Surviving (and Enjoying!) Alien Swirling Saucers at Hollywood Studios: A Motion Sickness Sufferer’s Guide🎢

Let’s be honest: parenthood at Walt Disney World is all about compromise. You will stand in line for 60 minutes for a ride that lasts 90 seconds, you will eat Mickey-shaped snacks for breakfast, and if you are prone to motion sickness, you will willingly subject your inner ear to torture just to see your kids light up with joy. Case in point? Alien Swirling Saucers in Toy Story Land at Disney's Hollywood Studios. If you ask me, I am not a big fan of this attraction. Give me a relaxing boat ride or a gentle omnimover any day. But the kids? They are utterly obsessed. And as much as the spinning messes with my motion sickness, I keep getting back in line. Why? Because the giggles are contagious, and surprisingly, this ride offers some of the absolute best photo opportunities in the whole park. If you’re a fellow motion-sickness sufferer dreading this ride—or a parent trying to figure out if you can handle it—here is my survival guide, along with why you should keep your camera ready. The Spin on Alien Swirling Saucers: What It’s Really Like Located in Andy’s backyard, Alien Swirling Saucers is themed after the iconic claw machine toys from Toy Story. You board a "saucer" (pulled by an adorable little green alien) that whips around the floor in a figure-eight pattern. If you’ve ever ridden the Mater’s Junkyard Jamboree at Disney California Adventure, you already know what to expect—it’s the exact same ride system. How it feels for motion sickness sufferers: The motion: It’s a combination of rapid whipping turns and unexpected centrifugal force. The visual: You are spinning, but the background (Andy’s oversized toys, fences, and palm trees) is also zipping by. The verdict: If spinning rides like the Teacups at Magic Kingdom make you want to lose your Mickey Pretzel, Alien Swirling Saucers will likely do the same. It’s fast, jerky, and relentless for about 90 seconds. How I Survive It (So the Kids Can Ride) Since skipping it isn't an option when traveling with kids, I’ve had to develop a tactical approach to minimize the dizziness: Pre-Medicate: If you are prone to motion sickness, don't leave your room without Dramamine, Bonine, or your preferred preventative. Give it about an hour to kick in before braving Toy Story Land. Look Up and Out: Just like driving a car, staring directly at the ground or focusing on the rapid movement right in front of you is a recipe for instant nausea. Try to look toward the center or keep your gaze fixed on the horizon (or your kid's smiling face). Brace Yourself: Active participation helps. Lean into the turns so you aren't violently thrown back and forth against the side of the vehicle. Limit the Count: The ride cycles through a few different songs and sequences. Once is usually my limit per park day. If the kids want to go again, my husband takes over! Hidden Perk: Incredible Photo Opportunities! Even though my stomach does flip-flops on this ride, I keep my phone glued to my hand. Why? Because Alien Swirling Saucers is secretly one of the most photogenic rides in Hollywood Studios. Because the vehicles whip around so quickly and unpredictably, you get hilarious, high-energy action shots of your kids that you simply can't get on slower dark rides. Here is how to nail the shots: Video is King: Instead of trying to time the shutter button while spinning, switch your phone to "Video" or "Live Photo" mode. You can pull incredible still frames later from the video footage. Capture the "G-Force" Faces: The moment the saucer whips into the figure-eight is when the best expressions happen. Kids scrunching their faces, throwing their hands in the air, or laughing uncontrollably make for priceless vacation memories. Toy Story Land Details: While waiting in line (which is heavily themed to look like a cardboard box play set), you get fantastic angles of Slinky Dog Dash roaring overhead. Plus, the neon lights of the ride make for amazing evening photo ops once the sun goes down. The Final Verdict Do I love the physical sensation of Alien Swirling Saucers? Absolutely not. Will I ride it again on our next Hollywood Studios trip? Without a doubt. Disney is about making memories with your kids, and seeing their pure, unadulterated joy as the green aliens whip them around makes a few minutes of dizziness entirely worth it. Just make sure you pack the motion sickness bands, take a deep breath, and have your camera rolling! https://gofund.me/1ade0e0a4