Disney’s new Toy Story land-A trip through pictures

One of Walt Disney’s most poignant quotes, “Disneyland will never be completed. It will continue to grow as long as there is imagination left in the world.” Walt, of course, stated this long before even he could visualize the amazing growth and expansion of his company today. With six parks Worldwide, there is a continuing effort to expand and add new attractions, rides, shows, and lands. I can imagine that Walt looking down, is so pleased that his tenants are being adhered to. Walt never meant his park (Or future parks!) to become museums. He, like his company today, want new and fresh ideas for the guests. As new films and new alliances are forged, i.e. Pixar, Marvel and LucasFilms to name a few, new characters and adventures and storylines are formed. There are, of course, classic and venerable attractions that will probably never be shuttered, guests can always be assured that their magical place will always stay current.

With the opening of the Magic Kingdom’s new Fantasyland expansion in Florida on December 6th, 2012 we have seen and are awaiting more magic on the horizon. (Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge). We now have the World of Pandora in Animal Kingdom, and on July 5th, 2018 Disney’s Toy Story Land finally opened to record crowds, many arriving in the queue at 4:30 am in Hollywood Studios, the new home of Andy and his Toy Story friends. This new land has two new attractions and one old time favorite. The Slinky Dog Dash roller coaster whisks guests through Andy’s backyard, and the most remarkable aspect of this new land is its ability to transport guests back to the days of innocent childhood, playing and imagining with their toys. The Slinky Dog is a toy most guests had, and will always have cherished memories of. This ride is presented though Andy builds it with a Mega Coaster Play Kit.

The next attraction is the Alien Swirling Saucers, with the Green Aliens from the Claw in the Pizza Planet. Listening to catchy background music, you will circle around, much like on the old “Whips” of bygone Carnival days, going from one circle to another. And last but not least, Toy Story Mania! A new entrance in the rear of the attraction in Toy Story Land reminds one of a Carnival entrance on the midway.

You will encounter the “Green Army Men” Drum Corps as they roam around the land. They will stop and play games with the guests, one game called “Sarge Says” They will invite guests to be part of boot camp drills, chants, and games, all letting them become volunteer Green Army Men. They will also play the snare drum, bass and tenor drums in perfect cadence.

But the remarkable, and “Magical” part of this 11-acre land is the way the Imagineers, using astounding detail and building perspective, make guests feel as they are shrunk down “toy size” as they interact with the toys that Andy placed in his backyard, using his imagination. This has to be one of the most “Detailed” lands yet, and I urge guests to walk slowly and keep a roving eye, there is just so much detail, you don’t want to miss anything. For dining here, Andy has his lunch box opened up, and guests can avail themselves of on-the-go and classic Disney eats and drinks and there are alcoholic beverages for the adults!

Well, enough talk, it’s time for a photo spread tour of this new land. A picture is worth a thousand words, so I brought my camera, my wife Donna and someone many of you Disney fans will recognize, John “Big Fat Panda”. We spend most of the day here, and although it was raining much of the time, Andy and his toys brought us back to a brighter, more sunshine time in our life…Childhood! Enjoy the pics and remember, check out the amazing detail the Imagineers brought to life…