Description And Comments

Toy Story Mania ushers in a whole new generation of Disney attractions: "virtual dark rides." Since Disneyland opened in 1955, ride vehicles have moved past two- and three-dimensional sets often populated by audio-animatronic figures. Designed by the Imagineers and constructed by skilled craftsmen, these amazingly detailed sets and robotic figures literally defined the Disney creative genius in attractions such as Pirates of the Caribbean, The Haunted Mansion, and Peter Pan's Flight. Now for Toy Story Mania, the elaborate sets and endearing AA characters are gone. Imagine long corridors, totally empty, covered with reflective material. There's almost nothing there...until you put on your special 3-D glasses. Instantly, the corridor is full and brimming with color, action, and activity, thanks to projected computer graphic (CG) images.

Conceptually, this is an interactive shooting gallery much like the Magic Kingdom's Buzz Lightyear's Space Ranger Spin, but in Toy Story Mania, your ride vehicle passes through a totally virtual midway, with booths offering such gems as ring tossing and ball throwing. You use a cannon on your ride vehicle to play as you move along from booth to booth. Unlike the laser guns in Buzz Lightyear, however, Toy Story Mania's cannons take advantage of CG image technology to toss rings, shoot balls, even throw eggs and pies. Each game booth is manned by a Toy Story character who is right beside you in 3-D glory cheering you on. In addition to 3-D imagery, you experience various smells, vehicle motion, wind and water spray. The ride begins with a training round to familiarize you with your cannon and the nature of the games, then continues through a number of "real" games in which you compete against your riding mate. The technology has the ability to self-adjust the level of difficulty according to each player's ability so that every rider is challenged.

Finally, and also of note, a new generation of so-called "living character" audio-animatronic figures debut in the preshow queuing area of Toy Story Mania. A six-foot-tall Mr. Potato Head breaks new ground for an audio-animatronics character by interacting with and talking to guests in real time (similar to Turtle Talk with Crush).

Reader reviews of Toy Story Mania! have been over-the-top enthusiastic. This praise from a Fanwood, New Jersey, reader is typical:

Toy Story Mania! is the best ride at Disney. The combo of a midway competition and the 3-D is an experience worth the 70-minute wait. Five stars from one teen and two over-30s!