Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith has taken its last guests on a super-stretch limo ride through Hollywood. Now that the coaster is closed, work will begin to transform it into the new version starring The Muppets. The iconic Muppet band, the Electric Mayhem, will bring their hijinks to guests starting in Summer 2026.
Generally, we’re pretty somber and reflective when a major attraction closes at Walt Disney World. That’s not the story with Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster. This is a case where the property the ride is centered around, Aerosmith, feels incredibly outdated. And we like their music!
This might be the most obvious statement you’ll read this week: Aerosmith doesn’t resonate nearly as much as it did when the ride opened in 1999. Aerosmith’s relevance faded years ago. The decision to retheme the ride was long overdue, even before any controversial stories emerged involving front man Steven Tyler.
It’s kind of crazy an update to the coaster’s theme has taken this long. That’s especially true when Aerosmith doesn’t connect with any Disney films, shows, or characters. Disney is all about that synergy, which is why we’ve seen several ride updates or overhauls (Splash Mountain into Tiana’s, Universe of Energy into Guardians, etc) over the years.
The new Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster with The Muppets will retain much of what makes the coaster a favorite at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. It’ll still have a high-speed launch. It’ll still be the only ride that goes upside down in all of Disney World. And, it should still have a fun soundtrack. The ride should still hit the same familiar notes it has for decades.
Now, the inclusion of The Muppets is both fun and a bit curious. We’re glad The Muppets are sticking around Hollywood Studios even after the old Muppet Vision 3D and courtyard area closed to make way for a Monsters Inc. retheme. That said, when we think of The Muppets we don’t immediately think of a high-speed coaster with a strict height requirement. It’s probably not a perfect fit even though it’s a fun fit.
Are you mourning the loss of Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith? Let us know down in the comments.
