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Disney World has finally opened a long-delayed update at Toy Story Land—shaded seating at Woody’s Lunch Box—after more than three years of construction and guest anticipation.
Three years after construction began, Disney World has finally completed the first section of shaded seating at Woody’s Lunch Box in Toy Story Land. The modest addition quietly opened to guests this week at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, offering partial relief from the Florida sun in a land long criticized for its lack of weather protection.
While relatively minor, the update addresses one of the most persistent guest complaints since the land’s debut in 2018.
Credit: Disney
A Long-Awaited Practical Fix in Toy Story Land
Toy Story Land was introduced as part of Disney’s effort to expand Hollywood Studios, following the closures of several legacy attractions and in anticipation of larger developments like Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge. The area quickly became popular with families thanks to Slinky Dog Dash, Alien Swirling Saucers, and Toy Story Mania, but its lack of shaded areas proved to be a major operational flaw.
Woody’s Lunch Box, the land’s only quick-service dining location, has been especially vulnerable. Though it consistently draws crowds for its sandwiches and pastries, the restaurant has offered little protection from sun, rain, or heat. As a result, demand for covered tables has consistently outweighed supply.
Credit: Disney
In early 2022, construction walls were installed around part of the seating area. Many assumed the fix would be completed within months. Instead, visible progress stalled, with no official updates or announcements from Disney during the extended downtime.
This week, the first section of shaded seating quietly opened. The new canopy features a colorful, stylized design that fits Toy Story Land’s oversized, playful aesthetic. The structure offers improved sun coverage, though its height may limit effectiveness against rain or wind-driven storms. Additional shaded sections appear to be under construction but have not yet opened.
A Small Update in a Competitive Year
The delayed completion of this relatively simple addition comes as Disney faces growing competitive pressure. Universal Orlando Resort is preparing to launch Epic Universe in May, meaning Mickey Mouse needs to compete with a major new theme park featuring lands such as How to Train Your Dragon – Isle of Berk, SUPER NINTENDO WORLD, Dark Universe, and yet another expansion for the Wizarding World of Harry Potter.
While Disney has multiple projects in development across its U.S. parks—including a Villains-themed area and a new Cars land for Magic Kingdom, plus a Monsters, Inc. expansion at Hollywood Studios—many remain in early planning phases or lack official timelines. Compared to Universal’s rapid construction pace, Disney’s rollout of updates has been noticeably slower.
Credit: Disney
For some fans, the shaded seating at Woody’s Lunch Box has become symbolic of that slowdown. The fact that a canopy—one that replaces existing seating rather than expanding it—took roughly the same amount of time as the Jurassic World VelociCoaster at Universal only underscores the contrast.
Still, it’s a step forward for Toy Story Land, which has seen only incremental additions since opening. Jessie’s Trading Post, a small merchandise location, debuted in 2022, followed by the Roundup Rodeo BBQ table-service restaurant in 2023.
While not the kind of headline-making attraction Disney fans may be hoping for, the new shaded seating represents a practical improvement based on guest experience. More importantly, it signals that further updates to the land are still in development—though likely to arrive at a similar pace.
