Friday, July 13, 2018

SLINKY DOG DASH


Toy Story Land at Walt Disney World Resort lets guests at its Hollywood Studios theme park have a wonderful playtime pretending they are toys.  The area themed after the popular PIXAR animated movies is decorated by Disney Imagineers so that people feel like they are toy-sized and walking through the backyard of the boy whose collection of playthings are the main characters in the Toy Story films.  A highlight of Toy Story Land is its roller coaster that features one of those toys from the movies as the star of the attraction … SLINKY DOG.

Slinky Dog Dash is a roller coaster playset that you as an honorary toy can ride when visiting Andy's backyard. It was assembled by Andy from his Dash & Dodge Mega Coaster Kit with one big alteration. He picked everyone’s favorite floppy-eared dachshund with a stretching coil body – Slinky Dog – and dropped it onto the coaster track to use as the roller coaster vehicle instead of the one that came with the kit. Remember, you are toy-sized and immersed among Andy's playthings while visiting Toy Story Land.

A Geek Daddy had the chance to ride Slinky Dog Dash during the Toy Story Land grand opening festivities and can say it is a very impressive ride.  Slinky Dog Dash is Disney World's first double launch roller coaster that incorporates a power booster so riders are shot off twice at different points on the track. When your Slinky Dog hits the midway point of the ride, the coaster stops, reverses a few yards, then shoots through multiple rings pulsing with sounds, spinners and flashing lights as it launches riders into the second act of the ride experience.



One of the really fun details about the ride is when approaching the boarding area you will notice Andy’s construction plans sketched out in Crayola crayon on notebook paper hung up to see. Glue bottles, empty toy boxes and stray coaster parts and pieces are also strewn all about the queue area. There are lots of great elements like these sprinkled all throughout Toy Story Land that are really exciting and entertaining to discover. Plus these touches help you feel as if you are a Toy Story toy yourself while exploring Andy's backyard.

Slinky Dog Dash


My 9 year old twins were so excited to be some of the first kids to be able to ride the Slinky Dog Dash during a special pre-opening event.  They LOVED it !!!!  In fact, both of them agreed that this roller coaster is now their favorite ride at Disney World. High praise indeed! Especially from kids who really aren't much of roller coaster enthusiasts.

While the speed and swoops of Slinky Dog Dash will absolutely get some butterflies fluttering in your stomach it isn't a scary ride at all.  The Slinky Dog theme provides a light hearted, unintimidating vibe to the roller coaster. Most people who meet the ride's 38 inch height requirement should have a good time on it.

Slinky Dog Dash Roller Coaster


With that in mind,  Slinky Dog Dash has earned A Geek Daddy nod of approval because it is an excellent ride for parents and children to enjoy together for some family fun.  My wife and I took a ride on Slinky Dog Dash with our kids and everyone was all smiles throughout it.  That may have been the most memorable family moment of this Walt Disney World Resort trip.



As you are soaring around the track, keep an eye out for Toy Story details surrounding the roller coaster.  For example, Andy built the Dash & Dodge Mega Coaster Kit around his Jenga game set. As the coaster swoops around, you'll notice Rex, the toy dinosaur, is precariously perched atop the unstable Jenga stack. He is trying to decorate a toy block city Andy also within the roller coaster's course by stringing up colored Christmas lights. A daunting task when you’re a dinosaur with short front arms but fortunately you will also see Jessie comes to his rescue helping to untangle and set up the lighting. By the way these lights actually illuminate Slinky Dog Dash at night and it is an impressive experience to ride the roller coaster when it is aglow in the dark.

Slinky Dog Roller Coaster

Slinky Dog Roller Coaster


Andy has also placed a special treat for his coaster’s finale. Wheezy, the squeaky toy penguin from the Toy Story films, serenades coaster riders with a rendition of “You’ve Got a Friend in Me.” This Audio-Animatronics figure of Wheezy created especially for Slinky Dog Dash is unique among all the Disney Parks located around the world. Completing the scene is a backdrop that includes a remote control car box, a Pick-Up Snakes game cannister and toy wooden blocks spelling out F-U-N – along with a towering book, Mr. Pricklepants’ “Songs for Singing,” compiled by the huggable hedgehog from Toy Story 3.

Wheezer


To wrap up, the Slinky Dog Dash at Toy Story Land in my opinion is the ultimate family-friendly roller coaster because it will delight kids + kids-at-heart. It has the speed and twists to be exhilarating yet isn't frightening. One of the smoothest riding roller coasters you'll find anywhere!

16 comments:

  1. What a blast! What a memory! To be the first to ride a new ride at a Disney park is so amazing!

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  2. My little grandsons would totally be into that ride. It does look like a fun ride for the entire family. That's one roller coaster I may not be too afraid to ride.

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  3. I like so want to go and visit Toy Story Land! It seems absolutely amazing and how cool does Slinky Dog Dash seem like it would be to ride!

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  4. This looks like loads of fun. My grandkids love roller coasters. The Slinky Dog Dash at Toy Story Land just made it to my bucket list.

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  5. Looks like a fun place with little kids. I kind of miss my kids when they were into these kind of rides.

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  6. My kids love roller coasters and would love to try this Slinky Dog coaster. It is great that Disney keeps inventing new areas of its parks for the new generations.

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  7. This attractions looks very cute. I love all the characters in Toy Story and Slinky Dog happens to be one of our favorites. :)

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  8. Now this sounds like a fun ride!! And correct me if I'm wrong but did I hear that a Toy Story FOUR was coming out???

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  9. We haven't been to Disney World in several years. We can't wait to visit and check out Toy Story Land!

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  10. It looks like loads of fun! It's also completely different from the one in Paris, which I think is awesome! This looks more exciting and definitely something to look forward to.

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  11. This looks like such a fun destination for the kids. I bet my daughters would have a blast here!!

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  12. This looks like a wonderful destination to take the kiddos. My family would love this!

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  13. That looks super fun! Can't wait to get back to Disney with both of my kids :D

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  14. I love Toy Story movie so I would love to visit this place too! Definitely be looking forward to be able to experience it too. Indeed such a place for family bondings!

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  15. I bet this was so much fun for the whole family. You photos look great! I would love to make the trip this year but it's just not in our budget.

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  16. Keep these posts coming! I have heard about that ride and would really like to ride it at some point.

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