Tag: Hollywood Studios

  • Tim Allen and Buzz Lightyear Reunited at Disney World’s Toy Story Land

    Tim Allen and Buzz Lightyear Reunited at Disney World’s Toy Story Land

    Buzz Lightyear was reunited with the man who voices the beloved character this week, as Tim Allen helped his animated counterpart open Disney World’s newest addition, Toy Story Land. Tim Allen and Buzz Lightyear… Excuse me, I think the word you’re searching for is “Space Ranger”.

    The press was invited to attend the opening celebration of new land at Hollywood Studios Friday and the crowd of about 100 journalists got an amazing surprise when Allen came out on stage during the dedication.

    Of course, in addition to the opening ceremony duties, Allen had to spend some family time in the new land. Allen and his daughter Elizabeth even took a spin aboard Alien Swirling Saucers during the special preview as you can see in the photo below.

    Tim Allen Toy Story Land

    It’s the largest expansion in the parks 29 year history. In Toy Story Land at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, Woody, Jessie, Buzz Lightyear, Slinky Dog, Green Army Men and other fun-loving Toy Story characters come to life in the outdoor setting of Andy’s backyard. A world of toys surrounds guests: giant building blocks, Tinkertoys, yo-yos, board-game pieces, dominoes, Scrabble tiles, and even a giant roller coaster set. The entire land encourages the best playtime ever.

    Toy Story Land includes two all-new attractions and a new entrance for Toy Story Mania!. Guests can hop on Slinky Dog for a family-friendly roller coaster ride, take a spin on Alien Swirling Saucers and go for the high score in midway games populated by beloved Toy Story toys.

    Toy Story Land is now open at Hollywood Studios at Walt Disney World.

  • All The Toy Story Land Merchandise Available at Hollywood Studios

    All The Toy Story Land Merchandise Available at Hollywood Studios

    Oooooohhhh!!!  With the opening of Toy Story Land you’re going to want to ride all the rides, but you’re also going to want to buy all the new awesome Toy Story Land Merchandise.

    Here’s a 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 now open at Hollywood Studios!

  • Alien Swirling Saucers in New Toy Story Land Are Out Of This Galaxy

    Alien Swirling Saucers in New Toy Story Land Are Out Of This Galaxy

    Three-eyed Toy Story Aliens take guests on a whirling flying saucer ride in toy rocket ships as part of Alien Swirling Saucers, one of the new attractions inside Toy Story Land, opening June 30 at Disney’s Hollywood Studios.

    As guests become “honorary toys” in the new land, they encounter Alien Swirling Saucers, a playset that toy-owner Andy of Pixar Animation Studios’ Toy Story films won at the Pizza Planet restaurant. The new attraction whirls and blinks with colorful lighting, electronic space music and nonstop fun.

    Alien saucer pilots are straight out of the Toy Story movies, with their pointy ears, three eyes, short antennae and facial expressions designed to convey surprise or delight. Each extraterrestrial has hitched its flying saucer to one of 22 rocket ships; together, flying saucers and rockets spin through the Pizza Planet galaxy.

    With “The Claw” dangling overhead, guests climb aboard their rocket ships and hover in Pizza Planet’s version of “deep-dish space” for an out-of-this-world saucer whirl to the beat of new versions of Toy Story songs and musical themes. During the adventure, the Aliens spin guests around toy icons like Planet Pepperonia and a pizza-inspired space station.

    Before boarding Alien Swirling Saucers, guests can pose for a photo with a Buzz Lightyear action figure standing more than 14 feet tall on top of toy building blocks near the entrance to his Star Command Space Station Playset. Toy robot guards flank the Pizza Planet-inspired marquee.

    Inside Star Command, there are buttons to push, dials to turn and a switch to toggle for audio and visual effects. His creativity never flagging, Andy built a toy gantry with his Construx toy pieces that guests use to traverse from Buzz’s command center to the Swirling Saucers game.

    Guests who are spin-averse can swirl vicariously by watching from the viewing area in between and around the playset.

    “This is a world created by a boy’s imagination,” said Dave Fisher, Walt Disney Imagineering Senior Story Editor. “Andy has brought out all his space toys – it’s a really fun and high-energy attraction.”

    Before or after a spin on Alien Swirling Saucers, guests can pose for an out-of-this-world selfie with a stationary, photo-ready green Alien in its colorful saucer just outside the attraction. Toys of all makes and sizes – from a 10-foot-diameter “rubber” ball to colorful Cooties – have been carefully placed by Andy among the landscape of overgrown grasses, toy shrubs and playset trees throughout Toy Story Land.

    Alien Swirling Saucers: At a Glance

    • Type of attraction: Swirl-and-whirl ride
    • A Disney first: Three-eyed green Alien pilots
    • Number of passengers per seat: 2 to 3 honorary toys
    • Number of saucer/rocket ships: 22 (11 in each of two playset areas)
    • Height restriction: 32 inches
    • FastPass+: Yes

    Check out the list of related posts below for more on Toy Story Land now open at Hollywood Studios!

  • Woody’s Lunch Box Now Open at Toy Story Land!

    Woody’s Lunch Box Now Open at Toy Story Land!

    Calling all Honorary Toys – Woody’s Lunch Box is now open for business and is now dishing up all sorts of sandwiches and sides that blend classic flavor combinations with a modern twist, plus nostalgic soda floats and specialty beverages.

    Located in the heart of Toy Story Land at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, Andy has propped open his Woody-themed lunch box to turn it into a walk-up window where his toys can grab a bite to eat. So if you’re getting hungry while playing around in Andy’s backyard, then come on down to refuel with a few tasty bites.

    Woody’s Lunch Box

    Here you’ll find ooey-gooey toasted, cheese-filled sandwiches that will melt in your mouth! I have to say, the Grilled Three-Cheese Sandwich is definitely my favorite – it has melted provolone and cheddar cheese with a cheddar cream cheese spread on garlic buttered and grilled artisan French bread. AND THAT’S JUST ONE SANDWICH! There’s also a BBQ Brisket Melt with sliced smoked brisket, pickles, and tangy BBQ sauce between melted cheddar and Monterey Jack cheese on grilled sourdough. If you’re looking for more a more healthful option, the Smoked Turkey Sandwich is the way to go! This sandwich has thin-sliced smoked turkey breast, lettuce, tomato, and dijonnaise spread and is served chilled on sunflower multigrain bread.

    Of course, you can always pair these yummy sandwiches with some Mini Babybel Snack Cheese or a tasty side such as the Potato Barrels or the Tomato-Basil Soup. The Vegetable Macaroni Salad is also a great choice with onion, red and green peppers, diced tomato, green olive, and Italian dressing.

    Woody’s Lunch Box

    AND THEN THERE’S DESSERT! These Lunch Box Tarts are SO TASTY! And they’re available all day too. There’s two tasty tarts – Raspberry and Chocolate-Hazelnut. The Raspberry Lunch Box Tart is stuffed with raspberry marmalade, coated in strawberry fondant, and topped with strawberry crispy pearls and dried strawberry pieces. The Chocolate-Hazelnut Lunch Box Tart is stuffed with chocolate-hazelnut filling, coated in maple fondant, and topped with chocolate crispy pearls and candied bacon.

    Woody’s Lunch Box

    And of course I can’t forget the drinks! Cool down with a Mystic Portal Punch (POWERade® Mountain Berry Blast with flavors of lemon-lime and tangerine) or an Ice Cream Float with Barq’s® Root Beer. Fountain beverages and water are also available.

    All of these bites are totally delicious and can even make for some cute photo-ops – and there’s definitely no shortage of adorable backdrops throughout the land! So what are you waiting for? Come on out to Toy Story Land at Disney’s Hollywood Studios to get in on all the tasty fun! Woody’s Lunch Box is open daily for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Check out exactly what’s inside Woody’s Lunch Box here.

    Check out the list of related posts below for more on Toy Story Land now open at Hollywood Studios!

  • Slinky Dog Dash Stretches the Fun in Toy Story Land at Disney’s Hollywood Studios

    Slinky Dog Dash Stretches the Fun in Toy Story Land at Disney’s Hollywood Studios

    Jumping on the coolest canine toy ever, guests are in for a rollicking good time as Disney’s Hollywood Studios unleashes Slinky Dog Dash in the new Toy Story Land at the Walt Disney World Resort. This multi-launch, family-friendly roller coaster careens around bends and “catches air” over camelback humps as it runs across the 11-acre land.

    As honorary toys, guests have Andy of Pixar Animation Studios’ Toy Story films to thank for this incredibly fun experience. They get to ride his creation and be inside Slinky Dog’s coils as the lovable pooch twists and turns around the track. It all takes place in Andy’s backyard, where he used the Dash & Dodge Mega Coaster Play Kit to assemble this speedy toy.

    Andy’s idea for his double-launch coaster – a Disney first – was to pick everyone’s favorite floppy-eared dachshund with the stretching coil body – Slinky Dog – to send guests around the track. The attraction’s ride vehicles are spring-tailed spinoffs of Slinky, the iconic American toy from the 1940s. Track and supports for the coaster are done up in bright colors of red, orange, yellow and blue.

    Guests approaching the ride launch see Andy’s plans sketched out in Crayola crayon on notebook paper. Glue bottles, empty toy boxes and stray coaster parts and pieces are strewn about – Andy’s pet project was clearly a work in progress when he was called away. But that’s when the toys will play!

    In one hilarious scene, the coaster swoops around blocks Andy stacked around his Jenga game. Rex, the toy dinosaur, is precariously perched atop the unstable Jenga stack trying to decorate the toy block city by stringing up colored Christmas lights – a daunting task when you’re a dinosaur with short front arms! Jessie comes to his rescue, working to untangle Rex’s dino-sized predicament.

    Andy also tricked out his coaster creation with a power booster. When Slinky Dog Dash hits its midway point, the coaster stops, reverses a few yards, then shoots through multiple rings pulsing with sounds, spinners and flashing lights to launch riders into the second act of the ride experience.

    “The first half of the ride is many swirls, turns and dips, and after the second launch come a drop and camelback humps – as if you were playing with a Slinky Dog toy,” explained Dave Minichiello, Executive Creative Director of Walt Disney Imagineering.

    Andy saved one last surprise for his coaster’s finale: Wheezy, the squeaky toy penguin from the Toy Story films, breaks into a rendition of “You’ve Got a Friend in Me.” Created especially for Slinky Dog Dash, the Audio-Animatronics figure of Wheezy is unique among Disney Parks globally. Toys and toy packaging complete the scene, including a Rubik’s Cube, a game canister for Pick-Up Snakes and toy wooden blocks spelling out F-U-N – all against the backdrop of a towering book, Mr. Pricklepants’ “Songs for Singing,” compiled by the huggable hedgehog from “Toy Story 3.”

    “As Toy Story Land welcomes our guests – as toys – into Andy’s backyard, Slinky Dog Dash invites them into Andy’s imagination,” said Phil Holmes, Vice President of Disney’s Hollywood Studios. “What Andy has dreamed up will deliver nonstop coaster fun for all ages.”

    Slinky Dog Dash: At a Glance

    • Type of attraction: Family-friendly roller coaster, first at Disney Parks with a second mid-ride launch
    • Track type: Steel
    • Number of passengers per train: 18
    • Height restrictions: 38 inches
    • FastPass+: Yes

    Check out the list of related posts below for more on Toy Story Land now open at Hollywood Studios!

  • New Concept Art Unveiled for Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway

    New Concept Art Unveiled for Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway

    The Great Movie Ride closed on August 13, 2017, to make room for Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway and today, new concept art from the upcoming attraction has been released by Disney.

    Though it was sad for many guests to see The Great Movie Ride go, what is to come is pretty unique. Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway makes for the first ever Mickey-themed ride-through attraction. The new attraction will totally immerse guests in a cartoon world and will feature a new catchy theme song created especially for the attraction.

    On Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway, you’ll step through the movie screen and join Mickey and his friends like never before. The attraction will put you inside the wacky and unpredictable world of a Mickey Mouse Cartoon Short where you’re the star and anything can happen. This zany out-of-control adventure features surprising twists and turns, dazzling visual effects and mind-boggling transformations that happen before your very eyes.

    Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway

    The fun begins when you see the premiere of a new cartoon short with Mickey and Minnie preparing for a picnic. As they head out, they drive alongside a train and find out that the engineer is Goofy. Then, one magical moment lets you step into the movie and on Goofy’s train for a wacky, wild ride.

    The teams helping create the attraction are currently working with partners at Disney Television Animation to keep the characters and storyline authentic – and allow guests to join Mickey and his friends like never before. The attraction is planned to open at Disney’s Hollywood Studios in 2019.

  • Shopping for Toy Story Land Merchandise at Disney’s Hollywood Studios

    Shopping for Toy Story Land Merchandise at Disney’s Hollywood Studios

    Guests visiting Toy Story Land will feel like they have magically transformed to the size of a toy as fun-loving “Toy Story” characters come to life in the larger-than-life outdoor setting of Andy’s backyard. Shoppers can commemorate their visit with Toy Story Land merchandise including; new logo merchandise, must-have collectibles and unique gifts. With the opening of the new land on June 30, the merchandise team has made shopping for these products even easier at Disney’s Hollywood Studios.

    Toy Story Land Merchandise

    “We want guests to have a convenient and fun shopping experience,” explained Rachel Swears, Manager for Location Strategy at the theme park. “Two retail carts in Toy Story Land – resembling a toy camper and toy dump truck – will carry new logo items including pins, accessories and of course, toys. We’ve also expanded the assortment to other shops in the park, making it easy for guests to find the products they love.”

    Toy Story Land Merchandise

    Two of those new products include small scale replica toys inspired by the new attractions. Designed using 3D models created in partnership by Pixar Animation Studios and Walt Disney Imagineering, the Slinky Dog Dash & Dodge Power Boost Set features spinning flames and launching vehicle action. The three pullback toys resembling vehicles from the Alien Swirling Saucers attraction launch forward on their next adventure once released.

    Toy Story Land Merchandise

    Additional locations at Disney’s Hollywood Studios will carry these toys and other logo products include Beverly Sunset. Located on Sunset Boulevard, this spot has a show-stopping selection of Pixar-themed merchandise. Guests will find the full Toy Story Land assortment, and a curated collection of “Toy Story” apparel and accessories perfect for creating stylish looks when visiting the 11-acre land.

    Toy Story Land Merchandise

    Guests will also find Toy Story Land merchandise at Mickey’s of Hollywood on Hollywood Boulevard and at In Character located in the Animation Courtyard area.

    Once the land opens at Walt Disney World Resort, select products will be offered on ShopDisney.com.

  • Aerial Footage of Toy Story Land Offers Birds-Eye View of Slinky Dog Dash & More

    Aerial Footage of Toy Story Land Offers Birds-Eye View of Slinky Dog Dash & More

    The June 30 grand opening of Toy Story Land is almost here and we have some amazing aerial shots to show you.

    Over the past few months, we’ve kept you up to date on all of the Toy Story Land construction progress and now that it’s finished Disney Parks has released a daytime aerial flyover of the new land that just may be the best yet.

    In the video below, you see a different view of Slinky Dog Dash that shows the width and scope of the coaster, as friendly little Slinky appears and glides around the track. You can also see a new view of the Alien Swirling Saucers Building.

    As we’ve previously shared, Toy Story Land will give guests a “toy’s-eye-view” of Andy’s backyard, and allow them to join in on the fun that Woody, Jessie, Buzz, and Andy’s other beloved toys are having. 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!

  • New ‘Disney Junior Dance Party!’ Live Show Coming to Disney’s Hollywood Studios This Fall

    New ‘Disney Junior Dance Party!’ Live Show Coming to Disney’s Hollywood Studios This Fall

    This fall, there’s an all-new Disney Junior show coming to Disney’s Hollywood Studios.

    “Disney Junior Dance Party!” is a high-energy, live show experience that takes its inspiration from the most popular Disney Junior shows on TV, including “Mickey and the Roadster Racers,” “Doc McStuffins,” “The Lion Guard” and the newest hit series “Vampirina.”

    The new “Disney Junior Dance Party!” is a musically infused, interactive concert, hosted by Finn Fiesta and a DJ – named Deejay, of course – who involve you in all the fun, including live appearances from some of your favorite characters, fun music from Disney Junior and much more.

    Stay tuned for more updates as we get closer to the opening of “Disney Junior Dance Party!” later this fall.

  • Guest Sues Disney After Being Run Over By Scooter At Hollywood Studios

    Guest Sues Disney After Being Run Over By Scooter At Hollywood Studios

    If you’ve been to a Disney Park then you know getting the occasional hit and run by a stroller or a scooter is common pace. Well now yet another Disney World guest is suing the company after she says she was injured after being run over by another park guest on a motorized scooter at Hollywood studios.

    The action was filed earlier this month in Orange Circuit Court against Walt Disney Parks seeking more than $15,000 in damages. The lawsuit states that while on vacation from Ohio, Vicki Denton perused browsing in a Hollywood Studios’ gift shop when the alleged incident occurred in 2016.

    According to Denton’s attorney Michael Sanchez, the woman on the scooter tried to go in reverse but mistakenly moved forward instead. She hit Denton, pinning her against a checkout counter, and Denton fell over the scooter.

    Denton was taken to the hospital, said Sanchez, who declined to release details about her injuries, although the lawsuit said they were permanent in nature.

    “This happens a lot. It’s becoming more of a problem as Disney gets crowded,” he said about scooters running into pedestrians. “When they hit someone, they do damage.” said Sanchez in an Orlando Sentinel report.

    Sanchez pointed to a 2015 lawsuit filed by his Orlando firm where a guest was allegedly hit by a scooter in the line for Magic Kingdom’s Splash Mountain ride in 2013. In the still pending lawsuit it states the alleged incident broke the man’s femur, the lawsuit said.

    “Our focus is on providing a safe environment for our guests and cast members,” a statement released by Disney said. “Both of these lawsuits center on incidents from several years ago between guests, and both involved personally owned motorized scooters. We will respond to the allegations as appropriate in court.