Theme Park Headlines – Get Ready For the Mania

Image copyright Disney.

The next “E-Ticket” Disney extravaganza is anxiously waiting in the wings for its nearing opening date.



By Blake



Originally posted April 19, 2009.




If you’ve been reading the articles posted here on BlakeOnline over the past few months, then you’ve noticed that on more than one occasion I’ve brought up the highly-anticipated, soon-to-be-open interactive, 4D, “E-Ticket” attraction coming soon to Disney’s Hollywood Studios and Disney’s California Adventure, Toy Story Mania!.


The new ride, which was first announced in January 2007, is actually part of a three-year revival of the Toy Story film series. The first wave of this revival began on March 14, 2008, when the Toy Story crew debuted alongside other Pixar favorites in two immersive parades, Block Party Bash at Disney’s Hollywood Studios and the Pixar Play Parade at Disney’s California Adventure.

Block Party Bash at Disney's Hollywood Studios. Image copyright Disney.

Next up came the premiere of Toy Story – The Musical onboard one of Disney Cruise Line’s two ships, the Disney Wonder. The show features six new songs, as well as outstanding sets and amazing wardrobe. The world premiere of the new production featured appearances by Disney Parks president Jay Rasulo and Toy Story director John Lasseter.


Between now and the end of the revival in 2010 when Toy Story 3 premieres, is another huge element of the Toy Story revival. That’s where Toy Story Mania! comes into play.


The Disney’s Hollywood Studios version of the ride is set to open in late May, while the Disney’s California Adventure edition is supposedly opening in late June, though no specific opening date has been released.


So, now that you know when Toy Story Mania! is opening, don’t you want to know what all the hubbub is about?! Well, I’ll tell you anyway . . .


The ride’s story revolves around Andy (the boy from the Toy Story films) receiving a new carnival game play set for his birthday. While Andy’s away, the toys (including Woody, Buzz, Bo Peep, Rex, Hamm, Jessie, and others) have invited you to shrink down to their size and come play with them in Andy’s play set.

Imagineers take Toy Story Mania! for a test drive. Image copyright Disney.

Before guests enter the ride building, they’ll be greeted in line by an Audio-Animatronics version of Mr. Potato Head, who will actually interact with guests and carry on conversations with them (much like the technology used in Turtle Talk with Crush over at Epcot). In February, Don Rickles (the voice of Mr. Potato Head in the Toy Story films) recorded many lines of dialogue that will to bring Mr. Potato Head to life in front of guests.

Don Rickles with Mr. Potato Head. Image copyright Disney.

And, from the footage I’ve seen of a test run of the spud over at Disney’s California Adventure, the Mr. Potato Head encounter is gearing up to be a whole other experience within itself. For example, how’d you like to be zooming through the Fastpass line to have a talking potato yell at you “Hey, you in the blue baseball cap, no runnin’!” or “Wow, I love your shirt!” or something like that? I mean, he can even totally remove (and then put back on) his ear! Pretty neat, huh?


Once inside, guests will put on 3D glasses, board a ride vehicle, activate their spring-action shooters and play virtual carnival games with the Toy Story characters. The lineup of virtual activities includes “Pie Throw Practice,” “Hamm & Eggs,” “Bo Peep’s Baaa-loon Pop,” “Green Army Men Shoot Camp,”, and “Buzz Lightyear’s Flying Tossers.” Like Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin over at the Magic Kingdom, in Toy Story Mania! guests will have the opportunity to rack up points while playing the virtual games and compete against family members.


Just writing this article is getting me all ancy and wanting to ride! If Toy Story Mania! will be as exciting and fun as it has been promoted to be, then it sure is going to be on amazing ride! So you had better get your Fastpasses ready . . .




Related BlakeOnline articles:

• Disney Talk - The Return of Two Disney Classics (posted January 26, 2008)
• Theme Park Headlines - Reinventing Disney-MGM Studios (posted February 10, 2008)

By Blake; posted April 19, 2008. All images © Disney.