Planning a Toy Story-Themed Trip to Disney World
I’m incredibly lucky to visit Walt Disney World several times a year, but even with all those trips under my belt, I know I’ll never see and do everything Disney has to offer. Because of that, I try to choose a fun theme for at least one Disney trip per year. This year, I kicked things off with a Princess-themed trip I’m planning for Annabelle, followed by a Pirates-themed trip to appeal to the adventurous. But today’s theme feels a bit more universal—because let’s be honest, every preschooler seems to have a Toy Story phase at some point.
And while Woody and Buzz will certainly make their appearance, I’m expanding this theme to include anything that’ll appeal to our aspiring cowboys and space rangers. After all, the joy is in creating a world where their imaginations can run wild.
WHERE TO STAY
All Star Movies – Value Resort
All Star Movies resort has five separate sections with larger-than-life icons from your favorite movies. The Toy Story Section is perfect for this itinerary. Although you can’t book a room by theme, you can book a preferred room and request the Toy Story section. Although it’s not guaranteed, I’ve never had the request denied, so you have a good shot at getting a room on-theme! Even if you don’t, the courtyard in this area is decorated with giant statues of the toys from Andy’s room, including Buzz Lightyear, Woody, Rex, and Bo Peep. It’s the perfect spot for photos!
Art of Animation – Value Resort
If you have a larger brood, the family suites at Art of Animation are a great option. There isn’t anything particularly Toy Story-esque about it, but two of the sections are themed to Cars and Finding Nemo, which are often appealing to Toy Story Fans. Plus, it also offers convenient access to Disney’s Hollywood Studios on the new skyliner, leaving plenty of room for little adventures hoping to visit new worlds at Galaxy’s Edge or romp through Andy’s backyard at Toy Story Land.
The Cabins at Fort Wilderness – Moderate Resort
Little cowpokes will love the rustic setting of the Fort Wilderness campground. If camping isn’t really your speed, they offer incredible cabins that sleep up to 6, and they even have a full kitchen! What makes this really appealing, though, is the Tri-Circle-D Ranch, where children 9 and up can saddle up for a horseback ride or even pet a pony! For more information on the activities that Fort Wilderness provides, check out this post.
Contemporary Resort – Deluxe Resort
For your little aspiring space rangers, Disney’s Contemporary Resort is a dream. Its clean, modern design feels futuristic on its own—but the real showstopper is the monorail gliding right through the middle of the resort. Book a Theme Park View room, and your balcony looks straight out over Tomorrowland.
And for families with younger kids (or grown-ups who also appreciate a good nap), the walking path to Magic Kingdom is a lifesaver. You can be back in your room in minutes for rest, snacks, or a quick reset before heading back out to save the galaxy.
WHERE TO EAT
Andy’s taken his lunch box and turned it into a backyard walk-up window serving tasty eats & treats—only at Toy Story Land! I love the grilled cheese and tomato soup at lunchtime, but the loaded potato barrels (aka tater tots) are my absolute favorite.
Round Up Rodeo
The newly-announced Roundup Rodeo BBQ Restaurant is bound to be a showstopper. If you’re looking forward to enjoying a backyard barbecue with Andy and his toys, though, you’ll likely have to wait until early 2021 due to covid-related closures.
Rustle up some grub at this Old West saloon! Tell tall tales over chicken fajitas, southwestern salad, and the bacon cheeseburger—all before riding off into the sunset to the taste of sweet treats like mini churros with dipping chocolate.
Round up the whole family for hearty Western fare with all-you-care-to-enjoy skillets and shenanigans! Junior gunslingers will find all kinds of shenanigans to get into: coloring, spirited sing-alongs, and even hobby horse races. And the wise-cracking wait staff will make sure that grownup cowpokes get in on the fun, too!
Explore a galaxy of enticing options from our out-of-this-world bacon cheeseburgers to chicken breast nuggets to plant-based sloppy joes. Plus, have a blast enjoying the stellar musical entertainment of Sonny Eclipse!
To begin your journey, board a special space elevator that will ascend to the stars! Along the way, viewports will give you an aerial view of Epcot as you travel high above the planet. Upon your arrival, you will dine from a menu featuring modern American cuisine, more than 1,000 bottles of the world’s finest wines and a wide selection of craft beer.
WHAT TO DO
Upon arrival, check in to your hotel, enjoy a fast, casual meal at the counter service restaurant, and then take Disney transportation over to EPCOT and enjoy a ride on Mission: Space using a Fastpass. End your day with a delicious dinner at Space 220 and ride Guardians of the Galaxy, set to open sometime in 2021.
Day Two is dedicated to the cowboy: head to Magic Kingdom early and blaze new trails in Frontierland, take a raft ride to Tom Sawyer’s Island, and spin a few tall tales of your own over lunch at Pecos Bill’s Tall Tale Cafe. Meet Woody and Jesse near the exit to Splash Mountain, and then take the boat over to Fort Wilderness for a pony ride. Finally, end the day with a leisurely boat ride to Wilderness Lodge and enjoy dinner at Whispering Canyon Cafe before moseying back to your hotel for the night.
Day 3 is the perfect plan for Toy Story lovers—after all, what Toy Story trip wouldn’t be complete without a day in Toy Story Land? As soon as the park opens, enjoy all 3 attractions (RC Racer, Slinky Dog Zigzag Spin, and Toy Soldiers Parachute Drop) before lunch at Woody’s Lunchbox and spend the afternoon meeting all your favorite characters. If you think you can’t get enough of TSL, make sure that your Fastpasses let you experience the attractions again in the evening after a delectable dinner at Round Up Rodeo.
Finally, on day 4, travel to infinity and beyond again before you depart. Head to Magic Kingdom as soon as it opens and enjoy some of the attractions in Tomorrowland. In addition to the Fastpass attractions recommended below, I would also check out the Astro-Orbitors and Tomorrowland Transit Authority. Then, grab lunch at Cosmic Ray’s before heading back to your hotel and catching the Magical Express for your evening flight.
FASTPASSES TO MAKE
Arrival Day – EPCOT
- Mission: Space
- Spaceship Earth
- Guardians of the Galaxy Coaster (when opened)
Day One – Magic Kingdom
- Thunder Mountain
Day Two – Disney’s Hollywood Studios
- Slinky Dog Dash
- Alien Swirling Saucers
- Toy Story Midway Mania
Day Three – Magic Kingdom
- Buzz Lightyear Space Ranger Spin
- Space Mountain
- Tomorrowland Speedway
Planning a themed trip to Disney is one of my favorite ways to make an exciting itinerary that doesn’t feel too overwhelming, but although traveling to infinity and beyond is great for some families, it isn’t perfect for everyone. Every family is different, and whether you want a themed itinerary or just a way into the magic, I’d be happy to help you plan the perfect Disney vacation!
Who is Christina?
Meet Christina Vieira, a Traveler, a Planner, and a Mom. She is also the owner of Showcase the World Travel, a modern travel agency that helps busy Moms take the vacation they deserve without adding “planning it all” to their to-do lists. After all, Mom should get to enjoy their vacation, too!
She specializes in Disney, the Caribbean, and Europe and has helped dozens of families have magical vacations that they will always remember. She loves traveling with her four-year-old daughter, Annabelle. Her favorite destinations include Walt Disney World, Wyoming, and Prague.
