Disneyland Paris is marking the theatrical release of “Toy Story 5” with a slate of limited-time activities at Disney Adventure World, the resort’s recently expanded second theme park, as Disney and Pixar’s latest installment in the franchise hits French theaters on June 17. The new offerings, which run through September 30, include character meet-and-greets, drawing lessons, a scavenger hunt, themed food and exclusive merchandise.
The film reunites the franchise’s familiar voice cast, including Tom Hanks as Woody and Tim Allen as Buzz Lightyear, while Joan Cusack returns as Jessie, according to Disney. The story follows the toys as they confront Lilypad, a tablet device voiced by Greta Lee that introduces its own ideas about what’s best for their kid, Bonnie. The film is directed by Andrew Stanton, with Kenna Harris co-directing.
At Disneyland Paris, the celebration centers on Animation Celebration, where guests through September 30 can pose for photos with Woody and Jessie, who will appear in new outfits alongside Lilypad, the frog-shaped tablet character introduced in the film. Jessie’s appearances are more limited, however: she’ll only be on hand through July 3, and a Virtual Queue through the Disneyland Paris mobile app may be required to meet the characters.
The same location will also host drawing classes, giving visitors the chance to learn to sketch Woody, Jessie, Buzz and Lilypad.
Elsewhere in the park, families can search the Worlds of Pixar area for 15 specially customized Pizza Planet trucks hidden throughout the land, part of a park-wide scavenger hunt tied to the film.
Shoppers will find an expanded Toy Story assortment at Animation Boutique, which is stocking more than 180 Toy Story-themed items, including 16 new products tied to the fifth film.
Food offerings have also been updated for the promotion. The newly rethemed Searchlight kiosk is serving a Lilypad-inspired doughnut, while The Hollywood Gardens Restaurant has added an Emperor Zurg burger to its menu. An alien-shaped biscuit is also among the new snacks available during the promotional period.
Visitors walking toward Animation Celebration may also spot Toy Story-themed water projections appearing temporarily on the pavement, a rotating visual effect the park says won’t remain in any one spot for long.
The promotion comes amid a broader push by Disney to tie its theme parks worldwide to the new film’s release. At Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom, Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin has been updated with a new show scene, refreshed ride vehicles and gameplay enhancements, while Disney parks in Tokyo and aboard the Disney Cruise Line’s newest ship, the Disney Adventure, have rolled out their own Toy Story-themed activations this year.
The activities at Disney Adventure World follow the park’s broader transformation, which saw the former Walt Disney Studios Park undergo a roughly €2 billion overhaul this year, including the addition of the new World of Frozen land and the Adventure Bay lake, before being renamed Disney Adventure World this past spring.
“Toy Story 5” is scheduled to open in U.S. theaters on June 19 (international release dates may vary).
Cover image courtesy of: Disneyland Paris
