For Us, Toy Story Land Was a Dud

[revdon64]

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.

As I understand it, there's an expansion pad for Toy Story Land kind of behind the giant Woody at the entrance and next to SDD. Rumors I've heard were that it could be a sit down restaurant, but a merch store wouldn't hurt either.

 

[Srbright]

My skin is the color of a peice of paper. I can't do "grab a drink and move along" even with super duper sunscreen. Most of the rest of the world isn't used to hours out in the Florida sun. The shade would help keep people from heat exhaustion.

I'm not suggesting a bubble with air conditioning.

Stacy

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.

 

[NavyDad]

I remember reading this kind of stuff about the Avatar areas.....

I do too and Pandora has pretty much met or even exceeded all of those lofty expectations.

 

[wcw57]

I do too and Pandora has pretty much met or even exceeded all of those lofty expectations.

I must have mis-read the posts or only read a few negatives....except for FOP, I read "mixed" reviews, I thought. Not the first time I've been wrong

 

[Dis703]

I didn’t know you could ask for things not on the memu at counter service. Worth skipping mobile ordering in this case for sure.

I think it's mostly allergy stuff although for kids sub items are probably pretty typical. In this case they only offered water and milk for the kids on the menu and he's allergic to milk. I know a lot of times they have gluten and dairy free options that aren't listed either. Like packaged cookies and brownies. We tend to also order a bunch of little sides to make up a meal and those options aren't usually available online either.

 

[Missyrose]

Oddly enough, I was braced to be disappointed in TSL because of all the cuts from the original vision.

But I thought it was adorable. The theming was fantastic, SDD is a blast and the breakfast at Woody's Lunchbox was a hit with my whole group.

We went in the morning just after rope drop, the crowds built steadily throughout the morning, but there was still plenty of space for the Green Man Army march/show down the middle of the walkway. Do I wish they had put the characters in an air-conditioned spot like Buzz and Woody used to have? Sure! Shade and a few more spots with air conditioning would also be a great help. But I'm not ready to call the land a dud because they're missing.

This was never supposed to be more than a "filler" land on the road to having a park centered on Galaxy's Edge. But, for what TSL is, we thought it was pretty cute.

 

[snappy]

I must have mis-read the posts or only read a few negatives....except for FOP, I read "mixed" reviews, I thought. Not the first time I've been wrong

As with all things Disney there are different opinions. Seems from my reading people pretty much really like slinky dog, but think the walkways are narrow with not enough shade. The counter service has limited seating, some tables you can stand and eat at, but there’s limited shade there as well. No restaurant to sit down in with a/c and no merchandise store only pushcarts. TSM has different entrance and more cars running.,

 

[TiggerBouncy]

I agree with most of the comments here. The dead end didn't bother me as I know it will eventually be opened up, so I cut them some slack there.

However, while we love SDD and only liked alien saucers, the lack of a sit down restaurant was noticeable (with so many good options), the lack of an indoor store to buy merchandise, the lack of places to sit ANYWHERE were just huge missed opportunities on the part of the imagineers. I hope they are listening to this feedback for star wars land and other expansions.

I did love the themeing. It just needs a few enhancements. Namely indoor locations and seating.

 

[DisneyFive]

Yeah OP, we were underwhelmed also. If our kids were younger and SDD was more easily available for a FP, then it would have been a little better.

I will also add that the foliage felt intrusive to me. Like they intentionally let it grow to make it look like Toy Story Land had always been there. Looked unkempt to me though.

Dan

 

[twodogs]

I've never been able to use the app because we have food allergies so I always have to check ingredients and check on alternative options that aren't usually listed. In this case they didn't have any safe food for my son, but they did have apple juice at least which wasn't on the posted menus, so I have to ask for it. I'd love to be able to use the app though.

Well that stinks. I completely understand that food allergies are about safety, and sometimes you just need to talk to a human being about what you can or can’t have in your food. Sorry Disney is not more on board with allergy menus on Mobile Ordering, though I did see some restaurants that did have Allergy menus on the mobile ordering app when we were there last month. So maybe they are getting there....

 

[conandrob240]

I totally agree. Too small, cramped, no shade, terrible gift options, no good food options. Uninspired theming. Slinky dog is a good ride. That’s about it.

 

[Magical2017]

We skipped TSL during our August trip. DHS is the smallest park and has always felt the most crowded to me. We opted for more time at MK and AK, which are our favorite parks.

 

[NashvilleMama]

Just got back and was really, really overwhelmed by TSL - and not in a good way. The theming is incredible but the crowd flow is horrific and claustrophobic, and I never feel that way even in the most packed Magic Kingdom areas. It just feels really poorly designed for getting people in and out.

 

[snappy]

You nailed it with claustrophobic. Perfect word to describe it.

 

[galfam6]

Im pretty sure Galaxies Edge will be the most breathtaking thing Disney has created in decades.

Let’s hope so!

 

[snappy]

A lot of people are counting on it

 

[wilbret]

Wow .. some people here think TSL land is worse than Dinoland USA? Yikes.

Looking forward to it .. two weeks (to the day)until we step foot in Toy Story Land ourselves! With two kids (2 and 6) totally into Toy Story, I am pretty sure they will enjoy it .. and hopefully November brings less reason to worry about no shade.

But yes .. the lack of ANY indoor space or gift shop (as you leave the rides) is just shocking. They redid the TSMM queue .. they couldn't have plopped a store there on exit?

I mean .. Buzz Lightyear's Space Ranger Spin has a small gift shop and photo op (with Zerg).

Not everyone can ride SDD, so having an Air Conditioned space for those waiting on their family to ride SDD is key to a land in my opinion .. be it shop, M&G or restaurant.

Design around the guest experience Disney, not just the "rides".

Our kids LOVE the play area at Dinoland. Frankly, as a parent... I love those things, too, now that our kids are old enough to turn loose.
They loved Honey, I Shrunk the Kids, too... we normally have to make them leave these things due to the time we have available, but one day at Universal, we didn't put a limit on the time they spent on any of the playgrounds, and mom & I got to relax a little...and the kids got WORN out.

 

[tlmadden73]

Our kids LOVE the play area at Dinoland. Frankly, as a parent... I love those things, too, now that our kids are old enough to turn loose.
They loved Honey, I Shrunk the Kids, too... we normally have to make them leave these things due to the time we have available, but one day at Universal, we didn't put a limit on the time they spent on any of the playgrounds, and mom & I got to relax a little...and the kids got WORN out.

Ya . .the lack of a playground in Toy Story Land seems a bad choice too.

The land just seems like cut corners .. no play area, no indoor M&G ((when one already existed) for very popular characters), no shade, no dedicated store, no indoor restaurant. Hopefully the budget is going to SWGE.

 

[QueenElinor]

Crowded, claustrophobic and hot.
Being Montanans, I think my family is uniquely unsuited for a trip to TSL!

 

[Gafnorin]

I agree. I kinda regret our 1/2 day at HS. Toy story land was cute but we had a FP for toy story mania which was broke during our window so we left, lunch at woody’s lunch box was meh, character lines were insane and in the sun, left to other parts hoping to do SOMETHING, nearly died in the heat of concrete madness (how is it so hot in October???) finally did the frozen singalong and have more fun at home as we can sing along to the movie any friggin time! Disappointed. Although at least there was ac. Finally went back to mania ride which was fun but still dying in the heat. Skipped our tower of terror FP and went back to resort pool. We had the Halloween party in the evening and already felt half wrecked. Maybe will skip HS next time as the Star Wars stuff will be crazy anyway. And I’m not sure how they’d make a Star Wars land tolerable temperature wise.

The only redeeming thing was no line for Olaf. And we love Olaf. Got great pictures.