Walt Disney World has never been afraid to make changes, even when it comes to some of its most popular themed lands.
From major attraction renovations to smaller updates that guests might not immediately notice, Disney continues finding ways to modernize its parks while keeping familiar experiences intact.
Now, Disney's Hollywood Studios is making another round of changes, and this time, Toy Story Land is getting some attention.
After eight years of welcoming guests into Andy's backyard, Disney has started removing original features and replacing them with updated versions.
While the changes don't involve shutting down any of the land's popular attractions, they represent another noticeable update to an area that has become a major part of Hollywood Studios.
And that's not all. Disney has also introduced a new character to Toy Story Land, giving returning visitors something else to discover.
Disney World Begins Replacing Toy Story Land Features
Toy Story Land officially opened at Disney's Hollywood Studios on June 30, 2018, bringing the world of Pixar's Toy Story(1995) to life in an entirely new way.
The land invites visitors to imagine they've shrunk to the size of a toy and stepped directly into Andy's backyard.
Oversized building blocks, colorful decorations, giant toys, and familiar characters help create an environment that feels different from almost anywhere else at Walt Disney World.
Since opening, Toy Story Land has become one of the busiest sections of Hollywood Studios, largely thanks to attractions such as Slinky Dog Dash, Alien Swirling Saucers, and Toy Story Mania!
However, eight years after its debut, Disney is beginning to replace some of the land's longtime fixtures.
According to reports from WDWMAGIC, Disney has started removing older trash cans throughout Toy Story Land and replacing them with new solar-powered containers.
The updated trash cans feature bright green, blue, and yellow colors that complement the land's oversized toy theme.
They also include hand-lettered labels identifying separate containers for waste and recycling.
Guests can already find the new additions near the large Woody statue at the entrance to Toy Story Land and around the Toy Story Mania! attraction building.
Although trash cans aren't exactly the first thing guests think about when planning a Disney vacation, their replacement is part of a much larger effort to modernize the parks.
And these new containers offer more than just a different appearance.
Disney Introduces New Technology to Hollywood Studios
The replacement trash cans are known as Bigbelly Smart Max units, and they operate differently from the traditional containers Disney has used for years.
One of their biggest features is solar-powered technology.
Instead of relying on traditional electrical connections, the containers use solar energy to operate their built-in equipment.
That allows Disney to place them throughout the park without installing additional electrical wiring.
The containers also feature sensors that monitor how much waste has accumulated inside.
Those sensors provide information about when the bins need to be emptied, helping cast members manage trash collection more efficiently.
This could be especially useful during busy periods when thousands of guests are moving through Hollywood Studios.
Another major difference involves the amount of trash each container can hold.
The new units feature built-in compactors that allow them to accommodate approximately five to 10 times more waste than traditional trash cans before requiring collection.
That means fewer collection trips may be necessary throughout the day.
For guests, the biggest benefit could be fewer overflowing trash cans and cleaner walkways, particularly during crowded afternoons.
Of course, the new containers still need to fit their surroundings.
Disney has designed the Toy Story Land versions to resemble colorful objects that belong in Andy's backyard rather than standard equipment.
It's a small detail, but one that helps preserve the immersive environment Disney created when the land opened.
Toy Story Land Isn't the Only Area Receiving Replacements
The new trash cans aren't exclusive to Toy Story Land.
Disney has already started introducing similar containers throughout other areas of Hollywood Studios, including Hollywood Boulevard and the park's entrance plaza.
The technology has also appeared at EPCOT, suggesting that Disney is gradually expanding the replacements across multiple locations.
Rather than giving every themed area identical containers, Disney has customized their appearance to complement each location.
For example, the Toy Story Land versions feature a more playful design than those installed along Hollywood Boulevard.
This allows the resort to introduce updated technology without completely abandoning the visual details that help distinguish one area from another.
While Disney hasn't provided a complete timeline for replacing every older trash can, the continued rollout suggests additional locations could receive the new equipment.
For longtime visitors, these changes might take some getting used to.
Traditional Disney trash cans have been part of the parks for decades, and their familiar appearance has become another recognizable detail of the Disney experience.
However, the newer technology offers practical benefits that could make waste collection easier for cast members.
And the replacement project isn't the only recent development happening inside Toy Story Land.
New Character Arrives at Alien Swirling Saucers
Along with the trash can replacements, Disney has welcomed a new character to Toy Story Land.
Lilypad, a character connected to Pixar's Toy Story 5 (2026), recently debuted near Alien Swirling Saucers.
The interactive character has taken on the role of DJ, bringing music and a new entertainment element to the attraction's surrounding area.
For guests familiar with Alien Swirling Saucers, the addition provides another reason to spend time near the ride.
The attraction already features colorful flying saucers, familiar green aliens, and music that helps bring its playful setting to life.
Now, Lilypad adds another personality to the experience.
The character's arrival also helps connect Toy Story Land with the latest chapter of the franchise.
Although the land opened several years before Toy Story 5 (2026), Disney can continue introducing newer characters and entertainment without needing to build an entirely new attraction.
For families returning to Hollywood Studios, that means there's something new to discover even if they've already experienced all three of Toy Story Land's rides.
It's also another example of Disney using smaller additions to keep established areas feeling fresh.
More Changes Continue at Disney's Hollywood Studios
Toy Story Land's latest updates come as Disney's Hollywood Studios continues evolving.
The park has experienced numerous changes over the years, with Disney introducing new attractions, updating existing experiences, and preparing for additional projects.
While replacing trash cans is considerably less dramatic than opening a roller coaster, these smaller improvements still play a role in maintaining the park.
Disney must balance the appearance of its themed environments with the practical needs of operating a destination that welcomes large crowds every day.
The new containers offer one way to accomplish that.
Meanwhile, Lilypad's arrival demonstrates how Disney can introduce entertainment that connects familiar themed lands with newer stories.
For now, guests visiting Toy Story Land can expect to see the colorful replacement bins in several locations, along with the new DJ near Alien Swirling Saucers.
None of the reported changes require guests to give up the land's major attractions.
Slinky Dog Dash, Alien Swirling Saucers, and Toy Story Mania! remain central parts of the experience.
Still, after eight years, even the smallest details of Andy's backyard are beginning to look a little different.
And as Disney continues modernizing Hollywood Studios, Toy Story Land likely won't be the last area to receive updates.
