What is Al's Toy Barn?

[pnmbn]

DS (5 y.o.) is a Toy Story freak and we only have a LONG weekend at WDW, so I am wondering if MGM is worth it? He really wants to see Buzz and the Pizza Planet and Al's Toy Barn. Is the Toy Barn just a shop? Right now I am thinking we will spend Sat and Sun at MK. He has Pirate's Cruise PS for Monday AM but then we could go to MGM for afternoon, ending with Fantasmic Dinner Package and 6PM showing of Fantasmic. Is 4-5 hours enough time to explore MGM (he is too little for rides there - coasters). Thought we would get there at like noonish......walk around........go to 1:20 WWTBM............explore Pizza Planet and Al's Toy Barn.....maybe catch another "show" (of course utilizing FP) and then go to dinner and see Fantasmic. I know EMH for MGM is Sat of our weekend but I really want to get 2 days at MK......................

Suggestions?

 

[joats]

As of last Oct, Al's Toy Barn is just a backdrop to take photos with Buzz and Woody. Jessie is also in the same area. To my knowledge there isn't an actual store.

I'm not sure how crowded MGM gets in the afternoon. But we usually arrive there around opening and only need 6 hours tops to do all we want to do and I'm a ride junkie, so that's pretty much everything!

I think MGM is doable on a 1/2 day provided that you aren't doing Tower of Terror or Rock and Roll Roller Coaster.
But make sure to see Muppets 3D! It's a blast!

 

[tjkraz]

The Toy Barn is little more than a character greeting area. Lines can form quickly, and the characters duck inside at regular intervals to get out of the sun.

Pizza Planet is not much to get excited about. It's just an arcade / counter service restuarant. The theming isn't even that great.

You might be better off just trying to catch Buzz outside the Space Ranger Spin at MK. Jessie and Bullseye can often be found in Frontierland as well.

MGM is my favorite park, and I would definitely recommend Fantasmic. You should be able to fill up 4-5 hours leading up to the show without a problem. Just don't get too excited about the Toy Story attractions as they are rather underwhelming.

 

[MAGICinMYHEART]

AL'S TOY BARN IS JUST TO THE RIGHT WHEN COMING OUT OF MUPPETS 3D....WHILE WAITING ON PS AT MAMA MELROSE'S (WHICH WOULD BE STRAIGHT AHEAD WHEN LEAVING MUPPETS)
I NOTICED BUZZ AND JESSIE COMING OUT A FEW MIN BEFORE MUPPETS SHOW ENDED....THE CM'S COME OUT FIRST TO MAKE SURE NOONE IS STANDING BY AUTO DOORS....BE THERE BEFORE SHOW ENDS AND YOU SHOULD BE FIRST IN LINE....GOOD LUCK

 

[beattyfamily]

You don't say when you are going but Saturday's at MK are VERY crowded year round.

I go off season...Sept, Oct, Dec...and we tried Saturday in Sept and one other time I think in Dec and BOTH times we had to walk right back out of MK! It was SO crowded.

One time, we were there around 11:00a and the Fastpass for Pooh was to come back between 5:00p and 6:00p!! So we just left the park. Now we avoid Saturdays at MK.

Just thought I'd warn you in case you didn't know.

On the other hand, we've done MGM on Saturday and had no problems.

Good luck!

 

[S. C.]

DO NOT MISS BEAUTY AND THE BEAST Best show around.

 

[nicknamy1996]

Does you 5 y.o. watch Playhouse Disney? If so the show at MGM is a must see (you may have to wait in line for this one) They do Bear in the Big Blue House, Stanley, Ollie and Pooh on stage with a lot of crowd participation (dancing, hopping, bubbles etc...)
Our boys had a blast at this one.

 

[tmq2766]

Keep your eyes open for the Green Army Men marching around looking for recruits.

 

[swilphil]

My son is also a Toy Story freak. We went to MGM for two 1/2 days. I would avoid MK on Saturday, or go first thing in the a.m. and then go to MGM or another park, and back to MK in the eveing if you wish. You will spend so much time waiting in line on Saturday afternoon at MK that you won't get to do much.

We went to the character greeting at Al's Toy Barn right when they were opening it up for the afternoon. It was the highlight of our entire trip. We saw Woody, Buzz and Jessie. We also went to Pizza Planet, and sat outside. They have several giant Toy Story figures on the roofs of the buildings.

At MGM, my son also loved Muppets, Little Mermaid, and Disney Playhouse shows. He really enjoyed the afternoon parade, too.

 

[pnmbn]

Thanks everyone for your replies. We are goin in November.....the weekend BEFORE Thanksgiving. We were planning on MK on Saturday but yes, very early......planning on being there at 9AM. My DS is an early riser so we shouldn't have a problem getting out early. WE also were only planning a half day at MK and then returning in the evening for Spectro and FiTs. Figured we use the afternoon to nap, swim, etc.

I know we have a short visit and the tendency is to CRAM is as much as we can but that would just make everyone crabby so I want to have some "down" time.

Tell me more about the green army men!

 

[tmq2766]

They are all dressed in green and have like a piece of nylon over their face so you cannot see it. They come marching down the street usually over by 50's Prime Time and recruit kids. They do a little skit that involves all the recruits and they make them do jumping jacks, push-ups and things like that. VERY FUNNY! They also do autographs. They sign the books GREEN ARMY MAN. Too funny.