Toy Story Land just opened in Disney’s Hollywood Studios on June 30, 2018. Leslie and Joe just returned from the press preview and grand opening of Toy Story Land and have lots of first impressions to share. In fact, we have so many that we broke this episode up into two parts. We recorded the first while in Toy Story Land on the first day we had access (hence the background noise) and the second a few days after we returned home and had a chance to process it all.
In Toy Story Land, guests shrink down to the size of a toy in Andy’s backyard. Toy Story Land features three attractions and a new counter service restaurant, Woody’s Lunch Box. Get first impressions of the land, tips for dodging the crazy crowds in the opening months, and what are the hits and misses of Toy Story Land.
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Toy Story Land Ride Guide
Toy Story Land features three attractions – two that are brand new and one returning favorite.
Slinky Dog Dash
The headliner attraction is Slinky Dog Dash, a new family-friendly coaster with a 38 inch height minimum. The ride is definitely a step above the Barnstormer in terms of length and thrills. It’s probably most similar to Seven Dwarfs Mine Train or Big Thunder Mountain.
Try to experience it from different spots in the car, as the ride is very different from the front, middle and back. The ride at night is a totally different experience with neon lights flashing and views of the land lit up.
Since Slinky Dog is the runaway favorite, we recommend trying to get a Fastpass for this attraction if at all possible. Due to the new Fastpass tiers in Disney Hollywood Studios, guests will only be able to get an advanced Fastpass to one of the three rides in Toy Story Land. Slinky Dog is definitely the one to snag!
Check out our ride mount POV video on Slinky Dog Dash, proving that you can record a podcast and ride a rollercoaster at the same time.
Alien Swirling Saucers
Alien Swirling Saucers is a spinning ride most similar to Mater’s Junkyard Jamboree in Disney’s California Adventure. It isn’t quite as vertigo-inducing as the Mad Tea Party, but it does have a 32 inch height minimum so it won’t work for babies and small toddlers.
Toy Story Mania
The returning attraction in Toy Story Land is Toy Story Mania, which has a new entrance to incorporate the attraction within the land. Guests ride in vehicles with slingshot devices and compete in screen-based virtual boardwalk games. The ride has no height minimum, a new queue experience, and an expanded capacity.
Woody’s Lunch Box
The new quick service restaurant in Toy Story Land is Woody’s Lunch Box. Its goal is to serve classic lunch box style food with a bit of a twist. Menu items include a grilled cheese sandwich, BBQ brisket melt, the Monte Cristo, totchos (tater tot nachos), and soup and macaroni salad sides.
For breakfast, S’More French Toast and lunch box pastries dominate the menu. There is also a turkey breakfast sandwich and a breakfast bowl for anyone looking for more protein and fewer sweets to start their day.
Seating at Woody’s is entirely outdoors, with round tables under umbrellas to provide partial shade. Mobile ordering is available to beat the crowds, although even that can reach capacity and may not always be an option in the My Disney Experience App.
Toy Story Land Hits and Misses
Theming: HIT! Toy Story Land’s theming is exceptionally well done. There are so many details to explore, many of which your kids will probably spot before you do. Benches are made of giant popsicle sticks, dominos, and wooden railway tracks. You might notice Andy’s giant footprints along the walkways of the land as well as so many details in ride queues and unexpected places.
Nighttime Experience: HIT! While the nighttime experience of Toy Story Land can’t quite compare with the masterpiece of Pandora, Toy Story Land delivers after dark. The Christmas lights strung on Tinker Toys light up and the whole land takes on a new neon hue.
Food: SOME HITS, SOME MISSES. Obviously what guests think of the food depends highly on taste, but there are a few standouts. Leslie enjoyed the “totchos” (tater tot nachos) and Joe recommends the BBQ Brisket Sandwich. Leslie thought the version grilled cheese was a major miss. The adult version is also the recipe on the kids menu as well, and she suspects this recipe would not appeal to many kids.
Heat: MISS! The big miss of Toy Story Land is the heat. The land has very little shade and very few air conditioned locations to escape the Florida summer heat and humidity. The only places to catch a blast of cold are in the bathrooms and in part of the queue for Toy Story Mania.
Episode 18 Description (Part 1)
Disney invited Traveling Mom and Traveling Dad, and thus Leslie and Joe, to the media preview of Toy Story Land. Toy Story Land is the newest section of Disney’s Hollywood Studios, featuring two new rides and a brand new restaurant. Leslie and Joe recorded their initial impressions LIVE in the parks. Be sure to check out Part 2 where Leslie and Joe reflect on Toy Story Land after it has been open to the public for a few days.
You can also e-mail us at disneydeciphered AT gmail DOT com. Connect with Leslie @TripswithTykes on social media and Joe @asthejoeflies.
Episode 18 Notes (Part 1)
Complete Guide to Toy Story Land at Walt Disney World
1:55 – Toy Story Land Description
3:12 – Overall impressions of the land
5:35 – Slinky Dog Dash
7:23 – Alien Swirling Saucers
9:08 – Toy Story Mania!
9:48 – Concerns about the land
11:34 – Final verdicts
13:05 – Disney dos and don’ts
Episode 19 Description (Part 2)
In Part 2 of our Toy Story Land impressions, Leslie and Joe have had a few days to digest the land and react to its opening to the public. We discuss if (and how) our opinions have changed, some stuff we missed, the nighttime experience and the food. We also touch on Fastpass+ strategy and end with our Disney dos and don’ts segment.
You can also e-mail us at disneydeciphered AT gmail DOT com. Connect with Leslie @TripswithTykes on social media and Joe @asthejoeflies.
Episode 19 Notes (Part 2)
1:26 – Reflections after a few days
3:09 – Some theming stuff we missed
4:48 – Toy Story Land at night
6:05 – Food impressions
8:35 – Fastpass+ Strategy
10:34 – Final thoughts
13:15 – Disney dos and don’ts
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