G-EAR-ing up for Toy Story Mania's Launch

The Walt Disney Company has a long history of sending interesting and collectible swag to the press to boost their excitement for attractions opening soon. The newest attraction headed for both Walt Disney World here in Orlando as well as the Disneyland Resort in Anaheim, Ca. is Toy Story Mania, scheduled to officially open this Summer (and possibly unofficially open within the next couple of weeks).

This attraction blends “4D” technology (3D screens/glasses + practical effects, like water squirting riders) with an interactive carnival-themed shooting element, similar to Disney’s own Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin at the Magic Kingdom, only taken to the next level. The new attraction will feature not only Buzz Lightyear, but a host of other characters familiar to any fan of the Disney/Pixar films Toy Story and Toy Story 2.

Today, we received this fun and inventive box, not as an invitation to a press event, but simply as a reminder (to us and everyone reading this) that Toy Story Mania is on its way soon:

Front, Mr. Potato Head invites a look inside

Sides, Toy Story Mania logos

Inside, a pair of Mr. Potato Head’s ears, cushioned to ensure safe arrival

A large, highly-advanced animatronic Mr. Potato Head will be stationed outside the new attraction, interacting with guests as they approach the area and wait to board. Fan-made videos of the giant spud at Disney’s California Adventure are already showing up online, though he’s yet to be seen in Florida outside of a few Disney-released images like the one below, depicting Eric Swapp, Principal Show Programmer for Walt Disney Imagineering, making adjustments to the figure just a few days ago.

We’re waiting with great anticipation for the first opportunity to hop on this new attraction at Disney’s Hollywood Studios.