The All-New Woody’s Roundup (1999–2000) was a live-action show in Disneyland’s Frontierland, performed in the Golden Horseshoe Saloon to celebrate the release of Toy Story 2 (1999). Featuring characters from the fictional Woody’s Roundup TV show within the film, it brought Sheriff Woody, Jessie, Bullseye, and Stinky Pete to life with music, comedy, and Western flair.
Here are 10 fun facts about this short-lived show!
- Toy Story 2 Tie-In: Debuting on November 19, 1999, to coincide with Toy Story 2’s theatrical release, the show recreated the 1950s puppet TV series Woody’s Roundup, introducing Woody’s sidekicks—Jessie, Bullseye, and Stinky Pete—to park guests.
- Golden Horseshoe Stage: Performed in the 350-seat Golden Horseshoe Saloon, the 25-minute show ran multiple times daily (up to 12 shows on weekends at times like 11:00 a.m., 12:20 p.m., and 6:20 p.m.), sharing the venue with Billy Hill and the Hillbillies. The show included a comedic cliffhanger nod to the film’s unresolved “Woody’s Finest Hour” episode, with Stinky Pete joking about the gang’s Grand Canyon predicament, resolved by Woody’s heroic antics.
- Live Character Costumes: Actors in full-body costumes portrayed Woody, Jessie, and Stinky Pete, with Bullseye as a pantomime-style horse, mimicking the film’s marionette aesthetic through exaggerated movements and playful interactions.
- Western Musical Numbers: The show featured songs from Toy Story 2, including “Woody’s Roundup” by Riders in the Sky, performed live with a banjo-and-fiddle band, alongside original tunes celebrating the Roundup Gang’s adventures.
- Stinky Pete’s Villainy: Stinky Pete, the Prospector, served as the comedic antagonist, scheming to disrupt Woody and Jessie’s plans, with gags echoing his Toy Story 2 desire to keep the gang “mint in box” for a museum.
- Jessie’s Yodeling: Jessie, the yodeling cowgirl, showcased high-energy dance routines and yodeled in performances, drawing from her Toy Story 2 persona, with choreography that included lasso tricks and square-dancing moves.
- Audience Participation: The show invited kids to join the “Roundup Gang” onstage, helping Woody and Jessie foil Stinky Pete through mock shootouts or sing-alongs, enhancing the interactive Western vibe.
- Free Admission: Included with park admission, the show was accessible to all guests, drawing families with its short runtime and no height or age restrictions, filling the saloon during peak times.
- Brief Run: The show closed in late 2000 after roughly one year, tied to Toy Story 2’s promotional cycle, and was replaced by other saloon acts like Frontierland: The Little Town That Could to diversify entertainment.
- Merchandise Tie-Ins: The saloon’s gift shop sold Woody’s Roundup-themed items, like sheriff badges and pull-string Woody dolls, reflecting the film’s 1950s TV show merchandise, such as Cowboy Crunchies cereal box collectibles.
