Category: Hollywood Studios

  • First Look: Toy Story Land Merchandise Coming To Walt Disney World

    First Look: Toy Story Land Merchandise Coming To Walt Disney World

    Oooooohhhh!!!  Disney just shared a first-look at some of the fun merchandise that will be available exclusively at Toy Story Land when the area debuts at Disney’s Hollywood Studios on June 30.

    Toy Story Land Merchandise

    First up, guests can make a fashion statement with these playful headbands inspired by characters featured in Toy Story Land, with styles inspired by aliens and Slinky Dog.

    Toy Story Land Merchandise

    Guests can find this Light-Up Slinky Dog, which doubles as a toy and fashion accessory, with playful light-up rings.

    Toy Story Land Merchandise

    Also available will be “I Played There” commemorative T-shirts for kids that will let the world know they were among the first guests to experience Toy Story Land.

    Of course, shopping for these adorable items is just one way guests can enjoy themselves when Toy Story Land opens on June 30. Guests will also be able to ride Slinky Dog Dash, a roller coaster Andy has assembled from his Mega Coaster Play Kit, take a spin on Alien Swirling Saucers, a galactic play set that Andy won at Pizza Planet, or walk through a new carnival game box to experience Toy Story Mania!, which has been a guest-favorite attraction at the park since it opened in 2008. Now expanded with a third track, the popular attraction will allow even more guests to take aim at 3D objects – using everything from baseballs to cream pies – in a variety of whimsical, fast-paced games. Families can also head to Woody’s Lunch Box in Toy Story Land for tasty meals and old-fashioned soda floats.

    Which item above is your favorite? Tell us in the “Comments” section below. And be sure to stay tuned to the Disney Parks Blog over the next few weeks for more coverage on this exciting expansion.

    Check out the list of related posts below for more on Toy Story Land, opening on June 30!

  • Top 10 Highlights of Hollywood Studios Park History

    Top 10 Highlights of Hollywood Studios Park History

    Disney’s Hollywood Studios, the third theme park built at the Walt Disney World Resort, officially opened 29 years ago today – on May 1, 1989.

    In honor of today’s anniversary, take a fun-filled walk through the park with the top 10 highlights of the park’s history:

    1. The Chinese Theater – Modeled after the Hollywood landmark, this near replica is a 9/10 scale of the original building. In 2019, the theater will be home to the first attraction dedicated to the mouse himself: Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway.

    Gertie the Dinosaur

    2. Gertie the Dinosaur – Created by Winsor McCay in 1914, Gertie sprang to life on the vaudeville screen as who many believe was the first animated character to show a distinct personality, paving the way for our own cast of characters – including Mickey Mouse himself.

    The Brown Derby

    3. The Hollywood Brown Derby – Inspired by the historic Hollywood locale, this signature dining location features three items from the original menu: the famous cobb salad, grapefruit cake and the Shirley Temple cocktail.

    4. Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith – A 40-foot-tall guitar greets you at the entrance to the first Disney attraction to take guests upside down. Take off from 0 to 60 to the sound of over 900 speakers blasting the music of Aerosmith throughout the attraction.

    5. Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular – Join the 2nd Unit of the “Raiders of the Lost Ark” film crew and experience the thrills of a live set.

    6. BaseLine Tap House – Baseline Tap House, which offers “small bites and dreamy flights” was once the Figueroa Printing Company, a mom-and-pop print house that enjoyed great success through the mid- and late-20th century. Look around and you may see some of their work.

    Star Tours

    7. Star Tours – The Adventures Continue – Climb aboard a starspeeder and travel the galaxy! Did you know that in the latest version of this fan-favorite attraction you can find yourself landing on a planet in the outer rim of the galaxy known as Batuu? It’s the planet from the upcoming Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge!

    8. Beauty and the Beast – Live on Stage – This Broadway-style show enchants audiences with a tale as old as time. The show premiered the same day as the animated feature on Nov. 22, 1991 and is the longest-running stage show at a Walt Disney World theme park.

    Tower of Terror

    9. The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror – Hold on tight as you’re transported to the 5th dimension via a most uncommon elevator. Imagineers watched 156 episodes of “The Twilight Zone” in preparation for this iconic attraction.

    Fantasmic

    10. Fantasmic! – With over 50 performers, pyrotechnics, laser lights, one million gallons of dancing water, a 40-foot-tall dragon and five costume changes for Mickey Mouse himself, Fantasmic! is the perfect way to end your day celebrating Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Some imagination, huh?

     

  • Disney’s Hollywood Studios Celebrates 29 Years Today

    Disney’s Hollywood Studios Celebrates 29 Years Today

    Places, everyone! Today, Disney’s Hollywood Studios celebrates 29 years of Hollywood glamour and glitz right in the heart of Florida. Here’s a look at the park’s entrance 29 year’s ago with its original moniker, Disney-MGM Studios, on its marquee.

    Nearly three decades later, the park is in the middle of an exciting multi-year transformation, expanding to add two new lands where guests will become part of their favorite stories and create their own exhilarating adventures: Toy Story Land, which will debut to guests this June 30, and Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, which is set to open in 2019. Work is also underway on Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway attraction, our first Mickey-themed ride-through attraction, set to open in 2019.

    Toy Story Land

    When the park opened, there were nine attractions for guests to enjoy: Backstage Studio Tour, Catastrophe Canyon, Disney Classics Theater, The Great Movie Ride, The Magic of Disney Animation, The Monster Sound Show, Residential Street, SuperStar Television and Hollywood! Hollywood! at Theater of the Stars. Here’s a unique look at Hollywood Blvd. just prior to opening day.

    Hollywood Studios Opening

    Still after 29 years of showbiz, there’s always a chance you’ll have a celebrity sighting while visiting the park. (Ok, world-famous character celebrity – but it counts!)

    Hollywood Studios Opening

    Happy Anniversary, Disney’s Hollywood Studios! Here’s to another 29 dazzling years.

  • Toy Story Land-Inspired Games Debut on Disney World Website

    Toy Story Land-Inspired Games Debut on Disney World Website

    With the Toy Story Land expansion at Disney’s Hollywood Studios nearly complete and opening this summer, Disney has created two new digital games inspired by Toy Story Land that you can play on their website.

    Both games are inspired by attractions in the land – the guest-favorite Toy Story Mania!, as well as the new Alien Swirling Saucers.

    Toy Story Games

     

    • The Claw Challenge – In :60 seconds, use The Claw to pick as many “chosen ones” as possible. Tip: the smaller the Aliens, the higher the points!

    Toy Story Games

    • Trivia Mania – Test your knowledge on “Toy Story.” How many questions can you answer?
    Toy Story Games Toy Story Games

    Another game, Slinky Dog Dash, debuted earlier this spring. In it, you’ve got :10 seconds to stretch Slinky Dog around the course to collect points … but don’t let his tail catch up before time runs out!

    All three games are complimentary and can be accessed on desktop or mobile devices.

    As a reminder, Toy Story Land will officially open at Disney’s Hollywood Studios on June 30, 2018.

    For more on what to expect when this thrilling new land opens, check out the list of related blog posts below!

  • Woody Arrives in Toy Story Land at Walt Disney World Resort

    Woody Arrives in Toy Story Land at Walt Disney World Resort

    Toy Story Land is nearing completion at Disney’s Hollywood Studios at Walt Disney World Resort and Tuesday Imagineers put the proverbial icing on the cake when they installed Woody at his permanent place in the land.

    Standing nearly 20 feet tall, Woody will appear as a part of the new Toy Story Land marquee, which sits just in front of one of the land’s most anticipated attractions, the Slinky Dog Dash coaster. He’s tipping his hat (which measures 7’ feet, brim to brim!), 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.

    Woody Toy Story Land Woody Jessie Toy Story Land

    When Toy Story Land debuts on June 30, guests will “shrink” to the size of a toy and join in on the fun Woody, Jessie, Buzz, and Andy’s other beloved toys are having in Andy’s backyard. Here, guests can ride Slinky Dog Dash, a roller coaster Andy has assembled from his Mega Coaster Play Kit, take a spin on Alien Swirling Saucers, walk through a new carnival game box to experience Toy Story Mania!, grab a tasty snack at Woody’s Lunchbox – and meet some of the characters from “Toy Story” films!

    Want more Toy Story excitement? Check out the list below for updates on new Pixar experiences coming to Hollywood Studios.

  • First Look: Toy Story Land Entrance Sign Installed at Hollywood Studios

    First Look: Toy Story Land Entrance Sign Installed at Hollywood Studios

    With less than one hundred days until the opening of Toy Story Land the excitement is hard to bear, but today we got to see just how close we really are. In new images revealed by Disney today, we get a first look at the Toy Story Land marquee that will adorn the entrance into the new land.

    The signage features the Toy Story logo on a wooden yo-yo toy atop the word “Land” spelled out in alphabet blocks. The only thing missing is the Woody figure that will tower over guests as he leans against the sign.

    Toy Story Land

    When it opens, guests visiting Toy Story Land will “shrink” to the size of a toy and join in on the fun Woody, Jessie, Buzz, and Andy’s other beloved toys are having in Andy’s backyard.

    Guests will be also be able to take a ride on Slinky Dog Dash, a roller coaster Andy has assembled from his Mega Coaster Play Kit, or take a spin on Alien Swirling Saucers, a galactic play set that Andy won at Pizza Planet.

    toy story mania

    Toy Story Land guests can also walk through a new carnival game box to experience Toy Story Mania!, which has been a guest-favorite attraction at the park since it opened in 2008. Now expanded with a third track, the popular attraction will allow even more guests to take aim at 3D objects – using everything from baseballs to cream pies – in a variety of whimsical, fast-paced games.

     

    You can see the new marquee when Toy Story land opens up on June 30!

  • Toy Story Land Fast Passes NOW Open With New Tier System At Hollywood Studios

    Toy Story Land Fast Passes NOW Open With New Tier System At Hollywood Studios

    Are you ready to “shrink” to the size of a toy and play with your favorite Toy Story characters in Andy’s backyard?  Well construction is nearly complete on Toy Story Land and you can now begin booking your fast passes for the new land starting today at Hollywood Studios in a new tier System.

    Toy Story Land opens at Disney’s Hollywood Studios on June 30 and FastPass+ reservations are now open for guests staying at select Walt Disney World Resort hotels.

    The new fast pass tier system for the park has been confirmed and there are only two tiers for the park.  One for tier Toy Story Land and then one tier for all of the other rides.

    Effective today, FastPass+ reservations are available for attractions in the land. Guests who are up to 60 days from their Walt Disney World Resort hotel check-in can choose one FastPass+ reservation for one of the Toy Story Land attractions, plus two other attractions in the park such as Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith, The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror, and more, depending on availability.

    But FastPass+ reservations are just one of the ways guests can experience Toy Story Land. Beginning July 1, Disney’s Hollywood Studios will also operate from 8 a.m-10:30 p.m. for a limited time. In addition, even more Extra Magic Hour opportunities will be available including daily morning Extra Magic Hours, plus evening Extra Magic Hours offered once per week.

  • Disney Parks Showing First Ten Minutes Of ‘Incredibles 2’ In Sneak Peek

    Disney Parks Showing First Ten Minutes Of ‘Incredibles 2’ In Sneak Peek

    There are so many “incredible” things happening at Disney Parks right now and this newest bit of info is just super! For a limited time, guests at Disney California Adventure park and Disney’s Hollywood Studios will get to experience a sneak peek of Disney•Pixar’s “Incredibles 2.”

    Disney Parks guests will be the first to enjoy an exclusive glimpse at the first ten minutes of the film during the sneak peek. Check out this special message from film star Samuel L. Jackson as he shares his excitement for the upcoming offering.

    The sneak peek will arrive at Disney’s Hollywood Studios and Disney California Adventure park on May 18. Guests can stop by the Walt Disney Presents theater at Disney’s Hollywood Studios and Sunset Showcase Theater at Disney California Adventure park where this super sneak peek will be presented in stunning 3D with in-theater special effects.

    In “Incredibles 2,” Helen (voice of Holly Hunter) is called on to lead a campaign to bring Supers back, while Bob (voice of Craig T. Nelson) navigates the day-to-day heroics of “normal” life at home with Violet (voice of Sarah Vowell), Dash (voice of Huck Milner) and baby Jack-Jack—whose super powers are about to be discovered. Their mission is derailed, however, when a new villain emerges with a brilliant and dangerous plot that threatens everything. But the Parrs don’t shy away from a challenge, especially with Frozone (voice of Samuel L. Jackson) by their side. That’s what makes this family so Incredible.

    While the Parr family captivates audiences on the big screen, Guests at Disney Parks will enjoy incredible new offerings this summer. The Incredicoaster opens with Pixar Pier on June 23 and will bring the Parr family racing alongside you in an attempt to catch baby Jack-Jack! 

Walt Disney World will kick-off Incredible Summer on May 25 with exclusive summer offerings including an Incredible Tomrrowland Expo. Guests can celebrate “all things super,” alongside Mr. Incredible, Frozone and, for the first time ever, Edna Mode with a “SUPER” dance party on the Rocket Tower Stage.

    Before you head over to Disney Parks to enjoy the sneak peek and new summer offerings, be sure to watch the brand-new trailer for the film. “Incredibles 2” bursts into theaters on June 15.

  • The Amazing Eats at Packed in Woody’s Lunch Box in Toy Story Land

    The Amazing Eats at Packed in Woody’s Lunch Box in Toy Story Land

    Woody’s Lunch Box will the go to place to eat when Toy Story land opens up on June 30 and it will be dishing up all sorts of sandwiches and sides that blend classic flavor combinations with a modern twist, plus nostalgic soda floats and specialty beverages.

    In the toy-filled backyard that is Toy Story Land at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, guests “shrink” to the size of a toy and explore the world of Woody, Buzz Lightyear, and friends. In the middle of all the fun, Andy has taken his vintage Woody-themed lunch box and propped it open with a thermos, turning it into a walk-up window where his toys can grab a bite to eat. Here is a peek into whats has been packed in Woody’s Lunch Box.

    Toy Story Land Food

    S’more French Toast Breakfast Sandwich – Oozy goodness in a chocolate ganache- and marshmallow-stuffed French toast topped with graham cracker crumbles. Inspired by the classic American campfire treat.

    Toy Story Land Food

    Smoked Turkey, Eggs, Swiss, Peppers, and Onions on Sourdough – The perfect hand-held stack of breakfast goodness.

    Toy Story Land Food

    Breakfast Bowl – The green army men line up for this hearty bowl of potato barrels, brisket-country gravy, and scrambled eggs.

    Toy Story Land Food

    BBQ Brisket Melt – With a nod to cowboy Woody, this Texas-style smoked brisket features cheddar, Monterey Jack, pickles, and BBQ sauce on garlic butter-grilled sourdough.

    Toy Story Land Food

    Monte Cristo with Raspberry Jam – Woody’s version of this classic sandwich has layers of ham, turkey, Swiss, and raspberry jam…and is grilled to a golden brown.

    Toy Story Land Food

    Totchos – Potato barrels, corn chips, chili, and cheese – what’s not to love??

    Toy Story Land Food Toy Story Land Food

    Sides include tomato basil soup, vegetable macaroni salad, and potato barrels. Mini Babybel snack cheese, the official snack cheese of Walt Disney World Resort, is also an option to eat with your meal or as an on-the-go snack.

    Toy Story Land Food

    Raspberry Lunch Box Tart garnished with Icing and Dried Fruit and Chocolate-Hazelnut Lunch Box Tart garnished with Icing and Caramelized Bacon – Even toys need a sweet treat! Inspired by breakfast toaster pastries, this modern interpretation, with its uniquely delicate crust, is the perfect hand-held pastry.

    The littlest toys can enjoy a grilled cheese sandwich or turkey sandwich, both served with potato barrels and mandarin oranges. For toys looking for more lighter options, they can grab one of these tasty bites at Woody’s Lunch Box or check out the many other healthful offerings available at Disney’s Hollywood Studios including fresh fruits and vegetables, salads, and grilled meats and fish.

    Banana Split Yogurt Parfait – Layers of banana-vanilla Greek yogurt (with a hint of honey), fresh bananas, strawberries, and pineapple topped with granola and chocolate chips. A delicious and healthful way to start the day!

    Smoked Turkey, Tomato, and Lettuce on Multigrain Bread – This quintessential lunch box sandwich is a light and fresh option. And to give it a kick of flavor, we add a creamy Dijonnaise.

    Soda Floats – All toys would agree that a refreshing soda float is the perfect nostalgic beverage!

    The adorable Alien Sipper may be purchased and filled with any fountain drink or the signature Mystic Portal Punch – Powerade Mountain Berry Blast with flavors of lemon-lime and tangerine.

    The team at Flavor Lab – the concept development kitchen – has described just how much fun (and challenging) it was to take sentimental food favorites and give them a modern make-over…in flavor and presentation.

    “Everyone has a special food memory, so it can be tricky putting a modern spin on the favorites,” explained Lenny DeGeorge, Concept Development Culinary Director for Walt Disney World, about the year-long menu development process.  “We honored these classic dishes by using the best ingredients to elevate the flavors. How we constructed the sandwiches was important, such as layering the ingredients in a specific order, to maximize textures and flavors. Why have a cold sandwich when you can have a toasted hot, gooey cheese-filled one?”

    The big kids can enjoy the backyard with Grown-Up’s Lemonade cocktail (cherry vodka, Odwalla Lemonade, and black cherry purée), beer, or hard cider. It all looks so good!  This is a lunch box that only your mother could pack!

  • Sweet Spells At Hollywood Studios Closing To Make Room For Pixar Store

    Sweet Spells At Hollywood Studios Closing To Make Room For Pixar Store

    In preparation of Toy Story Land There opening this summer there is some bittersweet news coming from Disney’s Hollywood Studios today.  Beverly Sunset Sweet Spells on Sunset Blvd will be closing permanently on April 16 2018 to make way for a Pixar store.

    The shop is known for it’s the scary and sweet treats that lurk inside the “theater” as well as Disney Villain merchandise and house-made candy. It’s unclear how the refurbishment will affect the theater-like exterior of famous snack spot.

    After the refurbishment is finished the shop will be the only place in the park where you will be able to find Pixar Merchandise other than Toy Story Land itself. The Sweet Spells production kitchen will be removed, but you will still be able to find some of the prepackaged favorites when the new store opens.

    The new got to spot for Pixar merchandise is set to open alongside Toy Story Land on June 30 2018.