Slinky Dog Dash is a family launched steel roller coaster located in Toy Story Land at Disney’s Hollywood Studios in Lake Buena Vista, Florida. Manufactured by Mack Rides and designed by Walt Disney Imagineering, it opened on June 30, 2018, as one of two headline attractions in the newly debuted Toy Story Land expansion. Themed around the beloved Slinky Dog character from the Toy Story film franchise, the ride’s story casts guests as toys taking a spin on a coaster Andy built from his ‘Dash & Dodge Mega Coaster Kit.’
What sets Slinky Dog Dash apart is its double-launch layout — a first for a Disney Parks attraction at the time of its opening. Riders are catapulted forward twice via linear synchronous motors (LSM), weaving through bunny hills, sweeping helixes, and playfully oversized Toy Story props that reinforce the feeling of being toy-sized in Andy’s backyard. The ride concludes with a serenade from the park’s first audio-animatronic Wheezy the Penguin, perched on the final brake run for a memorable send-off.
Stats at a Glance
- Park: Disney’s Hollywood Studios (Toy Story Land), Lake Buena Vista, Florida
- Manufacturer: Mack Rides
- Opened: June 30, 2018
- Height: 50 ft (15 m)
- Top Speed: 40 mph (64 km/h)
- Length: About 2,789 ft
- Inversions: 0
- Height Requirement: 38 in (97 cm)
The Ride Experience
Slinky Dog Dash begins deceptively gently, rolling out of the launch station and building anticipation before the first LSM launch surges the train forward. The layout threads through a series of low airtime hills — perfectly suited for families — before a second launch pushes riders into a swooping helix and final straightaway. Throughout the course, giant Tinkertoys, oversized crayons, and larger-than-life building blocks line the track, selling the illusion that guests have shrunk to toy scale inside Andy’s sunny backyard.
The pacing keeps thrills accessible without sacrificing excitement. At a top speed of about 40 mph and a maximum height of 50 feet, the coaster hits a sweet spot that draws in younger riders while still delivering genuine airtime moments adults appreciate. The 2-minute-plus runtime is generous for a family coaster, and the dual-launch structure gives the ride a satisfying two-act rhythm rarely found at this intensity level.
Toy Story Land and the Bigger Picture
Slinky Dog Dash serves as the anchor attraction of Toy Story Land, a 11-acre expansion that debuted alongside the coaster in June 2018. The land immerses guests entirely in Andy’s world, with enormous building blocks, Lincoln Logs, and board-game pieces forming the scenery. The design commitment extends to the coaster itself: the ride vehicle is styled as Slinky Dog, complete with a coiled spring body that visually ‘stretches’ across the train cars.
Disney’s Hollywood Studios invested heavily in making Toy Story Land feel cohesive, and Slinky Dog Dash reflects that attention to detail. From the queue’s hand-drawn blueprints depicting Andy’s coaster plans to Wheezy’s showstopping finale performance, every element reinforces the narrative. The attraction quickly became one of the most popular at the park, consistently drawing long standby waits and high Lightning Lane demand since opening day.
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Slinky Dog Dash FAQs
How scary is Slinky Dog Dash?
Slinky Dog Dash is classified as a family coaster. It reaches 40 mph and has two launches, but no inversions and a modest 50-foot height. Most families with children meeting the 38-inch height requirement handle it comfortably, though the launches may surprise first-timers.
Who manufactures Slinky Dog Dash?
Slinky Dog Dash was manufactured by Mack Rides, a German ride manufacturer, and designed in collaboration with Walt Disney Imagineering. It uses Mack’s LSM launch coaster technology.
When did Slinky Dog Dash open?
Slinky Dog Dash officially opened on June 30, 2018, as part of the grand opening of Toy Story Land at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. A soft opening occurred one day earlier on June 29, 2018.
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Photo: elisfkc from Orlando, FL, United States / CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons.