Alien Swirling Saucers

[Chef Mickey]

After visiting Toy Story Land, I had a lot of negative feelings...but one glaring question remained:

How the heck was this attraction approved?

This thing is worse than the teacups, has an outdoor queue, and looks like it belongs at a local carnival to be packed up on a truck at the end of the night. It looks cheap, isn't fun, already feels bumpy, and doesn't even have the classic wheel the rider can turn like in the teacups. You literally just sit there and bounce around, hoping it ends soon.

I get it...the land was clearly done on a budget. That's an entirely different discussion. It's a shame such a terrible, awful, complete failure of an attraction was actually greenlit by Iger's team. I could tolerate it if Slinky and the entire land didn't disappoint, but it does. Outdoor queues, peeling paint, a disappointing attraction, and another that shouldn't even be in a Disney park.

The fact we got 2 new rides and this was the second is totally disappointing.

 

[Zipadeelady]

We unfortunately left the day before TSL opened so we didn't get a chance to ride it. Honestly though you are the first person I've read that didn't like it. Every report or thread I've seen gave it a good review. Actually I take that back, I remember a few that said they loved the ride but hated that the queue was outside. Sorry you didn't like it but you may be in the minority on this one.

 

[Chef Mickey]

We unfortunately left the day before TSL opened so we didn't get a chance to ride it. Honestly though you are the first person I've read that didn't like it. Every report or thread I've seen gave it a good review. Actually I take that back, I remember a few that said they loved the ride but hated that the queue was outside. Sorry you didn't like it but you may be in the minority on this one.

Everyone is entitled to their opinion, but we are talking Alien Swirling Saucers, right? I'm absolutely puzzled that anyone could think this is a passable Disney attraction in 2018, particularly if it's the 2nd of only 2 new rides in a brand new land.

I'm actually sad if some people like it, because they've forgotten greatness. I get it...it's not an E-Ticket, but you have to consider the entire "land" was built with only 2 new rides. If we got 4, this is fine, but we only got 2 and even Slinky is a C-Ticket type attraction. 7DMT is FAR, FAR better than Slinky and it's probably only a solid D-Ticket.

 

[geekza]

Everyone is entitled to their opinion, but we are talking Alien Swirling Saucers, right? I'm absolutely puzzled that anyone could think this is a passable Disney attraction in 2018, particularly if it's the 2nd of only 2 new rides in a brand new land.

You're not the only person who was underwhelmed, but I think you hit the nail on the head in your original post. Toy Story Land was done quickly and as inexpensively as possible. They needed to add something for kids in a park that doesn't have a lot that caters to that demographic. We got Slinky Dog, which, though it isn't anything special, is, by all accounts, an enjoyable ride for adults and kids. We also got a copy of a pre-existing California ride, with a different IP overlay. It's short and nothing special, but people seem to enjoy the experience for what it is and move on. I agree, like you, that the whole expansion is not up to the standards of classic Disney. It's a quick and relatively cheap people eater of a land. I'm not crazy about it, but it also wasn't made for me, so it's easily ignored.

 

[Chef Mickey]

You're not the only person who was underwhelmed, but I think you hit the nail on the head in your original post. Toy Story Land was done quickly and as inexpensively as possible. They needed to add something for kids in a park that doesn't have a lot that caters to that demographic. We got Slinky Dog, which, though it isn't anything special, is, by all accounts, an enjoyable ride for adults and kids. We also got a copy of a pre-existing California ride, with a different IP overlay. It's short and nothing special, but people seem to enjoy the experience for what it is and move on. I agree, like you, that the whole expansion is not up to the standards of classic Disney. It's a quick and relatively cheap people eater of a land. I'm not crazy about it, but it also wasn't made for me, so it's easily ignored.

I guess that's the logic. At least it was somewhat of a new land, although it replaced Backlot. At least i don't really miss what was there before like I'll miss TGMR. I am hoping the Mickey ride will be awesome, but it's already sounding "screeny" to me.

Slinky Dog is a good ride, but I don't think it's strong enough to anchor an entire land. Even 7DMT is slightly weak, but it's grown on me and is far better than Slinky.

Saucers just doesn't seem to belong at a Disney Park at all. I will totally ignore it as you said.

 

[kong1802]

Yeah, we rode it one time, and that was enough...

I actually thought it was a little better than it looked, but still not enough to have any desire to go back on. The wait situation is just brutal. We only waited 20 mins, but it felt longer. I wish they would have put more interactive elements in the ride. A moving claw, or at least some buttons to press on the ride....I agree, for 2018 it's pretty lame.

 

[Rinx]

Toy Story Land is fantastic in the sense it allowed me to easily obtain FP's for TSM and wait less than 15 minutes in standby. Didn't care much for Mater's in CA so passed on the saucers. Did Slinky for the first and probably final time as I thought it was quite lackadaisical - and that was from the back row.

 

[JIMINYCR]

Ive read on other sites and heard on podcasts others voicing their disappointments also. You arent alone. I was never enthralled by the concept and plans that they released on the project before its start. It never looked to me that it measured up to bringing a lot to DHS. Thats what happens when Disney decides to add on by going small instead of going big. What I mean is that Disney has the ability to WOW us with some great things but they would rather give us a couple of attractions, a food area and some theming that surrounds it all ( they did a good job with that) and call it a day. Hey... you wanted more we gave it. Only we are left scratching our head and thinking... thats it??? Now SW does look like it will bring us a lot more... we can hope that area will really bring it on!!!

 

[danlb_2000]

After visiting Toy Story Land, I had a lot of negative feelings...but one glaring question remained:

How the heck was this attraction approved?

This thing is worse than the teacups, has an outdoor queue, and looks like it belongs at a local carnival to be packed up on a truck at the end of the night. It looks cheap, isn't fun, already feels bumpy, and doesn't even have the classic wheel the rider can turn like in the teacups. You literally just sit there and bounce around, hoping it ends soon.

I get it...the land was clearly done on a budget. That's an entirely different discussion. It's a shame such a terrible, awful, complete failure of an attraction was actually greenlit by Iger's team. I could tolerate it if Slinky and the entire land didn't disappoint, but it does. Outdoor queues, peeling paint, a disappointing attraction, and another that shouldn't even be in a Disney park.

The fact we got 2 new rides and this was the second is totally disappointing.

It might had something to do with the fact that the Cars version of the ride in DCA is very popular and get's positive reviews. They might have thought it would still translate to a different IP better then it did.

 

[Nottamus]

Not every ride in every park is for every person.

I think Dumbo Flying thing is not for me....but i'm guessing its someone's favorite ride.

 

[ThatMouse]

Saucers is a waste of space IMO. It's a very old design. It's rough. There's no suspension and the wheels are already tearing up the new concrete floor. The new music was created by someone on a laptop and midi keyboard, which is neat and stuff, but I'd expect more from Disney.

 

[Zipadeelady]

Everyone is entitled to their opinion, but we are talking Alien Swirling Saucers, right? I'm absolutely puzzled that anyone could think this is a passable Disney attraction in 2018, particularly if it's the 2nd of only 2 new rides in a brand new land.

I'm actually sad if some people like it, because they've forgotten greatness. I get it...it's not an E-Ticket, but you have to consider the entire "land" was built with only 2 new rides. If we got 4, this is fine, but we only got 2 and even Slinky is a C-Ticket type attraction. 7DMT is FAR, FAR better than Slinky and it's probably only a solid D-Ticket.

I understand your opinion. Others out there seem to enjoy it though. I guess I'll have to wait and see when we're able to get back as to if I agree or disagree with your opinion.

 

[graphite1326]

Correct me if I am wrong, isn't this ride a take off of the old Whip ride?

 

[geekza]

Correct me if I am wrong, isn't this ride a take off of the old Whip ride?

Pretty much. It's a little more advanced, since it uses two turntables, giving more of a figure 8 layout, but it's very, very similar.

 

[Shouldigo12]

Everyone is entitled to their opinion, but we are talking Alien Swirling Saucers, right? I'm absolutely puzzled that anyone could think this is a passable Disney attraction in 2018, particularly if it's the 2nd of only 2 new rides in a brand new land.

I'm actually sad if some people like it, because they've forgotten greatness. I get it...it's not an E-Ticket, but you have to consider the entire "land" was built with only 2 new rides. If we got 4, this is fine, but we only got 2 and even Slinky is a C-Ticket type attraction. 7DMT is FAR, FAR better than Slinky and it's probably only a solid D-Ticket.

Why be sad people enjoy an attraction they paid to see? I think it's much sadder that people aren't liking the ride. Not because I love it (haven't been to TSL), but because I know people were really looking for to it and are largely disappointed in the end result.

 

[danyoung56]

For what it's worth, I was a bit underwhelmed by the Mater ride in DCA . . . till I actually rode it. I really enjoyed it, and look forward to enjoying the Saucers as well.

 

[geekza]

I don't think either of the new rides have much in the way of staying power. There was a lot of hype building up to Toy Story Land and, with so much of DHS closed down at the moment, people are hungry for anything new. People seem to be fine with SDD, at least for the most part, but that newness will wear off and the attractions ability to pull guests will be left up to the actual quality of the attractions. In these cases, the attractions aren't that great. I suspect that once GE opens and we pass the 50th, both rides will be ones that people go to when other ones are too crowded.

 

[Chef Mickey]

Why be sad people enjoy an attraction they paid to see? I think it's much sadder that people aren't liking the ride. Not because I love it (haven't been to TSL), but because I know people were really looking for to it and are largely disappointed in the end result.

I mean, it's sad from the perspective that guests should expect better who know Disney's history and can even see it in other attractions and lands. It's also sad because it's 1 of the 2 new rides we got.

 

[geekza]

I mean, it's sad from the perspective that guests should expect better who know Disney's history and can even see it in others rides.

Again, this disappointment is more that it's the second of 2 rides in the land and it's severely lacking.

I've learned in my time here that those of us who know what Disney is capable of and complain when something doesn't meet those standards tend to be shouted down by those who say, "It's fine. Stop comparing things to the way they used to be. The world has moved on. If you don't like it, go somewhere else for vacation."

 

[Chef Mickey]

Not every ride in every park is for every person.

I think Dumbo Flying thing is not for me....but i'm guessing its someone's favorite ride.

Agreed, but Dumbo is simply a classic that was moved to New Fantasyland. It wasn't part of the major build out of the land. This Alien ride was 50% of the new land. We already had Midway Mania.