By Mark Campanale, Disney Travel Planner, Middle of the Magic Travel
In just over a week, the team from Middle of the Magic Travel will join forces to bring you live, up-to-the-minute, play by play action from the opening of Disney World’s latest expansion – TOY STORY LAND! Sure, we will will have contests for our devoted fans as well as really cool shirts (you’ll have to tune in to see), but we will also share live streams from all times of the weekend, including the long awaited rope drop! The festivities leading up to the opening are sure to be incredible, and we will give you exclusive access to all of the fun.
So while we are mere days from the first of 2 land expansions for Hollywood Studios (cue the the Sith Lord breathing), there are 5 things that our team just can’t wait to experience.
The Bigger Park
The days of calling Hollywood Studios a “half day park” are OVER. We now have over 11 acres of un-played-with territory! Once you enter Toy Story Land, you will be immediately shrunken down to toy-size – you are now in Andy’s backyard! And like any child’s imagination, Andy has created his own little world with oversized game board pieces, building blocks and especially his action figures.
The Food
Have you seen what’s cookin’ over at Woody’s Lunch Box? The menu consists of classic flavors with a modern twist: S’mores French Toast Sandwich, Monte Cristo, “Totchos” (tater tot nachos), PLUS Root Beer Floats!
The Meet and Greets
Currently, guests can meet Buzz and Woody in the building across from Toy Story Mania! Also, Green Army Men perform their drills as well as stop for photos. But, with an entire new land dedicated to Toy Story, there are so many more possible opportunities to meet elusive fan favorites! While Wheezy the Penguin will greet us in song at the entrance, here’s hoping we can meet Jessie, The Prospector, Hugsy, Lotso and even the aliens!
The Merchandise
What special Disney event wouldn’t include super cool commemorative merchandise? Some of the items we’re most looking forward to are the Slinky Dog and Alien “ears”,
the new pins made special for opening day and the new Toy Story Land Magic Band. We will show all of these cool new items during our live streams on June 30!
The RIDES
Ok so I saved the best for last. Ever since we saw the first glimpses of the model for Toy Story Land we’ve been dreaming of getting on these new rides. Alien Swirling Saucers is a bumper car-like experiences, much like Mater’s Junkyard Jamboree in Disneyland. And then there Slinky Dog Dash – a new roller coaster! This ride has been compared to Big Thunder Mountain in Magic Kingdom, and is over 2 and a half minutes long – that’s almost twice as long as Aerosmith’s Rock n’ Roller Coaster! Plus, you get a view of Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge!
We will be there before the sun rises in order to give you a first hand view of the grand opening festivities. For the most up to date information, be sure to join our Facebook group Information and News from Mickey’s Backyard! There will be plenty of chances to win exclusive Toy Story Land merchandise all weekend long, and all of the details on how to win will be posted in the group.
What are you looking forward to most from the grand opening of Toy Story Land?
Questions? Email Mark Directly here
