7 Toyriffic Things Not To Miss At Toy Story Land
We are our favorite 7 Toyriffic things not to miss at Toy Story Land at Disney’s Hollywood Studios at Walt Disney World. Toy Story Land is the perfect example of how Walt’s philosophy is still very much the guiding force behind the magic of Disney when he stated “Around here, however, we don’t look backwards for very long. We keep moving forward, opening up new doors and doing new things, because we’re curious…and curiosity keeps leading us down new paths.”
I am certain he must have had the dream of bringing Andy’s Backyard to life because the all-new Toy Story Land, now open and waiting for you to bring the family and come and Play Big at Disney’s Hollywood Studios at Walt Disney World is the perfect example of Walt Disney’s words coming to life.
Toy Story Land is like stepping foot into the movie and whether you’re young, or young at heart, it proves once again that you are never too old to discover the magic of Disney.
I got the special opportunity to visit this toyriffic land with my son and his two best friends and as anyone knows, you haven’t really seen Disney, until you see it through the eyes of your child even when that child happens to be 25.
For Disney, it always has been and always will be all about the storytelling and this is storytelling at its very best. We narrowed down the list to our 7 Toyriffic things not to miss at Toy Story Land at Disney’s Hollywood Studios.
From the sensation of shrinking to the size of a toy as you explore Andy’s backyard and see your favorite Toy Story characters larger than life, to the feeling of nostalgia that sweeps over you as you once again visit your childhood, to immersing yourself in a world you always dreamed of, Toy Story Land is a magical place built for the entire family from the young to the young at heart, here in Andy’s Backyard, there is something for everyone.
Whether it’s an exciting ride on Slinky Dog Dash, the family-friendly coaster, or taking a spin on a toy rocket on Alien Swirling Saucers or a 3D adventure through carnival midway games on Toy Story Mania, it truly is a land like no other where you are immersed in the playful world of toys.
Did you know that:
- More than 400 toy blocks fill Andy’s backyard.
- In Toy Story Land, Andy’s footprint is about 25 feet long or the equivalent of a size 240 shoe.
- It would take a Green Army Man roughly 12 steps just to travel the length of one of Andy’s shoeprints.
- You would need a backpack the size of a school bus to carry the Buzz and Woody figures that tower over Toy Story Land.
- The weight of the Slinky Dog Dash track and support columns weighs almost as much as 125,000 gallons of milk.
- Together Rex and the Jenga Tower are as tall as 7½ Green Army Men standing on top of one another.
Here’s what not to miss on your visit to Toy Story Land:
Slinky Dog Dash:
Hang on because Andy’s assembled his Mega Coaster Play Kit and Slinky Doy is ready to stretch out and take you on a wild, toy-filled adventure ride. On this fun-filled family-friendly coaster with enough thrills and chills for every member of the family, Slinky Dog Dash is more fun than a barrel of monkeys and one you’ll want to ride over and over again.
Plus the best part is while riding Slinky, you and your family can get a glimpse of everything Toy Story Land has to offer as you stretch Slinky Dog’s coils to the limit across Andy’s backyard!
Don’t miss this roller-coaster-style ride as he bends and twists and stretches his way all throughout this new land. It’s a wacky attraction the entire family can enjoy together.
Alien Saucer Swirl:
Will you be chosen by the Claw? Blast off on an interstellar romp, set to an out-of-this-world beat! Inside a play set that Andy won at Pizza Planet, the Aliens have powered up their flying saucers—and they’re ready to spin you on a wild ride into space!
Hold on for some wild fun as your toy rocket takes off, all while electronic space music provides an intergalactic soundtrack.
And if you’re really lucky, you might just get “chosen” by the claw. Oooooo!
Toy Story Mania:
The entrance may have moved to its new location within Toy Story Land but all of the fun remains the same. Toy Story Mania invites you to climb aboard for a rootin’ tootin’ good time as you ride ‘n’ blast moving targets at this midway-style, 4D shootin’ game starring popular characters. Climb aboard an early 20th-century-inspired Carnival Ride Tram and grab your spring-action shooter.
With 3D glasses on, glide into the Toy Story Midway Games Play Set and take aim at stationary and moving 3D objects in a variety of fast-paced games. Here you will zip through a virtual gallery of exciting carnival games based on the hit animated film series as you step inside Andy’s room and wind your way through a toy treasure chest of classic playthings.
Pass a Candyland® game box, Viewmaster® discs, crayon drawings and a Scrabble board before picking up a pair of special 3D glasses for the fun to come. It’s all of the fun and laughter that you have come to love now at its new home within Toy Story Land
Woody’s Lunch Box:
You’ll never go hungry while visiting Toy Story Land because Woody brought along his favorite lunch box and it’s open and waiting to treat you to all of your childhood favorites. Here, mealtime comes with a heavy helping of nostalgia, as Woody’s Lunch Box serves up classic on-the-go menu items with a creative twist.
Why have a cold sandwich when you can have a toasted, hot, gooey, cheese-filled one? Here’s just some of the deliciousness that you can find at Woody’s Lunch Box.
S’more French Toast
Inspired by the classic American campfire treat, this breakfast sandwich oozes goodness in a chocolate ganache- and marshmallow-stuffed French toast topped with graham cracker crumbles.
Grilled Three-Cheese Sandwich
To ensure a soft gooey middle, Disney chefs created a sharp cheddar cream cheese spread, layered in provolone and cheddar and wrapped the sandwich in garlic butter-grilled French bread.
BBQ Brisket Melt
With a nod to cowboy Woody, this Texas-style smoked brisket features cheddar, Monterey Jack, pickles, BBQ sauce and garlic butter-grilled sourdough.
Totchos
This bite-sized treat combines potato barrels, corn chips, chili and queso.
Lunch Box Tarts
A modern interpretation of a breakfast toaster pastry as a hand-held dessert, these feature a uniquely delicate crust. Layer in high-quality ingredients for fillings, add a decorative garnish, and these tasty tarts beat anything Mom ever packed. Choice of Raspberry Lunch Box Tart garnished with Icing and Dried Fruit and Chocolate-Hazelnut Lunch Box Tart garnished with Icing and Caramelized Bacon.
Admit it, your dreaming and drooling all at the same time! Plus the best part, you can order ahead of time right from your phone! Woody’s Lunch Box is just one of the many Disney Park quick-service restaurants that allows you to order ahead of time on your My Disney Experience App and have your meal waiting for you when you arrive.
Now instead of waiting in line, you can save time by ordering from wherever you are—imagine the convenience of reviewing the menu and making your selections while you’re waiting for an attraction. Using the app is as easy as 1-2-3
Open the My Disney Experience app and either:
- Tap on the image of your character, scroll down to “My Plans” and press the “Order Food” button.
- Select “Dining” from the top of the app, tap on the restaurant you want and press the “Order Food” button.
From there, just select the menu items that you want to order!
Take The Memories Home With You With Toy Story Merchandise:
There’s a treasure trove of merchandise inspired by some of the most iconic toys in history that are ready and waiting to come home with you.
Each piece was designed to ensure that parents and kids alike can relive the fun of Toy Story Land long after the visit is over.
And where else would you find Toy Story Merchandise than as a part of a toy? Themed to a toy dump truck and toy camper, respectively, the locations are as adorable as the merchandise they offer.
Whether it’s headbands you’re looking for, Alien-themed light-up tumblers, colorful tote bags, home décor, caps and coffee cups, bracelets and backpacks, collector pins and t-shirts there’s truly something for everyone to help you remember the memories made long after the trip is over.
Theming Is Everything:
From the moment you step into Toy Story Land, you are surrounded by theming and colors that let you know know that it is indeed time to play. Here the nostalgia feel of the toys you know and love surround you and bring a smile to your face as you revisit all of your childhood favorites.
From Instagram worthy walls including the brightly painted primary-colored block wall to the pastel popsicle stick benches to yes even the bathroom that might replace the Tangled Bathroom at the Magic Kingdom as the best bathroom ever, once again Disney proves that it is the details in the storytelling that make it like no other.
When you first round the bend there’s the welcoming “Howdy” from Sheriff Woody himself. Standing nearly 20 feet tall, Woody is tipping his hat (which measures 7’ feet, brim to brim) and standing next to the marquee which is made out of blocks and a 4-foot-tall yo-yo – just a few of the many toys that make up Toy Story Land.
When you are in the land it is hard to overlook the amazing amount of detail that was put into this expansion from the fences made of toys to the Tinker-Toy light posts, to the scale of the plantings and Andy’s large footprints in the pathways and some of the best details can be found by looking up!
And as with Pandora-The World of Avatar, the transformation from daytime to nighttime is something to behold. As the sun goes down, and the lights come on, it’s a whole new experience among the brightly strung overhead Christmas lights that bring with it a magic of another kind.
The beautiful use of the bold reds, yellows, blues, and greens make you feel like a kid again and if you stroll to the back of Toy Story Land, just over the fence you can spy a glimpse of a galaxy far, far away as Galaxy’s Edge peers out over the fence.
Don’t Forget To Get More PLAY:
Now you can make even more of the fun and the magic come to life with the all-new Play Disney Parks mobile app. This funtastic app brings to life unique interactive experiences that enable guests of all ages to access a wide range of activities including themed games, digital achievements, Disney trivia, music and so much more. Don’t leave home without it!
Get ready to play! It’s a joy-filled, toy-filled world as only Disney can create, and it’s now open and waiting just for you!
Toy Story Land also celebrates what defines entertainment for kids of all ages. Crayola crayons, a Rubik’s Cube, Cooties, and other toys and games pour on the nostalgia for park-goers – and fascinate young ones.
With building blocks around every corner, there are lampposts shaped like Tinkertoys and benches built from Lincoln Logs and K’nex pieces. A balsa-wood glider, a Barrel of Monkeys, giant playing cards and jacks add to the visual tapestry of the new land.
It’s time to Play Big at the all-new Toy Story Land, now open at Disney’s Hollywood Studios at the Walt Disney World Resort.
Walt also said that “Disney will never be completed. It will continue to grow as long as there is imagination left in the world.” And there is nobody who lives out these words better than the incomparable Tom Vazzana.
Now if the name doesn’t ring a bell immediately, I absolutely guarantee that you know Tom’s work because as the Show Director at Walt Disney World as well as the Senior Show Director at Hong Kong Disneyland and Disney Asia Pacific if you’ve ever enjoyed the magic of such shows as Fantasmic, Voyage of The Little Mermaid, Beauty And The Beast Live, and the Holiday Spectaculars at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, you have Tom and his team to thank.
I had the chance to sit down and talk with Tom, who also helped to bring the magic of Andy’s Backyard to life about the upcoming additions and transformations that will certainly add to the list of our 7 Toyriffic things not to miss at Toy Story Land and from a Holiday Makeover to new restaurants, the best is yet to come.
With so much to see and do in Andy’s Backyard, what would you add to our list of the 7 Toyriffic things not to miss at Toy Story Land at Disney’s Hollywood Studios?
