In the standby ride queue for Toy Story Mania !, Uno cards tower over you at 8 feet tall , and a crayon the size of a fallen tree branch balances on a red alphabet block . The Peter Pan-themed reels for the View Master are enormous , and the puzzle pieces and a giant green Sorry game piece scattered throughout the queue are also super-sized . The walls are adorned with the Al ’ s Toy Barn logo and recycling symbols , creating the illusion that you ’ re inside a cardboard toy box filled with mismatched dominoes and other game and puzzle pieces . After exiting the cardboard box , large barrels of monkeys , a billboard-sized K ’ nex box , and oversized red and black checker pieces welcome you back to the yard .
At Woody ’ s Lunch Box , Andy ’ s lunch box is propped open and supported by a vintage Woody ’ s Roundup thermos . The takeout windows are creatively fashioned from Tupperware containers , held in place by celery and carrot sticks . The seats are formed from halved Babybel cheese wheels , and one table includes the sweetest note from Andy ’ s mom — it must ’ ve fallen from his lunch box when he opened it .
The restrooms in this imaginative land further the Imagineering at play since they are constructed entirely out of hefty , colorful building blocks , complete with wooden alphabet toy blocks spelling out “ Girls ” and “ Boys ” on each
CHARACTER MAGIC : Darth Vader
BY TRISHA DAAB
Most Disney fans have a core memory that involves meeting a character : Mickey ’ s first hug , curtsying with a favorite princess , or realizing that villains can be more terrifying offscreen . One of the meet-and-greets I most remember is encountering the menacing Darth Vader .
Years ago , during the gone-but-notforgotten Jedi Training Academy , young Padawans could battle the OG Star Wars baddie . My Padawan , a little 5-year-old at that time , came up to the waist of the intimidatingly large Darth Vader . Despite looking terrified and close to tears , they donned their brownhooded robe and battled the Sith Lord , whacking him in the waist area with a lightsaber . More than 11 years later , it ’ s still one of our best character pics .
These days , Vader uses the Force ( and greets guests ) in Star Wars Launch Bay at Disney ’ s Hollywood Studios . The actor who wore Vader ’ s costume in the original trilogy , David Prose , was 6 feet , 7 inches tall ; the Vader you meet at Walt Disney World may not tower quite as high .
No matter : Chances are good , he will intimidate you . He brings the whole package — not only height , but the helmet , boots , menacing movements , and that deep Darth Vader voice . You may want to bring your lightsaber for protection . Though if you do , be ready : He ’ ll try to recruit you for the Dark Side .
PHOTO BY DANNY SHUSTER
Dominoes , Tinkertoys , and alphabet blocks fill the queue for Toy Story Mania ! PHOTO BY CLIFF WANG