Ten Toy Story Details in Andy’s Backyard
It’s no secret that Disney Parks work special details into their many lands in theme parks. (Check out my blog on details in Storybook Circus here!) Did you know that Pixar Animation is known for doing the same with their films? It only makes sense that when Toy Story Land was created at Disney’s Hollywood Studios that there would be “Easter Eggs” or special details all over this new land. Today I’m sharing ten details to keep an eye out for next time you visit Toy Story Land!
A113
Big Pixar fans will already recognize “A113” from their films! The use of “A113” comes up in the Toy Story movies as Andy’s mom’s license plate, the model code for the scuba diver’s camera in Finding Nemo, and Mater’s license plate in the Cars movies. (Just to name a few!) In fact, “A113” appears in every Pixar film at some point. You can find a full list of references here! So what’s so special about “A113” anyway? This was the room number for character animation students at the California Institute of Arts. Some of the Pixar greats attended this school and used this classroom, so it gets worked into their films!
So where can you find “A113” in Toy Story Land? While grabbing a bite at Woody’s Lunchbox, look for a pen with some blocks and dominos inside of it. If you read them out you’ll see that there are two different ways to spell out “A113.” The first is with two blocks — one block has an “A” while the other has “113” on its sides. You can also use the same “A” block with the three dominos behind it that read “113.” The other place you’ll find a reference to “A113” in Toy Story Land is in the waiting queue for Alien Swirling Saucers! You’ll notice the Airlock is called “Alpha” (there’s the “A”) and the two bays we see are “Bay 1” and “Bay 13” (there’s your “113”).
Buster’s Collar
Have you ever wondered what time period within the Toy Story universe that Andy’s Backyard exists in? One of the details that give us a hint is Buster’s Collar. When you walk through the entrance of Slinky Dog Dash, you’ll want to give the “Stand By Entrance” sign a second look. It’s actually Buster’s collar and it reveals the address of Andy’s Backyard — 234 Elm Street. Since Andy received Buster as a Christmas present at the end of Toy Story once his family moved into their new home, it can be assumed that Toy Story Land exists around Toy Story 2. Although Disney has made comments since that Toy Story Land may not exist in a certain frame (thanks Forky), I still feel that Buster’s collar being used to create the entrance to Slinky Dog Dash was no mistake! At least we don’t have to worry about bouncing into Sid’s Yard, right?
Emeryville Emerges
Pixar Animation Studios is located in Emeryville, California, and was founded on February 3, 1986. Both of these pieces of Pixar trivia will stand out when you’re spending time in Toy Story Land. The studio’s founding date can be found throughout Andy’s Backyard in the form of barcodes and dominos. In the Slinky Dog Dash queue, the Dash & Dodge Mega Coaster Kit box features this date numerically on the barcode. You have two opportunities to spot it — while waiting in line and again during the final scene of the ride in the top left corner. This particular toy was also “Made in Emeryville” according to the box! Very sneaky, Imagineers. Pixar’s founding date can also be found near the giant Luxo Ball in another pen of dominos. The dominos read “2-3-1986.”
Hidden Mickeys
One thing Disney fans always know to look out for in the parks is Hidden Mickeys. Toy Story Land is no exception to this rule, featuring a few Hidden Mickeys of their own. My favorite Hidden Mickey can be found in the Slinky Dog Dash queue where you’ll find Andy’s hand-drawn plans for the attraction. There’s a Hidden Mickey in the “clouds” in the top right corner. If you compare a pre-Toy Story Land map of the park to a post-Toy Story Land map of the park, you’ll notice that one of Disney’s Hollywood Studios’ old icons, the Earful Tower, used to sit in the very same spot. This is a fun nod to the “Hollywood that once was and never will be” that Disney-MGM Studios used to represent!
Other Hidden Mickeys in Andy’s Backyard can be found at Woody’s Lunch Box and in the waiting areas of the other two attractions in this land. at Woody’s Lunch Box inside the kitchen on the far right wall you’ll find a Hidden Mickey made out of three berries. Similar to Slinky Dog Dash, Toy Story Mania’s Hidden Mickey can be found in the clouds where you enter the first queue room on the wall to the left. Last, in the queue for Alien Swirling Saucers, you’ll want to pay attention to the Space Ranger mural on the wall. The dashboard features three circular buttons that are arranged into a Hidden Mickey.
I’ve Got Ya, Critters.
Woody’s Lunchbox is located inside of Andy’s lunchbox which’s full of snacks his mom packed for him. You’ll find carrot sticks, celery, Babybel cheese (hello sponsorship), cookies, a juice box, and what appears to be animal crackers. These animal cracks are different than what you’d usually find in your lunch, though. They are the critters from the old Woody’s Roundup videos that Woody, Jessie, Bullseye, and Stinky Pete watch in Toy Story 2! This is a perfect example of how Disney works to add some movie magic to every section of their parks. There’s even a turtle “critter cracker” being helped across the path by a green army man nearby!
Let’s Eat
Ready for more fun with blocks? Near Woody’s Lunchbox, you can spot another phrase hiding in the nearby pens of blocks and dominos. If you create a phrase from these blocks scattered near the restaurant you’ll read “Let’s Eat.” Very fitting for Andy’s Backyard’s only restaurant, isn’t it? Now, do what they say and grab an amazing grilled cheese for me while you’re there!
Pizza Planet
While I was sad that Pizza Planet was never included in this Toy Story Land expansion, I’m happy to say that there are still references to Andy’s favorite restaurant around the land. For example, the Alien Swirling Saucers entrance is guarded by the same robots from the Pizza Planet entrance in Toy Story — complete with pizza-shaped weapons! Since we know Andy got the Alien Swirling Saucers game from Pizza Planet, it would make sense that it would feature a detail like this. Next, on Andy’s clipboard in the Slinky Dog Dash queue, you’ll find an array of stickers. One of the stickers on the clipboard clearly displays the Pizza Planet logo!
Rex’s Telling Toy Box
Okay, I think this is my very favorite piece of Toy Story Land, y’all. There are so many details on one piece of Andy’s Backyard. As you board Slinky and prepare to dash through Andy’s Backyard, you pass Rex’s toy box on your left. It may take you a few times to ride to spot all of these details, but let’s get into it! Rex’s toy box has an “Al’s Toy Barn” price tag sticker which can only mean that whoever bought Rex for him got him from the chicken man. Don’t think the details with this price tag end there, though. The numbers “11” and “22” represent “November 22” in Toy Story‘s theatrical release date, November 22, 1995. The price on Rex’s box is “$19.95” which represents the year Toy Story premiered.
Next, you’ll notice this collection of dinosaur toys from Borealis features a Triceratops. Since Trixie from Bonnie’s room in Toy Story 3 has similar styling to Rex, it can be assumed that she may be the Triceratops from his collection! Lastly, who is Borealis? In Toy Story, Rex tells Buzz Lightyear that he’s from Mattel, but originally from a smaller company purchased by Mattel in a leveraged buyout. Sounds to me like Borealis was bought out by Mattel in a leveraged buyout, y’all! I love how much history and hidden details they were able to squeeze onto one toy box.
Shorts, Shorts, Shorts
Pixar is also known for working the titles of their short films into their full-length features. In Toy Story, Pixar even made a point to include some titles from their short films on Andy’s bookshelf behind Woody. This detail made its way to the bookshelves in Toy Story Mania where you can spot Pixar short film titles like Tin Toy and Knick Knacks as you load into your vehicle. Did you know there’s another Pixar short reference on Slinky Dog Dash? When you reach the final scene with Wheezy and Mister Spell, look above Wheezy’s head and you’ll find a book titled Partly Cloudy. This was the short film that premiered in theaters before UP.
What Once Was
If you visited Disney’s Hollywood Studios before Toy Story Land opened, you probably have memories of an area called “Pixar Place.” This small land was home to Toy Story Mania, a gift shop, and a Woody and Buzz Lightyear meet and greet. Now that Toy Story has a much bigger footprint, you’ll be glad to know some of the toys and details in Pixar Place can still be found in Andy’s Backyard. Andy’s barrel of monkeys and kite spool from Toy Story Mania’s entrance in Pixar Place can now be found as guests exit Toy Story Mania in Toy Story Land. Mister Spell who is featured at the end of Slinky Dog Dash was originally spelling right across from Toy Story Mania’s old entrance in Pixar Place. It’s nice to know that there are still parts of Pixar’s original footprint in Disney’s Hollywood Studios around Andy’s Backyard!
As you can see, Toy Story Land is worth an extra look around or two. All ten of these details can be spotted anytime you visit Andy’s Backyard, and if I know Disney Imagineers I’m sure there’s plenty of other details hidden in this area, too. Keep an eye out on your next visit, and don’t forget to share these special details with your friends and family as they experience the area!
