Toy Story Land: Get ready to play big with Toy Story friends

Kids and adults are counting down the days to Toy Story Land’s official opening. Are you ready to shrink down and play big?

Toy Story has captured the heart of both young and old. From the child who is fascinated with the toys coming to life to adults who reminisce about their youth, the movies and the characters resonate with fans. Toy Story Land at Disney’s Hollywood Studios will bring fans into that imaginative toy world.

Set to open June 30, this new addition to Hollywood Studios offers a significant expansion to the smaller Disney theme park. Even though the Star Wars Galaxy Edge area will dwarf the Toy Story area, this Pixar themed expansion should bring a large influx of guests. With an intriguing premise, the Toy Story themed area has a much wider appeal.

Sarge and the Green Army Men from the hit Disney¥Pixar “Toy Story” films will interact with guests in the new Toy Story Land when it opens June 30 at Walt Disney World Resort. The Green Army Men will “toy” with guests, leading them to a fun and interactive boot camp where potential recruits are tested in their abilities with Pixar balls and oversized crayons. Located at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, the new 11-acre Toy Story Land will make guests feel like they have shrunk to the size of a toy in the setting of Andy’s backyard. Guests will whoosh along on the family-friendly Slinky Dog Dash roller coaster, take a spin aboard Alien Swirling Saucers and score high on the midway at Toy Story Mania! (Matt Stroshane, photographer)

While the majority of people have probably seen at least one Toy Story movie, this newly themed area doesn’t require guests to know all the intricacies of the movies or its characters. Truthfully, everyone knows these characters. From the army men to slinky-dog, the type of toys are universal. That draw, beyond the premises of the movie characters, has people wanting to visit this new themed-area.

As a child growing up, playing with toys was an escape. Whether you created big stories for army men to conqueror the world or simply connected tinker toys into an abstract creation, play was fun. People are still looking for that fun factor. Instead of the intense adrenaline thrill, this Toy Story themed area appeals to the fun that people seek.

The biggest attraction in Toy Story Land is the Slinky Dog roller coaster. Similar to the highly popular Seven Dwarfs Mine Train, this roller coaster will be family friendly. The long, winding coaster won’t have the huge drops or steep banks. Instead, the winding track will traverse the area. From going under toys to around corners, the experience seems to feel like a roller coaster that real person built.

One interesting feature of the Slinky Dog coaster will be that coaster’s last scene has everyone singing “You’ve Got a Friend in Me.” An all-new Audio-Animatronics figure will also be in that last scene. After last year’s hugely success shaman in the Na’vi River Journey, this new figure should be equally impressive. These type of interactive features can make each ride a totally new experience for guests. Those little details bring riders back time and again.

Little green aliens from the hit Disney●Pixar “Toy Story” films pilot toy rocket ships in the Alien Swirling Saucers attraction that will be part of the new Toy Story Land opening June 30, 2018, at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. The out-of-this-world attraction is inspired by Andy’s toy play set from the Pizza Planet restaurant. With multi-colored lighting and sound effects from throughout the galaxies, Walt Disney World guests will swirl and whirl in the toy rocket ships while the aliens try to get captured by “The Claw” that hangs overhead. (Matt Stroshane, photographer)

Another attraction in this area will be the Alien Swirling Saucer ride. With riders trying to avoid the menacing claw, this ride should be a fun experience. It is unclear if the saucers just spin around or if the rider has some control of the car. Maybe some riders will want to get caught by the claw. Still, this ride should have guests feeling like they are inside the classic game.

Throughout the Toy Story themed area, guests will have plenty of chances to interact with their favorite characters. For example, Sarge and the Green Army Man Drum Corp will offer guests the chance to join a boot camp. It might be a great opportunity for everyone to enjoy some fun diversions.

The only downside to all these new attractions at Disney Hollywood Studios will be the crowds. Since on-property hotel guests get priority fast passes, those reserved times are probably gone. If you aren’t staying on property, the standby wait times, especially for the Slinky-Dog roller coaster will be huge. The Seven Dwarfs Mine Train always has a long wait. The Avatar Flight of Passage ride still has two hour or more waits after being opened a year.

Even with long wait times, guests will flock to the new Toy Story Land. The area will make Disney’s Hollywood Studios a better visit. Currently, the park doesn’t have a lot of attractions to see. While Star Wars fans appreciate Launch Bay, only Tower of Terror and the Aerosmith Coaster are the other draws.

Next: Ride with the family: Fast and Furious now open at Universal Orlando

Many people eagerly awaiting the June 30 opening of Toy Story Land. Could there be a soft opening or preview coming up?

Maybe a few people will be lucky and get a sneak peek. Until then, everyone will just have to pour over the new photos and dream of what it’s like to be shrunk down to toy size.