WDW Daily News

Disney Parks Blog launched a new episode of  “Inside Disney Parks” today, and its packed with never-before-seen firsts, including an exclusive sneak peek at what to expect when the sun sets in Toy Story Land at Disney’s Hollywood Studios®. Plus, Walt Disney Imagineers share a dazzling look at the land and attractions – at NIGHT!

Also, a special “unboxing” segment unveils new toys created for Toy Story Land. Then, we take you behind the scenes at Disney California Adventure® Park for the most detailed look at the new “Incredibles” float before it joins the “Paint the Night” parade. And don’t miss how Dash’s super-human speed comes to life as he races around the float. Check it out:

Video – First Look Cast Members Get First Look at Slinky Dog Dash

Ready, set, play! The all-new Toy Story Land, coming this summer to Disney’s Hollywood Studios, will give guests the sensation of shrinking to the size of a toy as they explore Andy’s backyard and see their favorite Toy Story characters larger than life.

Whether it’s an exciting ride on a family-friendly coaster, a spin on a toy rocket or a 3D adventure through carnival midway games, guests will be immersed in the playful world of toys.

And along the way, enough fun facts and “didn’t-know-that’s” to fill a toy chest:

• 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.

As fans continue the countdown to the opening of Toy Story Land on June 30, more “toy-riffic” news is emerging as anticipation builds for the colorful new land coming to life at Disney’s Hollywood Studios.

Guests will “shrink” to the size of a toy as they enter into this land full of everyone’s favorite toys, building blocks and game pieces. Across eleven fun-filled acres designed to recreate Andy’s toy-filled backyard from the Disney·Pixar “Toy Story” films, guests will be fully engaged in the wonderful world where Woody, Buzz, Jessie and all their pals come out to play. Attractions and experiences straight from Andy’s imagination will treat park-goers to the best playtime ever – even after the Tinker Toy lights come on.

Here’s some freshly unwrapped news:

• Alien Swirling Saucers. Designed as a playset Andy won at the Pizza Planet restaurant, this all-new attraction is out-of-this-world fun. “Toy Story” green aliens have powered up their flying saucers and earthbound guests get to play along. In rocket ship toys, guests swirl and whirl among toy planets and space stations as part of the game while “The Claw” hangs overhead. This space adventure is bathed in multi-color lighting and sound effects from throughout the galaxies. NEW: Disney has released the first-ever images of the new attraction, showing the toy spaceships being piloted by everyone’s favorite aliens.

• Ten-hut! Just announced, Sarge and the Green Army Man Drum Corps will be marching several times a day through Toy Story Land. As the Drum Corps marches on, everyone’s invited to follow another contingent of Green Army Men to their fun and interactive boot camp, where they’ll “toy” with guests using giant Pixar balls, oversized crayons and a game of SARGE SAYS (their own spin on Simon Says). Will guests have what it takes to become official recruits in Andy’s backyard?

• Wheezy, the squeaky toy penguin from the “Toy Story” films, will do more than bring smiles to the faces of guests riding Slinky Dog Dash, the family-style coaster coming to Toy Story Land. The all-new Audio-Animatronics figure will appear in the last scene of the coaster singing “You’ve Got a Friend in Me” in that great (and unexpected) voice of his. Wheezy will be accompanied by his toy friends: Mike the tape recorder, who’s provided him with a microphone, and Mr. Spell, who “texts” funny commentary.

• After a day of play in Andy’s backyard, guests can relive their memories with fun merchandise created especially for Toy Story Land. Just announced – headbands are crowned by three-eyed space aliens or Slinky Dog. Slinky Dog also inspires a toy with light-up rings; he can even strrreetch around the waist or shoulders and double as a fashion accessory. Kids get bragging rights with commemorative “I Played There” t-shirts that let the world know they were among the first guests to Toy Story Land. These and other playful items will be available in merchandise locations found in Toy Story Land and at select shops in Disney’s Hollywood Studios.

To learn more about Toy Story Land, visit DisneyWorld.com or call (407) 934-7639.

Take a look at a photo of the Alien Swirling Saucers Ride at Toy Story Land at Disney’s Hollywood Studios.

Alien Swirling Saucers. Designed as a playset Andy won at the Pizza Planet restaurant, this all-new attraction is out-of-this-world fun. “Toy Story” green aliens have powered up their flying saucers and earthbound guests get to play along. In rocket ship toys, guests swirl and whirl among toy planets and space stations as part of the game while “The Claw” hangs overhead. This space adventure is bathed in multi-color lighting and sound effects from throughout the galaxies. Disney has released the first-ever images of the new attraction, showing the toy spaceships being piloted by everyone’s favorite aliens.

Disney•Pixar Toy Story Land made its official debut at Shanghai Disneyland, following a grand opening ceremony attended by Disney Chairman and CEO Bob Iger; Disney Parks Experiences and Consumer Products Chairman Bob Chapek; Disney leaders; and local government officials and guests from across China. The new land marks the first major expansion at Shanghai Disney Resort, which, since its 2016 grand opening, has become the most successful theme park ever opened in China. The Disney•Pixar Toy Story Land expansion was announced within the resort’s first five months of operation, signaling the early success of the resort and demonstrating The Walt Disney Company’s confidence in the future of its business in China.

“We’re grateful to the people of China for wholeheartedly embracing Shanghai Disney Resort, for truly making it their own and also making it one of the most successful theme parks we’ve ever opened,” said Iger. “We’re incredibly proud of the success of this one-of-a-kind, world-class destination, and we are thrilled to give our Chinese guests even more to explore and enjoy at the resort with the addition of a spectacular new land based on Pixar’s beloved Toy Story characters.”

The characters and stories from the Toy Story franchise have resonated with Chinese audiences since the release of the original Toy Story film, which was one of the top-grossing movies in China more than two decades ago; and in 2010 Toy Story 3 became the highest-grossing Pixar film ever in China at the time. Shanghai Disney Resort opened in 2016 with the only Toy Story-themed hotel in the world, and Shanghai Disneyland’s popular attraction Buzz Lightyear Planet Rescue boasts the most advanced Buzz Lightyear targeting system at any Disney Park.

Disney•Pixar Toy Story Land offers guests a unique perspective as they move through the high-spirited, colorful world, feeling as if they’ve been shrunk down to the size of a toy. The immersive land features three new attractions, a themed Character greeting area and immersive shopping and dining experiences.

In the coming months, guests will also experience the beloved Toy Story franchise in new ways at the Walt Disney World Resort, where Toy Story Land will open on June 30 in Disney’s Hollywood Studios, and at the Disneyland Resort, where Pixar Pier will begin delighting guests this summer in Disney California Adventure park. With Pixar Fest—a celebration of friendship and beyond at the Disneyland Resort—continuing through September 3, the “Year of Pixar” at Disney Parks is well underway.

In the new Toy Story Land that opens June 30 at Walt Disney World Resortin Florida, the fun extends to food, and meal time comes with a heavy helping of nostalgia. Woody’s Lunch Box will serve up classic on-the-go menu items with a creative twist.

Located in Disney’s Hollywood Studios, the new 11-acre land brings to life all the magic and fun of the hit Disney●Pixar animated “Toy Story” franchise.  In this land – inspired by Andy’s backyard from the films – guests “shrink” to the size of a toy and set off for thrills and laughs on three signature attractions.

“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.  “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?”

Here’s a sampling of menu items. With apologies to mom, lunch box cuisine was never like this!

• 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.
• 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. Bite-sized potato barrels, corn chips, chili and queso. ‘Nuf said.
• 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 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

Healthier menu options include:

• Smoked turkey, tomato, and lettuce on multigrain bread. The quintessential lunch box sandwich. To give it a kick of flavor, Disney chefs add a creamy Dijonnaise.
• 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 way to start the day!
• Other healthy options available at Disney’s Hollywood Studios include fresh fruits and vegetables, salads, and grilled meats and fish.

Also on the menu for lunch is a Monte Cristo. Woody’s version of this classic sandwich has layers of ham, turkey, Swiss cheese, and raspberry jam…and is grilled to a golden brown. Kids’ offerings include grilled cheese sandwich or turkey sandwich, both with potato barrels and mandarin oranges. Sides include tomato basil soup, vegetable macaroni salad, potato barrels and Mini Babybel® snack cheese, the official snack cheese of Walt Disney World Resort.

In addition to fountain drinks and refreshing lemonade, beverage offerings include a classic Barq’s root beer float and a Mystic Portal Punch (PowerAde Mountain Berry Blast with flavors of lemon-lime and tangerine). For the big kids there’s a Grown Up’s Lemonade with cherry vodka, Odwalla Lemonade, and black cherry purée.

Woody’s Lunch Box at Disney’s Hollywood Studios will dish up nostalgia daily beginning June 30 from park open until the toys close up shop – that is, park close. Disney Dining Plan accepted.

As we get closer to the June 30 Grand Opening of Toy Story Land at Disney’s Hollywood Studios at Walt Disney World we wanted to share a few exterior photos of the area.  While there is not a lot to see the wall displays help build excitement for the upcoming new addition to Disney’s Hollywood Studios.

There will be plenty of familiar faces when Walt Disney World opens Toy Story Land on June 30, but there’s more to look forward to than Woody, Buzz and the rest of Andy’s cherished belongings.

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