Walt Disney World is giving one of Toy Story Land’s original attractions its biggest change yet.
Toy Story Land has been part of Disney’s Hollywood Studios since June 30, 2018. The 11-acre area expanded Pixar’s presence at the park with Slinky Dog Dash and Alien Swirling Saucers, while folding the existing Toy Story Mania! into Andy’s backyard.
Its oversized toys, building blocks, Christmas lights, and other backyard details were designed to make guests feel as though they had been shrunk to toy size.
Since opening, Disney has added Roundup Rodeo BBQ and expanded dining around the land, but its ride lineup has remained largely unchanged. That is about to shift as Disney prepares to replace the original presentation of Alien Swirling Saucers eight years after its debut.
Disney Reworks Original Alien Swirling Saucers Attraction
Beginning September 25, Alien Swirling Saucers will become Alien Swirling Saucers: Lilypad’s Jams, introducing the frog-shaped tablet from Toy Story 5 as the attraction’s new DJ. The physical ride system will remain, but its music, entrance presentation, and surrounding entertainment are being reworked.
NEW: Alien Swirling Saucers at Disney’s Hollywood Studios is getting a new soundtrack starting Sept. 25, featuring Lilypad from Toy Story 5 as DJ. “Lilypad’s Jams” will include remixed Toy Story classics plus new songs spanning pop, country, EDM and alt-rock. pic.twitter.com/EFZYuClvVl
— Scott Gustin (@ScottGustin) September 16, 2026
Lilypad will preside over a new soundtrack built from remixed Toy Story songs and original music created specifically for the attraction. Disney confirmed that Imagineers traveled to Nashville to record the tracks with musicians working across pop, country, EDM, and alt rock.
Randy Newman songs including You’ve Got a Friend in Me, We Belong Together, and I Can’t Let You Throw Yourself Away are among those receiving new versions. Original additions include Pizza Planet Promo and Spin It Back, Lilypad.
Walt Disney Imagineering has already shared a first listen at the latter track as part of its preview of the updated attraction.
NEW: Walt Disney Imagineering shared a first listen of the all-new Alien Swirling Saucers soundtrack, debuting September 25 at Disney’s Hollywood Studios!
NEW: Walt Disney Imagineering shared a first listen of the all-new Alien Swirling Saucers soundtrack, debuting September 25 at Disney’s Hollywood Studios! pic.twitter.com/HnKVd1Sjuh
— Drew Smith (@DrewDisneyDude) September 16, 2026
Lilypad’s role will also extend beyond the ride itself. Disney says guests passing through Toy Story Land will hear her introduce songs, while additional entertainment will include doodles, puzzles, and “home videos” featuring other Toy Story characters.
The update arrives two days after Toy Story 5 begins streaming on Disney+ on September 23. Lilypad, voiced by Greta Lee, is the smart tablet at the center of the film’s conflict between Bonnie’s toys and new technology.
“Collaborating with our partners at Pixar Animation Studios to write for these characters and expand their stories is just pure joy,” said Geoff Line, Senior Story Lead at Walt Disney Imagineering.
“We played with these toys as kids. Now we get to play with them as Imagineers. It doesn’t get better than that.”
Toy Story Land Update Divides Disney Fans
The overhaul has already divided some Disney fans, particularly because Toy Story Land has traditionally been framed as Andy’s backyard. Concept art shows an oversized Lilypad presence at the attraction entrance, replacing part of the original presentation with imagery tied directly to the newest film.
“PLEASE tell me this is temporary,” one wrote on X. “This sounds terrible. And a giant tv in the land better not stick around.”
Another said, “Oh absolutely ew, I am NOT a fan. Hope it’s temporary. The OG music is really good.”
Others focused on how the new character fits the land’s established timeline. “Isn’t this Andy’s backyard?” one wrote. “He was a kid in like the 90s. There’s no reason he should own a lily pad. Even if they write this off, not the lily pad in the movie.”
Or, as one fan put it, “In Andy's backyard? Have you lost your goddamn minds?”
The soundtrack-driven approach also makes Alien Swirling Saucers more similar to Tokyo Disneyland’s The Happy Ride with Baymax. That Tomorrowland attraction pairs its unpredictable spinning movement with six original songs, with the music becoming a major part of the experience.
Disney has even expanded Baymax’s musical format seasonally. In summer 2026, Tokyo Disneyland added Carrying Happiness (Tokyo Disney Resort Version) to the ride’s existing six-song rotation, demonstrating how easily the experience can be refreshed through music without changing the underlying ride system.
Alien Swirling Saucers now appears to be following a similar path. Rather than removing the eight-year-old ride hardware, Disney is replacing its original version with a more music-driven concept tied to Toy Story 5 — while leaving the spinning attraction itself in place.
The change also brings a newer Pixar character directly into the land. Disney’s official announcement positions Lilypad alongside Woody, Jessie, and Buzz Lightyear in the backyard.
How do you feel about the Lilypad takeover of Alien Swirling Saucers?
