Disneyland - Worlds of Pixar: The Best Way to Extend the Toy Story 5 Experience Beyond the Movie

By Mulder, Chessy, Disneyland Paris, 16 june 2026

As Toy Story 5 arrives in theaters and reunites audiences with Woody, Buzz Lightyear, Jessie, and the beloved gang that helped define modern animation, fans visiting Disneyland Paris already have the perfect way to continue the adventure long after the credits roll. Nestled within Disney Adventure World, Worlds of Pixar has evolved into far more than a collection of attractions inspired by Pixar Animation Studios. It has become a living celebration of the studio's storytelling legacy, bringing together iconic worlds from Toy Story, Finding Nemo, Cars, and Ratatouille in a single immersive destination. At a time when Toy Story 5 explores the growing dominance of technology in children's lives and questions whether traditional toys can still compete with screens, Worlds of Pixar offers a fascinating real-world answer. The best way to reconnect with the spirit of the film may not be through another device or streaming platform, but by stepping into a place where imagination once again takes center stage.

The story of Worlds of Pixar is closely tied to the dramatic transformation of Disneyland Paris' second gate. When Walt Disney Studios Park first opened in 2002, the focus was largely on celebrating the filmmaking process, with attractions inspired by movie production and animation. Pixar's presence was relatively modest. That began to change in 2007 with the opening of Crush's Coaster and Cars Quatre Roues Rallye, two attractions that immediately demonstrated the immense popularity of Pixar characters among European audiences. The expansion continued in 2010 with the debut of Toy Story Playland, the very first Toy Story-themed land ever built in a Disney park anywhere in the world. Coinciding with the release of Toy Story 3, the area instantly became one of Disneyland Paris' signature experiences. Guests entering the land suddenly found themselves reduced to the size of toys, surrounded by giant building blocks, oversized game pieces, and enormous everyday objects transformed into larger-than-life scenery. More than fifteen years later, the concept remains one of the most effective examples of environmental storytelling ever created by Disney Imagineering.

For visitors discovering Toy Story 5, Toy Story Playland feels more relevant than ever. Directed by Andrew Stanton, the latest installment places Jessie at the center of a story that explores an increasingly modern concern: what happens when children become more attached to electronic devices than to traditional toys? The arrival of the tablet character Lilypad forces the toys to confront a difficult reality as Bonnie's attention drifts toward technology. It is a surprisingly mature theme for a family film and one that resonates strongly within the land itself. Walking through Toy Story Playland, it is impossible not to notice children putting down their phones and becoming fully immersed in physical play, exploration, and shared experiences. In many ways, the land already embodies the answer proposed by the film. Technology may evolve, but toys continue to matter when they inspire creativity, imagination, and human connection.

Among the attractions, RC Racer remains the undisputed thrill machine of the area. Inspired by Andy's remote-controlled car, the attraction launches riders back and forth on a towering half-pipe structure that reaches approximately twenty-five meters into the air. The experience is short but remarkably intense, delivering a sensation that perfectly captures the reckless excitement associated with childhood play. Nearby, Toy Soldiers Parachute Drop offers a completely different perspective, lifting guests high above the land before gently lowering them back to earth under the watchful command of the Green Army Men. Meanwhile, Slinky Dog Zigzag Spin provides a more family-oriented experience, yet its playful design and vibrant visual identity contribute significantly to the immersive atmosphere. Together, these attractions achieve something that few themed environments manage successfully: they do not merely recreate scenes from the films, they allow guests to feel as though they have become part of the Toy Story universe themselves.

One of the greatest strengths of Worlds of Pixar is its ability to celebrate the studio's broader legacy rather than focusing exclusively on a single franchise. Guests can journey from the underwater world of Finding Nemo aboard Crush's Coaster to the desert highways of Cars with Cars Road Trip, before stepping into the beautifully recreated Parisian streets of Ratatouille: The Adventure. This diversity reflects the extraordinary creative range that Pixar has demonstrated throughout its history. It also places Toy Story 5 within the larger context of a studio that continues to honor its classic characters while constantly pushing toward new storytelling frontiers. The inclusion of Bistrot Chez Rémy, where diners find themselves seemingly shrunk to the size of rats among giant kitchen utensils and oversized food, further reinforces Disneyland Paris' unique interpretation of Pixar's worlds and remains one of the resort's most distinctive dining experiences.

The significance of Worlds of Pixar has only grown with the ongoing transformation of the resort. Following the ambitious expansion plan announced by Bob Iger in 2018, Walt Disney Studios Park gradually evolved into Disney Adventure World, shifting away from its original studio-backlot concept in favor of highly immersive lands dedicated to beloved stories and characters. Worlds of Pixar became one of the cornerstones of this vision. With the opening of World of Frozen and the creation of the park's new central lake, the Pixar-themed area now serves as a vital connection point within the broader guest experience. This evolution mirrors the philosophy that has guided Pixar since the release of the original Toy Story in 1995: audiences are no longer interested in seeing how stories are made; they want to step inside those stories and experience them firsthand.

The timing could hardly be better. Toy Story 5 has already received largely positive reviews, with critics praising the film's stunning visuals, emotional themes, and strong performances from Tom Hanks, Tim Allen, Joan Cusack, and the rest of the returning cast. The production also represents a major technological leap for Pixar, utilizing new rendering technologies and advanced animation systems developed specifically for the film. Yet perhaps the most interesting aspect of the movie is its willingness to question the very role technology plays in modern childhood. Despite being one of the most technologically sophisticated animated films ever produced, its core message remains rooted in something deeply human: the importance of imagination, friendship, and play. Those themes resonate throughout Worlds of Pixar, where cutting-edge ride systems and elaborate themed environments ultimately serve a much simpler purpose—bringing people together through shared experiences.

As Toy Story 5 reminds audiences that toys only truly come alive through the imagination of children, Worlds of Pixar stands as a natural extension of everything the franchise represents. It is more than a themed land, more than a collection of attractions, and more than a tribute to Pixar's greatest hits. It is a place where the values that have defined Toy Story for more than three decades—friendship, adventure, creativity, and wonder—continue to thrive. In an era increasingly dominated by screens and digital distractions, Worlds of Pixar offers something refreshingly timeless. It invites guests to step away from technology for a moment and rediscover the simple joy of play. For anyone leaving the theater inspired by the latest adventures of Woody, Buzz Lightyear, and Jessie, there may be no better way to keep the story going than by spending a day in the very world that proves toys still have plenty of magic left to share.

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Synopsis:
Buzz, Woody, Jessie, and the rest of the gang will see their roles called into question when they discover that what today’s kids are obsessed with is… electronics!

Toy Story 5
Directed by Andrew Stanton
Written by Andrew Stanton, Kenna Harris
Story by Andrew Stanton
Produced by Lindsey Collins, Jessica Choi
Starring Tom Hanks, Tim Allen, Joan Cusack, Greta Lee, Conan O’Brien, Tony Hale, Craig Robinson, Shelby Rabara, Scarlett Spears, Mykal-Michelle Harris, Matty Matheson, John Ratzenberger, Wallace Shawn, Blake Clark, Jeff Bergman, Anna Vocino, Annie Potts, Bonnie Hunt, Melissa Villaseñor, John Hopkins, Kristen Schaal, Ernie Hudson, Bad Bunny, Keanu Reeves, Ally Maki, Alan Cumming
Cinematography: Matt Aspbury, JC Kalache
Edited by Jennifer Jew
Music by Randy Newman
Production company: Pixar Animation Studios
Distributed by Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures
Release dates: June 9, 2026 (Los Angeles), June 17, 2026 (France), June 19, 2026 (United States)
Running time: 102 minutes

Photos : Boris Colletier / Mulderville