Credit: Martin Lewison, FlickrDisney World is making noticeable changes to one of its most popular themed lands, and guests visiting Disney’s Hollywood Studios this holiday season will discover a different atmosphere from what they experienced just a few weeks ago.
The transformation comes as Walt Disney World continues preparing for Christmas, bringing seasonal entertainment, decorations, and special experiences to its four theme parks.
However, some of the changes are more noticeable than others.
At Disney’s Hollywood Studios, familiar locations are receiving colorful additions, recognizable characters are getting festive touches, and even certain attractions are offering something different.
Now, another major section of the park has officially completed its holiday makeover, giving visitors something new to explore throughout the Christmas season.
Disney World Transforms Toy Story Land for Christmas 2026
Toy Story Land has officially received its Christmas decorations for 2026, bringing a festive transformation to the popular area at Disney’s Hollywood Studios.
According to WDW News Today, decorations have appeared throughout Toy Story Land and neighboring Pixar Place, introducing oversized ornaments, colorful garlands, and holiday displays inspired by familiar Pixar characters.
The changes fit naturally into the land’s original concept.
Since opening in 2018, Toy Story Land has invited guests to shrink to the size of a toy and explore Andy’s backyard.
Everything surrounding visitors appears enormous, from building blocks and toys to the decorations scattered throughout the area.
Christmas gives Disney another opportunity to play with that concept.
Rather than installing ordinary holiday decorations, Disney uses oversized ornaments and playful details that make visitors feel even smaller.
The result is a festive version of the familiar land without changing its attractions or permanent layout.
It’s also another development for an area that has already experienced several updates this year, including changes to Alien Swirling Saucers and its seasonal entertainment.
Woody Welcomes Guests With a Different Appearance
The holiday transformation begins before visitors even enter Toy Story Land.
The giant Woody figure welcoming guests into the area now wears a red-and-white striped scarf.
Green garland surrounds the entrance signage, while enormous Christmas ornaments add colorful decorations around the familiar display.
Each ornament brings something different to the entrance.
One blue ornament features Buzz Lightyear flying through space, complete with green details along its top and bottom.
Another ornament celebrates Woody’s western adventures.
The teal decoration features Jessie, Woody, and Bullseye in a scene inspired by Woody’s Roundup.
A third ornament features purple coloring with gold accents, although it doesn’t include a specific Toy Story character design.
Together, the decorations create a colorful entrance that immediately separates the holiday version of Toy Story Land from its usual appearance.
Visitors will also discover oversized retro-style Merry Lights positioned among the shrubs near the entrance.
These decorations project red, green, yellow, and blue lighting, adding another playful element to the area.
For longtime visitors, the seasonal transformation offers a different backdrop for photographs with the giant Woody figure.
The changes also arrive shortly after Disney adjusted the appearances of several Toy Story characters at Hollywood Studios.
Pixar Place Receives Its Own Christmas Makeover
Toy Story Land isn’t the only Pixar-themed section receiving attention.
Disney has also decorated Pixar Place, giving the nearby area a festive appearance of its own.
According to the November 9 report, decorations now cover several building facades and lampposts throughout Pixar Place.
Gold tinsel stars hang from the lampposts, while green tinsel garland wraps around some of the structures.
Disney has also decorated the entrance to the character greeting locations.
A large strand of red garland stretches across the awning, accompanied by colorful ornaments and paper chains.
The decorations include small toy-inspired details, including trucks and airplanes.
These additions are particularly fitting for an area celebrating Pixar’s animated characters.
Instead of relying entirely on traditional Christmas decorations, Disney has incorporated familiar toys into the displays.
The changes give visitors another reason to explore Pixar Place rather than heading directly toward the park’s major attractions.
And with Disney Jollywood Nights bringing special character experiences to Hollywood Studios, the surrounding holiday atmosphere adds to the park’s seasonal appeal.
Toy Story Land’s Christmas Changes Go Beyond Decorations
Although the decorations are the latest additions, Disney has already introduced another seasonal change inside Toy Story Land.
Alien Swirling Saucers officially debuted its 2026 Christmas soundtrack on November 4.
The attraction features four holiday songs throughout its seasonal overlay, temporarily replacing its regular musical selections.
This year’s version also differs from previous holiday celebrations.
Rather than alternating between Christmas songs and the usual soundtrack, Alien Swirling Saucers now exclusively plays its holiday music during the seasonal experience.
The change follows Disney’s earlier introduction of Lilypad and new entertainment at the attraction.
Lilypad remains part of the experience, but the character now plays Christmas music for visitors outside the attraction as well.
The holiday soundtrack is scheduled to remain available through January 6, 2027.
For guests who regularly visit Disney’s Hollywood Studios, these smaller attraction updates can make familiar experiences feel different.
And because the seasonal music is part of the regular attraction, visitors don’t need to purchase tickets to a separate Christmas party to experience it.
Hollywood Studios Is Changing Throughout the Park
The latest Toy Story Land additions are part of a much larger Christmas transformation happening across Disney’s Hollywood Studios.
Holiday decorations have already appeared along Hollywood Boulevard and near the park’s entrance.
The park’s giant Christmas tree has also returned, along with the familiar Santa Gertie display.
Gertie the Dinosaur has become a recognizable part of Hollywood Studios’ Christmas atmosphere, especially for visitors who enjoy the park’s nostalgic decorations.
Her seasonal popularity has even carried over into merchandise, with Disney featuring Gertie in its 2026 Jollywood Nights collection.
Meanwhile, the park has been working through other changes ahead of the holidays.
Echo Lake recently underwent maintenance, with Disney restoring the familiar area as Christmas preparations continued.
The combination of returning decorations and seasonal experiences means guests visiting during November and December will encounter several differences throughout Hollywood Studios.
And unlike major construction projects, these Christmas additions don’t require visitors to wait months or years for the finished results.
Disney Jollywood Nights Adds Even More Christmas Entertainment
The decorations also arrive as Disney’s Hollywood Studios welcomes another season of Disney Jollywood Nights.
The separately ticketed event officially began November 7, bringing exclusive holiday entertainment, character appearances, and seasonal food to the park.
Disney has introduced several changes to the event for 2026, including new entertainment experiences and adjustments to its holiday offerings.
Visitors attending the event can experience a different side of Hollywood Studios after regular park hours.
However, it’s important to separate the special ticketed entertainment from the decorations now appearing throughout the park.
Guests don’t need a Jollywood Nights ticket simply to walk through Toy Story Land, photograph the holiday decorations, or enjoy the seasonal Alien Swirling Saucers soundtrack during regular operating hours.
That distinction matters for families who want to enjoy Christmas at Disney World without paying for another expensive event.
Jollywood Nights also features special seasonal food and beverages, with Disney introducing numerous additions to its 2026 holiday menu.
For visitors interested primarily in the decorations, however, a regular Hollywood Studios visit still offers plenty of Christmas atmosphere.
What Guests Should Know Before Visiting Toy Story Land
The Christmas decorations are already in place, meaning guests visiting Disney’s Hollywood Studios can see the updated displays now.
However, there are a few things worth remembering.
First, these are seasonal changes rather than permanent modifications to Toy Story Land.
Disney hasn’t announced a complete redesign or replacement of the area’s attractions.
Slinky Dog Dash, Toy Story Mania!, and Alien Swirling Saucers remain the land’s signature rides.
The holiday decorations simply add another layer of storytelling to the existing environment.
Second, visitors hoping to experience the decorations should remember that Hollywood Studios can have different operating hours on nights featuring special events.
With Disney Jollywood Nights tickets already selling out for certain dates, checking the park calendar before arriving remains important.
Finally, guests should consider spending some time exploring Toy Story Land after dark.
The colorful lighting and oversized decorations can offer a different atmosphere once the sun goes down.
For families who have already experienced the attractions, the holiday additions also provide a reason to slow down and appreciate the smaller details.
Toy Story Land Has a New Look for Christmas 2026
Disney World’s latest holiday transformation may not involve a brand-new attraction or a major construction project, but it does give visitors something different to experience.
From Woody’s festive scarf and oversized ornaments to the colorful decorations throughout Pixar Place, Disney has brought Christmas into another recognizable section of Hollywood Studios.
The seasonal soundtrack at Alien Swirling Saucers adds another change for returning visitors.
Together, these additions make Toy Story Land feel noticeably different during the holiday season.
And with Christmas celebrations continuing throughout Walt Disney World, guests visiting Hollywood Studios over the coming weeks will have another festive area to explore before the decorations eventually disappear.
