Toy Story Land is about to look and sound very different.
When the 11-acre land opened at Disney’s Hollywood Studios on June 30, 2018, everything was framed as part of Andy’s backyard. Guests were shrunk to toy size, surrounded by oversized building blocks, Christmas lights, game pieces, and toys supposedly arranged by Andy himself.
That story extended to Alien Swirling Saucers. Disney recently reiterated that Andy had earned enough Pizza Planet tickets to bring home the Alien Swirling Saucers play set, which he then combined with his Star Command set to create the attraction seen in Toy Story Land today.
Eight years later, Disney is preparing to move away from that original setup.
Alien Swirling Saucers Gets a New Theme
Starting September 25, Alien Swirling Saucers will receive a new overlay centered on Lilypad, the frog shaped smart tablet introduced in Toy Story 5.
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 become the attraction’s DJ, replacing its existing musical presentation with Lilypad’s Jams. The new soundtrack combines fresh versions of songs from across the Toy Story films with original music recorded specifically for the Disney World attraction.
Imagineers traveled to Nashville to record the new tracks, working with musicians across pop, country, EDM, and alt-rock.
Songs receiving new versions include Randy Newman’s You’ve Got a Friend in Me, We Belong Together, and I Can’t Let You Throw Yourself Away.
New material includes Pizza Planet Promo and Spin It Back, Lilypad, the latter of which Walt Disney Imagineering has already previewed ahead of the September launch.
NEW: Walt Disney Imagineering shared a first listen of the all-new Alien Swirling Saucers soundtrack, debuting September 25 at Disney’s Hollywood Studios!
The changes will not stop with the music.
Concept art shows a large Lilypad display taking over the attraction entrance. Disney also says the character will entertain guests elsewhere in the area, introducing music and appearing through activities involving doodles, puzzles, and “home videos” featuring Toy Story characters.
Construction permits were previously filed for the attraction back in May, highlighting new “set elements.”
“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.”
The ride system itself is not being replaced. Guests will still board rocket-shaped vehicles pulled by the green Aliens as they spin around the 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
Instead, Disney is replacing the eight-year-old attraction’s original presentation with one built around a character from the newest Toy Story movie.
New Overlay Breaks From Andy’s Backyard
The change has already sparked debate because Lilypad comes from a very different point in the Toy Story timeline.
Toy Story Land has always been presented as Andy’s backyard. Lilypad, meanwhile, is a modern electronic toy belonging to Bonnie’s generation, creating an obvious clash with the story Disney established when the land opened.
“PLEASE tell me this is temporary,” one fan 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.”
The timeline was also a sticking point for other fans.
“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.”
Another was less restrained: “In Andy’s backyard? Have you lost your goddamn minds?”
The musical overhaul does have precedent elsewhere in Disney’s theme park portfolio.
Tokyo Disneyland’s The Happy Ride with Baymax uses a similar spinning ride format, pairing unpredictable vehicle movement with upbeat music. Its original soundtrack contains six songs, with Tokyo Disney Resort periodically adding limited time music to the rotation.
The music has become a defining part of the Baymax attraction, with its energetic soundtrack and choreography helping turn the ride into a destination even for guests watching from outside.
The timing also gives Disney a way to extend Toy Story 5 beyond theaters and Disney+. Lilypad’s arrival at Hollywood Studios follows the movie and introduces one of its newest characters directly into a land previously dominated by the franchise’s older toys.
What do you think of the update to Alien Swirling Saucers?
