For Us, Toy Story Land Was a Dud

[Selket]

I think TSL is adorable and I love the theming but theming be darned - I'd really like some place to go to get out of the heat (like a store) and an indoor place to eat - I'd love a QS place. Maybe put it on the periphery of the land? I was there in August and it was brutally hot. Can we be so certain that Andy's backyard didn't have a QS place somewhere?

 

[QueenElinor]

I think TSL is adorable and I love the theming but theming be darned - I'd really like some place to go to get out of the heat (like a store) and an indoor place to eat - I'd love a QS place. Maybe put it on the periphery of the land? I was there in August and it was brutally hot. Can we be so certain that Andy's backyard didn't have a QS place somewhere?

With our luck, it would be his sister's Easy Bake Oven!

 

[glocon]

Honestly, Andy’s yard could have an Als Toy Barn- if the outside looked like a kid drew the sign and the outside of the building looked like something a kid built using toys- like the sdd line looks. Just the outside has to fit the theme, and maybe there will be more “kid built with toys” structures in TSLs future.

 

[wilbret]

Since the theme of the land is Andy's backyard it would make no sense to have Al's Toy Barn represented. They still should have included some more indoor air conditioned shops and dining however.

They absolutely could have included the store in a way that made it included, but separate. There is space to have included it as you enter the area, or they could have gotten creative.
At least one of the initial renderings showed it as you enter, on the left. They could have made a town square with a pizza shop, ice cream shop, etc... easily. They chose to spend their money elsewhere.

 

[Jennasis]

They absolutely could have included the store in a way that made it included, but separate. There is space to have included it as you enter the area, or they could have gotten creative.
At least one of the initial renderings showed it as you enter, on the left. They could have made a town square with a pizza shop, ice cream shop, etc... easily. They chose to spend their money elsewhere.

They SHOULD have included a store, no question. Themed to Al's Toy Barn in Andy's backyard? Nope. Andy's Toy Box? Sure! My opinion. I do agree that it was likely budget cuts that cause the scrapping of the store.

 

[Cornish Lad]

We went to Toy Story Land for the first time yesterday, between 2-4pm, and I just cannot understand the hype.

First, I hate dead end lands...only one way in or out. DHS has a lot of those right now, and it feels like a traffic nightmare. Second, there is almost zero shade anywhere and very limited seating. In fact, the whole land seemed super small, which made it feel more crowded. Even the character picture spots are in full sun. Third, no indoor store of any kind, just ODV sales carts. I was expecting a cool Pixar store inside, but nada. Also, that means the only place with AC is the restroom. Finally, I had the worst iced coffee and DH had a mediocre root beer float at Woody's Lunch Box, and we had to stand up to eat.

The detailing in some of the open areas was ok, and we did enjoy our ride on SDD (we had a FP). Don't see us going back for a long time, though. Wondering if there are those who really love the design...not just the rides? Did we miss something?

We agree, tried it for the first time last month - I had a FP+ for SD so my wife waited for me to do it - sweltering hot, no shade etc. etc. not going back there in a hurry.

 

[MomOTwins]

I think it just feels especially disappointing to me because Pandora is so lovely, which is the only recent new land I have to compare it too. They did it right with Pandora: lots of looping paths to wander around and explore, with tons of shade, and interesting things to see. Toy story land we felt like we walked to end of a street carnival and then walked back, all in the sun, nothing to stop and look at. I also really didn't like that the slinky ride is so "in your face" the whole time you are there. Most of the coasters in WDW are not out in the open like that. It made me feel awful because at 60+2 days (we had a short trip) I couldn't get them slinky, and my kids were so bummed looking at it and saying they wished they could ride THAT instead of the alien saucers.

 

[Srbright]

We had our first experience in Toy Story Land today and couldn't agree more. Add all the complaints below to the fact that the map on the app isn't kept up to date on the actual routes and we ended up walking in a huge circle because it tried to route us through a "Pardon our dust" wall. And it wasn't a temp wall, it was a wall obviously meant to be there for a while.

They missed out on a great opportunity to use the tinker toys to create shade and/or rain cover!

On a positive note we did get a SDD fast pass last night for today. Always keep checking!!!

Stacy

We went to Toy Story Land for the first time yesterday, between 2-4pm, and I just cannot understand the hype.

First, I hate dead end lands...only one way in or out. DHS has a lot of those right now, and it feels like a traffic nightmare. Second, there is almost zero shade anywhere and very limited seating. In fact, the whole land seemed super small, which made it feel more crowded. Even the character picture spots are in full sun. Third, no indoor store of any kind, just ODV sales carts. I was expecting a cool Pixar store inside, but nada. Also, that means the only place with AC is the restroom. Finally, I had the worst iced coffee and DH had a mediocre root beer float at Woody's Lunch Box, and we had to stand up to eat.

The detailing in some of the open areas was ok, and we did enjoy our ride on SDD (we had a FP). Don't see us going back for a long time, though. Wondering if there are those who really love the design...not just the rides? Did we miss something?

 

[revdon64]

The biggest raves I've heard were that SDD is much more than a kiddie coaster, and that the theming is fantastic. I cannot speak from personal experience yet (January is coming), but I'll let you know when I see for myself.

 

[GeneralTso]

We went a few days ago, in the evening. That made a huge difference. Also, October makes a huge difference. As I walked through I was imagining summertime, mid day in the melting heat and humidity and just shuddered. I can't imagine how awful.

It's darling all lit up at night. The weather was perfect and crowds weren't bad at all. Loved seeing all the characters out for pics, etc. They did a great job with it.

 

[snappy]

Hot and miserable for us October 19-20th. Used afternoon FP’s for slinky dog. We rode it and exited the area quickly. Every path was ridiculously jammed with people. Will try it again at night ONLY if we have a FP. Otherwise will avoid the area. A shame since I like toy story mania.

 

[B. Shoe]

Hot and miserable for us October 19-20th. Used afternoon FP’s for slinky dog. We rode it and exited the area quickly. Every path was ridiculously jammed with people. Will try it again at night ONLY if we have a FP. Otherwise will avoid the area. A shame since I like toy story mania.

We arrived at WDW on 10/21. I'd been looking at weather forecasts coming into that week, and you had an unfortunate hot streak those two days, from what it appeared. :-/

 

[snappy]

We arrived at WDW on 10/21. I'd been looking at weather forecasts coming into that week, and you had an unfortunate hot streak those two days, from what it appeared. :-/

Yes it did turn mild our departure day 10.21. I can’t imagine how hot that area will be in summer.

 

[married2mm]

The biggest raves I've heard were that SDD is much more than a kiddie coaster, and that the theming is fantastic. I cannot speak from personal experience yet (January is coming), but I'll let you know when I see for myself.

Our opinions in sept/October were exactly this.

all folks will vary with their differing, individual perspectives though.

I found it to be much More intense on sdd than anticipated.

The theming,the colours,the army men, the restroom!!
Everything in my eyes was fantastic.

We loved the pass holder event at 7am & the end of day also.

 

[rteetz]

They SHOULD have included a store, no question. Themed to Al's Toy Barn in Andy's backyard? Nope. Andy's Toy Box? Sure! My opinion. I do agree that it was likely budget cuts that cause the scrapping of the store.

Bingo

 

[bb32]

Hated not having shade especially with how hot it was. I liked the land, but it could have been more. So much more.

Comparing it to what i would have envisioned in my head, it was disappointing.

 

[BillyRay_Omaha]

1. Part of the theme is you are in Andy's backyard. So Al's wouldn't make sense.
2. Again, theming.
3-4. It is not meant to be a major thrill. This is a family friendly area.
5. The ride itself isn't new just the queue.
6. Star Wars will probably be the place for you.
7. They didn't lose any movie rights. They decided to change the attraction to a new trackless innovative ride based on Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse.
8. Maybe Universal is the place for you if you like thrills. Disney is not that place.

1. Part of the theme is you are in Andy's backyard. So Al's wouldn't make sense.
2. Again, theming.
3-4. It is not meant to be a major thrill. This is a family friendly area.
5. The ride itself isn't new just the queue.
6. Star Wars will probably be the place for you.
7. They didn't lose any movie rights. They decided to change the attraction to a new trackless innovative ride based on Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse.
8. Maybe Universal is the place for you if you like thrills. Disney is not that place.

1 Fine Andy's Toy Box Etc Etc whatever a store to sell stuff inside and in AC not some pull cart you see at 6 flags.
2 Exactly ,,A lack of theming design an indoor restaurant that fits.
3-4 Its like they didnt even try a rollercoaster and a spinning carnival ride. Family friendly isnt an excuse to play it safe or cheap, how about a trackless ride like the Monsters Inc one , that ride is super fun and family friendly.
5 no kidding!!!!
6 I am waiting for the Hotel. Star Wars land will be entirely to busy without the extra access you will get with the hotel stay.
7 Call it whatever you like Disney had several licensing agreements on that ride that they didnt want to keep. Money - unable to change things whatever the reasons they didn't keep the agreements and terminated them.
8 Never said I wanted thrill rides just good rides. Soarin , The Land, Space ship earth, Star Tours, Haunted Mansion, you know rides that took imagination not just a check book.

 

[rteetz]

7 Call it whatever you like Disney had several licensing agreements on that ride that they didnt want to keep. Money - unable to change things whatever the reasons they didn't keep the agreements and terminated them

I’m not calling it what I want I’m stating what I know.

 

[MelanieRI]

I was definitely disappointed with TSL. I think they should've just left Rizo's as Pizza Planet (now it's a seasonal restaurant after all that renovating!) and maybe could've thrown in the Lunch Box menu, too. Which would've given you a nice place to eat in the A.C. and then just made the Lunch Box a snack place. I think they just should've left the TSMM as it was originally set-up instead of crowding the entrance and exit into TSL. Why try to cram it all into that small area of TSL? They aren't keeping site lines like they used to anyways, why not just keep TSL spread out a little more. Definitely hate that there is no shade.

 

[Jimmy Mouse]

Everyone complaining about no shade. I’m like so? I live in hot and humid GA and though my shop has A/C, I really enjoy being outside every weekend working in my yard. The heat never really bothers me and when we were there at the beginning of September it was really really hot! I just grab a cool drink and move along.