Toy Story Mania and WDW News Today in the News

WDWNT Author on March 18, 2008

All of us here at WDW News Today were over-joyed to discover that we were recently mentioned and linked to by the Los Angeles Times pertaining to Toy Story Mania. The article also features the very first review of the attraction, even though it is a review of the California Adventure version rather than the Walt Disney World version that will debut at Disney’s Hollywood Studios in May. You can read the LA Times review and check out our link by going HERE.

Details Emerging on Toy Story Mania

WDWNT Author on March 17, 2008

Here are some details emerging on Toy Story Mania at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, opening soon:

-The vehicles for the attraction will be called “Toy Story Trams” and will be equipped with “Spring Action Shooters”.

-Each vehicle will feature the name and picture of a different Toy Story film character.

-The inside queue will reportedly carry on the theme of the real-life Pixar Studios.

-A new Pixar Studio Store will be located on Pixar Place, selling a lot of merchandise from the new attraction and other Disney-Pixar films.

While none of the previous notes are confirmed, they are all highly likely. Stay tuned to WDW News Today as more information on Toy Story Mania becomes available.

Toy Story Mania Preview

WDWNT Author on March 12, 2008

Here is a video previewing the upcoming Toy Story Mania attraction at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, scheduled to open “summer” 2008:

The video features the ride vehicles in motion and gives you a pretty good idea of how the spring action cannons operate. Rumors suggest soft-openings for the attraction should begin by April 2008, with an expected opening sometime near Memorial Day weekend.

News & Notes From Mickey Monitor

WDWNT Author on February 10, 2008

Here are some notable news bites from the annual passholder publication, The Mickey Monitor:

-In Toy Story Mania at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, vehicles will make full stops at various booths, giving guests a little more time to experience each of the attractions various shooting games.

-As stated a few months ago, some of the Toy Story Mania attraction’s show scenes will feature special effects that are activated as you hit various targets, such as blasts of air and water.

-Dates for Annual Passholder previews of Toy Story Mania should be announced soon. Stay tuned to WDW News Today for more information.

-Annual Passholders can purchase discount tickets and get VIP fireworks seating during some upcoming Pirate and Princess Parties at the Magic Kingdom by going to disneyworld.com/passholder

-Using four vouchers in the Mickey Monitor, passholders can pick up a set of four special lithographs made just for them at all four Walt Disney World Resort theme parks.

Toy Story Mania Update

WDWNT Author on February 3, 2008

News has been slow about the upcoming Toy Story Mania attraction at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, but here are some small bits of information we have been able to pick up on:

-The new Pixar Place area is expected to be open sometime between March 20 and April 1, 2008.

-Soft Openings for Toy Story Mania are expected to begin between April 15 and May 1, 2008.

-The official opening of the attraction should be during the second week of June at both Disney’s Hollywood Studios at Walt Disney World and Disney’s California Adventure at the Disneyland Resort.

We will try to provide more on the attraction as we get closer to opening day. None of the notes above have been officially confirmed, but are highly likely.

More Toys in 3-D???

WDWNT Author on January 25, 2008

As if Toy Story Mania at Disney’s Hollywood Studios wasn’t enough for Toy Story fans to handle in three dimensions, they may have all three films in the series popping at them in in 2009 and 2010, according to Variety:

The Mouse House is giving Pixar’s “Toy Story” franchise the 3-D treatment.

Studio will re-release “Toy Story” in 3-D on Oct. 2, 2009., while its sequel will bow in the format on Feb. 12, 2010.

The two pics will lead up to the newest entry “Toy Story 3,” which is set for June 18, 2010, and will also be shown in 3-D. Lee Unkrich (co-director of “Toy Story 2”) is helming.

Move is part of the Mouse’s aggressive plans to release more of its animated, stop-motion or performance capture pics in the 3-D format. “The Nightmare Before Christmas,” “Chicken Little,” “Meet the Robinsons” were given the 3-D treatment, while its upcoming “Frankenweenie” from Tim Burton, “Bolt” and “A Christmas Carol” will also be shown in the format.

Studio said John Lasseter, who directed the first two “Toy Story” pics, and serves as chief creative officer for Disney and Pixar Animation Studios, will oversee the creative side of the 3-D conversions for “Toy Story” and “Toy Story 2.”

It’s Not Christmas Without Toys

WDWNT Author on December 25, 2007

Giving explanation for the concept art released earlier this year, Laughingplace.com is reporting that a new Toy Story Musical will begin playing on the Disney Cruise Line this coming March. Aa most of you may know, opening in the summer of 2008 at Disney’s California Adventure and Disney’s Hollywood Studios is Toy Story “Midway” Mania, an interactive attraction based on the 1995 Pixar film. It appears that Disney is trying to reintroduce the Toy Story characters to the world before the release of Toy Story 3 in the not so distant future.