Toy Story Land Is Here! 5 Hidden Gems at Disney's Awww-Inspiring New Destination
1. Popsicle-stick benches.
Michelle Tauber
Michelle Tauber is the Senior Editor overseeing Royals coverage at PEOPLE
Published on June 28, 2018 08:27 AM
Saddle up, blast off and reach for the sky: Toy Story Land is finally here.
The much-anticipated addition to Walt Disney World in Orlando opens on June 30, and it's brimming with tiny details, saturated colors and two new attractions inspired by the hit Pixar films: Slinky Dog Dash and Alien Swirling Saucers. Designed to "shrink" visitors to the size of a Green Army Man (about two inches tall!), the newest area at Disney's Hollywood Studios plays with scale like no other theme park before. PEOPLE got a sneak peek and uncovered five hidden gems worthy of Instagram — and beyond.
Matt Stroshane/Disney
1. Even the benches are on-theme.
Everywhere you look is designed by Disney's Imagineers to evoke childhood — including the benches. Some are made of oversized Lincoln Logs, others of dominoes, but the most delightful are the popsicle-stick benches, complete with pastel stains (minus the sticky residue). The benches first popped up at Hong Kong Disneyland Park and are making their U.S. debut.
2. Andy's imagination is everywhere.
The entire land pops visitors inside the backyard of Toy Story's star kid — and in the queue for the new Slinky Dog Dash roller coaster, guests get to go inside his imagination, too. A mash-up of familiar toys and games (Yahtzee!) and Andy's crayon-scribbled plans for the ride, it almost makes you forget about the Florida heat while you wait (almost).
3. You can wear a Slinky Dog on your head.
Move over, rose-gold mouse ears — there's a new must-have topper to up your Disney selfie game. And it comes with a spring-loaded tail. "We've done headbands at Disney parks for years," says Steven Miller, merchandise communications manager. "This is a fun twist." So's the shop itself: it's located inside a giant replica of a Little People Family Camper.
4. The pavement is playful.
To heighten the fun with oversized scale, Imagineers included Andy's giant footprints throughout the land. "As you go through, really take your time to look at all the details and the graphics," says Dave Minichiello, executive creative director of Toy Story Land. "There are photo ops everywhere here."
5. Nighttime is magic.
As eye-popping as the colors are by day, the 11-acre "backyard" really comes alive at night. Not unlike Andy's toys on a secret mission.
Newlyweds Sarah Hyland and Wells Adams Explore Magic Kingdom, Plus More Celebs at Disney Parks!
Launches We Love! Amanda Jane Jones Debuts Colorful Rug Collection with Revival, Plus More New Home Products
Tinx Opens Up About Her 'Cozy' New Home & Why She'll Be the Go-To House This Halloween
See Inside Erin and Ben Napier's New Country House: 'I Was in Love Immediately'
The Kardashian Kids' Best Birthday Party Themes
50 Things to Do, Eat & See in 2021—Now That We Can 'Finally' Travel Again!
Celebrity Foodies: See What the Stars Are Snacking on Today
Celebs at Home:'' Christina Haack Chills Out at Her New O.C. Pad & More!
PEOPLE Picks the Best New Books of the Week
The Best New Fashion Launches to Shop Right Now
Joanna Gaines Announces First Solo Memoir 'The Stories We Tell': 'Messy and Winding and Beautiful'
Former White House Press Secretary Says Classified Information Was Like a 'Shiny New Toy' to Donald Trump
Demi Lovato's 'Psychedelic' California Home Has a 'Shroom Room' and a Lounge for Her Squirrels — See Inside!
PEOPLE's 100 Companies that Care 2022: Meet the Employers Putting Their Communities First
All the Celebrity Weddings of 2022
Happily Ever After: See All of the Celebrity Weddings of 2021