New Toy Story Land DJ Hits a Glitch: Lilypad's Screen Is Dark at Disney World After 33 Days
Lilypad at Alien Swirling Saucers lost its display on Oct. 28, while audio kept playing. The ride remains open at Disney's Hollywood Studios.
A new Toy Story Land entertainment feature at Walt Disney World is already having technical trouble. Lilypad, the frog-shaped smart tablet added to Alien Swirling Saucers on September 25, had a blacked-out display on October 28, even as the character's audio continued to play.
What changed at Alien Swirling Saucers
Lilypad was introduced at Disney's Hollywood Studios as a DJ style character for Alien Swirling Saucers, with a large digital screen used to introduce songs and interact with guests. The update brought refreshed versions of familiar Toy Story music, original tracks including "Pizza Planet Promo" and "Spin It Back, Lilypad," and simple games between ride cycles such as picture puzzles and word scrambles.
On October 28, that visual element was not working. Lilypad's screen had gone completely dark, but the audio kept running, including narration for games that depend on guests being able to see the display. In practice, that meant the character could ask visitors to identify a drawing without showing one.
The ride itself continued operating normally, and Disney had not indicated that the issue would require Alien Swirling Saucers to close. For guests, the change affects the extra entertainment around the attraction rather than the ride system. Until the display is restored, the interactive portions may not function as intended.
Why fans noticed this one quickly
The timing stands out because Lilypad is still very new. The feature debuted on September 25, and the screen problem was seen 33 days later.
The addition has also drawn attention for another reason. When Toy Story Land opened in June 2018, the area was built around the idea that guests were toys moving through Andy's backyard, with oversized blocks, familiar playthings, and attractions designed to look like pieces of a toy setup. Lilypad is different from that original approach because the character is a modern smart tablet, something that was not part of Andy's childhood in the early Toy Story setting.
That makes Lilypad more than a technical hiccup for Disney fans watching how the land evolves. A holiday soundtrack for the character is scheduled to debut on November 4, bringing seasonal music to Alien Swirling Saucers. Disney has not announced how long the display problem will last, so it is not yet clear whether Lilypad's screen will be back in time for that update.
