Slinky Dog Dash at Walt Disney World may rank really high in Disney ride reviews, but how scary might it be – and what exactly might you be afraid of?
Open since 2018, Toy Story Land in Disney's Hollywood Studios is the largest version compared to any other Disney park. And its popularity hasn't gone down since its opening. A prime example is the long waits you can see at Slinky Dog Dash everyday.
This popular Disney attraction takes you flying through Andy's backyard inside of a giant Slinky Dog. Featuring 2 launches and an animatronic Wheezy who serenades riders, it's quickly become a classic attraction at Disney World.
But what exactly might make it a scary ride? We've ridden Slinky Dog Dash countless times and understand the ins and outs of it like the back of our hands.
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Once you board your Slinky Dog train, you'll waste no time hitting some curves and flying through Andy's backyard.
You'll ride through several curves, passing a massive version of Jessie and Rex and zoom through tunnels made out of toy blocks.
You'll then stop under several colored arches. This is the main launch. Your train will roll backwards, then launch forward as if it was spring-loaded like a real Slinky Dog. The colored arches even pulse with sounds, spinners, and flashing lights. You'll speed up and down a tall hill before going through a series of camelback humps that will make you feel like a Slinky.
After looping back around, your ride will come to an end. But before you arrive at the unloading area, you'll get to catch a performance by the beloved Wheezy the penguin, who's joined by Mr. Spell!
This is why we at MickeyVisit put together this comprehensive ride review of Slinky Dog Dash so you have a clear idea of what to expect when riding it.
In an effort to clearly define just how scary a ride is, we developed an ultra-scientific backed-by-research rating system. We call it the Mickey Visit Ride Rating System – MVRRS for short (pretty clever, huh?) The MVRRS goes as follows:
Slinky Dog Dash is an outdoor roller coaster designed to look as if it was made out of Andy's Tinkertoys.
Everything at Slinky Dog Dash is themed to Toy Story. The entire ride track looks as if Andy build it with his new Dash & Dodge Mega Coaster Playkit. The ride vehicles are themed to Slinky Dog.
In fact, the entire entrance and queue for Slinky Dog Dash is made to look like it was constructed from Andy's toys, cards, books, and toy boxes. More on that later.
Here’s some important information to review before riding Slinky Dog Dash:
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Disney Ride Review
In an effort to clearly define just how scary a ride is, we developed an ultra-scientific backed-by-research rating system. We call it the Mickey Visit Ride Rating System – MVRRS for short (pretty clever, huh?) The MVRRS goes as follows:
- Wimp Proof: Not scary at all
- Wimp Proof-ish: Seems scary at first, but after, you feel it's nothing to worry about
- Scary but Survivable: Moderately scary
- Scary: Definitely scary, but you'll be able to sleep at night
- Bravest Riders Only: The scariest ride you'll find in a theme park
Slinky Dog Dash Overview
Slinky Dog Dash is an outdoor roller coaster designed to look as if it was made out of Andy's Tinkertoys.
Everything at Slinky Dog Dash is themed to Toy Story. The entire ride track looks as if Andy build it with his new Dash & Dodge Mega Coaster Playkit. The ride vehicles are themed to Slinky Dog.
In fact, the entire entrance and queue for Slinky Dog Dash is made to look like it was constructed from Andy's toys, cards, books, and toy boxes. More on that later.
Here’s some important information to review before riding Slinky Dog Dash:
- Access: Lightning Lane Multi Pass, Rider Switch
- Height Requirements: Guests must be at least 38″ (97cm)
- Highest Speed: 40mph (64kph)
- Length: 2 minutes
- Tallest Height: 50ft (15m)
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Both the standby queue and Lightning Lane queue for Slinky Dog Dash start right at the ride’s signage.
The merge point for both queues happens right before being directed toward the boarding area. However, while waiting in either one of the queues, you'll have plenty to look at.
Just like the ride, the queue for Slinky Dog Dash looks as if it was made out of Andy's toys and toy boxes. While you're standing in line, you'll find an Elmer's glue bottle, the Slinky Dog Dash & Dodge Mega Coaster Kit instructions, toy soldiers, and more.
Keep in mind though that all of these queue elements are larger than life, made to look like you're the size of a toy!
As a side note, you'll find plenty of Toy Story references along the queue. My favorite: the standby queue sign that displays the ride's wait time is the backside of Buster's dog tag. Buster is Andy's dog. How cool is that?
Note that most of the queue, while covered, is still outdoors and in the Florida heat.
Lastly, it's important to note that there are 2 chicken exits available should you choose to skip the ride. The first is at the boarding area, where you can ask a Cast Member to walk straight through to the exit. The second isn't the most convenient: if you decide to sit this ride out while in the queue, you can simply turn around and walk back out the way you entered.
The ride vehicles for Slinky Dog Dash resemble a larger-than-life Slinky Dog.
Once you make your way to the front of the queue, a Cast Member will direct you to your designated seating area. You'll be seated in a traditional roller coaster vehicle with your feet touching the ground, the sides enclosed, and a lap bar in front of you to hold onto.
With Slinky's head at the front of your train and his tail at the back, you'll truly feel like you're riding a Slinky Dog. Your train has a total of 5 cars. Riders sit 2 across in 2 rows per car for a total of 18 riders per train.
Lastly, the final ride vehicle in every Slinky Dog train is accessible. This means it has a door that swings open to allow for easier access. Those in ECV/scooters must transfer to a standard wheelchair, then to the ride vehicle.
Slinky Dog Dash Queue: What You Need to Know
Both the standby queue and Lightning Lane queue for Slinky Dog Dash start right at the ride’s signage.
The merge point for both queues happens right before being directed toward the boarding area. However, while waiting in either one of the queues, you'll have plenty to look at.
Just like the ride, the queue for Slinky Dog Dash looks as if it was made out of Andy's toys and toy boxes. While you're standing in line, you'll find an Elmer's glue bottle, the Slinky Dog Dash & Dodge Mega Coaster Kit instructions, toy soldiers, and more.
Keep in mind though that all of these queue elements are larger than life, made to look like you're the size of a toy!
As a side note, you'll find plenty of Toy Story references along the queue. My favorite: the standby queue sign that displays the ride's wait time is the backside of Buster's dog tag. Buster is Andy's dog. How cool is that?
Note that most of the queue, while covered, is still outdoors and in the Florida heat.
Lastly, it's important to note that there are 2 chicken exits available should you choose to skip the ride. The first is at the boarding area, where you can ask a Cast Member to walk straight through to the exit. The second isn't the most convenient: if you decide to sit this ride out while in the queue, you can simply turn around and walk back out the way you entered.
Slinky Dog Dash Vehicle Information
The ride vehicles for Slinky Dog Dash resemble a larger-than-life Slinky Dog.
Once you make your way to the front of the queue, a Cast Member will direct you to your designated seating area. You'll be seated in a traditional roller coaster vehicle with your feet touching the ground, the sides enclosed, and a lap bar in front of you to hold onto.
With Slinky's head at the front of your train and his tail at the back, you'll truly feel like you're riding a Slinky Dog. Your train has a total of 5 cars. Riders sit 2 across in 2 rows per car for a total of 18 riders per train.
Slinky Dog Dash: Ride Experience
Once you board your Slinky Dog train, you'll waste no time hitting some curves and flying through Andy's backyard.
You'll ride through several curves, passing a massive version of Jessie and Rex and zoom through tunnels made out of toy blocks.
You'll then stop under several colored arches. This is the main launch. Your train will roll backwards, then launch forward as if it was spring-loaded like a real Slinky Dog. The colored arches even pulse with sounds, spinners, and flashing lights. You'll speed up and down a tall hill before going through a series of camelback humps that will make you feel like a Slinky.
After looping back around, your ride will come to an end. But before you arrive at the unloading area, you'll get to catch a performance by the beloved Wheezy the penguin, who's joined by Mr. Spell!
Let's review the aspects of the ride that that make Slinky Dog dash thrilling and add to its MVRRS rating:
Here's why you need to ride Slinky Dog Dash.
I'm going to share a little personal history. As a child, I wasn't a very big Disney fan. In fact, there were many Disney princess movies I didn't watch until I was out of college (please don't tell my wife). However, since the release of Toy Story, I've been a diehard Pixar fan.
So in 2015, when Disney announced that they were building a Toy Story themed land, I was excited as ever. And when I first visited Toy Story Land, I couldn't help but jump with joy that I'm now able to live out my childhood dream of walking through Andy's world.
Even before riding, I was amazed by how much detail Walt Disney Imagineers put into the ride queue. To this day, finding the Toy Story Easter eggs is one of my all-time favorite things to do in Toy Story Land!
But hands down, the best part of riding Slinky Dog Dash can only be experienced at night.
It's at night time when the ride truly comes to life with its lights glowing. From the moment you approach the launch sequence to the second you're launched back up to speed to finish the ride, you'll feel mesmerized by the life that Disney Imagineers breathed into this ride.
Slinky Dog Dash is a Toy Story fan's dream come true.
So, how does our ride review of Slinky Dog Dash stack up against our MVRRS?
- Sweeping Turns: Slinky Dog Dash has several sweeping turns throughout the ride that give it the illusion of speed. They are similar to the sweeping banks of Seven Dwarfs Mine Train
- Camelback Humps: Toward the end of the ride, your ride vehicle goes through a series of camelback humps, much like what you'd experience on Incredicoaster or Big Thunder Mountain
- Drops: While there are drops on Slinky Dog Dash, they are very smooth and not as steep as other roller coasters like Expedition Everest or Incredicoaster
- Ride Vehicle: Your ride vehicle is a much more traditional roller coaster vehicle, with your feet touching the ground, the sides enclosed, and a handrail in front of you to hold onto – a much tamer ride vehicle compared to other Disney roller coasters
- Speed: Slinky Dog Dash reaches a top speed of 40 mph, making it faster than Seven Dwarfs Mine Train and slightly faster than Twilight Zone Tower of Terror. Keep in mind though that the ride slows down considerably at points and even stops completely. It doesn't maintain its top speed throughout the ride
- Launch Sequence: Mid-way through the ride, you'll experience a launch from a fully stopped position. This launch feels much gentler than the launch you would experience on Incredicoaster or Rock ‘N' Roller Coaster
- Height: From the outside of the ride and looking at the ride track, Slinky Dog Dash looks alarmingly high. However, the highest height of this ride is 50 ft. It looks high because of its exposed ride track, giving the illusion of extra height. Even when riding, you don't feel like you're high up at all.
- Audio Effects: Soon after boarding, you'll hear Slinky Dog's voice give you a safety talk before starting the ride. Then, before you initiate the launch sequence, you'll hear the sounds of the boosters slinging you back to speed
- Length: At 2 minutes, Slinky Dog Dash is over 1 minute quicker than Peter Pan's Flight at Magic Kingdom and about 1 minute slower than Space Mountain
- Night-Time Experience: Much like Incredicoaster at Disney California Adventure, at night, this ride is a whole different experience from start to finish. The flashing lights at the launch make for a great experience!
Favorite Moment of Slinky Dog Dash
Here's why you need to ride Slinky Dog Dash.
I'm going to share a little personal history. As a child, I wasn't a very big Disney fan. In fact, there were many Disney princess movies I didn't watch until I was out of college (please don't tell my wife). However, since the release of Toy Story, I've been a diehard Pixar fan.
So in 2015, when Disney announced that they were building a Toy Story themed land, I was excited as ever. And when I first visited Toy Story Land, I couldn't help but jump with joy that I'm now able to live out my childhood dream of walking through Andy's world.
Even before riding, I was amazed by how much detail Walt Disney Imagineers put into the ride queue. To this day, finding the Toy Story Easter eggs is one of my all-time favorite things to do in Toy Story Land!
But hands down, the best part of riding Slinky Dog Dash can only be experienced at night.
It's at night time when the ride truly comes to life with its lights glowing. From the moment you approach the launch sequence to the second you're launched back up to speed to finish the ride, you'll feel mesmerized by the life that Disney Imagineers breathed into this ride.
Slinky Dog Dash is a Toy Story fan's dream come true.
Slinky Dog Dash: Scary Verdict
So, how does our ride review of Slinky Dog Dash stack up against our MVRRS?
MVRRS VERDICT: Wimp Proof-ish: Seems scary at first, but after, you feel it's nothing to worry about
In reality, if it weren't for the ride looking extremely tall, I would rate Slinky Dog Dash as wimp proof: not scary at all. However, every single time I walk by Slinky Dog Dash right after setting foot into Toy Story Land, I keep thinking about how tall the ride looks. It really feels like it's looming over me. However, when riding, every single drop on Slinky Dog Dash doesn't feel “stomach-churning” at all. Each drop and turn feels smooth, making for an easier riding experience. Even the launch sequence feels gentle compared to other launch sequences on other Disney rides. And Slinky Dog Dash's top speed, although high, doesn't feel that fast. In fact, I was really surprised to find out that it reaches up to 40mph! With its sweeping, smooth turns and shallow drops, Slinky Dog Dash is potentially a great roller coaster for guests that are sensitive to motion sickness. However, if you're looking for a good Disney roller coaster to ride as your first coaster, you might want to try something smaller, like The Barnstormer at Magic Kingdom. In the end, I highly recommend riding Slinky Dog Dash, adults and kiddos alike.Plan Your Walt Disney World Vacation
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How rough is Slinky Dog Dash?
Slinky Dog Dash isn't rough at all. In fact, Slinky Dog Dash is full of sweeping and smooth turns as well as shallow drops. It's potentially a great roller coaster for guests that are sensitive to motion sickness.
Is Slinky Dog dash scarier than Mine Train?
Because of its sweeping and smooth turns and shallow drops, Slinky Dog Dash isn't scarier than Seven Dwarfs Mine Train. Additionally, unlike the side-to-side swinging ride vehicle of Seven Dwarfs Mine Train, the ride vehicle for Slinky Dog Dash doesn't swing side-to-side. This makes it even less scarier.
What is so great about Slinky Dog Dash?
What is so great about Slinky Dog Dash is that it's an incredible design of what Andy would have built with his own toys. Down to the minute details, Slinky Dog Dash is a great call to the entire Toy Story franchise
What age is appropriate for Slinky Dog Dash?
We believe that Slinky Dog is appropriate for kiddos as young as age 5. The combination of sweeping and smooth turns and shallow drops make this a great roller coaster for kiddos and adults alike. Note that as long as your kiddo is 38″ (97cm) or taller, they are clear to ride Slinky Dog Dash.
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