Toy Story Land Rides: An Essential Guide

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slinky dog dash lit up at night
Toy Story Land at night has some neat light up details like this Go! on Slinky Dog Dash. Photo Credit: Allison Taylor

For so many of us Disney’s Toy Story Land at Hollywood Studios holds a huge amount of nostalgia. As we enter Andy’s backyard we are somewhere familiar. Disney didn’t skimp on a single detail in this land. We’ll cover what you should look for and of course what Toy Story Land rides you need to check out. Read on for details on each Toy Story Land ride and which seat to choose for the best Slinky Dog Dash roller coaster experience.

sheriff woody greets honorary toys at the entrance to toy story land in orlando florida hollywood studios
Woody Greets Guests at the entrance of the new Toy Story Land. Photo Credit: Allison Taylor

It needs to be said. Visiting Toy Story Land will make even grown-ups feel like a kid again. Even without diving into Toy Story Land rides the vibe of the land is impeccable. From details on the walkways (giant shoe prints) to performing green army men led by Sarge to childhood favorite toys hidden in plain sight you will feel like you’ve shrunk down to the size of a toy.

The Imagineers packed so much detail into this area of the theme park. The Pixar Toy Story movies (4 so far in the series) were released over 23 (!) years. This means Toy Story fan ages run the gamut from child to fans pushing 40 and beyond. So many of the toy details used (Jenga, Candyland, Tinkertoys, Crayons, and Cooties) hold memories for visitors- AKA honorary toys.

Technically, there are two entrances into Toy Story Land. The main entrance (with Sheriff Woody) is located past Walt Disney Presents in the Animation Courtyard behind Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway. The second entrance is on the Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge side of the land if you walk past Droid Depot and follow the path to the giant Buzz Lightyear figure.

How Many Rides Are in Toy Story Land?

The short answer is that there are three rides located in Toy Story Land. Two new attractions and one that existed prior to the land and was reintroduced with a new entrance inside of the 11 acre new Toy Story Land. The rides are Slinky Dog Dash, Alien Swirling Saucers and the already-popular Toy Story Mania.

slinky dog dash roller coaster goes past a giant jessie
Parents and kids will love Slinky Dog Dash – a must on any Hollywood Studios itinerary! Be sure to look for Rex and Jessie. Photo Credit: Nasreen Stump

Slinky Dog Dash

Slinky Dog Dash (height requirement 38″) is my personal favorite ride in Toy Story Land and perhaps even in all of Walt Disney World.

I have to be extremely transparent with you: I was expecting a kiddie ride. After all, the video teasers I had seen prior to the visit made Slinky Dog seem like it was a slow, tame roller coaster. It isn’t.

I felt like I was 12 years old again, riding my favorite ride for the first time. I tried several different seats on the ride. Here’s my analysis: The back of the coaster is where the action is. The curves, twists and hills were amplified.

More timid riders should aim for a seat in the middle, where the action is a little more muted. Also the right side seat, doesn’t have as much of a view of the drops and sharp curves.

For those looking for a good combo of the two, ride up front. You get the view of Slinky Dog’s head, his ears are so cute, and it is still a fun ride but not as much of a thrill as the back!

It’s no surprise that Slinky Dog Dash is the most popular ride in Toy Story Land. Opening day wait times were upwards of 300 minutes! Luckily now you can snag a spot using Genie+if you don’t feel like waiting. Average wait times can run between 90 minutes and 120 minutes. Be sure to keep an eye out for Extended Evening Hours (the new version of Extra Magic Hours) when they come to Hollywood Studios this Spring for shorter lines.

Check out TravelingDad Daym Drops’ look at Toy Story Land and the Slinky Dog Dash:

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Alien Swirling Saucers

When I first saw this Pizza Planet inspired ride, my stomach started begging me to avoid it. There was some fear the swirling would be more like the spinning that riders experience in the tea cups in Magic Kingdom. Luckily for everyone involved, the ride turned out to be a fun one that even cautious riders should be able to handle.

A ride on Alien Swirling Saucers, is for all intents and purposes can best be described as a ‘whirling’ ride. The ride vehicles make a larger loop covering more ground than say the tea cups, then brings you back to the middle quickly. It is a fun ride for the whole family, it is relatively tame but provides enough of a thrill that you can expect to hear giggles from parents and kids alike.

Nostalgia set in for me on this ride in a big way. It reminded me of the Scrambler, that would appear at local carnivals in parking lots during the summer time. My dad and I would ride together and laugh the whole time. So when I got to experience the Alien Swirling Saucers with my son, we laughed together. I couldn’t help but thinking of the times as a little girl that I got to ride with my dad.

SheBuysTravel Tip: There are two sets of this ride running at the same time and the exits for the different sets are a bit apart from one another. So, if you were waiting for your rider, keep a close eye on which side of the ride they end up on so you’ll know where to meet them at end of the ride.

rides in Toy Story Land
The new entrance to Toy Story Mania. Photo Courtesy: Disney Parks

Toy Story Mania

Toy Story Mania is certainly not the newest kid on the block. If you and your family have visited Disney’s Hollywood Studios before, you’ve been on this ride. With the opening of Toy Story Land, the ride received a facelift in the form of a new entrance inside of Toy Story Land. Additionally, there has been a third track added, which allows for more riders at a time as well as new challenges for veterans of this ride.

SheBuysTravel Tip: Keep your eyes peeled at the end for fantastic photo opportunities in front of the popsicle stick wall!

Everything Else Toy Story Land Has to Offer

Toy Story Land isn’t just about the rides. We’ve mentioned the details before and they definitely amplify the experience. Those details continue to the food. There are no table-service restaurants in Toy Story Land. The one dining option is Woody’s Lunch Box, a quick service restaurant. And truthfully that’s all that is needed. Food on the menu covers basically everything you can crave from Lunch Box Tarts (gourmet “pop-tarts” in flavors like chocolate hazelnut, raspberry, and lemon blueberry) to entrees like BBQ Brisket Melt sandwiches to “Totchos”, which are tater tots taken to the next level. One of the fan favorites, a Grilled Cheese Sandwich, is actually one of our favorite Disney recipes to make at home!

Toy Story Land also has hosted character meet and greets in the past with Toy Story characters Woody, Buzz Lightyear, and Jessie making appearances. Those character experiences are currently on hold and we’re hoping they’ll return later in 2022.

Toy Story Land Ride Wrap – Up

Disney hit a grand slam with Toy Story Land, from the theming to the rides to the inventive food. Genie+ will be your best friend to help alleviate lengthy lines. Spotting the little details that Disney has injected through out the Land will also help pass the time.

We can’t wait to hear which Toy Story Land ride you enjoy the most!

Plan More of Your Disney Visit:

Walt Disney World Resorts: What Value, Moderate, and Deluxe Mean

One Day at EPCOT

Magic Kingdom 1 Day Itinerary

Animal Kingdom: How to Maximize One Day

slinky dog dash track with words ultimate ride guide toy story land disney's hollywood studios
Planning a visit to Orlando Florida’s Walt Disney World? Don’t miss Toy Story Land in Disney’s Hollywood Studios. We’ve got all the details you need to know on Toy Story Land rides and more. Photo Credit: Allison Taylor

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