Lake Buena Vista Archives

Walt Disney World Resort in Florida unveils attractions at Toy Story Land

May 2, 2018

Little green aliens in the Alien Swirling Saucers attraction at Toy Story Land — Alien Swirling Saucers at Toy Story Land (Photo by Matt Stroshane)

The following is a press release from Walt Disney World Resort:

As fans continue the countdown to the opening of Toy Story Land on June 30, more “toy-riffic” news is emerging as anticipation builds for the colorful new land coming to life at Disney’s Hollywood Studios.

Guests will “shrink” to the size of a toy as they enter into this land full of everyone’s favorite toys, building blocks and game pieces. Across eleven fun-filled acres designed to recreate Andy’s toy-filled backyard from the Disney•Pixar “Toy Story” films, guests will be fully engaged in the wonderful world where Woody, Buzz, Jessie and all their pals come out to play. Attractions and experiences straight from Andy’s imagination will treat park-goers to the best playtime ever – even after the Tinker Toy lights come on.

Sarge and the Green Army Men at Toy Story Land (Photo by Matt Stroshane)

Wheezy at Toy Story Land (Photo by Matt Stroshane)

Here’s some freshly unwrapped news:

Alien Swirling Saucers. Designed as a playset Andy won at the Pizza Planet restaurant, this all-new attraction is out-of-this-world fun. “Toy Story” green aliens have powered up their flying saucers and earthbound guests get to play along. In rocket ship toys, guests swirl and whirl among toy planets and space stations as part of the game while “The Claw” hangs overhead. This space adventure is bathed in multi-color lighting and sound effects from throughout the galaxies. NEW: Disney has released the first-ever images of the new attraction, showing the toy spaceships being piloted by everyone’s favorite aliens.
Ten-hut! Just announced, Sarge and the Green Army Man Drum Corps will be marching several times a day through Toy Story Land. As the Drum Corps marches on, everyone’s invited to follow another contingent of Green Army Men to their fun and interactive boot camp, where they’ll “toy” with guests using giant Pixar balls, oversized crayons and a game of SARGE SAYS (their own spin on Simon Says). Will guests have what it takes to become official recruits in Andy’s backyard?
Wheezy, the squeaky toy penguin from the “Toy Story” films, will do more than bring smiles to the faces of guests riding Slinky Dog Dash, the family-style coaster coming to Toy Story Land. The all-new Audio-Animatronics figure will appear in the last scene of the coaster singing “You’ve Got a Friend in Me” in that great (and unexpected) voice of his. Wheezy will be accompanied by his toy friends: Mike the tape recorder, who’s provided him with a microphone, and Mr. Spell, who “texts” funny commentary.
After a day of play in Andy’s backyard, guests can relive their memories with fun merchandise created especially for Toy Story Land. Just announced – headbands are crowned by three-eyed space aliens or Slinky Dog. Slinky Dog also inspires a toy with light-up rings; he can even strrreetch around the waist or shoulders and double as a fashion accessory. Kids get bragging rights with commemorative “I Played There” t-shirts that let the world know they were among the first guests to Toy Story Land. These and other playful items will be available in merchandise locations found in Toy Story Land and at select shops in Disney’s Hollywood Studios.

To learn more about Toy Story Land, visit DisneyWorld.com or call (407) 934-7639.

Walt Disney World Resort in Florida reveals menu for Toy Story Land

April 9, 2018

Toy Story Land at Walt Disney World Resort in Florida (Photo courtesy of Walt Disney World Resort)

The following is a press release from Walt Disney World Resort:

In the new Toy Story Land that opens June 30, 2018 at Walt Disney World Resort in Florida, the fun extends to food, and meal time comes with a heavy helping of nostalgia. Woody’s Lunch Box will serve up classic on-the-go menu items with a creative twist.

Located in Disney’s Hollywood Studios, the new 11-acre land brings to life all the magic and fun of the hit Disney●Pixar animated “Toy Story” franchise. In this land – inspired by Andy’s backyard from the films – guests “shrink” to the size of a toy and set off for thrills and laughs on three signature attractions.

Because, in Andy’s imagination, even toys have to grab a bite to eat now and then, he took a vintage Woody-themed lunch box and propped it open with a giant thermos to create a picnic for his green army men. While Andy’s away, Woody’s Lunch Box serves up tasty meals and old-fashioned soda floats. Guests will even spot green army men in a nearby lookout tower, standing watch for Andy’s return.

“Everyone has a special food memory, so it can be tricky putting a modern spin on the favorites,” explained Lenny DeGeorge, Concept Development Culinary Director for Walt Disney World. “We honored these classic dishes by using the best ingredients to elevate the flavors. How we constructed the sandwiches was important, such as layering the ingredients in a specific order, to maximize textures and flavors. Why have a cold sandwich when you can have a toasted hot, gooey, cheese-filled one?”

Here’s a sampling of menu items. With apologies to mom, lunch box cuisine was never like this!

S’more French Toast breakfast sandwich. Oozy goodness in a chocolate ganache- and marshmallow-stuffed French toast topped with graham cracker crumbles. Inspired by the classic American campfire treat.
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. Bite-sized potato barrels, corn chips, chili and queso. ‘Nuf said.
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 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

Healthier menu options include:

Smoked turkey, tomato, and lettuce on multigrain bread. The quintessential lunch box sandwich. To give it a kick of flavor, Disney chefs add a creamy Dijonnaise.
Banana Split Yogurt Parfait. Layers of banana-vanilla Greek yogurt (with a hint of honey), fresh bananas, strawberries, and pineapple topped with granola and chocolate chips. A delicious way to start the day!
Other healthy options available at Disney’s Hollywood Studios include fresh fruits and vegetables, salads, and grilled meats and fish.

Also on the menu for lunch is a Monte Cristo. Woody’s version of this classic sandwich has layers of ham, turkey, Swiss cheese, and raspberry jam…and is grilled to a golden brown. Kids’ offerings include grilled cheese sandwich or turkey sandwich, both with potato barrels and mandarin oranges. Sides include 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 Lunch Box at Disney’s Hollywood Studios will dish up nostalgia daily beginning June 30, from park open until the toys close up shop – that is, park close. Disney Dining Plan accepted.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=be0kv08cQYQ

Pandora – The World of Avatar at Disney’s Animal Kingdom announces opening date at Walt Disney World Resort

March 10, 2017

Pandora at Disney Animal Kingdom at Walt Disney Resort in Lake Buena Vista, Florida (Rendering courtesy of Walt Disney World Resort)

The following is a press release from Walt Disney World Resort:

Pandora – The World of Avatar at Disney’s Animal Kingdom opens May 27, 2017 at Walt Disney World Resort in Lake Buena Vista, Florida. The all-new land will immerse guests in a mystical world of massive floating mountains, bioluminescent rainforests and breathtaking new experiences.

The largest addition in the history of Disney’s Animal Kingdom, Pandora carries on the park’s tradition of celebrating the intrinsic value of nature, transformation through adventure and a personal call to action.

Based on Oscar-winning filmmaker James Cameron’s record-breaking box-office hit, “Avatar,” the new land welcomes guests to the lush world of Pandora long after the human conflict with the native Na’vi inhabitants has ended. The dramatic daytime beauty of the land transforms to glow by night when bioluminescent flora and intricate nighttime experiences add a dreamlike quality to Pandora.

Pandora – The World of Avatar is a creative collaboration of Walt Disney Imagineering, Cameron and Cameron’s Lightstorm Entertainment.

“We are taking our guests on a journey to this world in an experience that’s as realistic and immersive as possible,” says Joe Rohde, Walt Disney Imagineering portfolio creative executive. “In the movie, the world of Pandora is a setting for the action and characters whose story we follow. Here, guests are the primary characters immersed in an extremely vivid, authentic experience.”

Guests to Disney’s Animal Kingdom cross the park’s Discovery River into Pandora – The World of Avatar and continue along a winding rainforest path for their first glimpse of the land’s iconic floating mountains.

“When guests come across the bridge, they are transferred light-years away, to the Alpha-Centauri solar system and Pandora,” says Jon Landau, “Avatar” producer, Lightstorm Entertainment. “It’s an otherworldly, fully-themed experience.”

As guests explore the verdant terrain sprawling beneath mountains that appear to float in the sky, they see waterfalls cascading down the mountainside into meandering streams and pools, and they discover two thrilling new expeditions: Avatar Flight of Passage and Na’vi River Journey.

Avatar Flight of Passage launches each guest on an exhilarating, wind-in-your-face experience on a winged mountain banshee over the awe-inspiring world of Pandora. Guests will actually feel the banshee breathe beneath them as they soar through the forest and past floating mountains. What was a rite of passage for Na’vi in Cameron’s film becomes a multisensory experience for guests seeking the ultimate adventure – a faceoff with the most feared predator of Pandora, the Great Leonopteryx.

On the family-friendly Na’vi River Journey, guests travel down a sacred river deep into a bioluminescent rainforest. The eight-seat reed boats float past exotic glowing plants and Pandoran creatures into the midst of a musical Na’vi ceremony. The mystical journey culminates in an encounter with a breathtakingly realistic Na’vi Shaman of Songs who is deeply connected with Pandora’s life force and sends positive energy through her music into the forest.

“The Pandora landscape will be alive with creatures,” Rohde says. “We’re bringing to life everything from the largest creature you might encounter to the most microscopic. Animals will appear out of the underbrush – big Pandoran animals will appear at the edge of the forest and you’ll hear the very complicated calls they issue back and forth.”

The thriving Pandoran landscape conveys intrinsic park messages of the value of nature, transformation through adventure and conservation and stewardship.

The artful storytelling in Pandora continues as guests stop for sustenance at the land’s Satu’li Canteen (pronounced “Sa-too-lee”), a Quonset-hut-style building. The fast-casual restaurant is inspired the healthful bounty of Pandora – wholesome grains, fresh vegetables, and hearty proteins. Guests can grab a drink at nearby Pongu Pongu.

Windtraders is a shopper’s delight where guests can choose from Na’vi cultural items, toys, science kits and more.

Authenticity and realism were drivers in the creation of Pandora, and the result is a world beyond belief.

“The attractions have very deliberate emotional moments crafted into them, the way a good story does, the way a good film does.” Rohde says. “It’s not as simple as just coming to a place that looks realistic. It’s a place that’s been deliberately imbued with the emotions of awe, of wonder, of respect, of harmony.”