Alien Swirling Saucers
Disney's Hollywood Studios · Toy Story Land
Overview
A spinning flat ride in Toy Story Land, Alien Swirling Saucers seats guests in rocket-shaped vehicles towed by the three-eyed Pizza Planet aliens from the Toy Story films, swinging and spinning around a central UFO formation. Set in Andy's giant backyard alongside Slinky Dog Dash and Toy Story Mania!, its low height requirement makes it one of the more accessible rides at Hollywood Studios. At just 2 minutes, it's one of the shortest ride experiences in the park, and the spinning generates a medium motion sickness potential that belies the attraction's low thrill classification.
ParksLog Verdict
Easy to reride thanks to near-zero effort, but rarely worth standing in a long queue given the 2-minute runtime and moderate spinning intensity. Best for families with young Toy Story fans completing the full land experience. Prioritize Slinky Dog Dash and Toy Story Mania! first — if time and waits permit, Alien Swirling Saucers rounds out the visit nicely. Note: the spinning generates more motion sickness than the low thrill rating implies.
About this experience
Take an intergalactic spin with the adorable aliens from <em>Toy Story</em>.
Best For
- Families with young children (32" minimum)
- Toy Story fans
- Guests looking for a low-intensity Toy Story Land experience
Tips
- Despite its low thrill rating, the spinning generates medium motion sickness potential — sensitive guests should factor this in before boarding.
- At 2 minutes, this is one of the shortest rides at Hollywood Studios; avoid lengthy standby waits by using Lightning Lane or visiting off-peak.
- Pair with Slinky Dog Dash and Toy Story Mania! early in the morning to cover all of Toy Story Land before crowds build.
Details
History
Alien Swirling Saucers opened June 30, 2018, as part of the Toy Story Land expansion at Hollywood Studios — the same day as Slinky Dog Dash. The attraction's concept is inspired by the toy aliens from Pizza Planet in the original Toy Story (1995) and is thematically similar to Mater's Junkyard Jamboree at Disney California Adventure.
Fun Facts
- Alien Swirling Saucers opened on the same day as Slinky Dog Dash — June 30, 2018 — as part of the Toy Story Land grand opening.
- The three-eyed aliens in the ride first appeared in Pizza Planet in the original Toy Story (1995) and have since become recurring characters across the franchise.
- The attraction's tow-spin ride system is closely similar to Mater's Junkyard Jamboree at Disney California Adventure, making it one of a small family of Disney ride formats.
Frequently Asked Questions
- How long does Alien Swirling Saucers take?
- The experience runs about 2 minutes. Budget extra time for the queue, any pre-show, and boarding — on busy days the full process can take considerably longer.
- Is Alien Swirling Saucers good for young children?
- Yes — Alien Swirling Saucers is listed as kid-friendly on ParksLog. The experience is gentle enough for most young guests, though always consider a child's individual comfort with the ride type before queuing.
- How intense is Alien Swirling Saucers?
- ParksLog rates this as low intensity — calm pacing with light movement. Suitable for most guests including young children. Use your own judgement based on personal comfort and any health advisories posted at the entrance.
- Does Alien Swirling Saucers cause motion sickness?
- There is a moderate motion sickness risk. The experience includes elements — such as spinning, sudden direction changes, or simulated effects — that may affect sensitive guests.
- Does Alien Swirling Saucers operate in the rain?
- Alien Swirling Saucers operates outdoors. It may be affected by weather conditions — check with the park on the day of your visit during rain or storms.
- Should I prioritize Alien Swirling Saucers at Disney's Hollywood Studios?
- Alien Swirling Saucers is optional on a typical visit. It's a pleasant addition if lines are short, but most guests won't feel they missed out if they skip it.
- Does Alien Swirling Saucers have Lightning Lane?
- Yes — Alien Swirling Saucers is available through Lightning Lane Multi Pass. Purchase Lightning Lane Multi Pass to book a return time for this and other eligible attractions through the My Disney Experience app.
- When did Alien Swirling Saucers open?
- Alien Swirling Saucers opened at Disney's Hollywood Studios in 2018.
- Does Alien Swirling Saucers have a single rider line?
- Alien Swirling Saucers does not have a single rider line. All guests join the standby queue or use Lightning Lane.