Down to single digit day!

Toy Story Mania (yes, the name has changed at Hollywood Studios – the Midway Mania name is no more) may seem like a very boring pick because it is obviously an incredibly popular ride. But there are many reasons why we love this ride so much and why we will spend most of our day at the park riding it repeatedly – and wait in long lines just to ride it again (waiting in long lines is something we work hard to avoid, but this one can be worth it.)

If you are wondering what in the world I am talking about…Toy Story Mania is a 4-D attraction located in the new Toy Story Land. As you enter, you pick up 3-D glasses and board vehicles that will kind of spin around while moving through scenes that showcase carnival games. Attached to your vehicle are toy cannons with pull strings that allow you to play the games as you move through the ride. Stopping at each game, you fire simulated pies, darts, eggs, baseballs, etc. at the screen and accumulate points. What makes the attraction 4-D is that occasionally you will feel a blast of air and vibrations that make the game even more realistic. There are Toy Story characters in each scene to cheer you on. At the end of the game your score is revealed, and you can see how you measure up to the others in your car (as well as other players that have ridden throughout the day).

Fast passes can be difficult to come by for this one and the wait times often average well more than an hour, sometimes two or more. (Although, we have only been to the park once since Toy Story Land has opened and the wait times during that week were considerably lower.)

I believe it is so popular because guests (including my husband and myself) automatically want to ride again because they desire that higher score. We are constantly working on how we can achieve a higher score. Most of the monthly records set on Toy Story Mania (and we assume these are cast members’ scores) are over 500,000. Scoring over 300,000 is the highest we have reached and that has been accomplished by working together to uncover some of the hidden triggers. If you don’t want to know, don’t click this link, but tricks are actually a part of the game. Warning: It takes some real straight shootin’.

Even if you take the addicting game out of the attraction, the Imagineers went above and beyond for this ride. The theming is spot on – you feel like a toy that has found Andy’s room for a day of fun. Looking around at the size of the doors, windows, string lights, and games – you will always find something new. It also gives me a sense of nostalgia because so many of the games in Andy’s room could have been found in my own childhood bedroom (who didn’t have Tinkertoys and an Etch-a-Sketch back 30 years ago, well, 30ish years ago). It is fun walking through the queue and remembering some of the toys and games with fondness. There are also hilarious details you notice when you really immerse yourself in the surroundings and see it through Andy’s eyes.

Toy Story Mania is definitely a must-do attraction you and your family will love. Even if you have small children who may not be able to completely understand how to play the game, they will love the interaction with the characters and the spinning ride through the attraction.

Plus, Mr. Potato Head is awesome!