Are you wondering what makes Disney Toy Story Land work for teens and tweens? Or maybe if it really is meant for them after all? TravelingMom of Many wondered the same thing! All of her kids, ages 6 to 11, had a ball at Toy Story Land!
The four Smith kids ALL loved the new Toy Story Land! Photo: Maria Smith, TravelingMom of Many
Is Disney Toy Story Land for Teens and Tweens? 5 Ways It Totally is!
1. Lets everyone be a kid.
2. Appeals to a sense of creativity.
3. The food is fantastic!
4. Fuel competitiveness with Toy Story Mania.
5. Check out the Alien Swirling Saucers ride profiles.
Toy Story Land is the newest addition to Hollywood Studios at Walt Disney World and recently opened to huge fanfare and anticipation. Inspired by Pixar Animation Studios’ Toy Story films, parents of small kids knew it was going to be a hit with the 48 inches and under crowd.
However, what many parents, including myself, didn’t know was that it would be a huge hit for the whole family. I was able to visit with my family when Toy Story Land opened (and was crazy excited to be there) and found it was a hit with my whole family. Here are five things about Toy Story Land that make it fun for older kids.
1. Lets everyone be a kid.
My 11-year-old agrees that there are plenty of reasons that make Disney Toy Story Land for teens and tweens! Photo: Maria Smith, TravelingMom of Many
One of the reasons that make Disney Toy Story Land for teens and tweens is that it can help these big kids forget they are big kids. Whether you are 3 or 13 or 103, you get to experience the joy of play again. Everyone is transformed into the size of a toy, so you literally get that feeling of being small. It allowed my tween the opportunity to let her burgeoning adulthood go and relish being a kid again.
In Toy Story Land, Woody, Jessie, Buzz Lightyear, and other fun Toy Story characters come to life in the most colorful setting. Have fun letting older kids check it out at night for a cooler feel and to find more details only visible at night. Make sure your teens look for the marching Green Army Drum Corps, as they engage guests in their interactive boot camp!
2. Appeals to a sense of creativity.
Riding Slinky Dog Dash in Toy Story Land is a must for the whole family! Photo: Maria Smith, TravelingMom of Many
Bright, loud primary colors dominate every surface of Toy Story Land. It takes everyone, even aloof teens, and precocious tweens back to those kindergarten days. Just walking in and being greeted by a 20 foot tall Woody is enough to help everyone remember the wistfulness of being a kid. I also encouraged my older two kids (11 and almost 10) to look for the tiny details for prevalent in Toy Story Land.
Andy’s Lunch Box is actually a gigantic lunch box and that really amused everyone. Then, they had a ball looking for all the creative ways the Imagineers incorporated the theme. Riding Slinky Dog Dash was so fun for everyone and all the extra details kept my oldest one excited.
3. The food is fantastic!
Like nachos, but with tater tots, Totchos Nachos is something you have got to try! Photo: Maria Smith, TravelingMom of Many
Woody’s Lunch Box is the newest fast-service, walk-up restaurant in Toy Story Land. Don’t look for your typical theme park food here though!
This adorable food stand serves unique items like S’mores French Toast for breakfast, hazelnut “Lunch Box Tarts”, and the surprisingly addictive Totchos Tater Tot Nachos. What don’t growing teens love about indulging in delicious, fun food?
4. Fuel competitiveness with Toy Story Mania.
Who’s going to win when you play against each other in Toy Story Mania. Photo: Maria Smith, TravelingMom of Many
Being able to (possibly) beat your parents in Toy Story Mania is another thing that makes Disney Toy Story Land for teens and tweens. This isn’t a new ride, but it did receive an updated entrance from inside Toy Story Land.
For anyone who likes video games, shooting bad guys, or trying to get the elusive high score, this ride is for you. Let older kids challenge their parents, other teens or themselves. As a bonus, younger kids who have spent some time in front of an Xbox can give older siblings a run for their money as well.
5. Check out the Alien Swirling Saucers ride profiles.
Photo: Maria Smith, TravelingMom of Many
Lest the teen or tween in your party complain about being bored, you will be glad to know the new ride Alien Swirling Saucers has multiple ride profiles. New music and ride motions accompany you on each turnaround. If you are lucky enough to get into Toy Story Land when the lines are low, let older kids ride multiple times and see if they can articulate the differences.
Everyone was all smiles heading into Toy Story Land. Photo: Maria Smith, TravelingMom of Many
Bottom Line: Is Disney Toy Story Land for Teens and Tweens?
Yes! Disney Toy Story Land is for teens and tweens. It allows guests of all ages to be honorary toys. Everyone gets to immerse themselves in the whimsical world of a child’s imagination. It really is a delightful addition to Disney World and I highly encourage a visit with your whole family.
Before you go, check out the 8 things you need to know about Toy Story Land as well as the surprising reason you will love this place.
Photo: Maria Smith, TravelingMom of Many
