Disneyland guests got quite the surprise this week when Tom Hanks and Conan O’Brien stopped by the Disneyland Resort to celebrate the upcoming release of Toy Story 5.
The pair made a special appearance on June 10 at Disney California Adventure Park, where they visited Pixar Pier and posed alongside Woody, Buzz Lightyear, and Jessie, who are currently sporting new accessories inspired by the upcoming film.
For longtime Pixar fans, seeing Tom Hanks standing next to Woody never really gets old. After nearly three decades of voicing the iconic cowboy, the connection between the actor and character is about as close as you’ll find in animation.
A Surprise for Toy Story Fans
Following their visit to Pixar Pier, Hanks and O’Brien headed across the Esplanade to Disneyland Park where they surprised invited guests attending an advanced screening of Toy Story 5 at the Tomorrowland Theater.
While Disney kept details of the screening under wraps, it’s safe to say those guests received a much bigger surprise than they expected when two of the film’s stars showed up in person.
Conan O’Brien joins the franchise as a new character named Smarty Pants, marking his first appearance in the Toy Story universe.
Toy Story Continues to Be Everywhere at Disneyland
The timing of the visit makes sense given how much of the Disneyland Resort is already celebrating Toy Story.
Guests can currently experience attractions including Toy Story Midway Mania!, Buzz Lightyear Astro Blasters, and Jessie’s Critter Carousel, while Woody, Buzz, and Jessie also appear in the returning Paint the Night parade as part of Disneyland’s 70th Anniversary celebration.
One thing that’s always impressed us about Toy Story is its staying power. The original film debuted in 1995, yet these characters remain just as relevant and beloved today as they were when audiences first met Woody and Buzz over 30 years ago.
Looking Ahead to Toy Story 5
As Pixar prepares to release its fifth installment in the franchise, Disney is clearly ramping up promotional efforts, and having Tom Hanks and Conan O’Brien make an in-person appearance at Disneyland is about as good as it gets for fans.
Whether you’re excited to see where Woody and Buzz’s story goes next or simply enjoy spotting celebrity visits around the parks, this was one of those fun Disney moments that reminds us why fans always keep an eye on Disneyland social media.
You never know who might show up.
Toy Story 5 arrives exclusively in theaters on June 19, 2026.
Janine is a theme park and pop culture nerd from an early age. Since 1994, she’s been traversing the theme park world and has enjoyed all things from Halloween events to new ride releases and beyond. When she’s not at a theme park, she’s probably at a concert or doing something fun with her kiddo.