- The Slinky Dog Dash opened in Disney's Hollywood Studios on June 30, 2018.
- The coaster has been highly anticipated by many.
- It lives up to the hype.
- Although this is a family-friendly coaster, it does serve up some thrills.
The crown jewel ofDisney's Hollywood Studios new Toy Story Land is undoubtedly the Slinky Dog Dash. But is it worth the hype?
I had the chance to check out this highly anticipated roller coaster on opening day and I can confirm it's great. Here's what you can expect.
Before the ride even starts, expect a long and relatively grueling wait.
I waited over an hour for the coaster in an outdoor queue without any interactive elements. This was kind of disappointing considering that most Disney attractions' queues are so immersive these days. It's a good thing we all now have our phones to keep us entertained.
Except for a covered area that was designed like the packaging of a toy box, there is zero shade in the queue, making those hot Florida days even more brutal. Although there are fans scattered throughout the line, I would highly recommend bringing water and a fan with you. I know I'm glad I did.
Although there aren't any games to play while waiting, there are adorable larger-than-life drawings and colorings by Andy that surround the queue.
There is a Fast Pass option for Slinky Dog Dash. However, I imagine it will be hard to come by unless you have a reservation at a Walt Disney World Resort where you can book Fast Passes months in advanced.
When you finally get through the queue and approach the coaster, you'll see the vehicle looks just like the iconic Slinky Dog character in "Toy Story." It seats 18 people at a time — consisting of nine rows of two.
The Slinky Dog Dash really surprised me — in a good way.
I underestimated this coaster. It may not look as intimidating as other steel coasters in the Orlando area, but Slinky Dog Dash definitely has some oomph.
Right out of the gates, riders speedily accelerate up to the coaster's highest point. It's a bold and exciting way to start the coaster and immediately many riders including myself excited.
Midway through the coaster, the Slinky dog stops and revs up again, blasting you uphill to a fabulous view of the construction for Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge park opening in the late fall of 2019. So if any Star Wars fans are looking for a sneak-peak, definitely make sure to take a ride.
The rest of the track weaves, drops, and glides — similar to the movements of an actual slinky toy. As an avid roller coaster fan, I admire how smooth the coaster is and fell in love with its playful track. There are many coasters that have left me with whiplash, so this really felt like a treat.
The big finish of Slinky Dog Dash involves a joyous rendition of the classic "You've Got a Friend in Me" by none other than a giant animatronic of everyone's favorite singing penguin, Wheezy. He's the perfect way to end a rather flawless coaster.
The ride lasts about two minutes and I am not kidding when I tell you that I smiled the entire time. When the ride was finished, everyone applauded. Although this is a totally normal thing to do after riding attractions in other parks, it's a rarity in Disney World.
It's good for the whole family, but still has a thrill factor.
As far as speed and intensity go, I would compare the intensity level of Slinky Dog Dash to something in between The Barnstormer or Big Thunder Mountain Railroad in the Magic Kingdom. In other words, Slinky Dog Dash is great for the whole family but still provides a notable thrill factor.
But don't just take it from me — there was a younger child who rode in the row in front of me who screamed the entire time but begged her mom to go on again after the ride was finished. It's that great.
Overall, Slinky Dog Dash is a really exciting new coaster, with adorable theming and is definitely worth the long hot wait. I honestly can't wait to go back.
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