1
Credit: ITMThere’s something magical about a day at Walt Disney World—where the only kind of thrills you’re expecting are the kind that come with a lightspeed jump on Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance, a spooky descent at Haunted Mansion, or a spin through Andy’s backyard in Toy Story Land.
But every now and then, something unexpected creeps in to remind us that this land of fantasy is still firmly planted in the real world.
Guests at Disney’s Hollywood Studios were enjoying the typical Florida sunshine, colorful theming, and the energetic hum of excited parkgoers. Over in Toy Story Land, families lined up to ride the kid-favorite Alien Swirling Saucers—a spinning attraction that’s often considered the perfect next step for little ones graduating from Dumbo the Flying Elephant. Everything was going according to plan—until the ride abruptly came to a halt.
At first, many assumed it was just another brief downtime. Disney attractions do occasionally pause for cleaning, minor issues, or other operational checks. But as more and more Cast Members gathered around the ride platform, whispers of something strange started to spread. Then, word got out: a snake had made its way onto the ride.
It wasn’t just any snake—it was a harmless black racer, a non-venomous species commonly found around Florida. And while this snake meant no harm, the sight of it slithering into the ride was enough to temporarily close Alien Swirling Saucers.
Cast Members acted quickly and calmly, ensuring the safety of both guests and the snake itself. According to those nearby, the attraction was shut down while trained team members carefully wrangled the snake and removed it from the area. It was safely relocated to a more suitable environment far away from the playful chaos of Toy Story Land.
Once the area was secure and clear, the ride resumed operation, and guests were back to spinning with their favorite little green aliens in no time.
While this may sound like a wild story, it’s actually not the first time a snake has made a surprise appearance at Disney World. With so much lush landscaping and natural elements throughout the resort, local wildlife occasionally finds its way into the parks. And Disney has procedures in place for exactly these kinds of moments—ensuring minimal disruption while also treating animals with respect.
In the end, it turned out to be more of a curious tale than a dangerous incident. Still, it’s not every day your intergalactic adventure gets paused by a real-life creature encounter. One thing’s for sure: those who were in the area that day won’t forget their unexpected Toy Story Land memory anytime soon.