Toy Story Land expansion announced for Disney's Hollywood Studios

[Casper Gutman]

Grapes of Wrath wild mouse CONFIRMED for Disney’s Animal Kingdom as part of rethemed Steinbeckland, USA. I would have gone with Of Mice and Men but Rohde likes to push the envelope.

“On the road with those wacky Joads.”

 

[jt04]

I was reading the (very positive) reviews for Toy Story 4 and was struck by a realization:

A big part of what feels so insulting about TSL is the fact that it is based off one of the most consistently excellent, emotionally resonant franchises ever produced in any medium, animated or otherwise. It has become a cliche that Pixar films make audiences cry, and Toy Story excels at this because it effectively, honestly, and non-manipulatively addresses issues of growth, aging, and mortality that Oscar-nominated dramas handle with less grace.

But at WDW, this remarkable franchise is reduced to some carnival rides and a Wii game. This explains why I actually liked Bugs Land, an area based on a much more frivolous film, but loathe TSL. Obviously, theme park rides have to engage audience emotions in a different manner then films, but TSL doesn’t even try. It’s positively dismissive of its wonderful source material. It reinforces popular perceptions of animated films as disposable, childish, and meaningless while supposedly representing a franchise that disproves those perceptions.

It’s like building a Citizen Kane spinner or a Grapes of Wrath wild mouse. Or a Mary Poppins carousel.

If they build out Pixar 'Studio' Land it will fit perfectly.

Oh, and 99% plus of guests don't want the land to make them cry. It is a theme park not a movie.

 

[yensidtlaw1969]

I was reading the (very positive) reviews for Toy Story 4 and was struck by a realization:

A big part of what feels so insulting about TSL is the fact that it is based off one of the most consistently excellent, emotionally resonant franchises ever produced in any medium, animated or otherwise. It has become a cliche that Pixar films make audiences cry, and Toy Story excels at this because it effectively, honestly, and non-manipulatively addresses issues of growth, aging, and mortality that Oscar-nominated dramas handle with less grace.

But at WDW, this remarkable franchise is reduced to some carnival rides and a Wii game. This explains why I actually liked Bugs Land, an area based on a much more frivolous film, but loathe TSL. Obviously, theme park rides have to engage audience emotions in a different manner then films, but TSL doesn’t even try. It’s positively dismissive of its wonderful source material. It reinforces popular perceptions of animated films as disposable, childish, and meaningless while supposedly representing a franchise that disproves those perceptions.

It’s like building a Citizen Kane spinner or a Grapes of Wrath wild mouse. Or a Mary Poppins carousel.

I do agree that there’s something to be said for the way Toy Story Land is reductive to the franchise that inspires it - if ever there was a land that could and should capitalize on the power and significance of “playtime” for both children and adults you would think this would be it. That’s a huge element at the core of the franchise and it’s resonance with audiences over decades, and it doesn’t factor into the design of the land, instead favoring the surface treatments of the film and applying them to relatively simple attractions that don’t present many unique features. Which I could almost forgive if they’d at least applied them in a way that offered genuine wish fulfillment, but what fan of the Toy story toys ever dreamed of the day they’d get to ride Slinky Dog across a toy Roller Coaster In Andy’s backyard?

It’s a land decorated with some of the Toy Story characters and trappings, not one genuinely themed to the movie. You could convert the attractions and land to another theme without significant investment, and it shows. Which is disappointing considering how not just how successful these movies are, but also how GOOD. The movies connect to the notion of high-quality guest experience far, far better than the land even aspires to.

 

[ToTBellHop]

I cried in TSL last trip. We arrived an hour before park open. TSL opened early as usual and we got right in SDD line. 35 min later we are 20-feet from the FP merge. Hour breakdown follows. It was our only DHS day so we stayed. After we rode, all the rides had 60+ min waits. Last time I cried that much was when I thought the toys would be incinerated in Toy Story 3.
#RightInTheFeels

 

[Casper Gutman]

I do agree that there’s something to be said for the way Toy Story Land is reductive to the franchise that inspires it - if ever there was a land that could and should capitalize on the power and significance of “playtime” for both children and adults you would think this would be it. That’s a huge element at the core of the franchise and it’s resonance with audiences over decades, and it doesn’t factor into the design of the land, instead favoring the surface treatments of the film and applying them to relatively simple attractions that don’t present many unique features. Which I could almost forgive if they’d at least applied them in a way that offered genuine wish fulfillment, but what fan of the Toy story toys ever dreamed of the day they’d get to ride Slinky Dog across a toy Roller Coaster In Andy’s backyard?

It’s a land decorated with some of the Toy Story characters and trappings, not one genuinely themed to the movie. You could convert the attractions and land to another theme without significant investment, and it shows. Which is disappointing considering how not just how successful these movies are, but also how GOOD. The movies connect to the notion of high-quality guest experience far, far better than the land even aspires to.

Look at Cars Land. Cars is a much less profound franchise, but it is still very impressive the way the land captures the sense of a community left behind by technological and societal progress but still united through a shared sense of their outsider status and a common pastime.

 

[TJJohn12]

I cried in TSL last trip... #RightInTheFeels

As someone who was right in the sweet spot for Toy Story when it debuted and who had a Woody doll I loved to death, I got misty when I first stepped into TSL. Turning the corner and seeing the depth of the land with its criss-crossing christmas lights and the colorful joy "built" for me by the toys I loved was deeply affecting. And I never even got to ride SDD... Breakfast at the Lunchbox, A.S.S., and the general experience of being in the land was still so meaningful as a 90's kid.

 

[No Name]

You're talking about a company that builds rides. Nothing at Disney World is "useful" and nothing we discuss here is "important".

This is how the world works now. Someone points something out on social media, it goes viral for 2 days, and that's it. The expectation wasn't that people would randomly discover this.

Useful in terms of ultimately generating revenue, of course. And I don’t know where I said “important” but the same would apply.

It would be one thing if this were to go viral, but I really don’t think anyone outside of a couple folks would give a , nevermind care to share it with others. Heck I was the first and only one to even comment on it here. That’s why I said I wish this effort was put into more useful things. Not sure who peed in your cereal.

 

[gmajew]

Got to experience it for the first time yesterday and I was very very surprised. It exceeded expectations the two new additions were positive. Alien spin is not a must do by any means but it was a good time killer when we explored the land. Slinky I thought was way better then I was expecting. It was a real fun ride and my entire family came off smiling and saying they do it again.

Misses were lack of shade seating restaurant and gift shop. Can you believe I am saying it needs a gift shop.

It is way better at night then day.

Would love to see another ride in this land at some point soon.

As far as the park it is horrible right now. It just feels like they have given up until Star Wars opens. Muppet area closed at 6 it was just bad.

 

[sallyslater]

I LOVE the TSL Google Maps game! Things like this is what makes Disney so special!!!!!! These “seemingly irrelevant” hidden gems are how Disney brings special sprinkles of magic to its guests and I’m so glad they did it! AGHHHH I LOVE IT!!!!

 

[Purduevian]

I'm honestly not quite sure where they would put an additional ride, even one as small as the critter carousel. They kinda back themselves into a tight spot and are putting the restaurant on the only expansion pad I can see for the land. Maybe they could fit it between lunchbox and TSM?

 

[Todd H]

Just returned from WDW and was not impressed at all with Toy Story Land. It felt cheap. As for the coaster I guess it was cute but it was basically just another kids coaster. Can't imagine waiting for an hour to ride it honestly.

 

[jt04]

It's cheap and lazy.

The irony in all this is that Toy Story is such a huge franchise, almost cultural shifting in moments (if you think back when the first one came out, 'to infinity and beyond' and all that), and it still has legs to be huge for decades to come - yet it's use in Disney in parks is synomous for being cheap and rubbish - from Paris to Hong Kong - each Toy Story section is just horrendous.

If you actually compare Slinky to Hagrid Coaster it's almost shameful.

That would be like comparing Everest to Hippogriff.

 

[Notes from Neverland]

It's amazing how drastically different reviews of this area are. We went earlier this year and enjoyed it quite a bit, though neither of us would say it's amazing or incredible. Meanwhile, friends went a week ago and said it was their favorite part of Walt Disney World. Then obviously people here think less of it.

 

[ToTBellHop]

Just returned from WDW and was not impressed at all with Toy Story Land. It felt cheap. As for the coaster I guess it was cute but it was basically just another kids coaster. Can't imagine waiting for an hour to ride it honestly.

Been on a lot of kiddie launching coasters, have you?

 

[MisterPenguin]

I'm honestly not quite sure where they would put an additional ride, even one as small as the critter carousel. They kinda back themselves into a tight spot and are putting the restaurant on the only expansion pad I can see for the land. Maybe they could fit it between lunchbox and TSM?

Walt Disney Presents, Mermaid, parking garage... all possible targets for expansion if Disney wants to double down on TSL.

Which it should. "Ride the toys" is so fitting for a theme park, especially one of their most popular and well-received IPs ever. It could have been a fifth gate.

 

[jt04]

It's amazing how drastically different reviews of this area are. We went earlier this year and enjoyed it quite a bit, though neither of us would say it's amazing or incredible. Meanwhile, friends went a week ago and said it was their favorite part of Walt Disney World. Then obviously people here think less of it.

Many are trolls. Some may not legitimately think much of it but WDW is a big place and I am sure they have lands they appreciate more.

TSL gets crowds and high ratings. TSMM is as popular as ever and Slinky is a favorite coaster at Disney. Wouldn't surprise me if it was more popular than SDMT now.

 

[Todd H]

Been on a lot of kiddie launching coasters, have you?

Not much of a launch IMO. Even my 11 year old thought it was just OK (his favorite ride is Expedition Everest). But hey...it's obvious my opinion made you angry so I'm gonna back away now. Geez. Don't dare say anything negative about Disney.

 

[MisterPenguin]

Many are trolls.

Weren't you just recently on a kick about how name-calling isn't allowed?

 

[jt04]

Weren't you just recently on a kick about how name-calling isn't allowed?

Since nobody was named only the guilty can be offended.

Trolliing isn't allowed. It isn't really name calling to point that out.

 

[HoldenC]

My family was unimpressed with TSL this week. I share their opinion because while they're obviously fans of the parks, they're not a super fan like me. They did enjoy Slinky though, like me, better than 7 Dwarfs. Of course everyone commented on the lack of shade, which is funny because I always have shade to throw

Also it seems that some of the vegetation has grown in well around the coaster. It felt more like the ride was in the backyard.