Toy Story Mania Opens at Disney’s Hollywood Studios

With a grand opening scheduled for May 31, Disney’s Hollywood Studios has already initiated its “soft opening” for Toy Story Mania, an interactive attraction that combines the old-fashioned fun of a carnival midway with the hi-tech adventures of Woody, Buzz, and other beloved Toy Story characters. Using the space that was formerly occupied by the “Who Wants to be a Millionaire” game, Disney Pixar’s Toy Story gang takes visitors on fun-filled 4-D adventure that will make this attraction one of the highlights of any visit to Disney’s Hollywood Studios.

In many ways, Toy Story Mania takes the concept behind Magic Kingdom’s Buzz Lightyear ride and kicks it up a few notches. Riders must wear 3-D glasses to see the targets on the midway, while they pull on a spring-action shooter that launches virtual darts at balloons, rings at aliens, eggs at barnyard targets and much more. When time runs out on one game, the cars shift over to the next one, so players can continue testing their aiming skills and racking up points. Daily high scores are posted at the end of the ride.

With a new Block Party Bash Parade featuring characters from several Pixar movies and another Toy Story movie scheduled for theatrical release within the next year and a half, expect to see a lot more of Woody, Buzz and the gang around Disney’s Hollywood Studios.