At Walt Disney World, the announcement of something new is usually a reason to book a plane ticket, open a crowd calendar, or panic-order a new Loungefly backpack. And sometimes, it’s… seats. Covered by a canopy. Finally.
After years of construction walls, near radio silence, and a surprisingly long wait, Toy Story Land in Disney’s Hollywood Studios has debuted a new feature that’s both underwhelming and long overdue. But first, some context.
Toy Story Land opened in 2018 to big fanfare, bringing guests into Andy’s backyard with attractions like Slinky Dog Dash and Alien Swirling Saucers. The land is pure childhood nostalgia, saturated in color and scale—but from day one, it was missing something crucial: shade. For a land set in the blazing Florida sun, the lack of weather protection quickly became a punchline.
Nowhere was that more obvious than at Woody’s Lunch Box. As the land’s only quick-service dining spot, it served fan-favorite Lunch Box Tarts and grilled cheese sandwiches—just without shelter from the heat or sudden downpours. When construction walls finally went up in early 2022 to address the issue, guests expected a quick fix. The reality, however, couldn’t have been more different.
Toy Story Land Gets a Partial Upgrade
Three years after construction began, the first phase of a shaded seating area has opened. The new canopy is colorful and fits the land’s playful aesthetic, but it only covers a portion of the space, leaving more work to be done.
The structure is elevated enough that it might not offer full rain coverage, but it’s a major improvement for anyone who’s tried to eat a hot sandwich while melting in the sun.
However, just for context: Universal Orlando Resort built Jurassic World VelociCoaster, an entire thrill ride with extensive theming and rockwork, in a similar amount of time.
Universal’s Epic Threat
This rollout—and its comically slow timeline—comes at a curious moment for Disney. Across town, Universal Orlando is prepping Epic Universe, a brand-new theme park set to open in May. With immersive lands themed to SUPER NINTENDO WORLD to Train Your Dragon, and The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, it’s one of the most ambitious theme park projects in decades.
Disney, meanwhile, is mid-pivot. While there are several big projects on the horizon—like a Monsters, Inc. area at Hollywood Studios and a Disney Villains land at Magic Kingdom—most haven’t even started construction, with opening dates a far off concept for now.
So yes, the new shaded seating at Woody’s Lunch Box may seem laughably small. But it’s also a sign, however subtle, that Disney is listening.
