Taylor Swift Lassos Toy Story 5 With a Brand New Country Song

Taylor Swift Writes Herself Into Toy Story History

After a weekend of cryptic "TS" billboards popping up in seven cities across three countries, Taylor Swift has confirmed what fans were piecing together in real time: she has written and recorded "I Knew It, I Knew You," a brand-new original song for Disney and Pixar's Toy Story 5. The Walt Disney Company announced the collaboration on June 1, confirming the song was written and produced by Swift and Jack Antonoff. It releases on streaming platforms this Friday, June 5, ahead of the film's June 19 theatrical debut.

The announcement matters beyond the obvious star power. According to the Walt Disney Company's press release, "I Knew It, I Knew You" is inspired by Jessie's ongoing journey, a thread that stretches all the way back to Toy Story 2 and one of Pixar's most emotionally devastating sequences. Attractions Magazine notes that the imagery Swift chose for the announcement deliberately evokes that heartbreak, suggesting Jessie sits at the emotional core of the sequel. Swift is meeting the character on her own terms, as the song marks a return to her country roots and blends the styles that have defined her career as a songwriter.

Toy Story 5 director and screenwriter Andrew Stanton did not hold back his enthusiasm. "Her connection to Jessie and the immediate way she understood what the character was going through was undeniable," Stanton said in the official announcement. "The song is so deeply connected to Toy Story. So much so that on first listen, it instantly felt like it had always belonged there, like a long-lost family member. It was kismet."

Pre-sales are already live on Swift's website for three exclusive CD editions featuring the theatrical version, a special acoustic version, and a special piano version, each with unique vocals and production. WDW News Today reports that Bob Iger shared a photo with Swift from what he described as one of his final days as Disney CEO, a detail that frames this collaboration as something that was likely in motion well before the public teasers began.

The billboards appeared over the weekend in Los Angeles, Chicago, Dallas, San Francisco, Toronto, Mexico City, and London, playing on the shared "TS" initials of Taylor Swift and Toy Story. Disney Tourist Blog reports that a Toy Story 5-themed countdown also appeared on Swift's official website and on billboards in New York and Los Angeles before the formal announcement. For a franchise that has always understood how to make audiences feel something enormous about plastic toys, pairing Jessie's story with the songwriter who turned confessional storytelling into a global phenomenon feels like a creative inevitability rather than a marketing play.

The Parks

EPCOT had a day on Monday. Lightning Brain's Daily Park Report recorded a 77% surge above its 30-day baseline, pushing the park to an 8/10 (Very Heavy) crowd level. The combination of the EPCOT International Flower and Garden Festival's final day, freshly reopened Soarin' Across America drawing dedicated guests, and the tail end of the Memorial Day travel window all converged at once. Lightning Brain reported a park-wide median wait of 26.5 minutes, with the 8:00 AM peak hour telling the real story: when the longest waits happen at rope drop, guests came with a plan.

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Operations compounded the pressure. Lightning Brain notes that Frozen Ever After went down for 44 minutes starting at 9:17 AM, Mission: SPACE lost 42 minutes beginning around 9:25, and Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind went offline for 40 minutes shortly after. Three headliner attractions simultaneously unavailable during the morning rush, with Soarin' demand already surging, created spillover into attractions that normally run near walk-on. The Seas with Nemo and Friends averaged 25 minutes against a typical 5-minute wait. Gran Fiesta Tour hit 15 minutes against a 5-minute norm. Even Journey Into Imagination With Figment ran double its baseline. By evening, Test Track was offline for 51 minutes and Journey of Water, Inspired by Moana dropped out for 36 minutes. Meanwhile, Magic Kingdom hummed along at a comfortable 5/10 (Average) and Animal Kingdom felt almost relaxed, per Lightning Brain.

Over at Disney's Hollywood Studios, Lightning Brain recorded a 6/10 (Average) crowd level with a 39.6-minute median wait. The park had plenty of newly available reasons to visit, with Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run back in rotation and Rock 'n' Roller Coaster Starring The Muppets freshly reopened.

MickeyBlog published comprehensive guides to what's happening at both Walt Disney World and the Disneyland Resort this June. At Walt Disney World, MickeyBlog reports Disney After Hours events running at EPCOT on June 11 and 18, Disney's Hollywood Studios on June 3, 10, 17, and 24, and Magic Kingdom on June 1, 22, and 29. Disney H2O Glow After Hours returns to Typhoon Lagoon on June 2, 13, 19, and 27. Cool KIDS' SUMMER continues resort-wide with food, activities, and Mickey Mouse Clubhouse Live! programming.

At the Disneyland Resort, MickeyBlog reports the final Disneyland After Dark series of the year takes over Disneyland Park with Pride Nite on June 16 and 18, running 9 PM to 1 AM. Disney California Adventure's Grad Nites continue throughout early June. And on June 19, Downtown Disney hosts Disney on the Yard, a Yardfest Powered by Celebrate Soulfully event, with drumline performances at 5 PM and 9 PM. MickeyBlog also highlights Father's Day offerings on June 21, including Plaza Inn's Father's Day Brunch on June 20 and 21.

The food lineup for Pride Nite looks strong. MickeyBlog details the full menu, which Disney Eats revealed on Instagram. Highlights include a new Enchanted Sunset Beverage with Disneyland 70th Celebration D Glow Cube, Dulce de Leche Funnel Cake Fries, a Santa Maria-Style Tri-Tip Sandwich at Hungry Bear Barbecue Jamboree, Volcanic-Style DOLE Whip Featuring Skittles Gummies at The Tropical Hideaway, Spicy Fried Chicken at Plaza Inn, The Golden Girls Cheesecake at Jolly Holiday Bakery Cafe, and Rainbow Cereal Churros near multiple locations throughout the park.

Speaking of DOLE Whip, BlogMickey reports that Trader Sam's Enchanted Tiki Bar at the Disneyland Hotel is celebrating its 15th anniversary with a limited-time DOLE Whip Pineapple-Orange with Guava Juice served in a specially designed anniversary cup. The keepsake cup features a retro-tiki design and is available now at the Outdoor Patio Bar while supplies last. Trader Sam's opened in 2011 and has become one of the Disneyland Resort's most beloved spots, so collectors will want to move quickly.

For guests watching their budgets, Disney Experiences published a detailed breakdown of summer savings options. At Walt Disney World, the 4-Day, 4-Park Magic Ticket starts at $109 per day (total starting at $436 plus tax) for visits between May 26 and October 3. Disney+ subscribers enrolled in the Disney+ Perks program can book select Disney Resorts Collection hotels starting at $99 per night at Disney's All-Star Sports Resort. Florida Residents can purchase a 2-day ticket for $219 plus tax, a 3-day ticket for $239 plus tax, or a 4-day ticket for $259 plus tax. Guests staying at Disney Resorts Collection hotels between May 26 and September 8 receive free admission to one Walt Disney World water park on their check-in day, with both Typhoon Lagoon and Blizzard Beach open during that window. AllEars reports that Disneyland has also partnered with Lyft to offer guests 50% savings on rides.

Toy Story 5 merchandise has already landed. MickeyBlog found a large collection at Magic Kingdom, split between The Emporium on Main Street, U.S.A. and Store Command at the exit of Buzz Lightyear's Space Ranger Spin. Highlights include a Forky and Karen Beverly plush set for $39.99, a Jessie and Bullseye cup for $44.99 at Store Command, a Lilypad bag for $29.99, and a Jessie quarter zip for $64.99. An 8-piece figurine set with Woody, Forky, Lilypad, Buzz Lightyear, Bullseye, Jessie, Atlas, Snappy, and Mr. Smarty Pants runs $39.99.

WDW News Today reports that construction continues at Disneyland Paris, where berm construction is underway at the site of a potential third theme park. Across the Atlantic, Disney Lakeshore Lodge at Walt Disney World continues to take shape. WDW News Today notes that a new filing reveals the resort will purely be a DVC (Disney Vacation Club) property, and construction is progressing across waterfront structures and exterior detailing.

The Screen

Beyond the Swift announcement, Toy Story 5 is generating momentum on multiple fronts. The June 19 release date is now less than three weeks away, and with merchandise already on shelves and a Taylor Swift single dropping June 5, the marketing cadence is accelerating on schedule.

On the streaming side, D23 published the full lineup for Disney+ in June 2026. The headliner is the Disney+ premiere of 20th Century Studios' Avatar: Fire and Ash on June 24. D23 also highlights the season 3 premiere of Behind the Attraction, which will take viewers to the high seas with Disney Cruise Line. New episodes of Marvel's Iron Man and his Awesome Friends arrive June 12, and WDW News Today separately reports that Mookie Betts, Alan Ruck, and other guest stars have been announced for that series. Best of the World with Antoni Porowski premieres in June, taking the National Geographic franchise to Paris, Mexico City, London, and New York. Dragon Striker premieres June 10 with all episodes streaming, and live Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival coverage runs for four days starting June 11.

D23 also notes that Disney+ Streams expands with the return of the Animated Classics Stream and the debut of the Pixar Stream on June 10, a launch that feels deliberately timed to build into the Toy Story 5 release window.

The Vault

Disney Parks Blog shared a recipe that carries more weight than your typical theme park tie-in. The Pineapple Upside Down Bundt Cake from Plaza Inn at Disneyland Park arrives as part of "Celebrate Soulfully: Summer Vibes," a limited-time celebration of Black heritage and culture running June 19 through July 19 at the Disneyland Resort. Chef Michela Gilchrist created the recipe with inspiration from her grandfather. "Every recipe carries the love, culture, and tradition that shaped who I am today," she said, according to Disney Parks Blog. The recipe is available early starting now.

Disney Parks Blog notes that pineapple upside-down cake became beloved in many Black households because it transformed simple, affordable ingredients into something joyful and abundant, served at Sunday dinners, holidays, and family reunions. A theme park recipe that tells a story about community, identity, and inherited tradition does exactly what the best of Disney's storytelling has always done by finding the universal inside the specific.

Sources

Walt Disney Company · Attractions Magazine · Disney Tourist Blog · WDW News Today · Lightning Brain · MickeyBlog · BlogMickey · Disney Experiences · AllEars · D23 · Disney Parks Blog