Alien Swirling Saucers Review and Planning Information

Alien Swirling Saucers at Disney’s Hollywood Studios Review and Planning Info

Alien Swirling Saucers opened on: June 30, 2018.

Pull up a list of all Disney’s Hollywood Studios attraction planning reviews here. These reviews will be updated throughout the month as things evolve. The main points should remain the same.

Location: Alien Swirling Saucers is found on the far left side of Toy Story Land, nearest Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge.

The entrance looks like this with the two tracks spaced out to the right.

Extra Magic Hours: When available, Alien Swirling Saucers is open for morning and evening Extra Magic Hours.

Ride Length: 90 seconds.

Type: Relatively mild, whip-around ride.

Similar to: Alien Swirling Saucers is nearly identical to how Mater’s Junkyard Jamboree works in Disney California Adventure. You’ll also see it compared to Mad Tea Party at Magic Kingdom, though the whip-around motion is much different than the spinning Alice in Wonderland ride. Instead of constantly rotating, your alien will occasionally throw you around from side to side.

Requirements: 32″ minimum height. A lack of motion sickness will also come in handy.

You can easily watch a ride cycle from outside the attraction to decide if it’s worth your time or looks to be an unpleasant experience. You could hypothetically just twirl around a little bit while the music is playing and then have someone push you over. That’s sort of the same idea.

Scary Factor: Only whether or not the claw will come for you. It doesn’t move, so the chances are low.

What to Expect:

Two adults or two adults and a child typically fit inside each swirling saucer with a single cloth lap restraint as your only barrier from launching face first into outer space. The trick here is that the back portion of the vehicle, where you sit, whips around from side to side as your alien in front drives you around. Imagine if the backseat of your vehicle was connected to the front via a string.

You know why I’m here pic.twitter.com/w1DmYJuptO

— josh (@easywdw) February 25, 2020

This video should offer some insight into the experience. YouTube offers another view here.

Where to Sit: With the single lap restraint, it’s possible that two people of different sizes may not be locked down quite as well.

You might sit a child in between parents to secure them better, but there’s just a single row to sit. Also note that there is little to no padding inside the vehicle. You’ll be bumping around into hard plastic.

FastPass+: Yes, when it’s offered, Alien Swirling Saucers is a relatively low Tier 2 priority.

What You Miss Using FastPass+ or an Alternate Entrance: 

Not a whole lot. You’ll be further away from a couple props and some artwork, but it’s better than being stuck there waiting.

Total Average Experience Time with FastPass+: 10 minutes.

4th FastPass+ Availability: While the ride’s overall capacity is low, people are more likely to cancel it than most other rides. That mat be a testament to the ride’s quality, or the fact that those with kids are more likely to change their plans on the fly. The lower height requirement makes the ride viable for families with much younger children. Rides like Tower of Terror, Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster, and others, may be out. That doesn’t mean Alien Swirling Saucers has to be in.

Expect to Wait with FastPass+ Available:

Expect to Wait with no FastPass+ Available and Capacity Caps (Will Update After Park Reopening):

When to Go: Like most attractions, as early or as late as possible is best. It’s a lower priority than the other attractions in Galaxy’s Edge and Toy Story Land, but waits may rise quicker than you’re able to complete those and make it to Alien Swirling Saucers. You might visit it as your third attraction in the morning or your third-to-last in the evening. Waits may be less prohibitive with capacity caps and no FastPass+.

Rating: 3/10.

Josh’s Take: This is a pretty basic carnival ride with a Toy Story overlay that’s less precious than the one based on the Cars franchise in California. If you can get on and off in about 15 minutes, which is possible early and late in the evening, then it may be fulfilling. Those with younger kids may also enjoy it more. At 90 seconds, the ride is basically over before you know it, whether you love it, or that 90 seconds “feels” like about an hour.