Visitors heading to Disney’s Hollywood Studios will soon experience a refreshed musical soundtrack at one of its popular family attractions.
Imagineers are integrating elements from the latest film in a beloved animation franchise to breathe fresh life into a well-known spinning ride by Zamperla. The update promises a modern twist on classic tunes and introduces a brand new digital face to the theme park environment.
Starting on Friday, 25 September, Alien Swirling Saucers in Toy Story Land will feature a new musical programme titled Lilypad’s Jams. The update brings Lilypad, a frog-shaped smart tablet introduced in the latest Pixar film Toy Story 5, into the physical park setting alongside established characters such as Woody, Jessie, and Buzz Lightyear. Positioned as a spirited digital disc jockey on a mission to connect friends, the character uses her technology to mix various music styles and bring toys together.
The new soundtrack features a comprehensive blend of original tracks and reimagined classics from the Pixar film series. To produce the updated audio experience, Walt Disney Imagineering travelled to Nashville to collaborate with musicians across multiple genres. The resulting recording hops across different styles, including pop, country, electronic dance music, and alternative rock.
“Swirling energy”
Thomas Niederhiser, Senior Creative Producer at Walt Disney Imagineering, explained the creative direction for the attraction’s new audio profile. “We wanted to think about the music in a completely new way – taking beloved songs from the Toy Story films and creating catchy new original songs that are singable, sincere and a little cheesy, as one is about Pizza Planet [the fictional restaurant from the first film]”, he said.
The updated playlist includes fresh versions of established franchise songs such as “You’ve Got a Friend in Me,” “We Belong Together,” and “I Can’t Let You Throw Yourself Away,” all infused with a swirling energy designed specifically for the attraction. Additionally, the ride will feature brand-new original tracks. These include a tribute to the new tablet character called “Spin It Back, Lilypad,” and an in-story theme tune titled “Pizza Planet Promo,” which serves as an anthem for the fictional pizza arcade. The addition of the DJ character also means other familiar toys, such as Partysaurus Rex, will feature more prominently in the attraction’s audio landscape.
Brand Synergy
Geoff Line, Senior Story Lead at Walt Disney Imagineering, highlighted the ongoing partnership with Pixar Animation Studios on the project. “Collaborating with our partners at Pixar Animation Studios to write for these characters and expand their stories is just pure joy,” he stated. “We played with these toys as kids. Now we get to play with them as Imagineers. It doesn’t get better than that”.
The entertainment extends beyond the physical ride vehicles. Guests in the surrounding area can participate in the experience as Lilypad acts as a DJ for all honorary toys in the backyard, regardless of whether they are boarding the ride. The off-board entertainment includes visual puzzles to unscramble, drawing app guessing games, and recorded home videos featuring familiar Toy Story characters. This will be a welcome relief for families with children, as the Play Disney Parks App, which enabled additional interactive experiences on guests’ mobile devices, was retired on 16 September.
Since the original film debuted in 1995, the Toy Story franchise has continuously connected with global audiences. This physical attraction update aligns closely with the wider release of the new cinematic instalment. The move showcases synergy between Disney’s Experiences and Entertainment segments, as Toy Story 5 will begin streaming on the Disney+ platform on 23 September, just two days before the new attraction audio goes live to the public.
Last month, Disney made a host of major announcements for their theme park properties around the world, including updates on new attractions for the coming years at Walt Disney World.
