The Disney Traveler

Central Florida’s local news station recently reported a hint as to what a new attraction at Disney-MGM Studios at the Walt Disney World Resort will include.  Rumors were finally put to rest in Disney’s 2006 annual shareholders’ report where concept art for a new attraction tentatively called Toy Story Mania was revealed. 

Reports state that the ride will take over the building formerly used for the Who Wants to Be a Millionaire attraction, which was immensely popular during the height of the “Who Wants to Be a Millionaire” television show on Walt Disney-owned ABC.  As ratings dropped for the television show so did interest in the attraction.  Ultimately, the doors closed on the ailing Who Wants to Be a Millionaire soundstage to make room for a new adventure, which has finally been unveiled as Toy Story Mania.

After visiting the Walt Disney corporate web site and viewing the Toy Story Mania concept art in the 2006 annual report, the ride looks like it will be similar to Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin, which is already a very popular ride at Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom.  The art does give the impression that Toy Story Mania will have a stronger focus on the character of Woody, Al’s Toy Barn, Pizza Planet and other aspects of the “Toy Story” movie franchise.  It appears the ride will also include three-dimensional effects as riders in the concept drawing are wearing 3D glasses.  However, in the same design as Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin, riders will be riding in cars on a track using what look like guns to shoot at different “Toy Story”-related scenes. 

It seems unusual that two similar rides based on the same movie would open at the Walt Disney World Resort.  Disney Imagineers never seem to disappoint guests with their exceptional ability to develop an extremely detailed ride from a story or movie theme.  Only time will tell how Toy Story Mania will be unique.

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