After nearly two years of anticipation, 2026 will see the transformation of the Rock ’n’ Roller Coaster into its new Muppets-themed incarnation, and Disney may need to implement some new rules on the classic thrill ride.
The Rock ’n’ Roller Coaster — Disney’s first U.S. coaster to feature an inversion — first opened at the then Disney-MGM Studios in 1999. The ride was themed to and soundtracked to Hall of Fame rock band Aerosmith, and quickly became one of Disney World’s most popular attractions. The “Bad Boys of Boston” remained the headline attraction until 2024, when it was announced — in conjunction with the announcement that Muppet*Vision 3D would be closing — that the Muppets would be taking over the attraction with a new theme.
Towards the end of 2025, Disney announced that the original version of the Rock ’n’ Roller Coaster would be closing in March 2026, with the Muppets version opening in the summer. We think that during that downtime, Disney would be wise to make a few changes.
Up the Warnings!
While Disney has never hidden the fact that the Rock ’n’ Roller Coaster was a thrill attraction, the fact that the coaster is concealed in a show building means that riders don’t have a chance to see the 60 MPH launch, inversions, and other intense elements for themselves before riding. The Aerosmith theme inherently sold that the coaster was an “adult” experience, aimed at thrillseekers.
The same can’t be said for the Muppets, who — despite being older than Aerosmith — are still thought of as kid-friendly (and have a significant fanbase of older individuals as well). Suffice to say, Disney has to make triple-clear to riders that the coaster is neither younger guest-friendly nor a good option for those with physical ailments.
Wait Management
Given the popularity of the Muppets, the popularity of the physical Rock ’n’ Roller Coaster ride system, and the general response whenever Disney World opens something new, it seems like a given that the ride is going to attract LONG lines when it opens in the summer. It may behoove Disney to use a virtual queue system or temporarily move the coaster from Lightning Lane Multi Pass status to Lightning Lane Single Pass Status for the first few weeks or months of operation.
Pack the Queue…
Work has already begun on the Rock ’n’ Roller Coaster queue, with the studio where guests formerly “encountered” Aerosmith walled off as Disney installs a Muppet-themed replacement, which will feature screen elements as well as an animatronic of Muppet Scooter.
However, we hope Disney goes even further and adds more Muppt elements (Statler and Waldorf, PLEASE) and easter eggs to the rest of the queue, which is rather barren.
However, that leads us to a related “rule”:
…But Keep it Moving
While we hope that the queue is full of everything Muppets, that slight downside of that would likely be that Muppet fans would want to see everything. While there’s nothing wrong with that, Disney does need to ensure that people are moving through the queue at a quick pace.
When the new, Muppet-infused version of the Rock ’n’ Roller Coaster debuts later this summer, Disney may need to amend some rules to meet the coaster’s popularity. Stay tuned to AllEars for more on Disney’s upcoming attractions.
Does This Mean Disney World Is Bringing Hollywood Studios Back From The Dead?
Are you excited for the new Muppets Rock ’n’ Roller Coaster? Let us know in the comments below.
No, I think they should leave it as Aerosmith. Changing to the Muppets is a bad idea in my opinion.
I do think extra warnings about the extreme ride should be put on and pointed out to parents taking children on.
Crush’s Coaster in Disneyland Paris is a prime example of guests expecting a child friendly ride due to the theming but it is in fact, a really fast and spinning roller coaster.
I also think cast members need to keep referring guests to the warnings throughout the queue too. Last September in Epcot, I went on the milder side of Mission Space, whilst my husband and son went on the more extreme version. There was just a 5 minute difference in the queue times. When I came off, my son had messaged that they would be a bit longer as someone had puked on the ride so they had to clean it before anybody else could ride. When we finally met up again, my son was listing all the signs warning about this ride, probably about 7 and yet still someone had gone on that should have been on the milder side. Maybe they would consider the options more if a cast member pointed it out as well.
Not thrilled with the rebrand at all. I’m Gen X and I couldn’t care less for the new theme. I do think it keeps Disney from contract negotiations and possible rebranding again. But the Muppets? No thank you!
Forcing Muppets into Rock n Roller coaster is a bad idea and I’m sure quickly arranged after the up roar of closing Muppet Vision. I am an older, Muppet fan and would much prefer Disney come up with a brand new appropriate attraction for The Muppets. I’ve never been that impressed with Rock n Roller coaster and have never really understood it’s popularity. It’s a very average rollercoaster on a building.
Don’t like the Muppet theme. Should have kept it a rocking band theme. Muppets don’t belong on a high speed roller coaster. There are enough kid themed attractions
I agree with you Sandra.
Not enough rides as it is on the multipass and now u suggest moving muppets to virtual.. now there really won’t be any chance to get a 2nd list A ride on a normal crowd day.
I’m not excited at all about these ride changes. Rock ’n’ Roller Coaster was an adult, iconic ride, and the Aerosmith music made it unforgettable. It will definitely be missed.
Changes to classic Disney World rides haven’t been for the better. Splash Mountain becoming Tiana’s Bayou Adventure is a perfect example. Princess and the Frog is my favorite Disney movie, and this ride is a total disappointment. It doesn’t stand up to the movie at all and feels like a random safari adventure instead of showcasing the film we love.
These iconic rides didn’t need to be changed — they needed to be preserved.
I am not excited about the muppet roller coaster I love the muppetts but can do roller coasters so I think it sucks.
I think this is the dumbest idea to even change it to the muppets! They should have added Yungblud into the Aerosmith theme!
NO! We LOVE Rockin’ Roller Coaster. It has always been our favorite ride! We are extremely disappointed! There is plenty of room in Hollywood Studios to put Muppets somewhere else!!!!!!
I’m disappointed that this is muppets. Contrary to the author, I think most people don’t care about muppets. I’m surprised they didn’t turn this into either Power line (from Goofy movie), or Taylor Swift.
Big miss IMO.
No, Aerosmith theme was great. Muppets are for kiddie rides and this is not a kiddie ride. Cmon