Alien Swirling Saucers: Your Ticket to Outer Space Fun at Disney’s Hollywood Studios!
Join the cutest toys on the planet for a spectacular playdate when you ride the Alien Swirling Saucers at Hollywood Studios!
Part of the iconic Toy Story Land section of the park, Alien Swirling Saucers is a family-friendly ride that pays homage to our favorite little green men. With groovy tunes and intergalactic spins, being chosen by the claw has never been so fortuitous!
We’ll cover everything you need to know about going to outer space, including wait times, motion sickness factor, and how to befriend extraterrestrials. Are you ready to go for a spin?
You Have Been Chosen!
The claw has chosen YOU for a swirling, whirling adventure!
Like the entirety of Toy Story Land, the Alien Swirling Saucers ride is wonderfully themed to make you feel toy-sized. The colors are bright and cheery, and the ride ties in well to the franchise, as it’s constructed to look like a playset Andy got from Pizza Planet. (Were the aliens included in the set, or did Andy have to win them all separately from the claw machine??)
You’ll board a rocket ship which is attached, trailer hitch style, to an alien-driven saucer. As the alien drives around a turn table, he’ll spin his saucer, and with every twirl, you’ll be whipped around in whirl-a-gig fashion!
As you swirl your way through the sky, you’ll be treated to some toe-tappin space jams! The collection of sci-fi remixes includes “You’ve Got a Friend in Me,” “Ride Like the Wind, Bullseye!” and – during Christmastime – “Deck the Halls.” (There are eight possible songs in total!)
We love that each ride is a little different, and of course, we always appreciate a Disney holiday makeover! But it’s not just the music that makes the saucers go ’round. At nighttime, you’ll bask in the glow of a light show! (Each song has unique corresponding lighting effects.)
This cute attraction is fun at any time of day but is definitely at its most dazzling after dusk!
Experience the Magic
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Alien Swirling Saucers – Preparing to be a Space Cadet
Although Alien Swirling Saucers isn’t a crazy heart-pounding thrill ride like Tower of Terror (also in Hollywood Studios), there are still some things you may want to know before blasting off!
The height requirement for this ride is only 32 inches, so it’s meant to accommodate younger riders (but also be fun for older guests, as well). If you have little ones in your party, then you’ll definitely want to take a turn on the saucers! That being said, if you’re at Hollywood Studios purely for adrenaline purposes, then this isn’t necessarily a must-do, although it can be a great way to kill some time if need be.
Alien Swirling Saucers wait times generally aren’t too bad, often clocking in as one of the shortest waits in the entire park! On average, you can expect to wait around 30 to 60 minutes to board your toy rocket ship, with peak times usually spiking at midday. It’s worth noting that a good portion of the queue is outside with very little shade, so be sure to slather on that sunscreen!
Lightning Lane access is available for this ride with Genie+. However, most guests don’t consider line-skipping a huge priority for this one, and rope-dropping is generally not recommended. (If you’re rope-dropping with Toy Story Land in mind, you’ll probably want to use that head start to get a good spot on Slinky Dog Dash!)
The Alien Swirling Saucers ride is two and a half minutes long, so if the line looks long, it’s worth considering whether you really feel like it will be worth the wait. It’s definitely fun, but especially so for younger riders (or big fans of adorable aliens).
Each Alien Swirling Saucers rocket ship can fit two to three guests, and each side of Andy’s playset has 11 vehicles. This style of seating capacity is great for parents riding with their children!
Of course, with “swirling” in the name, we have to ask: does Alien Swirling Saucers cause motion sickness?? We’re pleased to report that it’s not nearly as dizzying as it sounds! Extremely sensitive folks may still want to proceed with caution, but many guests report that it’s far less severe than the Mad Tea Cup ride in Magic Kingdom. Unlike the fast and constant spinning of the teacups, the “whipping” motion of the saucers is generally less nausea-inducing.
More Toy Story Fun!
The entirety of Toy Story Land is fun to explore, and there are a few things in proximity to Alien Swirling Saucers you may want to check out if you’re planning on riding!
First, there is a giant statue of Buzz Lightyear right next to the ride, which makes for a fantastic photo-op! Standing proud at 14 feet tall, Buzz looks like a true space commander! There’s also an incredibly cute alien riding in a saucer if you want a selfie with them, too!
Right across from the ride, you’ll find Woody’s Lunchbox, which serves up delicious snacks inspired by kid-loved classics such as grilled cheese sandwiches and pop tarts. It’s just like the lunch your mom used to pack – but fancier! Because of its proximity to food service, you may want to time your Alien Swirling Saucers to visit around lunch, dinner, or snacktime.
Lastly, if you’re just head-over-heels for those little green guys, we’re happy to report there’s plenty of alien merch at the various shops around Toy Story Land! From mugs to tumblers to pull-back vehicles that look just like those from the ride, you can definitely find a way to take home one of these extraterrestrial cuties!
Have you ridden Alien Swirling Saucers? What did you think? Tell us all about your experience – and what song you had for your ride – in the comments below!
The mystical portal awaits!
Featured photo: JD Hancock via Flickr
