Alien Swirling Saucers at Disney’s Hollywood Studios (An Attraction Guide)
Alien Swirling Saucers is a spinner-style attraction in Toy Story Land at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. It debuted as one of three attractions when the land opened in 2018. For the most part, Alien Swirling Saucers is a fairly mild attraction. This complete guide will discuss the height requirement, what kind of spinning to expect, and a few tips for the best time to experience this attraction.
Here are a few quick reference details for Alien Swirling Saucers.
| Alien Swirling Saucers | Disney’s Hollywood Studios |
|---|---|
Location: | Toy Story Land |
Height Requirement: | 32″ |
Lightning Lane: | Yes, with Multi Pass (Tier 2) |
Ride Type: | Spinning |
Seats Per Vehicle: | 2-3 per vehicle |
Rider Switch: | None |
Early Theme Park Benefits: | Yes |
Extended Evening Hours: | Yes, when offered |
Good For: | Almost Everyone |
Scare Factor: | Mild |
Must-Do List: | Medium Priority |
Perfect For: | Buzz Lightyear Fans |
Special Mention: | Have Fun! |
Additional Info: Guests must transfer to a wheelchair and then to the ride vehicle. A transfer access vehicle is available. Service animals are not permitted.
Make sure to check our Disney World Lightning Lane Guide to plan your attractions.
Alien Swirling Saucers is a Buzz Lightyear-themed attraction. During the busier portions of the day, it can have decent wait times. However, wait times are typically not as high here as they are at rides like Slinky Dog Dash and Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster.
If you’ve ever ridden Mater’s Junkyard Jamboree at Disney California Adventure, you’ve experienced the same ride system that was used for Alien Swirling Saucers. Some might compare it to the Mad Tea Party ride at Magic Kingdom. Disney describes the attraction as:
The cutest extraterrestrials in the galaxy have landed, and they’re taking you for a ride. Power up the saucers for an interstellar romp through space while futuristic tunes set the mood.
Reference Disney
Some of the queue for Alien Swirling Saucers is partially covered. But if there is a long wait, it doesn’t offer much shade. So be prepared to stand in direct sun and wear plenty of sunscreen.
While you wait, you can enjoy some of the queue’s fun theming elements. The idea is that you’re walking through Andy’s backyard, and the ride is part of a playset that Andy won from Pizza Planet.
As you approach the loading area, you’ll be assigned a number to stand on while you wait. When the next ride ends, you’ll be allowed inside the ride area to board the toy rocket of your choice. Each rocket toy vehicle seats two to three guests across each row. An adjustable seatbelt stretches over the entire party. A cast member will come by to make sure everyone is secure before the ride starts. One of the little green aliens will drive your rocket ahead of you. He’ll do everything he can to save you from the claw!
The attraction moves in a kind of hoisting motion where the arm of your vehicle tends to throw you out and then pull you back in. A sped-up version of “You’ve Got a Friend in Me” plays in the background. Swirling Saucers is the kind of attraction that makes you laugh in a good way.
The Resorts Gal Spin on Alien Swirling Saucers
We give Alien Swirling Saucers the red light. While we think that most will enjoy this attraction, you’ll want to assess two things before joining the standby queue. First, how long is the wait? Wait times for this attraction are lower until mid-morning and later in the evening after sunset. We wouldn’t recommend joining the line unless a 30-minute or less wait time was posted. Secondly, you’ll want to consider whether or not you’re up for a spin. That said, I would ride this any day over the Mad Tea Party. To me, Swirling Saucers doesn’t have the same “gettin’ dizzy” effect. But you might want to observe the ride before getting in line. (Younger kids often love this kind of attraction.)
For a little different spin, make sure to ride it at night. Everything in Toy Story Land lights up, including Alien Swirling Saucers. The place has an entirely different glow to it after the sun sets.
Resorts Gal Traffic Signals
Green Light
We give an attraction the green light if we consider it a must-do, regardless of the posted wait. We also give the green light for attractions we deem suitable to experience anytime. For example, some attractions have high capacities. Therefore, the lines continuously move and you shouldn’t have a long wait unless the attraction experiences downtime.
Red Light
We recommend checking the posted wait times for red light attractions. Then, make a quick judgment call on whether to wait, skip it, or return later. We also red light some attractions that we feel might not be suitable based on our experience.
Final Thoughts
Overall, we enjoy Alien Swirling Saucers. But it’s probably not the end of the world if you miss it. For more on planning a day at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, you might enjoy
- Toy Story Mania Ride Guide
- Slinky Dog Dash Ride Guide
- Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance Ride Guide
- Frozen Sing-Along Celebration Review
Resorts Gal specializes in providing reviews of Disney World Resorts. If you’re planning to spend a decent amount of time at Hollywood Studios, you might enjoy one of these resorts within walking distance of the park.
- Disney’s Yacht Club Review
- Swan and Dolphin Resort Review
- Beach Club Resort Review
- Disney’s Boardwalk Inn Review
For more on Disney’s Hollywood Studios, you might like:
- List of Hollywood Studios Attractions and Entertainment
- Character Meet-and-Greets at Disney’s Hollywood Studios
- Toy Story Land Guide
Or refer back to our Disney World Parks Planning Guide.
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