Disney Just Solved a Major Complaint Regarding Hollywood Studios
Disney’s Hollywood Studios just added a small but meaningful amenity to Toy Story Land that addresses a complaint that Disney guests have voiced since the land opened in 2018.
Where the New Seating Is
A new outdoor seating area is now open near Woody’s Lunch Box in Toy Story Land. The space is located just outside the quick-service location, near the pathway connecting Toy Story Land to Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge.
The seating area is positioned across from the entrance to Alien Swirling Saucers, making it easy for guests to find as they move through that section of the park. It includes tables and chairs, along with some shade.
Why This Addition Matters to Disney
Toy Story Land has consistently struggled with a shortage of available seating since opening. Woody’s Lunch Box serves popular menu items including Totchos, but the interior seating often fills to capacity during busy periods.
When all interior seats are occupied, guests purchasing food had limited options. Many resorted to sitting on planter edges, finding spots on curbs, eating while standing, or leaving Toy Story Land entirely to find seating elsewhere in the park.
For families with young children or guests with mobility limitations, the lack of seating created genuine difficulties. Kids tire easily and need frequent breaks, making available rest areas essential rather than optional.
The new outdoor seating provides a dedicated space where guests can sit comfortably whether they’re eating meals from Woody’s Lunch Box, taking a break between attractions, or just resting before continuing through the park.
The Shade Factor
Beyond just adding seating, the new area includes shade coverage, which addresses another frequent complaint about Toy Story Land. The land’s theming as Andy’s backyard apparently doesn’t include trees or substantial shade structures, leaving guests exposed to direct Florida sun throughout most of the space.
During summer months or even on typical sunny Florida days, the lack of shade makes extended time in Toy Story Land uncomfortable. Queue lines for Slinky Dog Dash and Alien Swirling Saucers expose guests to sun for extended periods while waiting.
Having any shade coverage in the new seating area provides practical relief that improves the guest experience beyond just offering places to sit.
Disney Size and Capacity
The new seating area isn’t massive, so it won’t solve all capacity issues during peak attendance periods when Toy Story Land experiences its highest crowds. However, any additional seating represents an improvement over the previous situation where options were severely limited.
During moderate attendance days or off-peak times, the new area should provide adequate overflow capacity for guests who can’t find seats inside Woody’s Lunch Box.
Design Oversight
The fact that Disney is adding seating years after Toy Story Land opened highlights an apparent oversight in the original design. When the land debuted in 2018, planners focused heavily on creating impressive theming and installing popular attractions like Slinky Dog Dash and Toy Story Mania.
However, practical guest needs like adequate seating and shade coverage received insufficient attention. This became particularly problematic given that Toy Story Land specifically targets families with young children who need frequent rest breaks.
Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, which opened shortly after Toy Story Land, includes significantly more seating both inside Docking Bay 7 Food and Cargo and throughout the land. The contrast makes Toy Story Land’s original seating shortage even more noticeable.
Guest Planning for Disney Visits
For guests visiting Hollywood Studios with plans to spend time in Toy Story Land, knowing about this seating area helps with trip planning. If you’re ordering from Woody’s Lunch Box and find interior seating full, you now have a designated outdoor alternative.
The location near the Galaxy’s Edge pathway also makes it a convenient rest stop for guests moving between the two lands. You can sit down, check maps, coordinate with your group, or simply recover from walking before heading to your next destination.
What Still Needs Work at Disney
While the new seating addresses one problem, Toy Story Land still lacks adequate shade throughout most of its footprint. Guests waiting in outdoor queues or walking through the land continue experiencing direct sun exposure that can be uncomfortable or problematic during hot weather.
Ideally, Disney would add more shade structures that maintain the land’s theming while providing practical protection from the sun. However, the new seating area at least represents progress on addressing guest comfort needs that were overlooked initially.
