UNIVERSE PRESENTATION

THE HORROR

of Alien Encounter

Why Disney's Alien Encounter Was Way Scarier Than We Expected

On a scale from 1 to 5...

how scared are you of aliens?

(1 = I’ll invite them over for tea, 5 = I sleep with the lights on after watching E.T.)

Have you ever been on a ride at Disney that actually scared you?

(Yes / No / I’ve been scared of the lines at Disney…)

INTRODUCTION

What Was Alien Encounter?

The ride was supposed to be an interactive, cutting-edge sci-fi experience where we get to meet a friendly alien. Spoiler alert: That’s not what happened.

What Went Wrong?

Alien Encounter's Dark Side - The Set Up

ALIEN TRANSPORT

Cute Alien

ALIEN TRANSPORT

NOT SO CUTE ALIEN

Why Was It So Scary?

The Unexpected Terror

• The Darkness and Isolation:
• A lot of the ride’s horror came from how isolated you felt. You couldn’t see the alien, but you could feel its presence, hear its growls, and smell the alien slime…
• Sound Effects and Sensory Overload:
• In a twist on typical Disney magic, Alien Encounter used extreme sensory effects—sounds, smells, and even vibrations—giving you the sensation that the alien was right next to you. You could feel its claws scraping against your seat. You could hear its snarls. And yes, you could feel its breath on your neck.

VIDEO FOOTAGE

WHAT THE INTERWEB PEOPLE SAY...

VIDEO FOOTAGE

WHAT THE INTERWEB PEOPLE SAY...

Reflection

Would you go on a "scary" Disney ride like Alien Encounter today, or are you more of a "Let’s stick to Dumbo" kind of person?

SCARY OR FUN?You Decide!

Some things are just too much for Disney’s Magic Kingdom. While Alien Encounter may have been a too much ride for most, it will always be remembered as one of the scariest—and strangest—attractions in Disney history."

THANKS!

Get ready to blast off into space… but maybe pack a spare pair of pants! 🛸👾🎢

Disney’s Change of Heart

Why it was TOO Scary..

• Despite being a technical marvel with a groundbreaking use of sensory technology, Alien Encounter quickly developed a reputation for being too scary—especially for younger children. It wasn’t uncommon for people to leave the ride in tears, and there were complaints about it being more "horror movie" than "family fun.".
• And so, Disney did what any corporation would do when things get too spooky—they replaced it with something a little less terrifying. Enter Stitch’s Great Escape! (You can still hear the collective sigh of relief from parents everywhere.)