Golly Bob Howdy! — Spectacular Slinky Dog Dash at Disney’s Hollywood Studios
Tucked away in Toy Story Land is an incredibly fun rollercoaster for the whole family: Slinky Dog Dash!
You only need to be 38 inches tall to ride it, but don’t let the easy accessibility fool you. As you ride on Slinky Dog’s back, he’ll take you on thrilling twists and tumbling turns around Andy’s backyard, proving that you’re never too old to play with toys. Especially adorable slinky dogs!
Located in Disney’s Hollywood Studios, Slinky Dog Dash truly transports you into the world of Toy Story, giving you an idea of what the toys must’ve experienced during cinema’s most epic car chase. (We’re talking about the RC car chase from the original movie, of course!)
So climb aboard man’s best friend, and childhood’s best toy, to experience an unforgettable ride.
Ride like the wind, Bullseye! (Oh, sorry, wrong toy!)
Over 70 Years of Super Slinky Dog Fun
In dog years, Slinky (called “Slink” by close friends) is pretty old! In human years, he’s now 70, with the original slinky dog toy being produced in 1952, just a few years after the invention of the original slinky.1
The idea for everyone’s favorite spring toy came about in 1943 when mechanical engineer Richard James dropped some coiled wires while working on a project for the Navy. He watched them tumble around as if they had a life of their own and knew he had just witnessed something amazing.
His wife, Betty, came up with the name “slinky,” and soon they had secured a patent and co-founded James Industries.2
Initially, stores were skeptical about selling a bundle of wire, but finally, a department store allowed James to do a demonstration. He brought 400 slinky coils with him, and they were sold out within an hour and a half.3 Entrancing and entertaining, Slinky had proven itself to be the cream of the crop among toys.
Soon, there were advertisements for slinky dogs, slinky seals, and even slinky soldiers. The world couldn’t get enough of slinky! Even today, it’d be safe to wager most children in the United States have played with a slinky at least once. Some fads come and go, but apparently, slinkies are forever!
However, slinky dogs were not.
When Toy Story came out in 1995, Slinky Dog was the only cast member no longer in production, having been discontinued in the 1970s. Of course, the movie’s popularity meant slinky dogs were back in demand, so a new line of coiled-up pups was created. The new slinky dogs were modeled to look like Slink from the movie, whose design differs a bit from the original toy. However, Betty James said “the earlier Slinky Dog wasn’t nearly as cute as this one.”4 High praise, indeed!
Now Slink has risen to the highest peak of popularity as the star of his very own Slinky Dog Dash rollercoaster! Golly Bob Howdy!
Slinky Dog Dash is Fun for the Whole Family!
Part of what makes Toy Story Land so fun is the immersive aspect of being “shrunk” down to the size of a toy. For example, at Woody’s Lunch Box (where you can get some fantastic pop tarts), the restaurant is surrounded by giant food sculptures, implying that you’re an incredibly tiny toy like maybe a Polly Pocket doll or a Littlest Pet Shop animal.
Slinky Dog Dash continues the unique, immersive experience as you’re standing in the queue and all throughout the ride. As you stand in line, you’ll walk under overhangs held up with giant-sized, colorful, wooden building blocks, and you’ll also go through Slink’s box which sports a sticker that proclaims “I’m the original pull toy!” (Look closely beneath the words “Slinky Dog” and you’ll see “James Industries” in the fine print!)
You’ll also pass by larger-than-life instructions for building a “Dash & Dodge Mega Coaster Play Kit” — complete with the addition of Slink, lovingly rendered in crayon by Andy. This sets the scene for the Slinky Dog Dash coaster.
Rather than just a Toy Story-themed coaster littered with cameos, references, winks, and nods, Slinky Dog Dash feels like it could actually be in Toy Story. While there’s not exactly a plot (like some of Universal’s movie rides), there is a premise: Andy’s built a rollercoaster in his backyard, and in the same way, I’d send Thomas the Tank Engine flying down a Hot Wheels course, Andy is sending Slinky Dog through the Dash & Dodge paces. And you get to join him!
While there aren’t any loop-de-loops or enormous drops (making it great for the kiddos!), Slinky Dog Dash is still a fairly zippy rollercoaster when it comes to speed. There are several twists and turns which seem to “stretch” Slinky Dog and practically have you riding sideways! (Don’t worry, you won’t fall out, even if it feels like it!)
About halfway through, Slinky Dog will come to a stop, gearing up momentum for a second launch before the coaster’s biggest hill, wonderfully imitating the movement of an actual pull or launch toy.5 There’s also a section of rapid-fire ups and downs, mimicking that classic end-over-end slinky motion.
Slinky Dog Dash may not have the thrill factor of Space Mountain, but there’s still plenty to make your stomach flutter!
In addition to Slinky Dog himself being too stinkin’ cute, at the end of the ride, you’ll find yourself being serenaded by Wheezy, the squeaky toy penguin. (Note that an RC car box acts as his stage!) An adorable and well-done animatronic, Wheezy looks like he hopped right off of the big screen. Oh, and what song is he singing? “You’ve Got a Friend in Me,” of course!
Slinky Dog Dash is a genuinely enjoyable coaster that’s just too cute! Nostalgic adults and little kiddos alike will enjoy the familiar scenery, beloved characters, and not-too-crazy ride track.
Have you ridden Slinky Dog Dash? What did you think? Oh, and do you still find slinkies to be the hottest toy on the block? Let us know in the comments below!
Cover Image
Photo: Jaimie Michaels via Flickr
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