There’s a new toy in Andy’s backyard, and not everyone is sure she belongs there.
Lilypad!
Lilypad, the frog-shaped tablet from Toy Story 5, has officially moved into Toy Story Land at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, and while plenty of guests are excited to see her spinning tunes, a whole lot of fans have one big question: what is one of Bonnie’s toys doing in Andy’s backyard?!
Meet DJ Lilypad
If you haven’t caught up yet, here’s the scoop. Lilypad from Toy Story 5 has a new gig as DJ of Alien Swirling Saucers, and the ride now goes by Alien Swirling Saucers: Lilypad Jams. The updated soundtrack mixes classics with brand-new music — reimagined versions of “You’ve Got a Friend in Me,” “We Belong Together,” and “I Can’t Let You Throw Yourself Away”. She’s not just there for riders, either. Guests walking through Toy Story Land can guess which toy Lilypad is doodling on her drawing app, help her unscramble puzzles, and watch “home videos” of Toy Story characters. She made her official debut on Friday, September 25th.
Alien Swirling Saucers
So…Why Is She in Andy’s Backyard?
Here’s where things get interesting. The entire premise of Toy Story Land is that YOU have been shrunk down to the size of a toy and are hanging out in Andy’s backyard. That’s why there are giant Tinkertoys, oversized Popsicle sticks, and Andy’s handwriting all over the place. And Lilypad? She’s Bonnie’s toy. Once she started showing up, our comment sections lit up.
One reader got right to the point:
“Ok…… aren’t we supposed to be in Andy’s backyard?!?!?”
Another reader laid out the full case:
“I mean i get adding more characters, but as other comments pointed out, it doesn’t make sense continuity wise. Toy Story land is supposed to be andy’s backyard. Andy never had a Lilly Pad. He would have been too old to have had a Lilly Pad anyway. Someone hit it on the head by saying its like Darth Vader interacting with Rey in galaxies edge. It would make no sense in context. in cannon, Vader is dead by the time Rey was introduced”
Honestly? We get it. Toy Story Land is one of the most immersive lands at Disney World, and a big part of its charm is how committed it is to that “you’re a toy in Andy’s backyard” story. So when something shows up that doesn’t quite fit, fans notice!
Spinning to new tunes
Disney Bends the Rules Sometimes
This isn’t the first time Disney has stretched a land’s story to make room for a new or popular character. Frozen Ever After moved into the Norway pavilion in EPCOT’s World Showcase, and Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind landed in a park that was once all about science and innovation. Even Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, which launched with a very specific place in the Star Wars timeline, has since welcomed characters from other eras, like The Mandalorian and Grogu.
The Mandalorian and Grogu
The reasoning is pretty simple: when a new movie comes out and a character becomes a fan favorite, Disney wants guests to be able to see that character in the parks. And kids who just watched Toy Story 5 are probably thrilled to find Lilypad waiting for them (they’re likely not too worried about whose backyard she’s in).
The Toy Story Timeline Was Already a Little Fuzzy
Here’s a fun wrinkle, though. By the end of Toy Story 3, Andy gave his toys to Bonnie, so Buzz, Jessie, and the rest of the gang are technically Bonnie’s toys now. And Woody headed off on his own adventure with Bo Peep in Toy Story 4. So if you think too hard about it, Andy’s backyard was already sort of frozen in time, a snapshot of the toys’ “good old days” rather than where the story stands today. Could Lilypad just be visiting? Maybe she tagged along for a playdate?
Slinky Dog Dash
So, Is This a Good Change?
We can see both sides here. Die-hard fans who love the detailed storytelling of Toy Story Land have a totally fair point about continuity. At the same time, Lilypad brings fresh music, new interactive games, and some extra energy to a part of the land that didn’t have a ton going on between rides. For families with little ones who just saw the new movie, she’s going to be a hit.
Toy Story Land at Hollywood Studios
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What do you think about Lilypad showing up in Andy’s backyard? Let us know in the comments!