Credit: Sarah Larson, Inside the MagicConstruction on the new snack stand at Toy Story Land in Disney’s Hollywood Studios is progressing significantly. Recent updates indicate that this eagerly awaited food location may open sooner than expected. Queue markers shaped like movie popcorn boxes have been installed, and the concrete work appears to be complete.
Crew members are actively working inside the construction area, focusing on what appears to be the final preparations. For guests who have been following the project since the kiosk structure was first installed back in October, these recent developments suggest the project is shifting from construction phases to the operational setup that typically occurs before opening.
The new snack stand addresses a key need in Toy Story Land’s food offerings, which have been limited since its 2018 opening. While Woody’s Lunch Box and Roundup Rodeo BBQ offer meals, there has been a lack of quick grab-and-go snacks for guests who prefer not to wait. This issue is particularly evident during peak times, when long lines at existing dining spots leave guests seeking simple treats without convenient options.
The question now becomes how much longer construction will continue before Disney opens this snack stand to guests eager for new food options. Based on recent progress and typical Disney construction timelines for projects of this scope, signs suggest that the opening could happen within weeks rather than months. However, nothing is confirmed until Disney makes an official announcement.
Recent Progress Indicates Final Phases
The installation of queue markers is a significant milestone in any food and beverage construction project. Queue infrastructure is added when Disney is preparing for actual operations, rather than just completing the building construction.
These steel markers, positioned between privacy hedges in front of the popcorn box-shaped kiosk, indicate where guests will stand while ordering. This suggests that Disney has finalized the operational flow and is implementing the necessary physical elements to manage guest traffic efficiently.
Concrete work around the kiosk appears to be complete, with no additional pouring observed in recent days. This is important because concrete work typically occurs early in the construction timeline, with final pours taking place before finishing touches, such as signage, decorative elements, and the installation of operational equipment.
The completion of the concrete work indicates that the project has moved beyond foundational construction and is now focused on the detailed work and equipment installation that occur in the final weeks before opening.
Crew members in the construction area report ongoing work beyond exterior finishing. This includes installing food preparation equipment, connecting utilities, setting up point-of-sale systems, and fulfilling health department requirements. These tasks are time-consuming but essential before the food location can open.
Toy Story Land Blank Menu Board Mystery
A blank menu sign has been visible at the site for weeks, remaining empty while Disney presumably finalizes offerings. This blank board is simultaneously encouraging and frustrating for guests trying to gauge how close the opening might be.
On one hand, the menu board infrastructure being in place suggests Disney is close enough to opening that signage installation makes sense. On the other hand, the continued blankness indicates final menu decisions haven’t been implemented, or Disney isn’t ready to reveal what will be offered.
Menu finalization is one of the last steps before food locations open, as Disney tests recipes, determines pricing, designs menu board graphics, and ensures that offerings align with operational capabilities and guest expectations. The popcorn box theming strongly suggests popcorn will be among the offerings, but what else might be available remains speculation until that menu board gets populated or Disney makes announcements.
Timeline Speculation Based on Patterns
Disney typically doesn’t drag out soft openings or preview periods for simple snack stands the way they might for major attractions or table-service restaurants. Once construction is complete, equipment is installed, cast members are trained, and health inspections are passed, snack locations tend to open relatively quickly. The progression from kiosk installation in October to the installation of queue markers in December suggests a construction timeline of roughly two to three months for this project.
If the queue marker installation represents one of the final major construction milestones, and if interior work on equipment and utilities is progressing as crew member presence suggests, opening could potentially happen before the end of December or in early January. This timeline would enable Disney to have the snack stand operational during the busy holiday season or the post-holiday period, when crowds remain substantial and additional food and beverage capacity helps manage guest demand.
However, unexpected delays can always occur. Equipment delivery issues, inspection complications, staffing challenges, or Disney’s strategic decisions about when to open new locations can push timelines beyond what construction progress suggests. The lack of an official announcement or opening date means any timeline remains speculation based on observed progress rather than confirmed information.
Why This Toy Story Land Stand Matters
Beyond just adding another food location, this snack stand represents Disney addressing guest feedback about Toy Story Land’s limited snack options. The land has felt incomplete from a dining perspective since its opening, particularly in comparison to Galaxy’s Edge next door, which offers multiple food and beverage locations, including quick-service, table-service, and specialty drink stands.
Toy Story Land deserves similar variety, given its popularity and the amount of time guests spend there waiting for Slinky Dog Dash and exploring the area.
The location near the Galaxy’s Edge entrance is strategic, capturing foot traffic between the two lands. This placement ensures the snack stand serves both Toy Story Land guests and those transitioning between areas, maximizing its utility and preventing it from sitting underutilized in a tucked-away corner.
Waiting and Watching
For guests planning to visit Hollywood Studios in the coming weeks, the new Toy Story Land snack stand remains a question mark. Construction progress suggests the opening is approaching, but without official announcements, timing remains uncertain. The installation of queue markers and ongoing crew activity indicate final preparations rather than months of additional construction, suggesting patience might be measured in weeks rather than seasons.
When it does open, this addition will provide the convenient grab-and-go snack options Toy Story Land has needed since 2018, enhancing the land’s food and beverage offerings and giving guests eager for new options a reason to celebrate.