In Their Own Words: Disney, Pixar Executives Reflect on Toy Story Land

Bob Chapek, Chairman, Disney Parks, Experiences and Consumer Products
The opening of Toy Story Land is a big step in the evolution of Disney’s Hollywood Studios, as we transform it from a place that took guests behind the scenes into one that puts them at the center of the action. We’re thrilled to invite guests to visit Andy’s backyard and to experience what it’s like to play right alongside their favorite Toy Story characters – all thanks to the amazing partnership between our Imagineers and the storytellers at Pixar.
Catherine Powell, President, Walt Disney Parks & Resorts Western Region
I’m thrilled we’re adding Toy Story Land to Walt Disney World’s incredible portfolio of storytelling experiences. Enhancing Pixar’s presence in our parks with this delightful new land will enchant our guests, bringing them joy and excitement. It is a pleasure to welcome these beloved characters into their new home.
George A. Kalogridis, President, Walt Disney World Resort
Toy Story Land is the result of an amazing progression. What began in the imagination and took shape at Pixar Animation Studios is now brought to life as an actual place where you can step into this iconic story. I am very proud of all the Cast Members, Imagineers and our Pixar partners who played a role in the creation of this incredible new land. Our guests are going to love it.
Phil Holmes, Vice President, Disney’s Hollywood Studios
The Toy Story films and characters hold a special place in our guests’ hearts, as we’ve seen with the continued popularity of Toy Story Mania! and nearby character greetings with Buzz Lightyear and Woody. Toy Story Land gives our guests a chance to become part of the story in a whole new way. From welcoming our guests to the new land to bringing fun to every moment of their visits, our Cast Members are ready to make Toy Story Land a place where families create cherished memories.
Roger Gould, Creative Director, Theme Parks, Pixar Animation Studios
Everyone at Pixar is thrilled to see the Toy Story films coming to life so spectacularly in Toy Story Land. Watching our stories and characters leap off the screen into the fun and whimsical world of Toy Story Land is a joy for all of us at the studio. Naturally, we love animation and we love the Disney Parks, so it’s amazing to collaborate with our partners at Walt Disney Imagineering to create this enormous immersive world. And just as each Toy Story film expands the world of our favorite toy friends, our land gave us loads of opportunities to invent and open up the world with new fun and surprises. We’re delighted to join Disney in the fun and invite guests to explore Andy’s backyard – full of their favorite toys – ’cause Andy’s away and it’s time to play!
Bob Weis, President, Walt Disney Imagineering
Toy Story Land showcases Pixar Animation Studios and Walt Disney Imagineering’s high caliber of storytelling and brings a new energy and enthusiasm to Disney’s Hollywood Studios. As the design lead on the park’s creation, and having worked on various expansion projects, it’s been rewarding to see the park evolve and grow throughout the years. I’m looking forward to 2019, as we put the finishing touches on this amazing transformation, which is the largest expansion Disney’s Hollywood Studios has ever seen and will bring to life some of the most immersive experiences we’ve ever created.
Kathy Mangum, Regional Executive, Walt Disney Imagineering
I’ll never forget the first time I saw “Toy Story” in the theater. The movie was utterly charming, from its funny and relatable characters, to its poignant storyline, to its playful and eye-grabbing art direction – it was a movie that resonated with me and the entire audience. Once we saw “Toy Story,” we never looked at an animated movie in the same way again. How lucky we are that we get to expand the world of this movie by bringing it to our guests at Disney’s Hollywood Studios!
One of my greatest pleasures during my career at Walt Disney Imagineering has been working with the team on creating a whole new land based on these wonderful films that just seems to be getting better with each new movie. Toy Story Land is a very special place, and I’m thrilled at the thought of all the new memories that will be created here for millions of guests in the years to come.
Dave Minichiello, Executive Creative Director, Walt Disney Imagineering
It has been an incredibly rewarding experience bringing Toy Story Land to Disney’s Hollywood Studios, and I’m sure it will soon be a classic land our guests will love to visit here at Walt Disney World Resort. The Toy Story films and characters are as beloved by our guests today as they have ever been, and with the opening of Toy Story Land and next summer’s release of “Toy Story 4,” these stories will continue to live on for generations to come. I am so proud to bring this amazing land to life with the rest of my Walt Disney Imagineering team, our incredibly talented Pixar partners and our contractor teams, so our guests can experience, enjoy and have a magical time together in Andy’s backyard.
Bettina Buckley, Vice President, Disney Parks Live Entertainment
Our new live entertainment helps bring Andy’s backyard to life. As honorary toys, our guests will get to play with toys their own size. They will meet Toy Story stars Woody, Buzz Lightyear and Jessie; become new recruits with Sarge and be part of the Green Army Drum Corps. Entertainment helps guests “play big” in Toy Story Land, and we are excited to see all the fun those interactions will bring.
Source: WDW Feed

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