Hollywood Studios Darren Wittko Hollywood Studios Darren Wittko

Secrets and Easter Eggs in Roundup Rodeo BBQ at Walt Disney World

Roundup Rodeo BBQ at Disney’s Hollywood Studios is loaded with hidden detail Here are some of my favorites.

Roundup Rodeo BBQ inside Toy Story Land at Disney’s Hollywood Studios is packed with hidden details. From floor to ceiling, Imagineers included hidden references and story elements everywhere you look.

The restaurant was created by Andy, the boy who owns the toys from the Toy Story films. Andy used whatever he could to build a restaurant for his toys.

Notice the twisty tie holding up the lantern on the sign, and a scrap piece of low-voltage wire for the other lantern on the right.

Andy used whatever he had available to make his restaurant.

Roundup Rodeo BBQ | Walt Disney World
Roundup Rodeo BBQ | Walt Disney World
Roundup Rodeo BBQ | Disney's Hollywood Studios | Toy Story Land

As soon as you enter Toy Story Land at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, you are shrunken down to the size of a toy.

This theme is carried into the Roundup Rodeo as well. You’ll notice that most objects appear larger than life.

Roundup Rodeo BBQ | Disney's Hollywood Studios | Toy Story Land

Notice how big the cardboard toy cutouts are, and even the Christmas lights are huge, in our smaller, toy-like size.

Roundup Rodeo BBQ | Disney's Hollywood Studios | Toy Story Land

In the lobby of Woody’s Roundup Rodeo, we see a mural of “The Amazing Ropin’ Woody” with “spring action.”

We see that Andy has drawn in Buzz Lightyear’s nemesis, Emperor Zurg who now appears to be lassoed by Woody.

We know Andy drew him in because Zurg would not appear on anything from Woody’s Roundup playset.

These characters only exist together in Andy’s world.

As you enter the restaurant, you’ll notice that Andy has arranged his toys just like the picture on the box: Woody has lassoed Zurg.

Roundup Rodeo BBQ | Disney's Hollywood Studios | Toy Story Land
Roundup Rodeo BBQ | Disney's Hollywood Studios | Toy Story Land
Rex at Roundup Rodeo BBQ

There are references to many of the Toy Story characters if you know where to look - and if you know where to listen.

Listen for some audio references that play occasionally over the restaurant’s PA system.

You may hear a recording from Partysaurus Rex, or even Sarge who warns that Andy is coming.

The entire restaurant, staff included, freezes in position (because we’re all toys, remember?) While we never see Andy, we can hear that he is nearby.

When we hear Andy leave, we get the all-clear from Sarge and it’s safe to move again. It’s cute!

Although the story is focused on Woody, there are references to most of the main Toy Story characters.

The more I looked around the restaurant, the more I found them.

I’m sure I missed quite a few but I can only wander around the restaurant for so long before it gets weird lol. I get the look of “Why is this guy taking pictures of the walls and ceiling??

Roundup Rodeo BBQ | Disney's Hollywood Studios | Toy Story Land

Even secondary characters are present like the Little Green Aliens and the romantic and flirty Bo Peep.

Roundup Rodeo BBQ | Disney's Hollywood Studios | Toy Story Land

OrlandoParksGuy: Travel agent for Disney World, Universal Orlando, and Orlando area cruises

Every square inch of the ceiling has some type of reference to Toy Story and/or something Andy created.

In one part you’ll see a page of an actual Woody comic strip that was created just for the restaurant.

The walls of the restaurant are made from toy boxes, a puzzle, and scrap cardboard.

Roundup Rodeo BBQ | Disney's Hollywood Studios | Toy Story Land

Disney Imagineers created two board games, one with a space theme and one with a frontier theme. You can see the game boards on the ceiling of Roundup Rodeo BBQ.

These are real games that Imagineers actually played. They even wrote directions on how to play them.

Can you find Buzz Lighyear’s rocketship? Yep, that’s in there too!

Roundup Rodeo BBQ | Disney's Hollywood Studios | Toy Story Land
Roundup Rodeo BBQ | Disney's Hollywood Studios | Toy Story Land

The Triple R Ranch is also referenced at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort and Campground. I just mentioned it in my video tour of Ft. Wilderness as well.

The Tri-Circle D Ranch at Fort Wilderness is home to the 90+ working horses of Walt Disney World. The name is a reference to the Triple R Ranch.

Triple R Ranch is a reference from an old spinoff of the beloved Mickey Mouse Club called “The Adventures of Spin and Marty.” The Triple R Ranch was the summer camp that the two boys attended in the series.

Roundup Rodeo BBQ | Triple R Ranch
Triple R Ranch at Round Up Rodeo Walt Disney World - Toy Story Land

Can you spot the Hidden Mickey?

hidden mickey at Roundup Rodeo - Walt Disney World

Look directly at the base of Trixy and you’ll spot a 3-dimensional Hidden Mickey.

Round up rodeo hidden mickey

You can see his head, nose, and of course, ears.

The back wall of Roundup Rodeo is made from a nearly completed puzzle.

Notice that 2 pieces are missing.

The missing pieces can be found somewhere in Toy Story Land. If you can find them, post where you spotted them in the comments below.

Russell, our favorite Wilderness Explorer from Disney Pixar’s Up has a cameo in Roundup Rodeo and is the only non-Toy Story character to appear in the restaurant.

Oh, and the character on the far left - is made in the likeness of the lead Disney Imagineer on this project.

Roundup Rodeo BBQ | Disney's Hollywood Studios | Toy Story Land
Roundup Rodeo BBQ | russell - pixar Up

Remember Minnie Moo from the 1980s and 1990s? She was the infamous dairy cow who was born with a Hidden Mickey patch on her side.

minnie moo cow - disney

Photo Credit: Disney Wiki

Minnie Moo can be found on the side of Andy’s milk carton inside the restaurant.

And the expiration date on the milk carton refers to the date the first Toy Story film was released in theaters: Nov 22, 1995.

And the 01:13 is not there by accident either. “A113” is a classroom number at the California Institute of the Arts where character animation is taught.

Many of the Pixar staff have used the number in their professional works. It is said to appear in some way, shape, or form in every Pixar film (and restaurant!)

Roundup Rodeo BBQ | Disney's Hollywood Studios | Toy Story Land

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Since 2010, Darren has been making Orlando vacations easy! As an Orlando resident, he is able to provide insider, expert advice on Walt Disney World, Universal Orlando, and Florida-based cruises.


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First Look at Roundup Rodeo at Disney’s Hollywood Studios

Reservations, opening date, menu photos, and a peak inside Disney’s newest restaurant.

Today I’m excited to share that reservations for Roundup Rodeo at Disney’s Hollywood Studios will open to guests on February 21, 2023 at 6 a.m. ET. I’ll also share the menu photos plus a look inside!

Reservations can be made using the Disney World mobile app or by visiting the Dining Page on the Disney World website.

How much does Roundup Rodeo cost?

Lunch and Dinner menus are the same and range from $35 - $60 per person. at this time there are no characters present at this restaurant.

 
Roundup Rodeo BBQ at Disney's Hollywood Studios Reservations
 

Closer Look at Roundup Rodeo BBQ

Here’s a closer look at Roundup Rodeo BBQ, and how Imagineers collaborated with Disney Pixar Animation Studios and Walt Disney World Food & Beverage to design this one-of-a-kind dining experience. 

Roundup Rodeo BBQ at Disney's Hollywood Studios Inside Restaurant

Using his imagination, Woody’s Roundup toys, and other playthings, Andy has built a rodeo restaurant for all his pals.

Roundup Rodeo BBQ at Disney's Hollywood Studios Inside Restaurant

Imagineers collaborated with Disney Pixar Animation Studios and Walt Disney World Food & Beverage to design this one-of-a-kind dining experience. 

To fill the stands of his rodeo arena, Andy has decorated the cardboard box with hand-drawn audience members! The dining room also features the rodeo’s star performers: Jessie, Trixie, and Bo Peep with her leapin’ sheep Billy, Goat, and Gruff!

Roundup Rodeo BBQ at Disney's Hollywood Studios Inside Restaurant

Disney Pixar Animators designed figures that are unique to this restaurant and artwork that can only be found at Disney’s Hollywood Studios.

OrlandoParksGuy: Travel agent for Disney World, Universal Orlando, and Orlando area cruises

Roundup Rodeo BBQ Menu Opening March 23

Roundup Rodeo BBQ at Disney's Hollywood Studios menu

Guests can start with the Prospector’s Homemade Cheddar Biscuits served with sweet pepper jelly. They’re so delicious that you might be tempted to fill up on them but you’ll have to save room for all the delicious grub comin’ to the table!

Roundup Rodeo BBQ at Disney's Hollywood Studios menu

Fresh, delicious salads for all to enjoy!

  • Tomato Salad: Tomatoes, cucumbers, and pickled red onions tossed in a white balsamic vinaigrette and garnished with fresh dill (plant-based)

  • Rex’s Romaine and Kale Salad: Romaine and kale mixed with green apples, pumpkin seeds, and dried cranberries tossed with green goddess dressing

  • Watermelon Salad: Cubed watermelon garnished with freshly torn mint leaves (plant-based)

You can enjoy a hearty serving of house-smoked meats, including:

  • Evil Dr. Smoked Ribs: Fall-off-the-bone pork ribs, slow-cooked for hours in our onsite smokehouse

  • Buttercup’s Beef Brisket: Hand-sliced beef brisket, smoked then slow-cooked to juicy perfection

  • There’s a Sausage in My Boot: Spiced pork sausage fire-grilled over live oak to give it an added kick

  • BBQ Chicken – with Style! Chicken brined for 48 hours, rubbed with our secret backyard BBQ spice and smoked to tender juiciness


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Savory plant-based offerings are available upon request:

  • Slow-smoked Cauliflower topped with sweet harissa drizzle and crunchy walnut gremolata

  • Oven-roasted “Bratwurst” that is tender and juicy, sliced to perfection

  • Impossible “Rib Chop” seasoned with spices, then roasted and glazed with sweet BBQ sauce and skewered on a sugar cane “bone”

All entreés served with an assortment of sweet, traditional, and spicy BBQ sauces. 

You can choose four of the following sides for the table:

  • The Married Spuds: Loaded potato barrels drizzled with green goddess dressing, cheese sauce, and seasoned BBQ spices

  • Force Field Fried Pickles: Jumbo pickle spears coated with a dill-flavored breading and fried to perfection

  • Slinky Doooooooooog Mac & Cheese: Spiral pasta in a creamy house-made cheese sauce topped with crumbled cheddar crackers

  • Buckin’ Baked Beans: A traditional BBQ picnic favorite (plant-based)

  • Cowpoke Corn on the Cob: Grilled and seasoned with a chili-lime spice blend, cilantro, cotija cheese, and lime juice

  • Mean Old Potato Salad: Homestyle with red-skinned potatoes

  • Veggie Slaw: Crunchy shredded veggie slaw that is a summertime favorite! (plant-based)

  • Campfire-roasted Vegetables: A variety of roasted seasonal vegetables (plant-based)

These perfectly portioned chuckwagon desserts offer a sweet take on the BBQ picnic classics.

You can choose from a selection for the table:

  • Cupcake à la Forky: Forky is up to something sweet! A classic chocolate cake with a gooey chocolate ganache center topped with velvety graham cracker buttercream and a sugar cookie

  • Lemon and Blueberry Cheesecake: An iconic creamy dessert that balances the tanginess of the cheesecake with the natural sweetness of blueberries and lemon

  • Billy’s Chocolate Silk Pie: Layers of graham cracker crust and silky chocolate mousse topped with chantilly cream

  • Goat’s Apple Pie: A picnic classic! Tart apples and warm pie spices balance perfectly with the creamy sweet filling under a crumble crust

  • Gruff’s Peach-Strawberry Pie: With its silky sweet peaches and tartness of strawberries, this dessert is a fruit-centric delight! (plant-based)

An assortment of craft cocktails and nonalcoholic beverages will have you feeling nostalgic for backyard picnics on warm summer days.

Grown-up Craft Cocktails:

  • Snake Eye Margarita: Inspired by a summertime BBQ featuring watermelon, smoke, and a bit of spice!

  • Rum Punch: Rum punch with vibrant flavors of passion fruit and pineapple finished with a smoky spiced garnish

  • Chocolate with a Grown-up Twist: A blend of chocolate rum, horchata liqueur, cocoa, and flavors of toasted marshmallow

  • Frozen Peanut Butter & Jelly: A fun frozen twist on the classic peanut butter & jelly featuring peanut butter whiskey

  • Whiskey Lemonade: A fresh take on a strawberry lemonade made with Tennessee whiskey and Italian bitter aperitif

  • The Rodeo Mule: A classic “patio sipper,” this mule mixes vodka with fresh juices and ginger beer

A selection of beer, hard cider, and wines by the glass are available.

Nonalcoholic offerings:

  • Molly’s Frozen Iced Tea: A frosty concoction with iced tea and citrus flavors

  • Frozen Cocoa: A frozen blend of cocoa and vanilla topped with miniature marshmallows

  • Partysaurus Tex: Strawberry lemonade is even more fun when you garnish it with gummy worms!



Have questions about planning your Orlando vacation? I have answers! Contact me now to get more out of your vacation.


Darren is a Disney-focused travel agent with Magical Vacations Travel and has over 13 years of experience. Readers of the Unofficial Guide to Walt Disney World rate him as a Best of the Best Disney Travel Agent. Darren is also an Orlando-based travel writer with topics ranging from theme parks to cruise lines.


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