I felt that identifying what toys were used to make which fixtures (and pretty much every fixture IS a toy) is at least mildly interesting and inspired. Perhaps the lack of building structures and buildings you can enter is what makes it feel cheap? Despite this, in my opinion, it still looks sculpted, landscaped, and aesthetically pleasing. I assure you all, I don't think Toy Story land is a great land by any means, but it isn't as bad or tacky as I thought it was going to be (because the other Toy Story lands are much worse).
My biggest complaint with Marvel and Toon has always been the gaudy cutouts and randomness strewn everywhere creating lots of visual clutter. In general I think Universal has a bad tendency to create visually cluttered areas. Seuss is more inspired in creating a sense of place, but for whatever reason, the paint they apply fades super quickly (and yes I know that it's supposed to be pastel colors) and looks drab until they paint it again. Universal also does this weird thing where they paint the walkways in some locations like Seuss Landing which looks tacky to begin with and results in them quickly looking gross and scuffed up. The rundown look of the three lands is perhaps what really makes them feel cheap to me, though. Before everyone jumps down my throat, take a close look at these three lands next time, they're grungy and in need of a serious refresh. The area in and around Hulk, for example, is easily the dirtiest, trashiest area in any Orlando park, it's as bad as the worst Six Flags park and is downright appalling. I think Skull Island, Jurassic Park (minus current construction walls), obviously Hogsmeade, Lost Continent, and Port of Entry all look great. It's weird how unbalanced IOA is, with the three lands that need the most attention to look good seemingly receiving the least.
