My Top 5 Toy Story Land Touring Tips

on Jul 02, 2019, Updated Mar 14, 2024

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Planning a visit to Walt Disney World this summer? Here are my top 5 Toy Story Land touring tips to keep your vacation magical and make the most of your first visit to Andy’s back yard.

On the heels of the release of Toy Story 4, Toy Story Land is celebrating its one year anniversary. We loved visiting last year in our custom Toy Story Disney family shirts using my son’s drawings and I can’t wait to go back later this month!

There are many ways to enjoy Toy Story Land on your Disney vacation from booking Early Morning Magic (see our full review here) before park opening to planning the best time of day and making FastPass+ selections.

This post contains affiliate links, which means I may make money on purchases made. Post updated from 3/2018.

If you want to prepare yourself mentally and practically for the summer crowds, check out my tips for having the best day ever in Toy Story Land. With a good attitude and a solid plan, the magical memories always win out.

If you have an upcoming trip planned, this post is for you. I’m spilling my secrets for navigating heavy crowds at Walt Disney World and having a great time in the process.

My Top 5 Toy Story Land Touring Tips

OK y’all. I’m giving you a peek inside my Disney planning brain. I’m told it can be a scary place but I always say get overwhelmed now and play later when it comes to planning a Walt Disney World vacation.

Even for those of us who have the privilege of visiting often, a good plan is a Disney mom’s best friend. The reason I recommend a borderline crazy amount of planning is because the last place I want to be is in the middle of a park with thousands of my closest friends and family trying to make a decision. This is not a winning strategy.

I like making decisions with a cup of coffee while sitting at my kitchen table. Then when we’re in the parks, we go on auto-pilot and follow the bouncing ball. In short, it works!

These Toy Story Land touring tips can be used anywhere around Disney Parks to make your vacation a breeze, but I consider them vital when visiting during a busy season. This is one trip where you just don’t want to wing it. Trust me!

It’s an exciting time but it’s also smart to be realistic. If you want to fully experience Toy Story Land this year, use these tips for a magical day.

Tip 1: Know the Park Hours including Extra Magic Hours

My number one tip is to make sure you know the park hours, including any Extra Magic Hours. Park hours can vary from day to day and the last thing you want to do is arrive an hour after everyone else.

For Guests who stay in select hotels, Extra Magic Hours are when the park opens early or stays open late for only those guests. This means locals and those not staying in a Disney Resort Hotel or other approved location won’t be allowed in the park at that time.

If you are staying on Disney property, morning Extra Magic Hours will be your best friend. And let me tell you, sometimes they are EARLY.

Some days have been scheduled to open at 7am and with the upcoming opening of Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge some days are even earlier.

So set your alarms, grab your coffee and get to Disney’s Hollywood Studios first thing for the lowest waits of the day. Even then, you may be waiting for an hour or more so be sure to keep reading. This time is going to be when you have the lowest crowd level.

TL;DR Know the park hours. Arrive at Disney’s Hollywood Studios 30-60 minutes before they open and walk straight to Toy Story Land as soon as they let you.

Tip 2: Make FastPass+ plans for the afternoon

Making your FastPass+ selections ahead of time for Toy Story Land is essential. If you are staying in a Disney Resort Hotel, you should be able to make your FastPass+ reservations 60 days prior to your arrival date. At this time, you may also book for the length of your stay.

I recommend starting with the last day of your trip first and working backwards to get the hard-to-book attractions. This would include anything in Toy Story Land, Pandora – The World of Avatar and Frozen.

Read: Top 5 Spots to feed a baby in Pandora – The World of Avatar

My favorite tip for planning FastPass+ is to make your selections for the afternoon as mornings are historically less crowded. My family is full of early risers so getting to the parks for that first hour or two is our golden ticket to a great day.

We enjoy the morning in the park, have lunch and use our FastPass+ selections in the afternoon to cut down on waiting and stay out of the sun during the hottest part of the day.

Tip 3: Prepare for waiting in Toy Story Land with Snacks and activities

Bring all the snacks! I’m talking pretzels, granola bars, gummies, water, apps, back-up phone chargers. All of it! A fun time in line is possible when you plan ahead. See what we always bring in our Disney World backpack to stay ahead of the game.

I also love the new Play Disney Parks app to enjoy the park while you are waiting. They really do think of everything!

Searching for hidden Mickeys is always fun. And remember, it’s Disney so even the line queues are themed and entertaining.

Tip 4: Mobile Ordering is your New BFF

Can you tell food is important to me? Being hangry in a theme park is no one’s idea of a good time. One of my top Toy Story Land touring tips is to decide what you will eat before you are super hungry.

Walt Disney World gave us a precious gift with the addition of mobile ordering in Walt Disney World parks. If you don’t know what that is, it’s pretty much what it sounds like.

You can choose from a select list of quick-service restaurants in the parks using the My Disney Experience app, place your order and pay with your credit card or dining plan. Then you will receive a notification from the app when your food is ready. Walk up to the pick-up line for mobile orders to get your food and you’re done!

Let me tell you, sitting at a table deciding what to eat is SO much better than trying to shout everyone’s order in a busy line. And at least for now, the pick-up lines are much shorter! It’s a total win.

Woody’s Lunch Box has mobile ordering and it’s an awesome tool! If you decide to eat elsewhere, there are quite a few other options in Disney’s Hollywood Studios to choose from as well.

Tip 5: Divide and Conquer for Attractions

If there is anyone in your party who won’t partake in the new attractions at Toy Story Land, make sure to inquire about Rider Switch. This is a fantastic offering for families who need to split up but don’t want to wait in line twice.

Basically, the first half of your party goes through the line, rides the attraction and leaves. Then the second party can return with a Rider Switch pass and skip the waiting (usually using the FastPass+ line).

Or if you have one thrill-seeker and one less adventurous kiddo like me, each parent can grab a kid and enjoy both Slinky Dog Dash and Alien Swirling Saucers at the same time.

At the end of the day and after all of this planning, it’s about family. That’s why we keep going back and that’s why we get so excited for new experiences.

That’s the magic of Disney!

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