Hang onto your springs and coils because Slinky Dog Dash is one of the best family coasters Disney has to offer. This approximately 2-minute attraction stretches and bends over the 11-acre Toy Story Land, allowing guests a birds-eye vantage point of the toys below. The storyline of Slinky Dog Dash is that Andy has set up his Dash & Dodge Mega Coaster Play Kit in the backyard. However, when he is called away the toys will play!
Walking up to the attraction guests will notice Rex perched high above on a rather unstable tower of Jenga blocks trying to string up additional colorful Christmas lights — which can be quite tricky for one with such tiny arms. Thankfully, Jessie comes to his rescue climbing upon various building blocks to assist with the lights and creating quite the visual spectacle for all Pixar fans, in the photo shown below, you can almost hear Jessie shout “YEEHAW!” — Toy Story Land truly feels as if we’ve stumbled upon Andy’s toys in the midst of playing.
The guest queue and Fastpass entrance for Slinky Dog Dash features one of the first easter eggs, that being Buster’s dog tag with Andy’s home address (Buster if you recall, is Andy’s family dog). As guests continue in the queue they will notice numerous toy boxes creating the awning of the attraction, including one for Slinky noting him as the “original pull-toy”.
Additionally, the waiting area includes Andy’s original crayon-sketched plans, Green Army Men hiding, and even a toy box for Wheezy (noting that he is not a water toy — perhaps, that’s how he lost his squeaker). For those on the look-out for easter eggs hidden within the attraction, you’ll be pleasantly surprised with not only hidden Mickey’s but numerous Pixar references too, including stickers on Andy’s clipboard featuring Trixie, Buzz Lightyear Logo, Pizza Planet Logo, Rocky Gibraltar Logo, and a very worn ‘Triple-R Ranch’ sticker (shown below).
The easter eggs continue once you board your Slinky Dog Dash ride vehicle, as soon as you leave the loading station you’ll notice Rex’s toy box, in which he appears rather fearsome — a drastic comparison to the worrisome Rex we know and love. If you look closely upon Rex’s box you’ll see a retail sticker from ‘Al’s Toy Barn’ with the price of $19.95, as well as the numbers 11 and 22 in the top left and right corners of the label which signify the date November 22, 1995, when Toy Story was released into theaters (see below).
The coaster itself is comprised of two different sections, the first being my favorite, is a tad more thrilling with stomach-dropping dips and fast turns that will undoubtedly make you smile.
As you approach the second part of the attraction, the ride vehicles come to a standstill at the entrance of the ‘Power Booster Station’, at which point you’ll hear Slinky’s voice telling you to “hang on” as the ride launches you uphill and into a series of bunny hills or camelback humps as noted by Dave Minichiello, Executive Creative Director of Walt Disney Imagineering, “The first half of the ride is many swirls, turns and dips, and after the second launch comes a drop and camelback humps — as if you were playing with a Slinky Dog toy.”
Once the attraction slows and begins to pull into the loading platform, guests will be greeted by a specially created Audio-Animatronic figure of Wheezy, singing “You’ve Got a Friend in Me.” The short scene features various toys and books including wooden blocks spelling out F-U-N (which double as hidden speakers), a book featuring Mr. Pricklepants title “Songs for Singing'” (additional song titles can be seen in the photo below, with our favorite being “I’ve Chosen Lederhosen”), a Partly Cloudy book (based on the 2009 short film), Mr. Spell, and of course Mr. Mike.
If you have a keen eye, look high above as you re-enter the loading platform after riding the coaster and you’ll notice that the Dash & Dodge Mega Coaster Play Kit was manufactured in Emeryville, California (where Pixar Animation Studios is located).
I was lucky enough to ride the attraction numerous times — including an on-ride reaction video (embedded below). The ride itself is so fun (I honestly teared up knowing that our 4-year old son is going to love this family-friendly coaster), and just as I noted for Alien Swirling Saucers, Slinky Dog Dash is best at night. The “springy-dog” sounds, the lighting effects that chase Slinky as he dashes on the coaster are truly magical during the dusk/evening time-frame.
Even after riding and exploring the grounds of the attraction, I didn’t see everything which is a credit to the amazing teams of Walt Disney Imagineering and Pixar Animation Studios who created an immersive attraction that will keep you saying “Hey! I didn’t see that last time,” each time you ride.
Pixar Post — Julie
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