Disney Confirms Muppets Take Over Rock 'n' Roller Coaster at Hollywood Studios

Nov 22, 2024 in "Rock 'n' Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith"

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Muppets will be taking over Rock 'n' Roller Coaster

Posted: Friday November 22, 2024 10:11am ET by WDWMAGIC Staff

Disney has officially announced that the Muppets will be taking over Rock 'n' Roller Coaster at Disney's Hollywood Studios, replacing Aerosmith. The news comes after years of speculation about the future of Aerosmith's involvement with the popular thrill ride at Walt Disney World.

Muppets will be taking over Rock 'n' Roller Coaster

The first hint of a Muppets-themed makeover came from Jeff Yorkes, co-creator of "The Muppets Mayhem" on Disney+. Back in June 2023, Yorkes hinted at the idea on Twitter, responding to a rumor article with, "Not gonna lie-- this was absolutely part of our original pitch and is another piece of this dream. Fingers-crossed that it happens."

Rock 'n' Roller Coaster, known for its high-speed thrills and iconic rock soundtrack, recently reopened after an extensive refurbishment. The ride improvements focused on the ride system and lighting, but kept the Aerosmith storyline intact—at least for now. With Disney's announcement, the coaster will soon feature a new Muppets-themed experience, adding fresh energy and humor to one of Walt Disney World's fan-favorite thrill rides.

Rock 'n' Roller Coaster overview

This announcement coincides with another major shift for the Muppets at Disney's Hollywood Studios. Disney has also confirmed that MuppetVision 3D will close to make way for the upcoming Monsters Inc. Land.

Details on the new Muppets storyline for Rock 'n' Roller Coaster are still under wraps, but Disney says "The Muppets will be taking over Rock 'n' Roller Coaster, teaming up with some of music's biggest stars for a rockin' music festival!"

Disney has yet to give a closing date for the current version of Rock 'n' Roller Coaster, but for now, fans of Aerosmith's iconic coaster have a limited time to catch their favorite band in action before the Muppets bring their unique twist to this high-speed adventure.

Rock 'n' Roller Coaster overview

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Streetway Again15 days ago

Yeah. Agreed. It’s not that it’s a bad idea. But I feel like the SOLE (as we know of right now) muppet attraction at wdw replacement for MV3D being a retheme of RNRC that won’t really allow for jokes or the muppet personalities to breath just kinda sucks. And even beyond that, going from an attraction with the entire og muppet team to the modern muppets, as much as I think some of them get too much hate, also kinda sucks. I KNOW it might not be only RNRC in the long term, but I wish the muppets had a better hand for their future at WDW.

rle4lunch15 days ago

Ride length is going to heavily dictate how much detail is put into the 'storymaking' element. I think of the 'incredicoaster' overlay, and while it's slightly more entertaining than its past theming, it's still minimal. At least the soundtrack links up to the show scenes quite well.

Streetway Again15 days ago

Still haven’t heard much about this attraction from Disney. Hoping it isnt a cheapo overlay with barley any muppet theming. This was a cool concept, but im not gonna lie, i wish we were getting a purpose built muppets attraction to succeed muppetvision 3D, or at least a ride that would leave time for the muppets to be…well, the muppets. I know a second attraction in the villains theatre has been thrown around, but still

Jayspency17 days ago

I want whatever it is you're on.

2600loop18 days ago

my little kids can't wait to ride this in six years when they're big enough and they don't care about the muppets anymore

Agent H18 days ago

I wish but @lentesta already confirmed that wasn’t happening.

Disgruntled Walt18 days ago

I'm praying that they are moved to the building next door and the show reopens in 2026.

Jayspency18 days ago

I'm praying that the statler and wardoff animatronics from MV3D are placed in a window in the alleyway and heckle guests before the launch

Brer Panther18 days ago

I'd be pleasantly surprised if we got any animatronics.

Agent H19 days ago

AidenRodriguez73119 days ago

There will be a new accessible show in its place though. Plus I don't think the Muppets are going to lose popularity just because of the closure of MV3D. What they are saying is that Muppets as a brand, might get a few new eyes on it that would not have before. Plus if we do get a psuedo-Muppet courtyard down the line like some are rumoring (not saying Muppetvision but perhaps another show or even just fun theming + maybe a Meet + Greet) they can definitely broaden their reach.

andre8519 days ago

Watched a video of Iron Man and it looked like total nonsense. As for animatronics, other placements where they could work: at the countdown launch, and less likely, the tunnel at the end (not even sure there's room there)

mergatroid19 days ago

Be interesting to see whether they add any animatronics in the pre-ride area or not? Disney could argue that no animatronics are needed because there are none currently in R 'n' R so why not just use screens like we currently have in the recording studio. During the actual ride the vehicle goes too fast to waste money on anything other than projections or glowing 'scenery' like we currently have. So realistically the only possible use of animatronics would be in the pre-show area where we currently have a film to watch. Visiting Disneyland Paris the year before last I went on the old R 'n' R there which they'd changed to an Iron Man attraction using the same track etc. They had an Iron Man animatronic in the line before the ride which was reasonably impressive but the altered attraction to me personally felt like a downgrade. It may well be just me that felt that way which is fine, it just felt it had lost something without the pumping music and storyline that you're off to see a show that just kind of worked.