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Hollywood Studios

New at Disney World in 2019

by Jamie Rumph November 27, 2018

Disney World has many new and highly anticipated additions coming in 2019! Here is a complete list of what we have to look forward to in the new year!

I’ll continue to add pictures to this post so bookmark it and check back to see the progress!

Magic Kingdom

Mickey and Minnies Surprise Celebration

Mickey and Minnies Surprise Celebration begins on January 18th at Magic Kingdom. Mickey and Minnie will finally be together in one spot for a picture taking opportunity! I’m so excited!

Move It, Shake It, MousekeDance It!

Move It, Shake It, MousekeDance It also begins on January 18th. This updated version of the current Move It, Shake It, Dance It, Play It parade will have new music and costumes celebrating our favorite mouse!

EPCOT

EPCOT Forever Nighttime Spectacular

Summer 2019, IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth, a long-standing fan favorite will end and a new show Epcot Forever, will begin. It’s unknown if this will happen simultaneously. The new show will play for a limited time as Disney reimagines the feel of Epcot.

Hollywood Studios

Galaxies Edge

Perhaps the most anticipated new addition at Disney World is Galaxies Edge (Star Wars Land) at Hollywood Studios. This fully immersive land will feature two new attractions “Millenium Falcon – Smugglers Run” and “Star Wars Rise of the Resistance” when it opens in the Fall of 2019 along with new dining locations and of course a gift shop. The new Star Wars Hotel will also be part of the land but is not slated to open in 2019.

I’m not even a huge Star Wars fan and I’m really excited to experience this new land! Sorry guys, Star Wars is great and all I’m just not a diehard.

However, seeing glimpses of what’s to come while riding Slinky Dog Dash and just what’s peering over the tops of the walls has me pretty excited to experience what Disney has dreamed up this time!

Mickey’s Runaway Railway

This Mickey filled experience is taking the place of the Great Movie Ride inside Hollywood Studios. I was completely sad when Disney closed the Great Movie Ride I’m equally excited about the opening of Mickey’s Runaway Railway! This new 3-D attraction is scheduled to open in 2019 and is sure to be loved by all mouse fans!

Metroville

Pixar Place is currently being reimagined at Metroville home to the Incredibles and will open on January 18th. This area was once the entrance to Toy Story Midway Mania and home to the Woody and Buzz meet and greet but upon the new Toy Story land opening Disney quickly put up walls and began construction on something new.

Meet Mike and Sully

On January 18th, Mike and Sully from Monsters Inc will be coming to Hollywood Studios for a new meet and greet. You will find them inside One Man’s Dream in the same spot we’ve seen Guardians of the Galaxy, Moana and some other character favorites. Because of where they are meeting I anticipate they will only stick around for a short time.

Lightning McQueen Racing Academy

Beginning in early 2019 Lightning McQueen and his racing buddies Tow Mater and Cruz Ramirez will star in a new show located near Rockin Rollercoaster. I anticipate this show to be in the building behind the coaster that has featured a few dance parties in the past. Lightning McQueen is excited to share his racing knowledge with all of us but has to think on his feet when it doesn’t go as planned.

Wonderful World of Animation Show

Disney continues to celebrate the history of animation and movies in Hollywood Studios with the debut of a new nighttime show beginning May 2019. This projection show will share 90 years of Disney Animation and is assumed to be another projection show on the Chinese Theater. As long as they include the original animation Steamboat Willie my little Disney heart will be happy!

Animal Kingdom

Hakuna Matata Time

A new dance party titled “Hakuna Matata Time” begins on January 18th as part of the celebration of Mickey throughout Disney World. I don’t anticipate this one to draw crowds like the shows featuring Mickey.

New Transportation at Disney World!

Disney’s Skyliner

Opening in the fall of 2019, this new gondola system will connect 4 resorts, Disney’s Art of Animation, Pop Century, Caribbean Beach and the new Rivera Resort, to both Hollywood Studios and Epcot.

All of the connector poles are in place and the cable system is being installed. Each of the 4 new platforms to board the gondola are also well underway. Each platform has been designed to match the theming of its location.

Resorts

Rivera Resort

In the Fall of 2019, just in time for Galaxies Edge, Disney’s new Rivera Resort will be opening at Disney World. This new resort is the fifteenth Disney Vacation Club resort. There will be approximately 300 new rooms and views of Hollywood Studios and Epcot fireworks from the top floor restaurant.

Gran Destino Tower at Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort

In July 2019 this new 545 room tower which includes 50 suites will begin welcoming guests in a two-story grand lobby. This new tower is situated to the right of the original resort and will be the new check-in location. Two new restaurants will also open at the resort. One on the rooftop of the tower and the second on an island in the middle of the 14 acre Lago Dorado lake. The original rooms at Coronado Springs are also getting a facelift to match the resorts new style.

Disney Springs

City Works Eatery & Pour House

Disney Springs has had an abundance of “new” over that last several years as it was transformed from Downtown Disney to Disney Springs. This shopping, eating and entertainment area has been very popular among guests and is often quite crowded in the afternoons and evenings.

City Works Eatery and Pour House will open in the summeopen019 and will feature over 80 beers on tap and abundance of large screen TVs. This sports bar type atmosphere will be family-friendly and perhaps a favorite hang out location for all of the sports-loving dads out there.

November 27, 2018

Animal Kingdom Epcot Extra Magic Hollywood Studios Magic Kingdom

Disney Worlds Private VIP Tour – Everything You Need to Know

by Jamie Rumph November 26, 2018

written by Jamie Rumph

Recently I experienced a Private VIP Tour at Disney World. You don’t want to miss this magical extra! Here’s why!

My Private VIP Tour Experience

I went on a Private VIP Tour with a large group, 13 total including myself. Each Private VIP Tour has a maximum of 10 people and therefore we needed two guides for our group size.

In our 7 hour tour, we wanted to cover all 4 parks and the majority of the E-Ticket attractions in one day.

E-Ticket means the most popular attractions. This term comes from when Disneyland first opened and guests bought ticket booklets to ride the different attractions instead of the all-encompassing ticket we purchase now.

Our guides picked us up at 10 am at Disney’s Polynesian Resort. This is where the excitement really began! We piled into our two private vehicles and we were off to Magic Kingdom!

Park One: Magic Kingdom

One of the greatest perks on the tour is entering each park from backstage and skipping the long ticket and bag check lines!

At the Magic Kingdom, we entered through “Park One” near Space Mountain. This parking lot is heavily restricted and only the most important Cast Members are allowed in. In fact, after your VIP Tour Guide lets you out of the vehicle and escorts you into the park another Cast Member moves the vehicle out of the way until your return! That’s just how small and coveted this parking space is!

After arriving in Park One/Magic Kingdom we were given water bottles and snacks, our Magic Bands were scanned and off we went!

We entered Magic Kingdom via the bypass that runs behind Main Street USA. The bypass is only opened on really busy nights after fireworks or during Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party and Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party.

Attraction One: Buzz Light Year’s Space Ranger Spin

From there we walked straight to Tomorrowland and rode Buzz Light Year’s Space Ranger Spin. We went into through the exit door, loaded the attraction and off we went. I was lucky to ride with one of our tour guides Kelvin. He pointed out all the targets to shoot for the highest score! It seems however if you can’t aim very well, you still can’t win! Even the greatest tour guide can’t fix my lousy aim!

Attraction Two: Seven Dwarfs Mine Train

Unfortunately, Space Mountain was temporarily closed so we passed it up for our next great attraction Seven Dwarfs Mine Train. This attraction consistently has a 90 – 120 minute wait time and a FastPass can be pretty hard to get if you don’t grab them at 60 days prior to arrival.

Another perk of the Private VIP Tour Guide is unlimited FastPasses so to speak! We entered Seven Dwarfs Mine Train via the FastPass line and went straight to the front! In a matter of minutes, Heigh Ho, Heigh Ho It’s off to work we went!

Seven Dwarfs Mine Train is one of my favorite attractions at Magic Kingdom. This short smooth roller coaster is great for all ages. A starter coaster I sometimes call it!

I don’t get to ride if often because of the long wait so this was a real treat for the day! An extra treat was riding it with our other VIP Tour Guide, Julia, where she pointed out TWO hidden Mickey’s! I’ll give you a clue, they’re both in the mine!

Attraction Three: Haunted Mansion

After Seven Dwarfs Mine Train, we walked through a crazy congested Fantasyland and straight in the back door of the Haunted Mansion. We entered this attraction in the same place as I did with the Keys to the Kingdom Tour, another magical extra that you must try!

This special entrance takes you right into the holding room, skipping the standby line and FastPass line. We then entered the stretching room. (Did you know there are actually two stretching rooms?) After the stretching room, we made our way to the attraction queue. (Another side note, when touring by yourself always stand under the “Pink Lady” the door opens under her!) We entered behind the crowd in order to keep our large group together but were then escorted from the back of the line to the front of the line bypassing the remaining queue. I tell you this VIP Tour has perks!

Because I had ridden Haunted Mansion on the Key’s to the Kingdom Tour I knew the magical secrets being shared here! It’s fascinating how this attraction works! And of course, there’s a hidden Mickey and a few other great secrets in here as well! I don’t want to give them all away so if you want to know more take the Keys to the Kingdom Tour!

Attraction Four: Big Thunder Mountain

By the time we’d exited Haunted Mansion, it was about 11:15 am. We had been in the park for just over an hour and already ridden three of the most popular attractions. We continued our loop around the Kingdom and over towards Big Thunder Mountain. The crowds were insane at this point and it took some maneuvering to get through Liberty Square and Frontierland.

At Big Thunder Mountain we joined the FastPass queue which was somewhat backed up. The wait was not long by any means but we didn’t hop right on as we had at the other attractions. At most I’d say we waited 10 minutes which truly isn’t a bad wait!

Once again I rode with our VIP Tour Guide Julia and she shared the hidden Mickey at Big Thunder. Big clue, it’s near the end as you make your way back into the mine house.

Attraction Five: Pirates of the Caribbean

Our fifth and final attraction at Magic Kingdom was Pirates of the Caribbean. We used the FastPass entrance and were whisked right through to boarding the boat. Our tour guides stayed behind to have our VIP vehicle called back to Park One while we enjoyed the attraction. As our boat pulled away our guide yelled from behind the jail bars “the Hidden Mickey, he’s in the locks scene”.

This is an attraction I have ridden so many times that I couldn’t even begin to count but I loved listening to the guests who have never ridden this infamous ride! And of course, help them locate that Hidden Mickey in the locks scene!

From there we walked through Adventureland and across Main Street USA, stopped for a quick picture with the castle and continued our march back to the bypass and out of Magic Kingdom. It was an odd feeling to have experienced Main Street and the “Castle shot” and the end of our Magic Kingdom tour and not in the beginning but it’s a feeling I could get over if it meant I got to tour the park VIP style!

Park Two: Animal Kindom

After getting back to our private vehicles we headed across Disney property to the other side of the World and Animal Kingdom. If you’re a park guest it’s a long way to the other side! A minimum 20-minute drive and that’s if the traffic is decent. But when you tour with the VIP Tour Guides everything magically takes less time!

We drove from Magic Kingdom to Animal Kingdom in 10 minutes via a back road that only Cast Members have access to. I’ve seen this road many times and have wished to enter but never been able too. One of the downsides of living with a Cast Member is knowing all of the cool backstage access they have and wondering what it’s all like! I’ve seen a few things here and there while participating in RunDisney events but this Private VIP Tour took me all the places! (ok not all the places but quite a few) and this magical shortcut road to the Animal Kingdom was one of them!

Attraction Six: Flight of Passage

We entered Animal Kingdom from backstage and parked directly behind Pandora – World of Avatar and Flight of Passage. Which would be our sixth attraction of the day! The line here is consistently 120 minutes long and the Fast Passes are gone often before you’re able to get them 60 days prior to arrival. (Trick: make Animal Kingdom your third of forth park day to have a better chance of getting a Fast Pass for this attraction). We accessed the line via the FastPass entrance and walked right to the first holding point to get on the attraction.

This is arguably the best ride in all of Disney World! I say arguably because there are so many elements that go into a ride being the best! Therefore we could choose other attractions based on various factors, however, Flight of Passage definitely earns the best attraction for the most innovative and immersive attraction at Disney World. Here you are truly whisked away on the back of banshee inside the world of Pandora. I LOVE to watch newbies experience this and listen to their awes and exasperations as they dip, drop and smell their way through this awesome attraction!

Lunch Break

We stopped for a quick lunch at Pizzafari with the kids, which I mobile ordered while waiting in line for Flight of Passage. The adults opted for Flame Tree Barbecue. (My favorite quick service location inside Animal Kingdom).

Ideally, we would have mobile ordered this as well but the service was not working. The adults instead walked over to order and brought their good back to Pizzafari to join the kids. After lunch, we proceeded to our next attraction!

Attraction Seven: Expedition Everest

Expedition Everest was our next stop! I was surprised when the VIP Tour Guides loaded us back into the vehicles and drove us around the backside of Animal Kingdom to get closer to the entrance of Expedition Everest. We parked behind Finding Nemo – The Musical building and quickly walked to Everest.

Did you know Animal Kingdom is the largest park at Disney World? Magic Kingdom has more ground for guests to cover and a manages a higher capacity of people but because of the large savannah that is part of Kilimanjaro Safaris Animal Kingdom is actually the largest of the parks!

Here we used the FastPass entrance to board the attraction and ride through the Forbidden Mountain Pass and past the trouble making Yeti all on full tummies! This may not have been our smartest move of the day but everyone survived so that counts for something!

With our final descent from Everest, we were off to our forth park of the day just a little over 4 and a half hours from our 10 am start time.

Park Three: Hollywood Studios

Our next stop on this Private VIP tour was Hollywood Studios. At Hollywood Studios, you park behind Rockin Rollercoaster and walk the entire length of the park to do the attractions on the other side. Granted this is the smallest of the four parks at Disney World and therefore fewer steps to cover it all. But it can also feel the most crowded due to its smaller size. By 3 pm when we arrived it was really crowded!

Our guides warned us that we were starting to cut close our ability to do four parks in one day. Even though we were able to utilize the FastPass lines for everything we had done, it still took some time to maneuver around the parks with the crowds.

Because we wanted to cover all four parks without adding any time to our private tour, we opted to only ride Slinky Dog Dash and The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror at Hollywood Studios.

Attraction Eight: Slinky Dog Dash

After grabbing a quick coffee we joined the other toys in Andy’s Backyard, bypassed the 180-minute wait to ride Slinky Dog Dash, and slinked our way over the backyard on the backside of Slinky Dog catching a quick glimpse of Galaxies Edge in the distance. This attraction always has me giggling like a kid and living up the endless childhood nostalgia that screams 90’s kid!

Attraction Nine: Twilight Zone Tower of Terror

I have a lot of favorites at Disney World! In fact, I have so many that if you ask me what my favorite is I can’t tell you! I can’t choose just one. But Tower of Terror is right at the top of my list!

I love Tower because it’s different every single time! Yes, I know what’s going to happen, but the order of elevator drops is never the same, always leaving me in the same childhood anticipation that every great theme park ride gives you.

What I had forgotten I loved so much about this attraction was experiencing it with someone who has never ridden it before! This was the case with my group of 12! The majority of them had never been on the ride and it was terrifyingly funny listening to their every gasp as doors opened and closed and the elevator car moved about the storyline.

When the elevator finally clicked into the drop zone and the ride truly began all I could do was laugh and scream as we all experienced this part for the first time. One of those first-timers may have let out an “I hate you all” on the final drop! I”ll never tell who.

There is something about laughs of joy, screams of delight (ok maybe terror) that make family theme park days so much fun!

Park Four: Epcot

And with that, it was time for Epcot! At this point, we’d already walked over 15,000 steps and everyone was Disney exhausted! You only know exactly what this means if you’ve walked Disney World through your exhaustion and kept on moving by the magic of Disney! Somehow your feet just keep going!

We parked behind Test Track and entered to the side of it which was fantastic because that’s exactly where we were headed!

Attraction Ten: Test Track

The kids on our tour we’re dying to try out Test Track and that’s just what we did! We joined the FastPass line, built our streamlined cars in the waiting queue and then buckled ourselves in! After break checks and a responsiveness test we went from 0 to 60 in seconds and circled the outside of the building with the cool breeze in our hair. It was the perfect carefree ride to end our VIP Touring day!

The End

After loading back up into the van our guides dropped us back off at Disney’s Polynesian Resort were our VIP Tour had come full circle.

This was a truly amazing, one of a kind park day that I highly recommend! 4 parks, 10 E-ticket attractions all in 7 hours on the day before Thanksgiving with holiday-sized crowds! Wow!

Why 4 Parks in One Day?

Four Parks in one day at Disney World is a Disney bucket list item for many Disney parks fans. It can be done many ways but often includes one to two E-ticket attractions at each park to say you’ve done it. I have to say it was exhausting doing it on a Private VIP Tour and I’m positive it would be even more exhausting if I’d had to navigate Disney parks transportation, ticket ques and bag checks.

It’s a Disney World bucket list item I have not done in the past simply because I’m spoiled by having Disney in my backyard and access to the parks weekly. I will say however that I have the Parkology Challenge has been looming in the back of my head to be completed at some point. I should do that soon since it’s only going to get harder to accomplish with the opening of Galaxies Edge in the Fall of 2019!

How Disney’s Private VIP Tour works

Tours have a maximum guest count of 10 people per tour guide.
All guests including infants count in the guest count for the group.
There is a minimum touring time of 7 continuous hours
The start time is flexible, you can begin when you’d like.
Guests can add on time in increments of 15 minutes to their touring time prior to the start of the tour or while the tour is taking place.
Tours are prepaid 48 hours prior and range in price from $425 – $625 per hour, per tour guide. (Prices can change at any time) Holidays and peak season will be higher in price.
VIP Touring guides will pick you up at your desired location and return you to your next destination at the end of your tour.
Everyone in your group will ride in the VIP Touring vehicle that your tour guide will drive.

How to reserve your VIP Tour guide:

To book your VIP Tour guide call your Love of the Magic Vacations travel agent or 407-WDW-PLAY (our travel agents make a small commission off your tour and help us keep our blog running. Your price is the same as if you booked it directly)
VIP Tour guides can be reserved 180 days prior to arrival.

FAQs

What’s included?

Included in the cost of your VIP Tour is one Disney VIP Tour Guide specific to your group.
Access to any of the four parks from backstage skipping the ticket entrance and main bag check.
Your VIP Tour Guide will tour you through any of the four parks, your choice, and give you FastPass access to any attraction with a FastPass queue.
VIP Tour Guides will make suggestions based on your attraction style and offer expertise in touring the parks and the parks history and details if you’re interested.
VIP seating at most parades, stage shows, and live nighttime spectaculars.

Do you need a Disney World park ticket for the VIP Tour?

Yes, all guests need a park admission ticket for the tour.
The VIP Tour price does not include park admission.
If you’ll be touring more than one park in a day like I did you’ll need the Hopper option added to your park ticket.

Is lunch included?

The cost of lunch is not included on your VIP Tour, however, your Tour Guide will be happy to stop for lunch (or any meal) as desired.
Tour Guides can make suggestions of where to eat in each park.
Keep in mind that time spent eating is less time touring the parks and truth be told, make for a very expensive meal if you eat slowly!

Should you tip your VIP Tour Guide?

It is customary to tip your VIP Tour Guide 10% of the total cost of your tour.
Please keep this in mind when budgeting for your tour total.

Do I have to do the same tour you did?

You do not have to do the same touring plan or attractions our group did on our tour.
Your groups VIP Tour can be customized to the experience you want to have at Disney World.

Does Disney offer group VIP Tours?

Yes, Disney offers a handful of group tours that you can join. These tours are not customizable and have a schedule the VIP Tour Guide follows.
View the Ultimate Day of Thrills VIP Tour, Ultimate Disney Classics VIP Tour, and Ultimate Nights of Adventure VIP Tour here.

Can you go to the front of the Photopass/Character lines?

VIP Tour Guides have the ability to move you through any attraction or character meet and greet through the FastPass line.
Guides can not cut other lines or lines without FastPass ques. For example, if you’d like your picture taken on Main Street by a Photopass photographer you will have to wait in line like other guests or have your guide take your picture with your camera.
Other examples include characters that have lines to meet guests on the streets do not have FastPass ques and therefore VIP Tour Guides do not have the ability to get you to the front of the line. You will have to wait in the same line as non VIP Touring guests.

Was it worth it?

100% without a doubt YES! I’m a Disney World local and visit the parks weekly. I know my way around all four parks, never need a map and know the ins and outs of the parks like any great Disney junkie does. I have literally ridden ALL of the attractions more times than I can count (yes I love it every single time, it never gets old) and I still say this tour is 100% worth it!
Why? Because it’s a Disney experience like none other! Having the ability to have unlimited FastPasses to the attractions is just part of the fun. Skipping the lines is great but skipping the ticket lines, parking lots, trams, and bag checks all while seeing backstage and having your VIP Tour Guide share cool Disney news with you is what makes it worth it for me! I LOVED it!

Do you recommend dining with your VIP Tour Guide?

We all have to eat something during the 7-hour tour timespan and a snack probably isn’t going to cut it so do plan on eating a meal while on your VIP Tour.
I would suggest a quick service meal that you can mobile order from your My Disney Experience app. Your VIP Tour Guide can help suggest when and where to do so on your tour.
I do not recommend a table service (think waitstaff) dining experience while you’re on your VIP Tour simply because of the amount of time it takes for a sitdown meal. I don’t personally think it’s a good use of your VIP Tour time or expense.

Can the VIP Tour Guides get a reserved parade or show spot?

Yes, your VIP Tour Guide can utilize VIP reserved viewing areas during parades and shows including the fireworks displays. Simply let them know that’s one of the items you’d like to do on your tour.

Can the VIP Tour Guide get you in to hard to eat places?

As part of the concierge level of services the VIP team provides they will check on and make your dining reservations at 180 days prior to your arrival for the entire duration of your Disney World vacation, not just your VIP Touring day.
However, they do not have the ability to book reservations at restaurants that show no availability.
While you are in the parks your VIP Tour Guide can inquire at any location you’d like to eat to see if there is an opening. They can not guarantee you’ll be able to eat at your desired location. See above about using your VIP Touring time for table service restaurants and my thoughts on that.

Are your bags checked on entry?

Yes, your bags are checked as you enter the backstage parking lots in your VIP vehicle.

Are your tickets scanned at each park?

Yes, your park admission ticket or MagicBand is scanned at each park you enter on your VIP Tour.
Valid park admission is required for any of the four parks you enter.

What if I cancel my Private VIP Tour?

VIP tours can be canceled at any time prior to 48 hours of your scheduled tour without penalty.
If you cancel inside the 48-hour window you will pay a cancellation fee equalling two hours of the booked tour rate.

What kind of vehicles do the VIP Tours use?

Depending on your party size you will be driven around in a large van or Suburban.

How to do a VIP Tour more affordably.

If you’re dying to try out the VIP Tour but it’s out of budget consider these options to make the experience more affordable:

Book your tour during low season. Use my crowd calendars to determine lower crowd levels and off-peak seasons.
Gather a group of 10 friends and split the cost. At the lowest price of $450 per hour and 7 hours that makes the cost of the tour around $315 per person plus tip.
Instead of doing the Private VIP Tour you can choose one of the group VIP Tours Disney offers.
Consider taking off one of your park days to help defer the cost. With the VIP Tour you will cover more attractions in one day and theoretically can shave off a day of your park tickets or even a night of your stay.

November 26, 2018

Hollywood Studios Planning

Toy Story Land- Everything You Need to Know to Plan Your Visit!

by Jamie Rumph July 4, 2018

written by Jamie Rumph

Toy Story Land –

Everything You Need to Know to Plan Your Visit

Toy Story Land entrance with talking Woody

Toy Story Land! The latest Disney craze opened a few days ago (June 30th) and it’s all it’s hyped up to be!

Opening Day Happenings

The grand opening was scheduled for Saturday, June 30th at 8 am but Disney switched things up last minute and did an unannounced soft opening on the afternoon of June 29th and then officially opened the land at 6 am on June 30th.

Yep, you’ve read it correctly! Hollywood Studios opened unannounced at 6 am on Saturday, June 30th!

If you’re tuned into the happenings of Disney fans at all, either via Facebook or Instagram, this is where you find these types of rumors. And then you just have to decide if it’s worth the risk of it happening or not!

A friend and I had planned to be at the park by 6 AM to get lined up, but figured what’s an hour less sleep and left the house at 4:30 am for a park arrival time at 5 am. It was the perfect timing!

When we arrived there was a relatively small crowd that was being held at bag check. Each bag check station had a security guard that was waiting for the green light to start moving people though. At about 5:15 am that’s just what they did.

Opening day of Toy Story Land outside the turnstiles at about 5:30 am

After going through bag check we were then held at the ticket entrance. Again the crowd was still relatively small. The area between the turnstiles and the ticket booths were filled with people standing in lines, many sitting and not super close in.

Waiting for Hollywood Studios to open

We all stood around and talked and took in the excitement of something so fun about to happen!? There may have even been a group-wide signing of Mickey Mouse Club too.? Appropriate don’t you think?

About 10 mins until 6 AM Disney made an announcement that they would be opening Hollywood Studios at 6 am and would escort us, walking not running, into Toy Story Land.

The remainder of the park would be open at 6:30 AM. I would venture to guess there wasn’t a soul in the rest of the park!

Hollywood Blvd on Toy Story Land opening day at 6 am

Hollywood Studios Opens Early

At 6 am our park tickets were scanned via iPad, not the typical Disney tap the ticket and hold your finger admission style. And each guest walked towards the new magic being debuted!

My ticket didn’t seem to want to scan so I got a nice Cast Member who helped me out. I can only imagine the day these guest Services Cast Members were about to have! Just the sheer number of people anticipated on coming to Hollywood Studios that day would have had me stressed out!

Me with a guest Services Cast Member on opening day.

As I made the turn to head into Toy Story Land I was giddy with excitement! I had decided not to stop for pictures and get straight in line for Slinky Dog Dash since I knew it would fill up the quickest.

Toy Story Land opening day

We waited a total of 40 minutes and were off Slinky Dog before 7 am. Not too shabby and totally worth the 4:00 am wake up time!

What to Expect when visiting Toy Story Land

Toy Story Land is a completely immersive experience.? As you walk in you’re leaving Hollywood Studios and entering Andy’s backyard. You’re transformed into one of Andy’s toys and every detail helps you to feel as if you are one!

Make sure to really stop and take in the little things like straws as light poles, the sketched drawings of Andy’s plan to create Slinky Dog Dash, the price tag that tells us the year Toy Story the movie came out and so much more!

Straw light poles inside Toy Story Land

Andy?s Top Secret plan for Slinky Dog Dash inside the ride que

Andy?s Slinky Dog Dash Coaster Plan

Price tag showing the opening date of the original Toy Story movie

Attractions

There are three attractions in Toy Story Land. One of them being the long-standing Toy Story Midway Mania ride.

Don’t be fooled though, just because it’s been here a while doesn’t mean it’s not a great attraction. In fact, I would venture to guess its continued popularity helped to fuel the decision for a whole land of similar theming.

New line entrance for Toy Story Midway Mania inside Toy Story Land

Midway Mania

Prior to Toy Story Land opening Toy Story Midway Mania was accessed via Pixar Place. In fact, it was so popular that a third track was added a year or so ago.

With the opening of Toy Story Land, the attraction is now accessed via the land rather than Pixar Place. The old entrance has been patched closed.

Old entrance to Toy Story Midway Mania

Pixar Studios sign has been removed.

It will be very interesting to see how this area develops and the character meet (Woody & Buzz, sometimes Jesse) that is across from the old entrance feels tied to the new land. Currently, it’s pretty separated.

The new cue line for Toy Story Midway Mania is right on theme with the new land! And the exit is home to some very popular social media picture spots! More on that below!

New que line for Toy Story Midway Mania

Toy Story Midway Mania que line

Slinky Dog Dash

The newest most popular e-ticket attraction is none other than Slinky Dog Dash. The newest coaster to arrive at Disney World.

Entrance to Slinky Dog Dash Part of the Slinky Dog Dash Coaster where Jesse is

This coaster feels like a mash-up of Big Thunder Mountain in speed and Seven Dwarfs Mine Train in smoothness. And unlike Seven Dwarfs Mine Train, it’s NOT too short!

The coaster has the perfect amount of dips, swirls, and drops that are fun for all ages. Nothing too scary for little kids but still all sorts of fun for adults!

It’s made up of two parts. The first as you leave the loading area and start your ride through Andy’s backyard. Don’t miss the fence that makes up the walls of the new land and the Tinker Toys that surround the coaster and build all of the guest areas throughout the land.

Fence wall inside Toy Story Land

The second part of the coaster begins just under the bridge that leads you to the coaster queue line.

Slinky Dog, the coaster car, comes to a stop under the “Go, Go, Go” signs. As Slinky Dog stops he then goes backward?and the forward again as if you launch you into the second part of the coaster. Don’t worry the actual launch of the coaster from this area is not too intense.

Go, go, go

Go,go, go

Slinky Dog going through the go, go, go spot

Slinky Dog on backside of the coaster

As you speed off under the “Go, Go, Go” tunnel you’ll fly up over the second half of the land and right on by the Alien Saucer Swirl. The third attraction in the new land.

Then as you finish up you’ll pass by Wheezy the singing penguin from Toy Story Two and Mr. Spell who are both wishing you farewell.

Wheezy Penguin Mr. Spell

Slinky Dog Dash is so well done you’ll be wanting to ride it again and again!

Alien Saucer Swirl

The third attraction in the new land is Alien Saucer Swirl. This little twirling ride has the same ride system as Tow Matter in Carsland at Disney’s California Adventure. The ride cars have been rethemed to match the land.

While this attraction does spin it does not feel like the teacups. It’s milder than that kind of spinning. Those of you that literally can not stomach the teacups, there is hope you can handle Alien Saucer Swirl.

The Alien in the spaceship (main car) twirls around a larger circle while the rocket car you’re riding in is being towed behind it.? As the alien swirls around the big circle, your car gets kicks out behind it, swirling you back and forth.

Ride cars in Alien Saucer Swirl

The length of the ride was just about perfect for me. I’d had just enough fun and swirling and was ready to get off about the time it ended.

The music along with the aliens saying “safety, safety” of course brought it all full circle and perfectly to Toy Story life.

Food

Andy’s Lunchbox is the only dining option in Toy Story Land.? It’s a quick service location and it looks like an open lunch box.? The lid of the lunch box is being held open by Andy’s thermos.? The seating area comprised of bright colored chairs and tables plus some benches shaped like wedges of Babybel cheese.

Babybelle cheese chair

When I was visiting there wasn’t quite enough seating but I attribute this more to it being opening day mayhem than an actual issue. I think once the hype subsides a bit there will be plenty of space.

Andy’s Lunchbox is open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner and has allergy friendly options at each. Because of my, 6 am arrival on opening day I ate off the breakfast menu.

Woodys Lunchbox Menu

Breakfast Menu

Woody's Lunch Box Menu - Beverages

The one thing I was disappointed in was there isn’t an actual allergy menu to look over while waiting in line. The Cast Member handing out the menus assured me there were gluten free choices but I would need to talk to a coordinator once I reached the ordering podium.

Doing it this way is not my preference as I prefer to have time to look over the menu, compare the gluten free and dairy free items since I’m somewhat sensitive to dairy as well, and then be ready to order when I arrive at the front.

I also absolutely hate to hold up the line behind me. I get it, most people are patient to these kinds of things and even if they’re not it is what it is, but I still don’t love to be the one holding up the line!

When I reached the front a coordinator told me that each item on the breakfast menu could be made gluten-free. Yeah! I didn’t even inquire about the dairy. Sometimes to my own detriment I do these stupid things!

Food allergies and eating out are the pits! Disney makes it much more accessible than many places but still, it’s just not fun!

Smores French Toast Sandwich

S’mores French Toast Sandwich

I ordered the S’mores French Toast Sandwich with marshmallows and chocolate ganache ($7.99) and my friend ordered the Smoked Turkey Breakfast Sandwich with cheese, green peppers, onions and scrambled eggs. ($7.49) They are exactly like they sound and oh so yummy!

The S’mores Sandwich tasted exactly like a S’mores and even though many people were like yuck “all that sugar for breakfast” I was happy to consume it all! In all fairness by the time I ate it, I’d been up for the better part of 5 hours. So it was truly lunch! Who am I kidding, I would have happily had it for breakfast too! I heard one guest return to the counter wanting something different because they said it was “utterly awful” but honestly I just can’t understand that. It tasted 100% like a S’mores!

Smoked Turkey Breakfast Sandwich

The Smoked Turkey Breakfast Sandwich was “really yummy” too! I didn’t have a bite since it wasn’t prepared with GF bread but it did look very good!

Smoked Turkey Sandwich

Mystic Portal Punch

The other fun thing we both ordered was the Mystic Portal Punch. It’s a green power aid of sorts that can be ordered just as a drink or with a souvenir cup upgrade. The punch itself is $4.49 and the oh so popular Alien Claw Cup it comes in if you upgrade is $16.19.

The cup alone is $14.99 so if you want both the better value is the combo. I didn’t love the punch but I’m guessing my sugar loving kids would have!

Claw Cup with Mystic Portal Punch

As for the lunch and dinner menu, I’ve not tried it yet. But as soon as I do I’ll happily add to this post as well as my Facebook page and Instagram Stories!

Merchandise

Inside Toy Story Land there is not an actual store for merchandise. There are however two cute little kiosks, made from some of our favorite childhood toys, of course, that house Toy Story themed merchandise.

Fisher Price Play Family Camper Merchandise kiosk

Play Family Camper top

Dump Truck merchandise kiosk

There isn’t a lot of merchandise inside the land. A couple of different headband options, the oh so popular Claw Cup (which you can also get at Andy’s Lunchbox) some Slinky Dog toys and that’s about it. But it’s not all Disney has to offer in terms of Toy Story merch.

Alien Popcorn Holder

Alien Claw Cups

Slinky Dog Dash toy

Woody and Jesse dolls

Me wearing the new Slinky Dog headband

Slinky Dog headbands

Alien headband

Disney for a long time has offered a great line of Toy Story items throughout its stores and especially in the Hollywood Blvd shops like Mickey’s of Hollywood and Disney & Co.? You can find things like T-shirt’s, plushes and trading pins there. It’s nice to get off an attraction and not be directed through a large souvenir shop!

Things Not to Miss

There are soooo many details inside the land that it’s truly hard to take it all in! So to help you “see it all” I’ll post pics of things you should look for along with their location!

If you know of something I’ve missed but should see, message or email me! I love to see all of the well thought out details. It speaks to my inner Interior Designer!

The Popsicle Wall has been all the rage! Walls of Disney have become a social media thing and it seems Disney is playing along!

Water fountain built in blocks Sinks

Women?s bathroom

Women?s bathroom stalls Green Army Men

There are Green Army Men everywhere! This one is holding a Babybel cheese.

I loved these more than anything! I grew up building them!

Domino benches

Tinker Toys and plastic ants Ticonderoga pencil light pole

Ticonderoga pencils as light poles! Only the best pencils being used in Andy?s Backyard

Midway Mania Games photo op Buzz Lightyear

Fast Pass and Park Planning Strategy

Since Toy Story Land is the newest addition to Disney World, planning is going to be key to enjoying your experience! If it’s anything like Pandora – World of Avatar, and I suspect it will be, the wait times for the Slinky Dog Dash Coaster will not be getting shorter anytime soon!

Toy Story Land map

You will want a fast pass for this attraction, and at least for the immediate future, you’ll want to get it at exactly 60 days prior to arrival.

To have access to fast passes at 60 days prior to your trip, you’ll need to be staying at a Disney Resort. Guests staying off property can book fast passes at 30 days prior to arrival. Slinky Dog Dash Fast Passes will be long gone by then.

Another thing I found with Flight of Passage at Pandora is that Fast Passes were gone for day one and two of a guests vacation, but I could find them for day’s three or four.

So if you’re looking for Slinky Dog Dash Fast Pass on your first few days of vacation and you don’t see them, look towards the end of your trip.

Of course, you’ll need to be flexible with your dining reservations and planned days to visit each park but it still can work out.

In fact, I highly recommend you plan your Hollywood Studios day for at least day three and maybe even day four of your Disney World vacation.? Just to be safe.

Park Arrival

The best strategy for busy parks is to arrive early for park opening.? Disney fanatics call this rope drop. Be at the ticket gate about 45 minutes prior. This will give you time to go through baggage check and be ready to enter when the park opens.

Most of the time Hollywood Studios will let guests enter the park and meander down Hollywood Blvd prior to the rest of the park opening. This will give you time to take pictures, shop or get coffee and be ready to make your way to Toy Story Land when the Cast Members allow it.

Despite your fast pass time, if your priority is Toy Story Land, you should walk not run directly to the new land.? Then you will be able to ride the two attractions that you don’t have Fast Passes for and see more of Andy’s backyard without large crowds.

The earlier in the day the lower the crowds and honestly the more enjoyable it is. Toy Story Land is not overly large, only about 11 acres and it will become crowded quickly. So head there first, at park open, and get in line for whichever new attraction you don’t have a fast pass for. Make sure to enjoy the details and a S’mores French Toast Sandwich too!

Tiered Fast Passes?

A tiered Fast Pass System is currently in place at Hollywood Studios. This means you can only have one Fast Pass selection from the three Toy Story Land attractions, Slinky Dog Dash, Toy Story Midway Mania or Alien Saucer Swirl.

You will be able to select one Fast Pass from tier one and two Fast Passes in tier two. I’ve highlighted in red the attractions I would recommend choosing.

You’ll notice in tier two I highlight more than two options. If you like coasters pick the two coaster options if you don’t like coasters or drops pick my other two highlighted suggestions.

Tier 1 Attractions

Slinky Dog Dash (38″)
Toy Story Midway Mania
Aliens Swirling Saucer (32″)

Tier 2 Attractions

Tower of Terror (40″)
Rocking Roller Coaster (48″)
Beauty and the Beast
Star Tours (40″)
Fantasmic
Frozen Sing Along
Muppet Vision 3D
Indiana Jones
Voyage of the Little Mermaid
Disney Jr. Live on Stage

Once you have your Fast Passes selections made you’re good to go!? Now sit back, relax and of course work on your Disney outfits for your upcoming trip!

I hope the helps you to navigate the new excitement that has arrived at Hollywood Studios.?Toy Story Land is truly a great new addition to Hollywood Studios!

If you have questions please email at Jamie@LOTMV.com or follow along on my Facebook or Instagram page! @loveofthemagic

July 4, 2018