Sometime soon, Disney is set to evict Aerosmith from the Rock ’n’ Roller Coaster and replace them with the Muppets… and we think this could be a BIG mistake!
So, to understand why this move might end up being a mistake, first, we have to look at the two attractions being affected. First, there’s Muppet*Vision 3D, the iconic Muppet film that has been running at Hollywood Studios since 1991. The film, the final project worked on by creator Jim Henson, features nearly every well-known Muppet character in a film that plays up their best known traits combines with “cheap 3-D tricks.” On the other side of the park sits the Rock ’n’ Roller Coaster. Opened in 1999, the ride is a thrilling roller coaster soundtracked to the decidedly non-Disney music of Hall of Fame rock band Aerosmith. The ride’s story revolves around guests meeting the band at their recording studio, before heading off in a stretch limo to catch the band in concert.
Late last year, Disney forever intertwined the fate of the two attractions when they announced that Muppet*Vision 3D would be closing to make way for an upcoming Monsters, Inc.-themed land, but that “Kermit the Frog, Miss Piggy, and more of their friends will be moving right along to Sunset Boulevard! The Muppets will be taking over Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster, teaming up with some of music’s biggest stars for a rockin’ music festival!”
Why This Change Might be a Bad Idea
We love the Muppets, and make no bones about that. However, a high-octane, thrilling, and fast roller coaster attraction doesn’t seem best-suited for what it is we love about the Muppets. While there will surely be an entertaining pre-show, there will be no time on the actual ride for comedy, bits, or character pieces, the heart of what has made the Muppets work for the last 70 years. Surely a dark ride would be better suited for the property.
In addition, eliminating the rock theme from the coaster takes away a bit of its “hip” appeal. Sure Aerosmith might not be the “coolest” band on the planet (after all, their first commercial heyday corresponded with the popularity of The Muppet Show) it’s more the concept of an attraction dedicated to a chart-topping music artist. After all, Aerosmith could have been replaced by a different popular band or artist.
Disney is set to drop the “Bad Boys of Boston”, but turning the Rock ’n’ Roller Coaster over to the Muppets could turn out to be a big mistake! Stay tuned to AllEars for more on Hollywood Studios’ transformation.
EXCLUSIVE Event Announced for Muppet*Vision 3D Following Its Permanent Closure
Are you going to miss the Rock ’n’ Roller Coaster? Let us know in the comments below.
I think this will work in a similar vein as the Guardians ride where the Muppets will be at a radio station where stuff goes screwy and then you will take off to one of a selection of songs. There may be voices of Muppets saying stuff along the way but the music will be one of about 4 or 5 current or classic hits
“All Ears”, if you have ANY influence at Disney, PLEASE tell them NOT to do this!!
I am SICK over it!! It is the most ridiculous idea!! Lately, whenever Disney re-themes a ride, that all you get – a theme or some characters. They TOTALLY lose the story! Tianna’s Bayou is a prime example. Now it’s just a ride. There’s no suspense, no adventure. Just a ride to a party. The same, or worse, is going to be the case with the Muppets taking over the Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster. Put the Muppet Show in a theater over by the new Little Mermaid Show and put another Rock and Roll Band in place of Aerosmith!!
I wont miss the aeorosmith theme but I agree that it could have been something other than muppets but again its only a fun ride and who knows it may turn out ok anyway.
I agree with simply changing out the artists to the more popular bands or singers of the time. You can add the Muppets as back up similar to how The Muppet Show had different entertainers on their show all the time. A one year run perhaps? Just Muppets doesn’t sound really fun. Half of the fun is hearing which song would be played, similar to Guardians. I don’t think random Electric Mayhem music is going to be nearly as cool.
Literally have been doing goodbye visits with my kids! None of them even want to try the new ride…..
1. The Muppets Christmas Carol had mixed reception when it was originally released, with a lot of people saying that a serious Charles Dickens adaptation wouldn’t work. Look where it is now.
2. I’d rather have The Muppets take over Rock N’ Rollercoaster than some real life band. What if someone in the band (or the whole band) does something bad?
3. The only downside of this is that MuppetVision 3D is closing down. 🙁
My concern is that young children will no longer be able to enjoy a Muppets show or the Muppets characters because this ride is too much for a lot of children, as well as many adults. Anyone could enjoy Muppetvision 3D.
To the people saying, “Muppets wouldn’t fit on Rock N’ Rollercoaster!”, The Muppets Christmas Carol had a somewhat mixed reception when it was first released, look where it is now. Let’s be honest here, I would rather have ANY fictional character on a rollercoaster because it would age less poorly if a band isn’t popular anymore and/or if someone involved in the band gets exposed for being terrible (I’m pretty sure R&RC got rethemed for this exact reason). The only downside to this is that MuppetVision 3D is closing down.
Easily one of the worst mistakes
(Of many) that disney parks has made lately. Can’t wait to go to epic universe where they have not completely lost touch with their market
People love Muppets though. What’s your problem with The Muppets?
What’s wrong with The Muppets? 🙁
What’s wrong with The Muppets?
>Aerosmith could have been replaced by a different popular band or artist.
The problem with this is that the attraction would only be hip/cool/popular as long as the replacement band or artist was at the top of their game, after which another band or artist would need to be chosen. Also, no matter which artist or band were chosen, there would always be some people who liked them, and some who didn’t.
What Disney is doing is genius, because they are factoring in the relatively short time most artists are popular. Think of the Muppets as the house band, like the Roots on Jimmy Fallon. They will be the foundation for the theming of the attraction for years if not decades to come. Just like Jimmy Fallon has the latest musical artists on his show — often backed by one or members of the Roots — the Muppets will be able to jam with with several of today’s most popular artists. When one of the artist’s career stalls (or they get arrested, die, go into rehab, etc.), the entire ride doesn’t have to be rethemed. Disney can instead replace the musician with another artist.
By using multiple musicians, the attraction can appeal to different generations of music lovers and different musical tastes (for example, a classic rock artist like Elton John, a country singer, and a newer artist who has 1-2 hits).
Contracting with young/new/upcoming musicians to appear in the attraction is a win for Disney because they will not command the same salary as a Beyoncé or Sir Paul McCartney. Also, newer artists will _want_ to be asked to be a part of the attraction, as it will expose their music to an audience of millions of people who ride the attraction each year.
Tell me how the Muppets can ever deliver the likes of a power launch timed with a christmas tree to Walk This Way. Not gonna happen.
What’s your problem with The Muppets? 🙁
If anyone can do it, it’s Dr. Teeth and the Electric Mayhem. #CanYouPictureThat
1. What’s your problem with The Muppets? 🙁
2. The Muppets Christmas Carol had mixed reception when it was originally released, with a lot of people saying that a serious Charles Dickens adaptation wouldn’t work. Look where it is now.
What is your problem with The Muppets? 🙁
Aerosmith has been around since the 70s. The classic rock bands lasted multiple decades and quite a few are still touring. Even though Aerosmith is not touring, the band has a huge following. The popularity of the ride is seen as one with lines that are long all day. There are plenty of theaters at Hollywood Studios where a new muppet vision 3d could be moved. Would love to see a Muppet dark ride somewhere. Also a temporary retheme of haunted mansion starring Alice Cooper would be really cool. But as for Rockn roller coaster, (the first upside down coaster for Disney as far as I know) the ride goes down as a classic. authentically Disney and distinctly Aerosmith. Ride should not be touched. The band was there to open it. Out of respect Disney should allow the band the last ride. I will miss this attraction dearly. I love the Muppets but they have no place where Aerosmith Rockn roller coaster is.