If Slinky Dog Dash was on your Hollywood Studios game plan this week, you may want to have a backup plan.
The popular Toy Story Land coaster has experienced extended downtime and delayed openings, leaving some guests wondering whether their carefully planned rope-drop strategy is about to fall apart.
And when you’ve built your entire morning around one attraction, that’s not exactly the Disney magic you were hoping for.
Slinky Dog Dash Has Been Dealing With Downtime
Slinky Dog Dash experienced significant downtime on August 31 and continued to face operational issues into September 1.
The attraction’s unpredictable operating schedule has been particularly frustrating for guests who were hoping to ride early in the morning.
That’s because Slinky Dog Dash is one of the most popular attractions at Hollywood Studios—and one of the first rides many guests target when they enter the park.
Why Everyone Wants to Rope Drop Slinky
Slinky Dog Dash isn’t the biggest or fastest coaster at Walt Disney World.
But it is incredibly popular.
The attraction winds through Toy Story Land, giving guests a playful ride aboard a coaster designed to look like Andy’s Slinky Dog toy.
It’s family-friendly enough for a wide range of guests, which makes it particularly appealing to families traveling with kids.
And that popularity creates one giant problem.
Everybody wants to ride it.
Early Entry Doesn’t Guarantee a Ride
Guests staying at eligible Disney Resort hotels can enter Hollywood Studios early and head toward their first attraction.
That has made Slinky Dog Dash a popular Early Entry target.
But there’s an important distinction between getting into the park early and getting onto a specific attraction.
If Slinky isn’t operating when you arrive, you’re suddenly standing in Toy Story Land wondering what exactly you’re supposed to do next.
And the answer isn’t always obvious.
Have a Backup Plan
This is one of those situations where having a loose plan is much better than having a perfect plan.
If Slinky Dog Dash is your number-one priority, check its status in the My Disney Experience app as you approach Hollywood Studios.
If it’s temporarily unavailable, you have a decision to make.
You can wait.
Or you can move on to another attraction and come back later.
Personally, I’d rather keep moving.
Hollywood Studios has too many popular attractions to stand around staring at a closed Slinky Dog.
So What Should You Do Instead?
If Slinky isn’t running, consider heading toward another priority attraction.
Tower of Terror and Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster are both popular choices, while Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway is another attraction worth considering.
And if you’ve got little ones with you, Toy Story Land still has Toy Story Mania! and Alien Swirling Saucers.
In other words, you don’t have to spend the first hour of your vacation refreshing the app and hoping Slinky comes back online.
Don’t Assume a Posted Wait Time Means Everything Is Fine
Another thing to remember is that attraction operations can change quickly.
A ride may reopen after being temporarily unavailable, only to experience another delay.
That means the wait time you see isn’t necessarily a guarantee that your ride experience will go exactly according to plan.
Theme parks are giant machines with thousands of moving parts.
Sometimes one of those parts decides it needs a day off.
This Isn’t a Reason to Skip Hollywood Studios
It’s easy to get frustrated when a popular attraction isn’t operating.
But don’t let one ride dictate your entire day.
Hollywood Studios has plenty to offer, from Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge to Toy Story Land, Sunset Boulevard and Animation Courtyard.
If Slinky Dog Dash isn’t cooperating, go do something else.
Then check back later.
The Golden Rule of Disney World Planning
This is why I always tell people not to build a Disney vacation around one attraction.
Have priorities.
Absolutely.
Know what you really want to do.
Absolutely.
But leave yourself some wiggle room.
Because you can have the most beautifully color-coded Disney itinerary ever created, and Slinky Dog Dash can still wake up that morning and say, “Nope.”
And there’s not much you can do about that.
Keep an Eye on Slinky Dog Dash
With the attraction experiencing extended downtime and delayed openings this week, guests visiting Hollywood Studios should check the My Disney Experience app before making Slinky Dog Dash their first stop.
If it’s running, fantastic.
Get in line and enjoy your ride through Toy Story Land.
If it isn’t?
Don’t panic.
Have a backup plan, keep moving and come back later if you can.
Because the only thing worse than a broken Slinky Dog is letting a broken Slinky Dog ruin your entire Disney day.
