For Us, Toy Story Land Was a Dud

[LiteBrite]

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

I absolutely think that Dinoland has a better layout and is a more enjoyable experience than TSL. I know people hate the carnival midway at Dinoland, but the land overall is nicely themed with lots of shade and different paths to walk on. I love all the dino statues throughout the land, and Chester and Hester's is one of my favorite shops on Disney property. Restauranosaurus isn't perfect by any means, but at least it offers plenty of seating inside in the AC, and the Dig Site is great for the littles. The attractions are just ok, but the land itself is a lot of fun to me.

The theming in TSL is beautiful at night, but in the middle of a hot crowded day it's really hard to appreciate. I felt like I was in survival mode with the heat and crowds. I'm glad to hear there will be another way in (and oh please out!) after SWGE opens, but in the meantime that single in/out walkway is awful. In terms of attractions, AS2 is fine and SDD and TSM are both great. We didn't eat at Andy's Lunch Box so I can't speak to that, but I was also shocked at the lack of shopping options.

TSM is one of our favorite rides in any of the parks, and we found it was easy to get multiple rides in the last hour before closing.

 

[kaetra]

My first visit to Pandora I wondered why it was so small and who the idiot was that planned the traffic flow. Then I saw Toy Story and that was even smaller, with worse traffic flow. Seems to be a trend with their new areas.

I hope Galaxy’s Edge isn’t going to be like that. Still hoping HS becomes a great park after GE and new Mickey train opens.

 

[goofyintoronto]

I dont think I was wow'd by TSL. The dead end factor didnt bother me too much. But I did love the theme both in day light and at night.

I tried the grilled cheese at Woody's lunch box and quite honestly, it was just ok. I could make a better sandwich at home to be honest. Tator tots were good thou.

SDD was an awesome ride. Very smooth. Loved it.

Overall, I enjoyed it. But its not a must-do for me.

 

[rteetz]

My first visit to Pandora I wondered why it was so small and who the idiot was that planned the traffic flow. Then I saw Toy Story and that was even smaller, with worse traffic flow. Seems to be a trend with their new areas.

I hope Galaxy’s Edge isn’t going to be like that. Still hoping HS becomes a great park after GE and new Mickey train opens.

Curious what you mean by this. Toy Story’s paths are wider than Pandora. In terms of size of each land they are rather similar as well.

Currently Toy Story Land has one way in and out but that will change once Star Wars opens.

 

[Mambo Junkie]

I think it’s how you view Disney World. I am more of an experience type person so I am not about roller coasters. I get that they think they have to compete with the thrill ride theme parks but I much prefer a Haunted Mansion or Tower of Terror experience. That said, my kids love TSMM, AS and SDD. It is much better at night with the lights and the carnival atmosphere but I don’t like the current dead end layout. I think it makes it seem more crowded, much like Pandora. I love Pandora though; it is beautiful at night and the rides are much more of an experience which is what my family and I enjoy. It all depends on what people like and what their expectations are and what memories they want to come away with.

 

[SquirtsMom]

We were there on 10/27/18 and was a bit underwhelmed. The theming is cute but the area was very crowded making it difficult to move around and see everything. SDD was down and we never had an opportunity to see it running. Only rode TMM and then left. Maybe we'll give it another try when the crowds move into the Star Wars area when it opens

 

[sophie832]

I am glad my orig post has spawned so much discourse. The first time we saw Pandora (Oct 2017), I was blown away by how realistic the setting was. This was also in the middle of a warm day with huge crowds and an annoyed 3 yr old. We didn't even ride any rides in Pandora until last month, which was our 3rd visit to that land. I still think Pandora is really beautiful, day or night.

I also felt the same way the first time I ever saw Carsland (we are DLR APs). Just an amazing design, even if it really only has 1 decent ride. For me, it's all about the immersive experience.

Maybe I would enjoy TSL more at night, or once the crowds die down...or even when it is no longer a dead end. I don't know. I just wasn't blown away by it. It seemed like there wasn't much effort put into it, at all. I actually do hope my opinion changes someday.

 

[DisReno]

OP, I'm sorry you didn't like TSL. I think it's important for anyone going to Disney to remember that you're not going to like everything, even if something is really hyped up. We actually skipped AKL on our first trip this summer. I asked my husband if he cared about Pandora at all and he said nope, and I said good, me neither. I'm sure we'll get to it eventually, but we only had so many days. So, if a land is not for you, it's not for you.

I do see that some of your complaints (lack of shade, seating, etc) are things that people noticed immediately when TSL opened back in June. Had you read any of those threads before going? Doing so can be so helpful - I think I stalked the TSL thread every day between opening day and our trip in August. We didn't have a FP for SDD, so we went at RD and only waited about 15-20 mins. Our kids cried, while us adults loved it. The Alien ride - kids loved. We rode TSMM twice, once with a FP+, once only waiting 10 mins. We did the land in less than 2 hours, and it was shaded for most of that time. So even though it was August, we weren't melting (we definitely melted later on that day!)

Totally agree about the dead end, and the fact that most of HS is dead ends. I hope as the park undergoes its transformation, this can be addressed. It was definitely the hardest park to navigate, for us. But, it does seem as though TSL's dead end will be a temporary thing.

Finally, if you don't have kids or aren't into Toy Story, I can totally see not liking it. We have kids, obviously, so they wanted to see it, but both DH and I love Toy Story too. We loved all the little details. Are there things that can be fixed? (shade, seating) Absolutely. Were there missed opportunities? (Andy's Toy Barn, for example) Yes, unfortunately. But, there is room to expand, and I think it will be interesting to see what/if they do anything after SWGE is completed.

Wow...so this post wins the prize for passive aggressive. LOL. Sorry, not sorry, is what you basically said. Ouch.

 

[skullsplitter]

It's an OK "land" at best. It could have been so much more with one more attraction and a shop. It's something to do while the rest of the park finishes. Outside of Pandora, Imagineering hasn't impressed me the last few years. They'll keep cranking out dessert parties though and that will be enough to satisfy the diehards.

 

[QueenElinor]

Well, after reading this thread, I went back and looked fairly critically at our touring plan, also took a look at some videos, etc. Decided to visit TSL at night night right before the fireworks. Although my kids are now young adults, Toy Story was a big part of their childhood and the Land looks really cute, actually beautiful at night. They'd enjoy TSMM and SDD. (I've ridden TSSM myself before).

HOWEVER.... the only reason we're doing this is that I've decided to spring for Extra Fastpasses through the Club level program. If I didn't, I wouldn't do it. Number one, because the kids wouldn't use two of three precious regular FP on these rides instead of ToT and RnR, and wouldn't want to save them until the evening. But also we won't go during the day due to the heat & crowding & I sure wouldn't attempt it without FPs.

DHS is becoming more of a full-day park, which is great because we are not park-hoppers. I always dreaded going there because the only ride I like & I can do is ST, and I'm not particularly a movie fan (except for science fiction- yay SW! ). Except for the now-defunct Osborne Family Lights, the whole park was always boring & mostly too hot for me, to be honest. Now we have a reason to go back at night, so that's appreciated. DHS will hopefully be a really awesome place in a few years.

 

[DVCcurious]

There’s nothing wrong with it. But there’s nothing *wow* about it.

I could’ve built TSL and I’m an unimaginative accountant. This is clearly, clearly not Disney’s best work.

Compare TSL to 7DMT. There’s like no space for 7DMT, it’s squeezed in this small section but when you ride it you don’t notice. They “hide” the smallness with Disney tricks like how can’t see any of the track except right in front of you.

They didn’t even try at TSL. It feels like 6 flags because it is like six flags. You can easily see all of slinky dog and it’s exposed tracks, just like six flags. There are a few signs, just like how Six Flags has a Superman cut out in the queue line.

It’s very poor by Disney standards. Adventureland...Pandora....Africa....Fantasyland.... Toy Story Land? One of these things is not like the other.

 

[skullsplitter]

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

Count me as one of those. Dinoland has more rides, the playground, more characters, the dance party, shopping, and a QS with seats. Heck, I'll say the old Toontown at MK beats TSL based on theming and immersion alone. TSL is OK, but it's a lazy effort in my opinion

 

[goofyintoronto]

Wow...so this post wins the prize for passive aggressive. LOL. Sorry, not sorry, is what you basically said. Ouch.

Really???? Sensitive much? Jeez. I totally disagree. I didnt find anything wrong with @Kippa-Dee-Do-Dah post.

 

[DVCcurious]

One last thought: maybe they didn’t go all out with Toy Story Land because they directed that money to Star Wars. It makes sense because Star Wars is the big draw. There’s the new Star Wars hotel. After Star Wars Land and the Mickey Mouse coaster Hollywood Studios is finished with new improvements for a long, long time.

I know we all expect Star Wars Land to be great. But it better be something *really* special if it’s going to make Hollywood Studios a two-day draw (2/7 vacation days)

 

[Minnesota!]

There’s nothing wrong with it. But there’s nothing *wow* about it.

I could’ve built TSL and I’m an unimaginative accountant. This is clearly, clearly not Disney’s best work.

Compare TSL to 7DMT. There’s like no space for 7DMT, it’s squeezed in this small section but when you ride it you don’t notice. They “hide” the smallness with Disney tricks like how can’t see any of the track except right in front of you.

They didn’t even try at TSL. It feels like 6 flags because it is like six flags. You can easily see all of slinky dog and it’s exposed tracks, just like six flags. There are a few signs, just like how Six Flags has a Superman cut out in the queue line.

It’s very poor by Disney standards. Adventureland...Pandora....Africa....Fantasyland.... Toy Story Land? One of these things is not like the other.

EXACTLY how I feel! It was like Disney knew they were taking a way a TON of stuff, making HS even less of a draw. So, they threw together a low-level, Six Flags type area. Like you said, I am a graphic designer and I could have thrown this together with the most basic of skills... In fact, I think the stuff I created on those roller coaster SIM worlds was WAY more creative than this.

Count me as one of those. Dinoland has more rides, the playground, more characters, the dance party, shopping, and a QS with seats. Heck, I'll say the old Toontown at MK beats TSL based on theming and immersion alone. TSL is OK, but it's a lazy effort in my opinion

Yep - the ATMOSPHERE is what makes an area. Dinoland has that - it conveys something. TSL conveys...rushed and cheap and not well-thought out?

 

[WEDWDW]

A lot of the criticism may be legitimate,but I can't help but feel sorry for all the folks who worked so hard to build it-the criticism has to HURT!

 

[Kippa-Dee-Do-Dah]

Wow...so this post wins the prize for passive aggressive. LOL. Sorry, not sorry, is what you basically said. Ouch.

Ummm...wasn't being passive aggressive at all, actually. I even validated some of the OP's complaints. But we had a different experience than the OP. Not everyone has the same experience at WDW and that was my point.

@goofyintoronto : Thank you so much for your kind comment.

 

[hiroMYhero]

Now that comments are being analyzed and critiqued rather than TSL, closing.