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A Big New Way to Play Comes to Disney’s Hollywood Studios this Summer: Toy Story Land!

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LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. (June 28, 2018) – It’s a joy-filled, toy-filled world as only Disney can create, and it opens June 30, 2018. The new Toy Story Land at Walt Disney World Resort, inspired by Pixar Animation Studios’ Toy Story films, turns guests of all ages into “honorary toys” and allows them to PLAY BIG in the whimsical world of a child’s imagination.

In Toy Story Land at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, Woody, Jessie, Buzz Lightyear, Slinky Dog, Green Army Men and other fun-loving Toy Story characters come to life in the outdoor setting of Andy’s backyard. A world of toys surrounds guests: giant building blocks, Tinkertoys, yo-yos, board-game pieces, dominoes, Scrabble tiles, and even a giant roller coaster set. The entire land encourages the best playtime ever.

Toy Story Land includes two all-new attractions and a new entrance for an enduring favorite. Guests hop on Slinky Dog for a family-friendly roller coaster ride, take a spin with the little green Aliens from Pizza Planet and go for the high score in midway games populated by beloved Toy Story toys.

Toy Story Land also celebrates what defines entertainment for kids of all ages. Crayola crayons, a Rubik’s Cube, Cooties, and other toys and games pour on the nostalgia for park-goers – and fascinate young ones. With building blocks around every corner, there are lampposts shaped like Tinkertoys and benches built from Lincoln Logs and K’nex pieces. A balsa-wood glider, a Barrel of Monkeys, giant playing cards and jacks add to the visual tapestry of the new land.

Sheriff Woody, standing nearly 20 feet tall, welcomes all to Toy Story Land by jauntily leaning on a tall assemblage of colorful wooden blocks, tipping his wide-brimmed hat to guests while holding onto his trusty lasso.

“With set pieces, staging, attractions and experiences, Toy Story Land represents the best of Walt Disney Imagineering’s collaboration with our storytelling partners at Pixar Animation Studios,” said Bob Chapek, Chairman of Disney Parks, Experiences and Consumer Products. “This new land will place guests inside the wondrous world of Woody, Buzz and their pals – and invite everyone to experience the joy of being a toy.”

Slinky Dog Dash

From his Dash & Dodge Mega Coaster Kit, Andy has assembled his roller coaster for maximum family fun. But instead of just using the roller coaster vehicle that came with the kit, Andy has put his Slinky Dog on the track. The result is a family-friendly thrill ride around the backyard that includes two launches. Tracks and supports in bright colors of red, orange, yellow and blue were snapped together according to Andy’s hand-drawn plans. Rex and Jessie helped by stringing lights above Andy’s stacked Jenga game pieces. To complete his creation, Andy picked everyone’s favorite floppy-eared dachshund with a stretching coil body – Slinky Dog – and dropped it onto the coaster track. Slinky Dog Dash is inspired by the delightful pooch spinoff of Slinky, the classic 1940s American toy. Riders of all ages delight as Slinky Dog bends and twists his coils around curves, over hills and down drops in the Slinky-est coaster ever. In each 18-passenger coaster train, riders zip around and above Toy Story Land, catching great vistas of all the new land has to offer. In a first for a Disney coaster, Slinky Dog Dash features a second launch at its midpoint as riders experience cool sound effects and spinning lights, darting through a series of rings on their way to the attraction’s finale featuring Wheezy, the squeaky penguin from the Toy Story films.

Alien Swirling Saucers

Brace yourself for out-of-this-world thrills, because the Aliens have powered up their flying saucers! Alien Swirling Saucers immerses guests in the playful world of Andy’s imagination. This galactic space toy is designed as a playset Andy won at the Pizza Planet restaurant. The adorable little green Aliens from Pixar Animation Studios’ Toy Story swirl about in toy rocket ships with guests in tow, while “The Claw” hangs overhead. Two sets of 11 saucer/rocket-ship pairings spin guests through a multi-colored galaxy to a raucous, energetic musical beat.

Toy Story Mania!

While Andy’s away, the toys will play! Toy Story Mania! – one of the most popular attractions at Disney’s Hollywood Studios – receives a colorful all-new entrance. Evoking the fun in store, the entrance is actually the box Andy’s Toy Story Mania! game came in. Recently updated with a third track, the attraction allows even more guests to experience the carnival playset action, using virtual objects from baseballs to cream pies to hit targets in a variety of whimsical, fast-paced scenarios. To the highest scorer go the bragging rights!

Woody’s Lunch Box

When it’s time for on-the-go refreshments, Woody’s Lunch Box serves tasty meals and old-fashioned soda floats from a walk-up window in a setting surrounded by Andy’s favorite toys and a giant vintage thermos. Order a grilled three-cheese sandwich, grab a seat under festooned lighting at a Tinkertoy table and take in the scene. You’ll even spot Sarge, the Green Army Men leader, in a tower on the lookout for Andy. Woody’s Lunch Box features Mini Babybel cheese – the Official Snack Cheese of Walt Disney World Resort. Babybel’s famous cheese wheel also provides inspiration for fun chairs and tables nearby.

Two merchandise locations – a toy camper and toy dump truck – offer shoppers logo merchandise, must-have collectibles and unique gifts sure to become long-lasting memories of their time in Toy Story Land. Special items sure to become guest favorites are small scale replica toys of the attraction vehicles, a Slinky Dog that can be a tabletop toy or double as a fashionable accessory, and colorful headbands sprouting an Alien or Slinky Dog himself.

To add to the fun, Woody, Jessie, Buzz and their pals appear throughout the land. The Green Army Drum Corps creates a playfully percussive rhythm, and Sarge and the Green Army Patrol march through the land, playing games with guests in a fun and interactive boot camp – ten-hut!

Toy Story Land is part of a multi-year reimagining of Disney’s Hollywood Studios and the largest expansion in the theme park’s history. Next year will see the premiere of the all-new, 14-acre Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge. This new land will allow guests to visit Black Spire Outpost, a remote trading port on the edge of wild space, where Star Wars characters and their stories come to life – and where guests will find themselves in the middle of the action. Also coming in 2019 is Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway. The first Mickey-themed ride-through attraction in Disney Parks history will feature new technology, dazzling visual effects and mind-boggling transformations that put guests in the wacky and unpredictable world of a Mickey Mouse cartoon short. Disney’s Hollywood Studios is transforming into a place where everyone can play together and experience their own adventures in the immersive worlds of their cinematic imagination

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Central Florida News

Orange County Arts & Cultural Affairs Presents ‘HYPE HAIR’ Exhibit by Peppermint Sandy in Downtown Orlando

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ORLANDO, Fla. (FNN) — Orange County Arts & Cultural Affairs will present “HYPE HAIR,” a new exhibition by multidisciplinary artist Peppermint Sandy, in the Atrium Gallery at the Orange County Administration Center in downtown Orlando.

The exhibit will be on display from June 11 through June 25, 2026, showcasing Sandy’s wearable sculptures and mixed-media works that explore beauty, fashion, culture, and identity through the lens of Black hair and lived experiences.

Opening Reception Scheduled June 11

An opening reception will be held Thursday, June 11, 2026, at the Orange County Administration Center.

  • Doors open at 5 p.m.
  • Program begins at 5:45 p.m.
  • Admission is free
  • Advance registration is requested

Exploring Beauty, Culture and Identity

Peppermint Sandy is a multidisciplinary artist whose work incorporates fabric, hair, textiles, and mixed media to examine cultural and societal perceptions of beauty, fashion, and personal identity.

“HYPE HAIR is a series of wearable sculptures inspired by not just my relationship with Black hair, but a dedication and love letter to all Black women and girls everywhere with our hair as well,” Sandy said. “From the beginning of time, Black hair is not only art, but a form of communication.”

The exhibition highlights the artistic, historical, and cultural significance of Black hair while celebrating self-expression and identity through contemporary art.

Exhibit Information

The exhibition will remain on display through June 25, 2026, in the Atrium Gallery at the Orange County Administration Center, located at 201 S. Rosalind Ave. in downtown Orlando.

The Administration Center is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., excluding holidays.

The exhibit is presented by Orange County Arts & Cultural Affairs as part of its ongoing commitment to showcasing diverse artistic voices and cultural perspectives throughout Central Florida.

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Entertainment

USF Credit Union Named Presenting Sponsor of ‘Rainbow To Your Door’ With $5,000 Challenge Match Grant

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ORLANDO, Fla. (FNN) — The production team behind Rainbow To Your Door announced that USF Credit Union has joined the upcoming theatrical production as its Presenting Sponsor, accompanied by a $5,000 Challenge Match Grant aimed at encouraging community support and helping fully fund the project.

The partnership reflects a shared commitment to arts, education, and community engagement across Central Florida. Organizers say the challenge grant will match community contributions dollar-for-dollar up to $5,000, helping expand public access and educational opportunities connected to the production.

Original Play Celebrates Florida’s Artistic Legacy

Rainbow To Your Door is an original stage production written by Los Angeles-based playwright Kenneth Brown. The play is inspired by the historic friendship and artistic exchange between acclaimed author and anthropologist Zora Neale Hurston and artist Jules André Smith.

Set in 1938 at the historic Maitland Art Center, the production explores the challenges, triumphs, and purpose of artists navigating a rapidly changing world while preserving their creative voices.

“This partnership represents more than sponsorship. It is an investment in storytelling, culture, and preserving the legacy of artistic voices that helped shape Florida’s creative identity,” Brown said. “We are incredibly grateful to USF Credit Union for believing in this vision and helping us create meaningful community impact through the arts.”

Challenge Match Campaign Aims to Fully Fund Production

As part of the sponsorship, USF Credit Union will provide a $5,000 Challenge Match Grant to encourage community participation and charitable giving. Production organizers say that once the matching goal is reached, Rainbow To Your Door will be fully funded.

Donations generated through the campaign will support expanded accessibility initiatives, educational programming, community outreach, and audience engagement efforts associated with the production.

“USF Credit Union is proud to support initiatives that enrich the communities we serve,” said Rick Skaggs, CEO of USF Credit Union. “Rainbow To Your Door reflects the power of culture, education, and the arts to inspire meaningful conversations and strengthen community connections.”

Production Scheduled for October 2026

Media relations and promotional efforts for the production are being coordinated by Fierce Entertainment.

Rainbow To Your Door is scheduled for Oct. 10–11, 2026, at the Timucua Arts Foundation in Orlando.

Additional information regarding ticket sales, sponsorship opportunities, and the community challenge campaign will be announced in the coming weeks.

Media Contact:
Rob Henlon
Fierce Entertainment
rob@alwaysfierce.com

For sponsorship information and production updates, visit Rainbow To Your Door.

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Central Florida News

FNN Honors Teen Reporter Isabella Schmitt as She Graduates and Pursues Communications Degree

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ORLANDO, Fla. (FNN) — Florida National News proudly celebrates Isabella Schmitt as she marks an important milestone with her high school graduation and prepares to begin an exciting new chapter pursuing Communications in college.

Over the years, Isabella has represented the next generation of young voices with professionalism, creativity, determination, and passion.

Through reporting opportunities, community involvement, and media experiences, she has continued to shine both on and off camera while inspiring others through her dedication and work ethic.

Jenny Rosario, Vice President of Florida National News, praised Isabella’s accomplishments and bright future ahead.

“Watching Isabella grow both personally and professionally has been truly inspiring,” Rosario said. “She represents the future of journalism, communications, and storytelling. Her passion, confidence, and commitment to making a positive impact through media are remarkable, and we are incredibly proud of all she has accomplished.”

Rosario added that Isabella’s decision to pursue Communications in college is a natural next step for someone with such strong talent and determination.

“The world of media and communications needs more young voices like Isabella’s,” Rosario said. “We know this is only the beginning of many great accomplishments to come.”

Florida National News congratulates Isabella Schmitt and the entire Class of 2026 on this exciting achievement.

“Keep dreaming big and telling stories that matter,” Rosario added.

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