Travel and Tourism

When toys are us at Toy Story Land

March 18, 2012 | 12:00am

When Andy is away, his toys come to life and play!

The coolest part was we were there to have fun and enjoy the rides with Woody, Slinky Dog, the Toy Soldiers, and the rest of the gang, as we got shrunk to the size of a toy at Hong Kong Disneyland’s newest attraction — Toy Story Land.

Based on Disney Pixar’s famous animated film series, Toy Story Land is the new multi-million dollar extension of the six-year-old Disneyland theme park in Hong Kong. It brings the cherished stories of the Toy Story movie trilogy to reality, providing an immersive and memorable experience for guests of all ages. I’m not that familiar with the characters, except for Woody and Buzz Lightyear, of course. Thank goodness I was with my 14-year-old son Karl who gamely introduced me to the playful characters.

The pathway leading to Toy Story Land is lined with tall, green bamboo, which makes you feel like you’re entering Andy’s backyard as a miniature toy soldier. Here, everything is blown up to super-scale proportions in a trippy play on dimensions. Even the toughest cynics find it hard not to feel like a child again in this huge playground.

Go on a spin: Join Slinky Dog in a rollicking spin to catch his own tail. The ride looks as if the toy was just unloaded from its original box.

Andy’s 10-meter-long footprint led us to the entrance where a six-meter-high Woody welcomed us with a wide grin. We were told that it would take 18 real Woody toys stacked on top of each other to reach the top of the Woody figure. That’s how tall he is in the magical world of toys.

Filled with larger-than-life toys, wooden blocks, and gigantic rides, there are countless fun photo opportunities throughout Toy Story Land. Karl came prepared and had a heyday taking photos not only of the characters but also of happy parkgoers in their late 50s garbed in funky Disney hats, and little girls in dainty princess gowns as they meet and greet with Woody and Jessie at the Barrel of Fun.

A giant Hot Wheels-inspired racetrack caught Karl’s attention. And in a jiffy, he managed to inch his way to where the action was: the 27-meter U-shaped RC Racer, Andy’s speediest toy car, which is the most thrilling new ride in the Land. The roaring sound of the speeding car was enough to get his adrenaline pumping. As soon as he boarded the “car,” he was securely strapped in and hauled 27 meters up, suspended for a few seconds, before swooping down in a dive. The horseshoe-shaped shuttle coaster is the only ride in Toy Story Land on which children under seven years of age are not allowed.

Adrenaline rush: RC Racer, Andy’s speediest toy car, is the most thrilling new ride in Toy Story Land.

Everyone’s tongues are wagging about the all-new Slinky Dog Spin, which is Toy Story Land’s version of the caterpillar ride. Here, kids and toddlers alike can howl with laughter as they join Slinky in a rollicking spin to catch his own tail. The ride looks as if the Slinky Dog Spin toy was just unloaded from its original box that serves as the queuing area for passengers. It features a vintage ’50s gameboard pattern, which was actually created by the Walt Disney Imagineers in the design of Toy Story Land. Although not child-proof, Toy Story Land is child-friendly. Hidden behind the colorful letter blocks are restrooms equipped with baby sinks and loos; food carts are aplenty, and there are ample benches to rest those tired, little feet after a long walk.

A few steps on and we’re stopped in our tracks by a piercing whistle. Someone is shouting at us through a megaphone and in a few minutes, a life-size platoon of Toy Soldiers, real men doused in green paint and garbed in army uniform (similar to the plastic toy soldier young boys love to play with), comes marching in. They try rustling up some volunteer conscripts for their boot camp. Multi-awarded broadcast journalist Jessica Soho volunteers. As one of Sarge and his soldiers’ new recruits, Jessica gamely engages in a series of fun challenges and eventually earns her stripes. From the boot camp, we join Andy’s troops in a high-flying adventure at the Toy Story Parachute Drop located at Fort Emery. The ride dangles passengers 25 meters above the ground in a simulated parachute drop. The free-falling sensation is thrilling without being scary and the 81-cm. height requirement means daring two and three-year-olds can have a go. It also affords everyone a picturesque aerial view of Hong Kong Disneyland.

Yes, sir: As one of Sarge and his Soldiers’ new recruits, multi-awarded broadcast journalist Jessica Soho gamely engages in a series of fun challenges to earn her stripes.

Parkgoers who were exhausted from the boot camp took refuge at Jessie’s Snack Roundup where they enjoyed refreshing drinks, yogurts, cookies, and cone-shaped pizzas.

With the magic of toys coming to life here, playtime is definitely more fun at Hong Kong Disneyland’s Toy Story Land. Hope Andy’s back and gets to join us on our next visit.

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Toy Story Land is the newest attraction at Hong Kong Disneyland. Standard One-Day HK Disneyland Tickets cost HK$399 for adults, HK$285 for kids aged three to 11. Special rates of HK$100 apply for senior citizens (aged 65 and above). Children below three years old can enter for free.

Cebu Pacific flies to Hong Kong daily.