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PEOPLE & ARTS Saturday 30 June 2018

To Infinity: Toy Story Land opening at Disney in Florida

By FREIDA FRISARO and thermos.
Associated Press The park features primary
LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. (AP) colors and larger-than-life
— For children of the mid- versions of classic toys like
1990s, Disney’s new Toy Rubik’s Cube, colorful Coo-
Story Land offers the oppor- tie bugs, Scrabble letters,
tunity to visit the imaginary building blocks and Tinker-
world they grew up in. For toys. There are also bench-
their parents, it brings back es built from Lincoln Logs.
sweet memories of a magi- “We wanted to make this
cal time of toys and make- for all generations,” Minich-
believe. And for everyone iello said. “As you walk
else, the new theme park through you’ll probably
land offers a whimsical ex- discover a lot of toys you
perience from the moment played with as a child.”
a nearly 20-foot (6-meter) There’s a little bit of some-
statue of Sheriff Woody thing for everyone, said
welcomes guests as if they Tom Vazzana, show direc-
are honorary toys in An- tor for Toy Story Land enter-
dy’s backyard. “We are In this Saturday, June 23, 2018 photo, Jessie pulls on a string of giant lights tangled around Rex the tainment. “Buzz and Woody
welcoming everyone who dinosaur at Toy Story Land in Disney’s Hollywood Studios at Lake Buena Vista, Fla. and Jessie ... are out on the
has ever dreamed of be- Associated Press avenue,” interacting with
ing a part of their own ‘Toy moments and characters ket melt, old-fashioned ordered from a walk-up guests, stopping for photo
Story,’” said Bob Chapek, in the ‘Toy Story’ films in the soda floats and other re- window fashioned out of opportunities and signing
Disney’s chairman of parks, new land.” freshments which can be Andy’s vintage lunchbox autographs.q
experiences and consumer But you will find other fa-
products, speaking Friday vorite characters —Sheriff
at an opening ceremony. Woody, Buzz Lightyear, Jes-
The new 11-acre land in- sie, Slinky Dog, Mr. Potato
spired by the movie “Toy Head and the Green Army
Story” opens to the public Patrol — in the brightly col-
Saturday at Disney’s Hol- ored land, along with two
lywood Studios just outside new rides: Slinky Dog Dash
Orlando. Tim Allen, the and Alien Swirling Saucers.
voice of Buzz Aldrin in the They join the pre-existing
films, made a surprise guest Toy Story Mania ride, which
appearance at the Friday has been one of the most
event. “Somehow you popular attractions at Hol-
never imagined you would lywood Studios since it de-
be able to play in Andy’s buted in 2008. Toy Story
backyard,” Allen said. “This Mania gets a colorful new
is just amazing.” entrance in the new Toy
The opening of Toy Story Story Land. Once inside,
Land is one of the most guests “magically make a
anticipated events at U.S. transition,” appearing to
theme parks this year. And become equal in size to a
it continues Disney’s tradi- toy because of the scale
tion of bringing movies to of the attractions, said
life. Last year, Pandora- Minichiello. In fact, he add-
World of Avatar opened ed, “you are about the size
at the Florida theme park. of the Green Army Men.”
Next year, lands themed on The movie’s Green Army
“Star Wars” open at Disney Men are called the Green
parks here and in Califor- Army Patrol here. They
nia. But visitors to Toy Story have been updated to be
Land will never actually lay more inclusive and diverse
eyes on Andy, the human — including female char-
boy who owns the toys in acters. They also interact
the “Toy Story” films. Ac- with guests throughout the
cording to the park’s story park, saluting and even
line, he’s just been called performing fun games like
inside by his mother, leav- “Sarge Says,” inspired by
ing his toys — and you — the classic children’s game
scattered in the backyard. “Simon Says.”
“As in the ‘Toy Story’ films, In addition to the rides and
when the humans go characters, the Woody’s
away, the toys come to Lunchbox eatery offers
life,” said Dave Minichiello, some modern-day twists
executive creative director on classic foods. There is
of Toy Story Land. “We’ve the three-cheese grilled
tried to include most of the cheese sandwich, a bris-