The Disney Traveler

More hints and news about Disney’s Toy Story Mania ride that’s coming to Disney’s California Adventure and Walt Disney World (Disney’s Hollywood Studios to be exact) this summer has been leaked through an article in the New York Times. Here’s the description of Toy Story Mania from the New York Times:

“Riders, wearing 3-D glasses, board vehicles that careen through an old-fashioned carnival midway, operated by characters from the popular “Toy Story” film franchise. Vehicles stop at game booths — 56 giant screens programmed with 3-D animation from Pixar — and riders play virtual-reality versions of classic carnival games.”

Characters like Buzz Lightyear, Hamm the pig and Bo Peep will operate the carnival games while guests shoot their “spring action shooters” at various objects (remember, all while wearing 3D glasses). To add more interactivity, riders will be faced with distractions. For example, when a rider shoots one of the balloons at Bo Peep’s game, a blast of air is blown at the rider simulating air coming out of the balloon. Lights and sounds will also be incorporated into the ride to add to the carnival atmosphere and further distract riders.

Perhaps the biggest secret revealed in the New York Times article is the addition of Mr. Potato Head outside of the Toy Story Mania attraction. At 5′ tall, Mr. Potato Head will interact with guests acting as a carnival barker. Don Rickles (who voiced Mr. Potato Head in the Toy Story movies) recorded over 750 phrases and four songs for the animatronic Mr. Potato Head.

Using those recorded messages and a series of video cameras, a hidden cast member will operate Mr. Potato Head, so it seems like he’s interacting specifically with the people in line. For example, upon seeing a person in a red baseball hat in line, the cast member could turn Mr. Potato Head to face that guest and activate the pre-recorded phrase, “Hey, you in the red baseball hat.” Disney Imagineers are thrilled with how realistic Mr. Potato Head is.

Now I understand why the entire back section of Disney’s Hollywood Studios has been closed. It seems there has been more work going on outside of the old Who Wants to be a Millionaire building than anyone knew about before.

I can’t wait for this ride to open. It sounds like it’s going to be different than any other ride, and I’m sure lines will be long for awhile until the initial excitement dies down.

By the way, this is all going on while Pixar works on Toy Story 3, which is scheduled for release in 2010.

Tags: Walt Disney World, Disney’s Hollywood Studios, Disney’s California Adventure, Toy Story Mania, new Toy Story Ride Disney, Disney vacation, Disney rumors, Disney news

Comments Off