10 Must-Dos at Disney's New Toy Story Land

Shrink down to the size of a green army man and visit Buzz, Woody and the gang in Andy’s backyard. Here are our favorite features at the new land in Disney’s Hollywood Studios.

By: Deanne Revel

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Photo By: Walt Disney World

Photo By: Deanne Revel

Photo By: Walt Disney World

Photo By: Deanne Revel

Welcome to Andy's Backyard

Toy Story Mania is one of the most popular rides at Walt Disney World and now guests can get even more of Buzz, Woody and the whole gang in the new 11-acre Toy Story Land at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. The land, based off the beloved Pixar films and characters, is designed to look like Andy’s backyard and guests will feel like they’ve shrunken down to the size of a green army man with giant toys scattered about everywhere. "It’s great to be able to bring guests into Andy’s backyard," said Disney Imagineer Shannon Mashchak. "It’s really fun developing all the immersive details, which is challenging yet exciting to take all of those toys that so many generations know and love and then blow them up so that you’re the size of a toy."

Ride Slinky Dog Dash

The marquee attraction at Toy Story Land is Slinky Dog Dash. The story is that Andy combined a mega coaster kit with Slinky Dog as the coaster car. "Something that’s unique and special about Slinky Dog Dash is that you actually get to ride inside one of those classic characters from your favorite movies," said Mashchak. The Disney Imagineer also said to look for fun details such as Slinky’s tail bouncing and characters Jesse and Rex talking to each other during the ride. For a coaster, it’s not intense like the park’s Rock 'N’ Roller Coaster and doesn’t have any scary drops so it’s a perfect introduction for kids ready to try a coaster ride.

Notice the Details

While it’s tempting to rush straight to the ride lines, take your time while you walk through this land. Part of the joy is in the details. And there are so many, from Andy’s footprints to benches made out of dominos and wooden racetrack pieces to Disney Easter eggs such as the Disneyland Viewmaster slide in the queue for Toy Story Mania. "Some of my favorites are the K’NEX details that we’ve done," said Mashchak. "Not only the railings that are throughout the land but the K’NEX tower and helicopter." And, yes, in addition to an awesome array of toys, there are hidden Mickeys in the land. This writer won’t give any spoilers but will say that you should take your time looking at Andy’s drawings.

Take a Spin on Alien Swirling Saucers

Inspired by a toy Andy brought home from Pizza Planet, Alien Swirling Saucers features the adorable little green men and the "claaaaaaaaw." If you’re not into spin rides, you may want to give this a go anyway. It’s not as intense as the iconic Mad Tea Party at Magic Kingdom. It’s more of a stern whisk than a dizzy spin.

Get Your Sugar Fix at Woody's Lunch Box

Perhaps one of the most creative quick service counters at Walt Disney World, Woody’s Lunch Box is literally a lunchbox propped up with toys, a thermos and other lunchbox food. And the menu is a lot of fun with items that take you straight back to your childhood such as a s’mores French toast sandwich or an old-fashioned soda float. "The inspiration was to bring back the kid we all have in ourselves," said Hollywood Studios Pastry Chef Sergio Avila Favela. And the food is just as cute as it is tasty. When asked what the best Instagrammable snack is on the menu, the chef chuckled and said, "Oh, the tart." These oven pastries are so much better than the boxed stuff and come in two delicious flavors: hazelnut with bacon bits and (my favorite) raspberry.

Instagram All the #DisneyWalls

If you’re not a Disnerd, you may not know what #DisneyWalls are but, like hidden Mickeys, these Instagram backdrops have become an obsession for park guests. So for those looking for the next great wall, Toy Story Land delivers. There are so many spots, from the colorful building block wall outside the restrooms to a fence made out of popsicle sticks with pastel fruit-stained wood to a larger than life checkerboard.

Take Your Time Walking Past Buzz and Woody

Buzz and Woody are literally a big part of the new land with two larger-than-life structures. You can find Woody at the beginning of the land and Buzz right outside Alien Swirling Saucers. While these toys might seem like they’re just decoration, they actually talk so when you walk past them hang around for a second to hear Woody welcome you as a toy to Andy’s backyard and Buzz speak in Spanish.

Lookout for the Green Army Patrol

You never know who you’ll find in Andy’s backyard. The Green Army Patrolmen (and women!) are extremely fun to watch but, be warned, they just might tell you to drop and give them 20. The Green Army Patrol also have a Drum Corp with a drumline performance that is sure to be a park highlight for the whole family.

Have Fun Waiting in Line

Long wait times don’t sound fun but Toy Story Mania makes the wait worth it with a brand new entrance inside Toy Story Land. While the attraction is the same the queue’s makeover features a carnival setting with tons of nostalgic '90s toys, fun riddles and puzzles to solve on a giant Etch-A-Sketch and an interactive Mr. Potato Head with the best dad jokes.

Rock the New Headbands

Toy Story Land has some fun merchandise such as a Lotso bear that, yes, really does smell like strawberries. But the most creative is the addition of two new headbands. If you love collecting Mickey ears, get ready for these over-the-top accessories. The new alien ears feature googly eyes that glow in the dark and there’s also a slinky dog headband that’s really more like a fascinator because it’s basically a slinky dog on top of your head. "It’s super comfy and plush," said Katie Thompson from the park’s merchandise team. "His little tail wags, too."

Visit Again at Night

Toy Story Land is worth a second visit at night because of all the holiday bulbs wrapped around straws and strewn about Andy’s backyard light up creating a glowing, vibrant primary color wonderland. And riding Slinky Dog Dash at night is super fun with the addition of twinkling LED lights that change the track color.

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10 Must-Dos at Disney's New Toy Story Land

Related To:

Shop This Look

Welcome to Andy's Backyard

Ride Slinky Dog Dash

Notice the Details

Take a Spin on Alien Swirling Saucers

Get Your Sugar Fix at Woody's Lunch Box

Instagram All the #DisneyWalls

Take Your Time Walking Past Buzz and Woody

Lookout for the Green Army Patrol

Have Fun Waiting in Line

Rock the New Headbands

Visit Again at Night

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