The Toy Story Land project for DLP's Walt Disney Studios was still a rumour two weeks ago...until last week, when Meeko120103, somebody usually well informed revealed all about it on the DLP.info site forum. The news was then posted on the WDSFans web site as well as on Screamscape, and also on Disney Central Plaza and Mice Age forums, so i think we can say it's not really a secret anymore.
So, here is the program of this Toy Story Land, as described by Meeko120103 in his own words:
"Three attractions will appear between Tram Tour, the Costuming Building and Cars. Together they are TOY STORY PLAYLAND.
Walking down Route 66 you will see a giant Robot, holding Scrabble Letters forming TOY STORY PLAYLAND. The street will split up, left side leading to ARMY MEN PARACHUTE JUMP and SLINKY DOG Ride, the right one towards the forest (and future Expansion that the Imagineers still cook on ) and the RC RACER Halfpipe Coaster. Both ways lead around the SLINKY DOG Ride and connect behind it in front of RC RACER.
ARMY MEN PARACHUTE DROP
Imagine the Pearl Harbor set from Tram Tour and give it Toy Story Colors. A huge Babyphone will guide you to the entrance. Metal Army Barriers, a Toy Jeep and your way continues into a small hangar. Between the ride and Tram Tour you recognize an Airplane ( yes, Disney uses Extreme Makeover for old props ) The ride will take you up, 3 guests on each seat, up to 25 meters. (It's the height of Studio 1). Outside you may take pictures on a photo location like if you are jumping with a parachute.
SLINKY THE DOG
Between the parachutes and the costuming building (just behind the robot at the entrance) you find this ride. Compare it with a Music Express (carnival ride from Mack), but themed around Slinky chasing his tail around a fire hydrant in the center. Entering left hand (the left road) into a huge plastic woodlog building (in Toy Story 2 you have Mr and Mrs Potatohead kissing in it) you will passing along the famous Pixar Ball (the one with the yellow star), KNEX Construction Barriers, huge dominoes and play cubes to have a spin.
The ride is facing the forest and RC RACER, so even waiting you see a lot. Exiting on the right side you encounter Rex the Dinosaur and a barrel with the plastic monkeys forming a chain over the walkway.
RC RACER
Well, 35 meters high, looks like a huge horseshoe upside down. Why? Cause the top is nearly 95 degrees, so when the remote control car that you are seated in will stop on highest position, the only thing holding you in your seat is a lapbar. Literally! Entering the queueline you will follow a racetrack from Carrera, inclusive with black yellow striped barriers. Think Test Track, just walk on it. Leading around the ride you have enough time to see a lot of up and downs. After the ride you and sure a lot of (too) small children will enjoy taking a photo in a set with the remote controled car.
Got some idea? Ready for Toy Story? Maybe enjoy in some weeks already the changed Tram Tour that will sneak around this huge construction site. Instead of leaving straight towards Dinotopia, you make a big S-curved turn through parts of the forest. This is the backside of TOY STORY PLAYLAND; like this you get already some idea of the size of things."
For those of you who may not be familiar with what kind of rides are "music express" and a "half pipe coaster", here is a picture previously posted by the excellent WDSFANS site which explain pretty well what will be what. You will note that WDI already used the "music express" ride with another theming, outside the little Mermaid Lagoon at Tokyo Disney Sea.
This new Toy Story Land, although some keep saying it'll be open at the end of 2009 should in fact open in 2010 and of course will be part of the new attractions for next year season. The timing will be absolutely perfect as we know that the two first Toy Story movies will be released in 3D at the end of this year and early 2010, and the awaited Toy Story 3 will be released summer 2010 in Europe. So, next year will definitely be a "Toy Story" year.
Now, to be honest i'm still a little bit dubious about this project. Don't get me wrong, I am sure it will be successful and I am also sure that the Imagineers will do a wonderful Toy Story theming all over what are normally carnival rides. And i like also the idea of giant elements in front of which even adults will feel they are a child. I know, too, that the Walt Disney Studios desperately need a kind of "Fantasyland", and that each Disney park do have this kind of land - think about Bug's Land at DCA or Mermaid lagoon at TDS - but, considering the height of two of them - the parachute tower and the half pipe coaster - i sincerely hope there will not be any visual intrusion, whether it'll be at the WDS or DLP - the back of Frontierland is only at 200 yards from where these three attractions will be build...
By the way, talking about the Green Army men parachute jump, California Adventure fans will note that this attraction who was supposed to replace the Maliboomer before it was cancelled - picture of the DCA model above - will finally exist here in Paris, at the Walt Disney Studios - although the one for the WDS should probably have only "one" tower instead of three...
Everybody is expecting an official announcement of this Toy Story Land at the Share Holders meeting next month where renderings hopefully will be unveiled...i'll let you know. In the meantime, what do you think of this future WDS addition?
Pictures: copyright Disney-Pixar
it's gonna be so amazing xD
ReplyDeleteWell, at LEAST it's in the studios park. One of the best things about DLP is that things are where they belong, more or less. To date, Monsters Inc. and Pixar haven't invaded the DLP Magic Kingdom park, and Discoveryland, for instance, is still Discoveryland, not "Pixarland." Thematically, at least, it makes sense, though I'd also be worried about the height of the towers and coaster as seen from Frontierland.
ReplyDeleteMore E-ticket rides!!! No more C-ticket atracctions!! WDS its like a Fair park. WHAT WILL BE a DISNEY PARK SOME DAY???!!!
ReplyDeleteThe soldier's theming does not match with my image of Disneyland, nor do these C-ticket rides and some metal towers being installed. Although The studios parc may need more rides for smaller childres, a more sophisticated choice would have been possible...
ReplyDeletebarf. lazy imagineering.
ReplyDeleteI think its an ugly complement for WDS.. we can not need it. Better if save the money for a better update, like ratatouie or mermaid.
ReplyDeleteA much better attraction for WDS would be the Toy Story Mania attraction which has recently opended in the American parks.
ReplyDeleteI think any of us could manage this park and do a much better job. I have no idea why they keep shooting themselves in the foot over there.
ReplyDeleteIf any of this is true and its the fantasy of being in the world of Toy Story, this could be quite a hit.
ReplyDeleteThe reviews were mostly positive, praising both the technical innovation of the animation and the wit and sophistication of the screenplay. Good job and two thumbs up!My friends already bought the dvd at an online dvd store
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