Toy Story Mania! was inspired by the Disney·Pixar films "Toy Story" and Toy Story 2." As you well know, when Andy is away, the toys will play... and so can you! Step inside the attraction for a larger-than-life glimpse inside Andy's toy box, don 3-D glasses and be prepared to be challenged by Toy Story's characters (and other guests) in interactive games during a wild and wooly ride. The technically advanced ride is interactive genius — a truly amazing adventure that will have you wanting to ride again and again.
Ride and Play Toy Story Mania!
Remember that Andy got a "Midway Games Play Set" for his latest birthday and the toys jumped at the chance to open the box and set up the game booths and carnival trams so everyone could ride and play. That means "no assembly required" for the game-playing guests... you!
Guests enter the attraction through the maze of Andy's toy chest with larger-than-life toys scattered about, but it is a more than five foot tall audio-animatronics Mr. Potato Head that, as a perfect carnival barker, encourages everyone to "step right up" for the wild and wooly ride experience.
Once you don the 3-D glasses, the high-energy ride takes you on a colorful route through Andy's bedroom. The carnival tram ride vehicles seat two on each side so that at each twist and turn everyone has a front row seat for the action. The vehicles angle to face Toy Story Mania! game booths.
The game booths are high-tech virtual versions of classic midway games of skill — five in all, plus a practice round:
- Pie Throw Practice allows guests to try splattering targets with virtual pies.
- Launch plastic virtual eggs at various barnyard targets at the Hamm & Eggs booth.
- Balloon sheep, trees and other objects are the targets for virtual darts at Bo Peep's Baaa-loon Pop.
- Break plates with virtual baseballs at Green Army Men Shoot Camp.
- Toss rings at Little Green Aliens at Buzz Lightyear's Flying Tossers.
- The grand finale game, Woody's Rootin' Tootin' Shootin' Gallery, shoot virtual suction-cup darts at targets. A final Woody's Bonus Roundup encourages one last rapid-fire at a super target for extra points.
High-energy, interactive... and so much fun!
© The Walt Disney Company
"It's a ride that's a game. It's a game that's a ride," Mr. Potato Head exclaims to guests. "Step right up and see what's inside." Not knowing exactly what to expect next, I grabbed a pair of bright yellow 3-D glasses and stepped into the Toy Story Mania! carnival tram ride vehicle. I pulled down the safety bar and put on the glasses... and we were off in a flash. Initially, the ride reminded me of the Magic Kingdom's Mr. Toad's Wild Ride — it was a bit jerky. The spins left me disoriented and I completely missed the supposed-to-be-obvious fact that we were in Andy's bedroom. A little slower start (or maybe a second more of a pause) might have allowed me to get my bearings and take in the oversized murals and toys. I might have felt more... well, more toy-like.
As the vehicle stopped for each midway game, it was easy to operate the on-board spring-action shooter. I can't say that the targets were easy to hit (my score wasn't all that good), but the virtual targets interacted with each successful hit. They either fell over, popped, broke, flew away or otherwise interacted. A popped virtual water balloon even added a 4-D wet dimension to the game.
When the scores were tallied, my total score and skill level were posted. Compared to others, my score was low, but this is like one of those Mastercard moments... the experience was priceless!
Pssst... did you know? Tips, tricks & details.
Toy Story Mania! is located at Disney's Hollywood Studios (formerly Disney-MGM Studios) behind the sorcerer's hat (in the former location of Who Wants To Be A Millionaire: Play It!).
Besides Mr. Potato Head, several of the larger-than-life toys took me back a few years. Yet, most of the toys are classics that are still recognizable to most all ages.
Although this is a family attraction with no height or age restrictions, the ride is probably not suitable for babies (there is no lap seating) or children small enough to topple over during the spins.
To keep the experience fun for all, flash photography or video is not allowed on the Toy Story Mania! ride.
Toy Story Mania! is a FASTPASS attraction, offering little or no waiting time with a return voucher.
Toy Story Mania! is wheelchair accessible and wheelchair bound guests can either stay in their wheelchair and be wheeled onto a carnival tram vehicle or step in.
In each of the Toy Story Mania! games, there is at least one "easter egg" — targets that can trigger the appearance of bonus high-value targets and other changes in the scene.
