant’s sign with giant green twist ties and black wire. Like the rest of the land, there are various Tinker Toy pieces around the sign.
Like the rest of Toy Story Land, Roundup Rodeo BBQ is made to look like it was constructed out of various toys. The main building resembles a cardboard box.
The host stand is in an entryway featuring more murals of “Toy Story” characters.
One wall resembles a barn with horses looking out. Woody’s giant sheriff badge is leaning against the wall beneath a “Welcome Rodeo Fans!” banner.
One mural features “The Amazing Ropin’ Woody” lasso-ing Zurg.
You can read our full review of the Roundup Rodeo BBQ here, and also don’t miss our full interior tour!
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Sad that theft cancelled use of these huge pencils! Sounded like an amazingly cute way to sign the bill! Maybe they could chain them to the wall like my bank used to do with their pens? (Now banks put out cheap plastic advertising pens meant for customers to take). At least All the guests could enjoy the giant pencils again?
The rule of Disney is go when it opens. It only goes down (and sometimes out farwell starcruiser).
I road Everest with a real Yeti just beciase we happen to be there at the soft opening.
What do I think? I think it sucks that some guests are altering the experience for other guests. Instead of letting the theft dictate what they do, I’d like to see Disney come up with a way to catch the thefts, like embedding theft deterrents inside the pencil body. Catch them on the way out, like thieves out of a store. There weren’t any reservations available when I was there in March and early April, so I won’t get to see it for the first time until maybe January if I can get a reservation. It would be nice to have the dining experience intact, the way Disney created it. I’m so tired of a few people spoiling it for everyone.