Disclosure: My family and I were provided tickets by Disney, but all opinions are my own.
Guests visiting the recently opened Toy Story Land 11-acre addition to Disney’s Hollywood Studios are transported to Andy’s backyard where they become “honorary toys” and play with their favorite characters in a new twist on classic adventures based on the beloved Pixar Animation Studios’ hit Toy Story films.
The Rides:
Toy Story Midway Mania!
Since its 2008 debut, Toy Story Mania! has been a blockbuster hit with families, combining the fun of a video game, 4D technology and interactions with favorite Pixar stars, including Woody, Jessie, Buzz Lightyear, Hamm, Buttercup, Rex and Trixie.
As the all-new gateway to the ride-through action inside, the carnival-style entrance with its candy-striped marquee is, in fact, the box Andy’s Toy Story Mania! Midway Games Playset came in. Looking out over the rest of Toy Story Land, the entrance welcomes stand-by and FastPass+ guests to fun and fast-paced games of skill.
Guests queue through colorful games and game pieces, View-Master discs, Crayola crayon drawings and more. In one “box” of the queue, guests walk through a carnival midway that surrounds them on all sides. In another, they come across an Audio-Animatronics figure of Mr. Potato Head, who returns to Toy Story Mania! to serve as “Boardwalk Barker,” greeting guests with wise-cracking zingers.
After a practice round of virtual pie-tossing, there are five game stops in all – plus 4D surprises like air blasts and water sprays.
Guests in moving ride vehicles maneuver their pull-string, spring-action “shooters” to lob simulated projectiles at animated targets. Gameplay includes tossing virtual baseballs at plates, virtual darts at balloons, virtual rings on Aliens and virtual hardboiled eggs at barnyard animals. Players rack up points when they nail the targets, with harder-to-hit marks notching higher values.
Scores are tallied at the end to determine the master of the midway, or at least who has bragging rights among family and friends. In the end, whether guests are experts or beginners, everyone’s a winner!
Slinky Dog Dash
Jumping on the coolest canine toy ever, guests are in for a rollicking good time as Disney’s Hollywood Studios unleashes Slinky Dog Dash in the new Toy Story Land at the Walt Disney World Resort. This multi-launch, family-friendly roller coaster careens around bends and “catches air” over camelback humps as it runs across the 11-acre land.
As honorary toys, guests have Andy of Pixar Animation Studios’ Toy Story films to thank for this incredibly fun experience. They get to ride his creation and be inside Slinky Dog’s coils as the lovable pooch twists and turns around the track. It all takes place in Andy’s backyard, where he used the Dash & Dodge Mega Coaster Play Kit to assemble this speedy toy.
Guests approaching the ride launch see Andy’s plans sketched out in Crayola crayon on notebook paper. Glue bottles, empty toy boxes and stray coaster parts and pieces are strewn about – Andy’s pet project was clearly a work in progress when he was called away. But that’s when the toys will play!
“The first half of the ride is many swirls, turns and dips, and after the second launch come a drop and camelback humps – as if you were playing with a Slinky Dog toy,” explained Dave Minichiello, Executive Creative Director of Walt Disney Imagineering.
Alien Swirling Saucers
Alien saucer pilots are straight out of the Toy Story movies, with their pointy ears, three eyes, short antennae and facial expressions designed to convey surprise or delight. Each extraterrestrial has hitched its flying saucer to one of 22 rocket ships; together, flying saucers and rockets spin through the Pizza Planet galaxy.
With “The Claw” dangling overhead, guests climb aboard their rocket ships and hover in Pizza Planet’s version of “deep-dish space” for an out-of-this-world saucer whirl to the beat of new versions of Toy Story songs and musical themes. During the adventure, the Aliens spin guests around toy icons like Planet Pepperonia and a pizza-inspired space station.
The Food:
Woody’s Lunchbox
Woody’s Lunchbox serves tasty meals with a side of sentimentality. Here are some of the classic on-the-go menu items with a creative twist:
S’more French Toast
Inspired by the classic American campfire treat, this breakfast sandwich oozes goodness in a chocolate ganache- and marshmallow-stuffed French toast topped with graham cracker crumbles.
Grilled Three-Cheese Sandwich
To ensure a soft gooey middle, Disney chefs created a sharp cheddar cream cheese spread, layered in provolone and cheddar and wrapped the sandwich in garlic butter-grilled French bread.
BBQ Brisket Melt
With a nod to cowboy Woody, this Texas-style smoked brisket features cheddar, Monterey Jack, pickles, BBQ sauce and garlic butter-grilled sourdough.
Totchos
This bite-sized treat combines potato barrels, corn chips, chili and queso.
Lunch Box Tarts
A modern interpretation of a breakfast toaster pastry as a hand-held dessert, these feature a uniquely delicate crust. Layer in high-quality ingredients for fillings, add a decorative garnish, and these tasty tarts beat anything Mom ever packed. Choice of Raspberry Lunch Box Tart garnished with Icing and Dried Fruit and Chocolate-Hazelnut Lunch Box Tart garnished with Icing and Caramelized Bacon
Kids’ Menu – Grilled cheese or turkey sandwich, both with potato barrels and mandarin oranges.
Sides – Tomato basil soup, vegetable macaroni salad, potato barrels and Mini Babybel snack cheese, the Official Snack Cheese of Walt Disney World Resort.
In addition to fountain drinks and refreshing lemonade, beverage offerings include a classic Barq’s root beer float and a Mystic Portal Punch (PowerAde Mountain Berry Blast with flavors of lemon-lime and tangerine). For the big kids, there’s a Grown Up’s Lemonade with cherry vodka, Odwalla Lemonade, and black cherry purée.
Woody’s Lunchbox is from park open until the toys close up shop – that is, park close. Disney Dining Plan is also accepted.
Merchandise:
What would Toy Story Land be without… THE TOYS! Disney does not disappoint with the merchandise aspect of this new land. Guests find exclusive logoed merchandise, must-have collectibles and unique gifts that become take-home memories of their days in the newest land at Walt Disney World Resort. Alien-themed light-up tumblers, colorful tote bags, home décor, caps and coffee cups, bracelets and backpacks, collector pins and t-shirts are available throughout the area and fans can also find the full line of Pixar merchandise in stores crisscrossing Disney’s Hollywood Studios, including Beverly Sunset, In Character and Mickey’s of Hollywood.
Among the enticing choices:
•Guests can wear Slinky Dog, inspired by the Slinky Dog Dash family-friendly coaster. Slinky Dog’s stretching coils wrap around guests as a toy and fashion accessory, with playful light-up rings.
•The Buzz Lightyear Bubble Blower is sure to be a hit. Buzz shoots bubbles out of his helmet, and everyone’s favorite space ranger also features a light-up chest and arms.
•Guests can make a fashion statement with a unique headband or stylish apparel. They can “get their alien on” in an optic-green headband with a row of eyeballs belonging to a space Alien; the eyes shift with each head movement. There is also a delightfully amusing headband perched on by Slinky Dog. For true fashionistas, a fun graphic shirt splashed with Toy Story characters is just the ticket. Or accessorize with a necklace playfully strung with Toy Story
•“I Played There” commemorative t-shirts let the world know the wearer was among the first guests to experience Toy Story Land.
•Disney’s new merchandise line also includes small-scale replicas of attraction vehicles – Slinky Dog Dash and Alien Swirling Saucers – that no shelf in a child’s room should be without. A spring-action Slinky Dog Dash & Dodge Power Boost Set sends Slinky Dog on his way, just like the family-friendly coaster that inspired it. When designing the replica toys, the Disney Parks Merchandise team used the actual 3D files created for the attractions by Walt Disney Imagineering.
For more information about what you can expect to experience while visiting Toy Story Land at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, to book FastPass+, and check current wait times, make resort or dining reservations, or for additional information please check out the My Disney Experience app!
To purchase tickets to Disney’s Hollywood Studios or any of their parks and attractions click here!
If you are looking to purchase park merchandise please check out Shop Disney!
Food
Vegetarian and Vegan food options at Disneyland Resort and where to find them
The vegetarian and vegan food options at Disneyland Resort in California are not hard to find if you know where to look! Here is a quick guide highlighting the many places that you can find fantastic options for vegetarians and vegans alike that are more than a plate of leafy greens and an orange wedge.
Chefs flaunt their creative side with a wide selection of dishes to please any palate. From corn with a cayenne kick to veggie gumbo in a bread bowl, these breakfast, lunch and dinner offerings range from light to hearty.
Where to find vegetarian and vegan food options at Disneyland Resort:
At Disneyland Park-
Plaza Inn on Main Street, U.S.A.
- Vegan: golden hash browns, vegan mini Mickey waffles
Carnation Cafe on Main Street, U.S.A.
- Vegetarian: apple-granola pancakes; huevos rancheros (corn tortilla, poached eggs, jack cheese and fire-roasted salsa with avocado-black bean pico del gallo)
- Vegan: Chef’s Vegan Burger
Royal Street Veranda in New Orleans Square
- Vegan: vegetarian gumbo served in a sourdough bread boule
Harbour Galley in Critter Country
- Vegetarian: broccoli cheese soup in a sourdough bread boule
French Market in New Orleans Square
- Vegetarian: corn chowder with roasted corn and black-eyed pea maque choux in a sourdough bread boule
- Vegan: “N’awlins” salad without pecans (lettuce, julienned yams, granny smith apples, lentils and tart cherries with a sweet citrus vinaigrette); vegetable jambalaya
Blue Bayou Restaurant in New Orleans Square
- Vegan: Portobello mushroom and couscous maque choux (marinated in a balsamic vinaigrette with roasted corn and bell pepper couscous and sautéed spinach)
Cafe Orléans in New Orleans Square
- Vegetarian: three-cheese Monte Cristo, N’awlins Vegetable Ragoût
- Vegan: N’awlins Vegetable Ragoût without cheese, Crescent City Salad without meat and cheese
Village Haus Restaurant in Fantasyland
- Vegetarian: garden vegetable burger
Edelweiss Snacks in Fantasyland
- Vegetarian: chile lime corn on the cob
Rancho del Zocalo Restaurante in Frontierland
- Vegetarian: soft flour tacos filled with onion, red and green bell pepper, yellow squash, zucchini, carrots and cheese; vegetable burrito; enchiladas filled with cheddar cheese, cilantro and red onions
- Vegan: All vegetarian items can be made vegan except enchiladas.
Hungry Bear Restaurant in Critter Country
- Vegetarian: fried green tomato sandwich (cornmeal-crusted fried green tomatoes with fresh heirloom tomatoes, Havarti cheese, remoulade and jicama-mango slaw on a multi-grain roll); watermelon salad
Redd Rockett’s Pizza Port in Tomorrowland
- Vegetarian: cheese pizza, vegetable pizza
- Vegan: tomato-basil pasta without cheese, spaghetti with “Mars-inara” sauce without cheese
At Disney California Adventure Park-
Flo’s V-8 Cafe in Cars Land
- Vegetarian: Veggie Tater Bake (roasted vegetables, bulgur wheat, soy crumbles and smashed red potatoes with cheddar cheese)
Paradise Garden Grill on Paradise Pier
- Vegetarian: vegetable and tofu skewer with Moroccan chili sauce, chimichurri or tzatziki
Boardwalk Pizza & Pasta on Paradise Pier
- Vegetarian: pesto ravioli, vegetarian pizza
- Vegan: Boardwalk field greens without pecans or blue cheese (fresh greens, tomatoes, cucumbers, Craisins Dried Cranberries, golden raisins and basil vinaigrette)
Cove Bar on Paradise Pier
- Vegetarian: nachos with black beans, pico de gallo, serrano peppers, cilantro, chipotle cream and jack and cheddar cheeses; spinach and artichoke dip
Ariel’s Grotto on Paradise Pier
- Vegetarian: fire-roasted corn cakes with sautéed spinach, onions and shiitake mushrooms
Wine Country Trattoria near Pacific Wharf
- Vegetarian: Tuscan salad without shrimp or chicken (romaine and radicchio, red and yellow grape tomatoes, celery, green beans, cannellini beans and roasted peppers tossed in creamy Italian dressing); roasted vegetable Panini (zucchini, eggplant, red peppers, mushrooms, tomatoes and lemon-goat cheese spread on multigrain bread); Quattro Pomodoro Pasta; Broccolini Aglio Olio; vegetarian panini; roasted vegetable bruschetta
Carthay Circle Restaurant on Buena Vista Street
- Vegetarian: garden vegetable risotto
- Vegan: vegan pasta or vegan tower featuring seasonal produce, customized for each guest
Award Wieners in Hollywood Land
- Vegetarian: Portobello mushroom Philly (grilled Portobello mushrooms, onion and bell peppers sautéed in hefeweizen beer and topped with pepper jack)
At Disneyland Hotel-
Steakhouse 55
- Vegetarian: wedge salad with vine-ripened tomato and gorgonzola dressing
- Vegan: baked potato, broccoli with roasted garlic, sautéed spinach, sautéed mushrooms with Madeira sauce
Tangaroa Terrace
- Vegetarian: grilled cinnamon-spiced oatmeal cakes; egg white, vegetable and tofu bake with spinach, mushrooms, onions, tomatoes and cheese topped with a mushroom-tomato vinaigrette
At Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa-
Storytellers Cafe
- Vegetarian: California omelet (egg whites with diced plum tomatoes, fresh basil and baby spinach); banana-stuffed french toast
- Vegan: vegan omelet (thick layer of hash browns with mushrooms, tomatoes, spinach and bell peppers)
At Disney’s Paradise Pier Hotel-
Disney’s PCH Grill
- Vegetarian: Santa Monica Flatbread; roasted red pepper hummus; Muir Woods Roasted Pepper and Mushroom Pasta
For more information about Disneyland Resort please their official website here!
ANT-MAN AND THE WASP “dirt” pie
ANT-MAN AND THE WASP “DIRT” PIE
Marvel Studios’ ANT-MAN AND THE WASP opens in theaters everywhere on July 6th, 2018 and to say my household is excited is an understatement! Over spring break we decided that it would be fun to try make “dirt pie“ we had some Wilton candies left over from Halloween and this seemed like the perfect occasion to make a pie dedicated to two of our favorite Marvel characters. This is a simple dessert that is easy to make. We used almond milk and dairy free whipped cream for ours because my son is dairy free, which means it had to sit much longer in the refrigerator to settle. I would suggest using regular milk if you can.
This is a relatively straightforward dessert. We used two different kinds of pudding (vanilla and chocolate) because my kids can never decide. The recipe only really calls for a total of one box of pudding though. We used a pre-bought Oreo crust because it is dairy free and I have three kids which means I do not have time to make my own right now (picture #1 below). Prepare the pudding (#2) as instructed on the box by adding milk and mixing (#3). Pour it directly into the cookie crust (#4). Place in the refrigerator to set (#5). We did ours overnight and it still was a little bit runny (not that my kids mind). Top with whip cream, crushed chocolate graham crackers (dirt!), and sprinkle the candies on. Scoop it out liberally into bowls and dig right in!
#AntManandWasp
Take a look at the teaser trailer for ANT-MAN AND THE WASP!
About the new movie ANT-MAN AND THE WASP:
“From the Marvel Cinematic Universe comes ANT-MAN AND THE WASP, a new chapter featuring heroes with the astonishing ability to shrink. In the aftermath of CAPTAIN AMERICA: CIVIL WAR, Scott Lang grapples with the consequences of his choices as both a Super Hero and a father. As he struggles to rebalance his home life with his responsibilities as Ant-Man, he’s confronted by Hope van Dyne and Dr. Hank Pym with an urgent new mission. Scott must once again put on the suit and learn to fight alongside the Wasp as the team works together to uncover secrets from the past.
ANT-MAN AND THE WASP is directed by Peyton Reed and stars Paul Rudd, Evangeline Lilly, Michael Pena, Walton Goggins, Bobby Cannavale, Judy Greer, Tip “T.I.” Harris, David Dastmalchian, Hannah John Kamen, Abby Ryder-Fortson, Randall Park, with Michelle Pfeiffer, with Laurence Fishburne and Michael Douglas.”
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California Grill Fast Facts
Located on the 15th floor of Disney’s Contemporary Resort, California Grill opened in 1995, starting a dining evolution for Walt Disney World Resort. A major makeover in fall 2013 transformed the dining room with a sleek contemporary look inspired by mid-century modern California design – again leading the way to a new era in Disney dining.
Mid-century modern describes mid-20th century design from about 1933 to 1955, a design that flourished in the 1950s and 1960s. A touch of Disney from that era is incorporated into the carpet design inspired by sketches of artist and Disney Legend Mary Blair, who created designs for Disney attractions such as it’s a small world. Reproductions of her art also will be displayed.
Dazzling view of the Magic Kingdom and nightly fireworks are part of the show, with music piped in and two outdoor decks for fireworks viewing.
1,600 bottles of wine in the state-of-the-art wine display. About 250 wines on the list, 80 by the glass. More than 20 sommeliers on staff.
Nine varieties of sake, eight kinds of craft beers and ciders, and signature cocktails exclusive to California Grill.
All-new onstage kitchen, two new communal dining tables that each seat 10 with a breathtaking view of the Magic Kingdom.
The popular sushi bar expands with a new, 12-course omakase menu. Omakase means “to entrust,” and there’s no menu, the chefs prepare fresh sushi dishes, often unusual creations.
Napa and Sonoma dining rooms available for private functions, as well as a private, glass-walled space in the main dining room.
Walt Disney World Resort includes more than 200 restaurants, more than any other single-site vacation destination in the world.
For reservations, visit www.disneyworld.com/dine or call 407-WDW-DINE (939-3463).
Disney Springs: Fast Facts, Fun Facts
LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. – A bustling metropolis of shopping, dining and entertainment locations, Disney Springs is the exciting reimagination of Downtown Disney. It consists of four neighborhoods: The Landing, Marketplace, West Side and Town Center.
The 120-acre Disney Springs is in the east-central portion of Walt Disney World Resort. Disney Springs borders the south shore of Lake Buena Vista at the intersection of Buena Vista Drive and Hotel Plaza Boulevard. The location dates to its March 22, 1975 opening as the Lake Buena Vista Shopping Village. Since then, it has taken several names in its evolution. Disney Springs was inspired by the welcoming, waterfront towns of the early 1900s; early Florida settlers were attracted by the springs and their natural beauty. “In Disney Springs, you enter more than a place to shop and dine,” said Keith Bradford, vice president of Disney Springs. “You enter a story–as only Disney can tell it.” The multi-year makeover from Downtown Disney to Disney Springs more than doubled the number of locations. Today, more than 150 venues call Disney Springs home.
Entertainment ranges from unique specialty acts to live music–in all, 25 different acts every night.
Shopping ranges from Disney-inspired merchandise to unique boutiques and top brand name retailers.
Uniqueness stamps many shopping/dining/entertainment venues. In Town Center, UNIQLO’s Disney Springs location is the first in the southeast U.S. for the Japanese retailer. Dessert lovers can order from a cupcake-dispensing ATM at Sprinkles. Guests to the rooftop lounge of the Coca-Cola Store can pick from more than 100 drink choices. Vintage cars drive right into the lake at The BOATHOUSE, among the waterfront restaurants and bars of The Landing. The LEGO Store, Rainforest Café, World of Disney and Dockside Margaritas help anchor Marketplace. Or guests go for strikes, spares and sushi at Splitsville Luxury Lanes (West Side).
Admission to Disney Springs is free. Disney Springs may be reached by car, bus, boat or via pedestrian bridge. Drivers can access either the Orange or Lime parking decks, steps from the action. Each is a “smart” garage: available parking spaces are designated by an overhead green light, eliminating the need for jockeying up and down rows of cars. Parking is free. Valet and preferred parking is available for a fee. Complimentary motorcoach service to Disney Springs is available to guests of Disney resort hotels and all four theme parks. Complimentary water taxis are available from several nearby Disney resort hotels; arrival docks are located at the Marketplace and The Landing neighborhoods.
Designated parking spaces for Guests with Disabilities are available in both the Orange and Lime garages. Wheelchair, ECV and stroller rentals are available in the nearby Sundries location at the Town Center bus loop.
Dining choices range from grab-and-go kiosks and food trucks to fast casual and table service. Disney Springs boasts five James Beard Award-winning chefs: Masaharu Morimoto (Morimoto Asia), Art Smith (Chef Art Smith’s Homecoming Kitchen and Southern Shine), Rick Bayless (Frontera Cocina), Tony Mantuano (Terralina – coming soon) and Wolfgang Puck (Wolfgang Puck Bar & Grill – coming soon). More than 50 food and beverage locations are open now, with more to come.
More than 57,000 recycled bricks from nearby Rollins College were used in the hardscape of The Landing, one of the four Disney Springs neighborhoods.
Featuring beautiful Spanish Revival architecture, the Town Center neighborhood utilized 15 shades of white paint.
The springs coursing through Town Center contains 1.2 million gallons of water. The distance from one end to the other is the same as the walk down Main Street, U.S.A. to Cinderella Castle in Magic Kingdom.
At the Marketplace, there are two “Hidden Mickeys” in the murals found inside World of Disney, the world’s largest Disney merchandise store.
Guests can source complete information about Disney Springs via the web site disneysprings.com