Complete Guide to Alien Swirling Saucers at Hollywood Studios

Beware the Claw at this super space journey set to sci-fi tunes!

The cutest extraterrestrials in the galaxy have landed, and they’re taking you for a swirling, twirling ride! Make your way through Andy’s backyard to this giant playset where little green aliens attempt to capture your rocket toy vehicle with the dreaded Claw.

Get ready to take an intergalactic spin with our complete guide to Alien Swirling Saucers.

Alien Swirling Saucers Quick Facts

Location

You can find Alien Swirling Saucers in Toy Story Land, down the way from Slinky Dog Dash and Toy Story Mania. Just look for the large Buzz Lightyear where the queue for Alien Swirling Saucers begins – you won’t be able to miss it!

Here’s the location on the map.

How to Ride Alien Swirling Saucers

At Alien Swirling Saucers, there is a Lightning Lane and a Standby Line. There is no Single Rider Line.

Do I need to use Genie+ at Alien Swirling Saucers?

Alien Swirling Saucers does offer Genie+ and for families looking for attractions with low or no height requirements, this is a great option, so a Genie+ reservation may be a good idea.

The queue for this attraction is also completely outdoors and though parts are covered, you may want to consider using Genie+ to avoid the direct sun on a hot day.

This ride is available for Early Theme Park Entry for Disney World Resort hotel guests so if you are staying on property and prefer to save your Genie+ for other attractions (like Slinky Dog Dash or Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run), try to ride Alien Swirling Saucers during that time block.

Make sure you check out our touring strategies for Hollywood Studios for more Genie+ advice.

Rider Switch/Child Swap

As there is a height requirement and this ride is pretty popular, you can use Rider Switch for Alien Swirling Saucers.

Rider Switch is Disney’s system that allows guests with small children to take turns riding bigger rides, while another person/people wait with the little one.

If you are waiting with the littles while the rest of the family is on Alien Swirling Saucers, you can take this opportunity to meet Buzz Lightyear or Woody!

What to expect when you ride

Queue

The queue starts among the “weeds” and “grass” of Andy’s backyard. Look out for pieces from the Aliens playset Andy won at Pizza Planet lying around.

Guests then enter the playset where you see colorful artwork that’s similar to what can be found at Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin queue in Tomorrowland at Magic Kingdom.

Take note that the queue at Alien Swirling Saucers is entirely outside, and although parts are covered, it can get very hot on warmer days.

Ride Vehicles

Board your very own spaceship when you ride Alien Swirling Saucers!

Pick your color saucer and climb in. Your vehicle is attached to an Alien Saucer, which happens to have one of the adorable little green aliens from Toy Story sitting inside to guide you as you swirl around and around!

There are two sides (“playsets”) to this attraction, and each has 11 vehicles that can hold two or three guests per saucer.

A lap bar is lowered over guests’ laps for safety purposes.

Accessibility Information

To ride Alien Swirling Saucers, guests must transfer from their ECV/wheelchair to the ride vehicle. Service animals are not permitted on this ride.

Motion Sickness

As Alien Swirling Saucers features plenty of spinning, this attraction may cause motion sickness. It can also be a little rough at times.

If you are prone to motion sickness, check out our guide on the rides at the Walt Disney World Resort that may cause it. 

On the Ride

Warning: If you would prefer to keep your experience at Alien Swirling Saucers a surprise, there are spoilers ahead.

Climb aboard this larger-than-life playset and go for a spin around the galaxy!

Little Green Men zoom around in their toy flying saucers and try to capture your rocket with the Claw.

Buckle up for this ride that swirls on its own accord – that’s right! There is no lever to pull or spinning wheel to turn to control how you move around the stars, planets, and other ride vehicles. But that’s what makes it so much fun!

The music, choreographed lighting, and sound effects will add to the thrill of your adventure to the stars.

Is Alien Swirling Saucers Kid-Friendly?

While the subject matter is appropriate for Space Cadets of all ages, those who ride Alien Swirling Saucers must be 32″ or taller.

For more information about rides with height requirements, as well as attractions that young kids might find a little frightening, check out our guide to things that might scare little ones at WDW.

Strollers

Like most rides in Walt Disney World, before getting in the queue for Alien Swirling Saucers, you’ll have to park your stroller in the designated area directly outside the attraction since they aren’t allowed in the queue.

Toy Story Land has plenty of places to stow your stroller, including the area in front of Toy Story Mania which is right down the way.

History

Alien Swirling Saucers was announced at the D23 Expo in 2015, along with the concepts for Slinky Dog Dash and an expansion for the wildly popular Toy Story Mania.

Alien Swirling Saucers opened on June 30, 2018, alongside Toy Story Land at Disney’s Hollywood Studios.

Other Fun Details

• In 2018, it was announced that a version of Alien Swirling Saucers would open at Disneyland Paris as a part of its $2 billion expansion. However, with the release of more recent concept art, it looks like it will not be included in the expansion.
• Alien Swirling Saucers uses the same ride system that powers Disney California Adventure’s Mater’s Junkyard Jamboree and Tokyo Disneyland’s The Happy Ride With Baymax. 
• As Toy Story Land is supposed to look like it’s located in Andy’s backyard, Alien Swirling Saucers is themed as a playset that Andy won at Pizza Planet.
• Listen closely to the music featured on the ride. You’ll hear science fiction-inspired versions of classic Toy Story songs play as you swirl around.
• At night you’ll find a special light show on the ride choreographed to the attraction’s musical score.
• During the holidays, the ride is enhanced with a fun soundtrack for the holidays.