Buzz Lightyear Ride Is Reportedly Closing

Posted on by Mathew Corn Disney Parks

When it comes to all of Disney’s properties, the Toy Story series is undoubtedly one of the most beloved. The story of a group of sentient toys shaped an entire generation and continues to do so today.

So much so that Toy Story characters and attractions can be found in many Disney Parks. Not to mention, Walt Disney World’s Hollywood Studios has an entire area dedicated to the IP: Toy Story Land.

But one of the first examples of a Toy Story attraction in a Disney Park is none other than Buzz Lightyear’s Astro Blasters.

buzz lightyear featured image

Buzz Lightyear’s Astro Blasters first debuted in Disneyland Park’s Tomorrowland, but it was so successful that it wasn’t long before the attraction was replicated in Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom.

Nowadays, this Buzz Lightyear ride can be found in Disneyland Paris, Hong Kong Disneyland, and even Tokyo Disneyland. However, one of these international versions will soon be closing down…

According to a report by Inside the Magic, Tokyo Disneyland’s version of Buzz Lightyear’s Astro Blasters is temporarily closing beginning today. But there’s no need to fret for any Space Rangers out there because this attraction is scheduled to reopen on November 1.

Although there was little context accompanying this announcement, we can guess that this temporary closure is for the sake of refurbishment and nothing more.

However, it’s worth noting that Tokyo Disneyland itself hasn’t posted anything regarding the closure, and this could possibly be a hoax. Unfortunately, only time will tell in this case.

UPDATE: As it turns out, Tokyo Disneyland has released an official warning stating that Buzz Lightyear’s Astro Blasters will be closed from May 11 to October 31!

Woody, Buzz, and Jesse Return to Disney World Park 

Posted on by Mathew Corn Disney Parks, Hollywood Studios

Amongst the many things returning back to Disney’s Hollywood Studios, many guests were thrilled to see the return of the Toy Story Meet and Greet featuring Buzz, Woody, and Jesse.

It was previously announced that Fantasmic! would be returning back to Disney’s Hollywood Studios in November, but that isn’t the only experience the Disney Parks have lined up. It was recently shown that the characters from Pixar’s Toy Story have officially made it back to Andy’s backyard as Buzz, Woody, and Jesse have been seen mixing and mingling about their Meet and Greet location. As wonderful as it is to see them again, they aren’t the same toys fans might be used to seeing. In fact, all three characters have received a major makeover.

Fans who have visited the Parks on a regular basis will immediately notice that Buzz, Woody, and Jessie all look incredibly different than they have during previous Meet and Greets. All three characters have received major face-lifts for a more movie-accurate look at the Parks. Whether they are face or fur characters, Disney has always strived to bring their beloved cast to life with impeccable accuracy, but the cast from Toy Story did have a slight hiccup in their original designs. Fans only have to look back at Woody’s enormous Easter Island head to notice the change in quality. The characters have much more lively expressions, as well as some wardrobe alterations as well.

Perhaps the most obvious change to the Pixar pals’ lineup is Buzz and his Space Ranger suit. Fans who are used to seeing Buzz on the space-aged streets of Tomorrowland will immediately notice that he’s slimmed down quite a bit. The old outfit was incredibly bulky and clunky to accentuate the character’s plastic exterior, but fans who attended Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party this year caught a glimpse of the new and improved Buzz Lightyear. The new costume allows the performer a wider range of movement, therefore more interaction with the guests.

Regardless of whether or not the toys have received new and updated looks to their theme park counterparts, it’s honestly just a good sign to see more character interactions in the Parks. Whether it’s in Hollywood Studios, Epcot, or the Magic Kingdom, Guests are happy to see Andy’s friends return to Toy Story Playland for more fun outside the toybox.

Tim Allen breaks his silence about PIXAR’s newest film, “Lightyear”

Posted on by Mathew Corn Uncategorized

Tim Allen is finally talking about PIXAR’s latest film, Lightyear, sharing in an interview that he wished the new film had a better connection to the Buzz Lightyear toy from Toy Story.

In the newest installment from the Toy Story film franchise, which PIXAR hails as the “definitive origin story” of the space ranger, Buzz Lightyear, fans are introduced to the man who inspired an entire line of action figures–the real Buzz Lightyear.

From the time voice casting was made public, fans were confused about PIXAR’s decision to cast Captain America’s Chris Evans as the voice of the space ranger from Star Command, instead of the original voice of the Buzz Lightyear toy, veteran actor Tim Allen.

Why is Tim Allen not voicing Buzz Lightyear?

But it makes sense; Lightyear is the story of the man behind the action figure, and Toy Story features the action figure version of Buzz Lightyear. So having a different voice for each helps to differentiate between the two.

And while some fans and fellow celebrities who didn’t know this voiced their frustration with PIXAR for not casting Tim Allen as the voice of the space ranger, Allen has stayed completely quiet on the subject, until now.

In a recent interview with Extra, Tim Allen shared some of his thoughts about the new film. He also shared the reasoning behind his staying quiet about the voice casting so far, despite others’ complaints about PIXAR’s decision.

“The short answer is I’ve stayed out of this ’cause it has nothing to do [with my character],” Allen said. “This is a whole new team that really had nothing to do with the first movies.”

Tim Allen and Buzz Lightyear | Disney News

Allen continued by saying that originally, he thought Lightyear was going to be a live-action film with “real humans.”

He says he thinks there’s a wonderful story in the new Lightyear film, but there are a couple of issues he pointed out.

“There’s really no Toy Story Buzz without Woody,” Allen said. “[Lightyear] just doesn’t seem to have any connection to the toy. I wish there was a better connection.”

You can see Tim Allen’s interview on Extra here:

During a behind-the-scenes look at PIXAR’s Lightyear shared by PEOPLE Magazine shortly before the film debuted at the box office, Chris Evans said he felt like a “kid in a candy store” as he worked on the film. He also shared some really positive points about Toy Story.

woody and buzz toy story

“The movie Toy Story was such an impactful film,” Evans said. “It’s so iconic, and the characters had such variety. They just offer something that’s so relatable.

When he was asked about the new Lightyear film, Evans explained the premise and said it’s very different from other PIXAR projects so far.

“[Lightyear] is the origin story of Buzz Lightyear,” he said. “I’m a massive PIXAR fan; [the new film] is unlike any PIXAR movie to date.”

New ‘Toy Story’ Hotel at Tokyo Disneyland

Posted on by Mathew Corn Disney Parks, Disney Resorts

When Guests visit the Disney Parks, there is so much to see and do. One of the best things about each Disney Resort is that not only are the theme parks something to marvel at but so are the Resorts.

At Walt Disney World Resort, Guests can choose from over 25 differently-themed Resorts, all varying in price points. You can live in luxury at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort, jump into the movies at Disney’s All-Star Movies Resort, and so much more. When we go internationally, the amount of Resorts will shrink, but the theming does not.

According to their website, Tokyo Disneyland (Tokyo Disneyland and Tokyo DisneySea) has announced that their newest Resort, the Toy Story Hotel, will open on April 5, 2022, after having been delayed due to the pandemic.

Thankfully, we now have a sneak peek at what to expect once Andy’s bedroom comes to life next month! 東京ディズニーリゾートPR【公式】(@TDR_PR) took to Twitter to post a video of the hotel, which looks like a color-filled masterpiece. There has never been a better place to feel like Woody or Buzz Lightyear!

Translated, the Tweet reads:

Explore the hotel with toy size! Fun movie release /
We have released a video of a hotel tour that goes around #東京ディズニーリゾートトイストーリーホテル in the size of a toy.
Let’s become a toy and infiltrate!
＞＞ http://tdr.eng.mg/64f5a

From themed hallways to elevators, this hotel will surely transport Guests into the wonderful world of Pixar.

The site continues to note: 

From the moment a guest arrives at this hotel, the view spreads as if it had shrunk to the size of a toy. Buzz Lightyear and Jesse in the square in front of the hotel entrance, and Woody and Bo-Peep in the courtyard Toy Friends Square, each with a character statue of about 4 meters, guests You can enjoy the experience as if you were in the world of toys.

The lobby is full of colorful toy motifs, with floor patterns that imitate large puzzle pieces and ceilings with game boards.
The guest rooms are inspired by Andy’s room, which appears in the first movie of the “Toy Story” series, and are reminiscent of toys, such as wallpaper of blue sky and white clouds and a large Mickey Mouse watch hung on the wall. And furnishings are placed here.

toy story hotel

“Tokyo Disney Resort Toy Story Hotel” is positioned as a moderate type between the deluxe type and the value type, and has unified the design of 595 guest rooms. By specializing in the facilities and simple services required for accommodation, you can enjoy your stay more easily than a deluxe type Disney hotel.

At Disney Hotels, we will provide a richer resort stay and offer new options for experiencing the enjoyment of Disney by enriching hotels that meet the various needs of many guests.

toy story hotel

In total, there will be 595 rooms for Guests to enjoy, with some of those rooms being a “superior” room for those who would prefer an upgrade. On top of the stunning theming, there will also be a Lozzo Garden Cafe, Gift Planet (Disney Shop), Slinky Dog Park, Toy Friends Square, and so much more.

3D artist gives extensive makeovers to PIXAR characters

Posted on by Mathew Corn Uncategorized

An amazing 3D modeling artist has put his unique fingerprints on several PIXAR characters, and the results are amazing.

Hossein Diba has an affinity for makeovers–specifically, giving makeovers to characters from popular video games, trending films, and, of course, PIXAR movies. Just take a look at his impressive ability for creating realistic-looking people with his next-gen software that makes you feel like they’re the real deal.

Joe Gardner is the center of PIXAR’s phenomenal hit from last holiday season, Soul. Joe is a middle school band teacher, but he’s really in the zone as a musician and wants to be able to use his excellent talents as a jazz pianist. His dream comes true when he gets the opportunity of a lifetime to play jazz at the Half Note Club with jazz sensation Dorothea Williams, but he passes away just after his audition for Ms. Williams.

Oh hell ya': musicians react to Pixar Studio's Soul | CBC Music

What ensues is a journey to find self-worth, a quest for Joe to find his joy, his purpose, and that for which he was created.

Hossein Diba has re-created Joe Gardner, and the finished product is a man that looks just like Joe–it has us believing that whomever Diba has created with his 3D modeling software must be the man who inspired the animated Joe Gardner.

Here’s a look at Diba’s makeover of Joe Gardner. We think he is spot on!

When we first meet PIXAR’s Sheriff Woody from Toy Story, he’s a rough and tumble cowboy from the Wild, Wild West, right?

Well, no, but he might have wanted Buzz Lightyear to think so in the first installment of the toy-inspired animated film franchise. But Diba’s makeover of our beloved Sheriff Woody is one that casts him in a bit of a different light. Check out Diba’s video that gives us a full look at Woody, complete with the dusty West and saloon doors in the background.

“Here is how the real Woody that the toy Woody is based on would look like,” says Diba, and though the artist’s rendition of Sheriff Woody is strikingly life-like, I, for one, claim the status of “Woody aficionado,” and I don’t think this is the face of Toy Story‘s Woody. It’s somebody’s face, and it’s darn good, but it’s just not Woody.

Not quite Woody, but nice job on those threads and the background, though, sir.

And we’ve saved the best for last. Has there ever been a more relatable character from PIXAR than the elderly Paradise Springs hopeful Carl Fredricksen from PIXAR’s Up? It seems like everyone has a “Carl” in his or her family, or they know someone that reminds them of Mr. Fredricksen and vice-versa.

10 Uplifting Facts About Up to Celebrate Film's 10th Anniversary - D23

Hossein Diba created perhaps his most realistic makeover when he took on the challenge of Mr. F. from Up. When I first saw the photos, I thought they were of an actual elderly gentleman who posed for the pictures.