Designing a Toy-Sized World
During the opening celebration of Toy Story Land at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, we had the opportunity to speak with Pam Rawlins, a senior Imagineer at Walt Disney World. Pam played a key role in bringing Andy’s backyard to life and shared her firsthand experience with us in a special video interview.
The Challenges and Joys of Imagineering
Pam discussed the unique challenges of designing a land entirely from a toy’s perspective. From oversized building blocks to giant game pieces, every inch of Toy Story Land had to feel authentic to the world of Buzz, Woody, and their friends. Pam emphasized how the team worked to ensure the land would feel playful, immersive, and different from anything else at Walt Disney World.
She also reflected on the rewarding moments of the project. Especially seeing the first guests enter the land and watching families experience the magic they helped create.
Favorite Memories from the Project
One of Pam’s favorite parts of working on Toy Story Land was collaborating with her fellow Imagineers. Together, they worked to develop not just the look, but also the feeling of the space.
Every creative decision—from the design of Slinky Dog Dash to the details in the queue lines—was made with storytelling in mind. The team wanted guests to feel like they had truly stepped into Andy’s backyard. Her excitement was contagious. As she talked about watching guests interact with the land for the first time. It was clear how much this project meant to her. Especially touching were the moments when children lit up, recognizing their favorite toys brought to life.
Pam Rawlins Toy Story Land
[…] In April 2015, the majority of the Streets of America, including the Stunt Show and the one-time park icon Earffel Tower, were removed to make way for Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge and Toy Story Land. […]