Walt Disney World is adding new music to Alien Swirling Saucers in Toy Story Land at Disney’s Hollywood Studios starting Friday, September 25th. Lilypad, a character introduced in Toy Story 5, joins the backyard as the DJ behind an all-new soundtrack called Lilypad’s Jams. The lineup mixes reimagined Toy Story songs with new original tracks, recorded in Nashville across genres like pop, country, EDM, and alt-rock. Here’s the latest.
Lilypad’s Jams Brings a New DJ to Alien Swirling Saucers
IN THIS ARTICLE:
- New soundtrack debuts at Alien Swirling Saucers on September 25th
- Lilypad, from Toy Story 5, serves as the in-story DJ for the attraction and the surrounding area
- New songs join reimagined versions of classic Toy Story music
Who Is Lilypad?
Lilypad is a frog-shaped smart tablet on a mission to connect friends. She uses her technology to bring the toys together for Lilypad’s Jams. Lilypad comes from Toy Story 5, which begins streaming on Disney+ on September 23rd, just two days before her Alien Swirling Saucers debut. Disney had already introduced Lilypad into Toy Story Land ahead of the film’s release. A Lilypad-themed Screen Time Swirl Float ran at Woody’s Lunch Box this summer. Woody, Jessie, and Buzz Lightyear also picked up Toy Story 5-inspired costume updates in Toy Story Land earlier this year.
In the film, Lilypad becomes Bonnie’s new favorite toy. That doesn’t sit well with Jessie and the rest of Bonnie’s real toys. Disney describes Lilypad as completely unbothered by the distress she causes them. Her own solution for helping Bonnie stay connected with friends is chatting with them through something called “The Pond.” Lilypad and Jessie land on opposite ends of the high-tech spectrum. Disney says they still share one thing in common: both will do anything for their kid.
On the attraction, Disney says Lilypad connects to the internet to remix and mash up music. She takes on the role of DJ for the ride. The attraction also receives a rename to Alien Swirling Saucers: Lilypad’s Jams.
The New Soundtrack
To record the new music, Imagineers worked with musicians in Nashville. The sessions moved across genres including pop, country, EDM, and alt-rock. Thomas Niederhiser, Senior Creative Producer at Walt Disney Imagineering, said the team wanted to approach the music differently. He described building new original songs that are “singable, sincere, and a little cheesy.” He pointed to a new song about Pizza Planet as an example.
The soundtrack reimagines Toy Story staples including “You’ve Got a Friend in Me,” “We Belong Together,” and “I Can’t Let You Throw Yourself Away.” Each gets a new arrangement focusing on the attraction’s spinning energy. Two brand-new songs round out the lineup. “Pizza Planet Promo” is an in-story theme song for the iconic pizza arcade, and “Spin It Back, Lilypad” is a tribute to the character herself. Geoff Line, Senior Story Lead at Walt Disney Imagineering, said working with Pixar to write for the characters again was rewarding. “We played with these toys as kids,” Line said. “Now we get to play with them as Imagineers.”
Existing characters get more presence in the new mix too. Disney specifically calls out Partysaurus Rex as one of the toys getting additional airtime under Lilypad’s new lineup.
Lilypad Outside the Ride
Guests do not need to ride Alien Swirling Saucers to enjoy the Lilypad update. Disney says Lilypad will DJ for the entire backyard, so guests can experience her outside the attraction too. Offboard, she introduces tracks and hypes up the crowd between songs. She also offers additional entertainment. That includes a drawing guessing game, puzzles to unscramble, and recorded “home videos” featuring other Toy Story characters.
Lilypad’s Jams begins September 25th at Alien Swirling Saucers, two days after Toy Story 5 arrives on Disney+.
Keep Reading
- Woody, Jessie, and Buzz Lightyear picked up new Toy Story 5-themed costume details in Toy Story Land earlier this year, including Woody’s new poncho and Jessie’s sheriff badge.
- Disney previously debuted a Lilypad-inspired treat at Woody’s Lunch Box as part of a Toy Story 5 tie-in for Annual Passholders this summer.
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