In Toy Story, we get a peek into the secret lives of Andy’s toys. And when we ride Slinky Dog Dash at Hollywood Studios, we get the chance to find out what it’s like to be a toy — except for us, it’s probably way more fun.
Toy Story Land is one of Walt Disney World’s most impressively themed lands, and Slinky Dog Dash is the most popular attraction guests will find there. Everyone wants to ride this smooth, kid-friendly coaster that’s filled with little details to show that it’s actually a toy that Andy built (and customized) for his toys to ride in his backyard.
If you’re looking for a few thrills, love to see familiar characters, and enjoy some solid ’90s nostalgia, this is the ride for you.
Shrink yourself down to the size of a toy, and join us on our guide to Slinky Dog Dash.
Slinky Dog Dash Quick Facts
Description: Slinky Dog Dash is a smooth, easy to ride roller coaster with several small drops themed after the Toy Story franchise.
After you board Slinky Dog himself, you’ll be sent speeding down the colorful track through Andy’s backyard. Along the way, you’ll run into a few familiar characters from the movie as you feel the wind in your hair. This coaster is more funny than scary, and offers some awesome views of Toy Story Land and Galaxy’s Edge.
Location
You can find Slinky Dog Dash right in the middle of Toy Story Land, across from Toy Story Mania. Once you enter the land, you won’t be able to miss the ride’s track. Here’s the location on the map.
How to Ride Slinky Dog Dash
At Slinky Dog Dash, there is a Lightning Lane and a Standby Line. There is no Single Rider Line.
If you’re planning to use the standby line, it’s important to get in line at rope drop or ride this one during early entry if possible to avoid a long wait.
After all, this is one of the most popular rides at Hollywood Studios, and throughout the day, Slinky Dog Dash regularly has waits over one hour, with the busiest times of the day seeing waits upwards of 80 minutes.
If you miss out on that rope drop opportunity, you may have better luck hopping in line in the last hour before the park closes for the day, and you’ll get the chance to see the land lit up at night, thanks to the colorful lights Andy strung up in his yard.
Do I need to use Genie+ at Slinky Dog Dash?
Considering how consistently popular Slinky Dog Dash has been since it opened in 2018, this ride is one of the best uses of Genie+ at the park.
When it comes to Lightning Lanes, this ride is a popular choice, so it’s a good idea to make it a priority when you’re making your first selection of the day.
During the busiest times of the year, Lightning Lane for Slinky Dog Dash may sell out, or you may end up getting a ride time that is much later in the day, even if you are on the My Disney Experience app as soon as the selections open for the day. In that case, keep refreshing — more time slots may pop up throughout the day, so check often.
Make sure you check out our touring strategies for Hollywood Studios for more Genie+ advice.
Rider Switch/Child Swap
You can use Rider Switch for Slinky Dog Dash. Rider Switch is Disney’s system that allows guests with small children to take turns riding bigger rides, while another person/people wait with the little one.
Fortunately, there are many things to do around the land while you wait that will keep both you and the kiddo in question entertained, like grabbing a snack at Woody’s Lunch Box, meeting Buzz Lightyear or Woody, or doing a little shopping at Jessie’s Trading Post.
What to expect when you ride
Queue
Though you may end up getting bored if you stand in it for awhile, the queue for Slinky Dog Dash is a pretty adorable one.
There are plenty of Toy Story references to be discovered here, along with little details that remind you that you are now the size of a toy who is about to board a coaster constructed by a child (good luck).
While the entire queue is outdoors, part of it is covered and part of it is not, and the uncovered part can get quite hot in the Florida sun.
Make sure you pay attention to all of the details, because they are all intentional and so fun.
Between the Elmer’s glue bottle and the Slinky Dog Dash & Dodge Mega Coaster Kit instructions, there is so much to absorb.
There is also an interactive queue that guests can enjoy courtesy of the Play Disney Parks app, so make sure your smart device is charged, especially since wait times can be lengthy.
Ride Vehicles
The ride vehicles on Slinky Dog Dash are one of the best parts of the ride, because they actually look like the character from the franchise.
With Slinky’s head at the front and his tail at the back, you’ll climb into seats (which each sit two people side by side) in the segments of the Slinky part of his body.
Once you’re seated, there are individual lap bars for each guest to pull down for safety purposes. A small plastic hump sits between the riders in each car to prevent sliding.
No matter where you sit on this ride, you’ll have a fun experience, but some guests believe that sitting near Slinky’s tail offers the most thrilling experience, while in the very first seat, little ones’ views may be a bit blocked by his head.
Accessibility Information
When riding, guests in ECVs must transfer to a wheelchair, and then a ride vehicle.
Slinky Dog Dash does have an ADA car that may make the transfer part a bit easier, since the other cars do have a step up to get into the seat.
Service animals are not permitted on this ride, and expectant mothers are advised not to ride.
Photopass/On-Ride Photos
Good news: Slinky Dog Dash does offer an on-ride Photopass photo, which will appear in your My Disney Experience app shortly after you’ve ridden, as long as you’re wearing a MagicBand or MagicBand+ on the ride.
As for where the camera is, start getting ready when the coaster glides over the four mini hills. Soon after, Slinky Dog makes a left turn, then before he starts to turn back right, the camera is on the right side — so smile!
The photos and videos will be available in the app for 45 days unless you choose to purchase them. They are included in the purchase of Memory Maker, or they can be purchased individually.
Guests purchasing Genie+ will receive digital downloads of their on-ride photos taken in the park on the day of their purchase, at no additional charge.
If your photos don’t appear in the app, you can visit a PhotoPass office in the park for help, and they may be able to locate them. In Hollywood Studios, you’ll find the office inside Sid Cahuenga’s One-of-a-Kind shop at the very front of the park, near the entrance.
Motion Sickness
Since Slinky Dog Dash is a roller coaster, those who are prone to motion sickness on similar rides should take caution. This is a fun ride, but there are some bumps, quick ups and downs, and fast turns. We have a guide on motion sickness that’s filled with information and tips.
On the Ride
Warning: If you’re hoping for a surprise when you ride Slinky Dog Dash for the first time, there are spoilers ahead!
After much anticipation, when it’s finally your turn to board this majestic creature (and all safety checks have been completed, of course), your ride vehicle will waste zero time hitting some curves on this 40 mph journey, passing our favorite cowgirl, Jessie, and zooming through some tunnels made of toy blocks along the way.
Soon, you’ll stop at the main launch of the ride. Under colored arches, the ride will come to a complete stop, roll backwards, and then launch forward, speeding up and then down a tall hill before going over a series of bumps on the other side that will make you feel like a Slinky.
After looping back around, your ride will come to an end — but not before you get to catch a performance from an animatronic Wheezy the penguin, who’s joined by Mr. Spell. What a ride!
Is Slinky Dog Dash Kid-Friendly?
Toy Story Land is considered a family-friendly land with attractions many kids will love. Just keep in mind that Slinky Dog is a roller coaster that’s fast and has some twists and turns.
Some little ones might not love it, and if your child hasn’t been on a coaster before, it would probably be helpful to see how they do on a smaller but similar ride, like The Barnstormer at Magic Kingdom, first.
For more information about rides that young kids might find a little too thrilling, check out guide to things that might scare little ones at WDW.
Strollers
Before getting in the queue for Slinky Dog Dash, you’ll have to park your stroller in the designated area since they aren’t allowed in the queue.
Since Toy Story Land is such a kid-friendly area, there are plenty of places to stow your stroller, including the area in front of Toy Story Mania and across from Slinky Dog Dash.
Don’t forget to take all valuables with you before hopping in the queue — this includes items like cell phones that are high value and that you may not want to lose — and you may want to cover your stroller, even if seems like a sunny day. Florida rainstorms are always popping up when you least expect them!
History
Slinky Dog Dash first opened on June 30, 2018, alongside Toy Story Land at Hollywood Studios.
Toy Story Land was first announced in August 2015, along with the concepts for Slinky Dog Dash, Alien Swirling Saucers, and an expanded track for the already-existing Toy Story Mania!
This is a family-friendly coaster designed by Imagineers with Andy from Toy Story in mind. It’s as if Andy built the coaster right in his backyard using his Mega Coaster Play Kit — and with help from other beloved toys Jessie and Rex.
There are many, in the words of Roger Gould, creative director for Pixar Animation Studios, “slinkified” moves as the coaster moves around the track. Gould also noted in August 2020 that they were able to get every “slinkification” they were hoping for.
The first Disney park to have a version of Toy Story Land was Walt Disney Studios Park in Disneyland Paris, which opened in 2010. Hong Kong Disneyland followed in 2011, along with Shanghai Disneyland in 2018.
Though thre are much tamer Slinky Dog-themed attractions at the other lands, Hollywood Studios’ Slinky Dog Dash is the only one in the world (so far).
Other Fun Details
- There are a lot of Easter Eggs for guests to spot on Slinky Dog Dash (and throughout the entire land). If you look on the back of the “Wait Time” sign you’ll see it’s actually a dog tag for Andy’s dog, Buster! Also, pay attention to the box that Rex originally came in, specifically the price tag. If you break it down, the price tag is code for 11/22/1995, the date when the first Toy Story premiered.
- Slinky Dog Dash is the only coaster at Walt Disney World that has two launches: the one at the beginning of the ride and the one in the middle under the arches that say “go.”
- Hidden Mickey fans will be glad to hear that there are some to be found here, including in the loading area of the ride. On the giant notebook paper mural on the wall, you will see a familiar mouse in the upper right corner!
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- Disney After Hours Returning to Disney World in 2023
- Expedition Everest Reopening In April, Will Be Added To Genie+
- Fantasmic Returns to Hollywood Studios in November 2022
- TRON Lightcycle / Run Will Have a Virtual Queue, an Individual Lightning Lane, and a Locker System