Rock 'n' Roller Coaster: The end of an era and the advent of the Muppets at Hollywood Studios

The final curtain has fallen for one of Florida's most iconic attractions. On March 31, 2026, the speakers of the famous giant limousine on Sunset Boulevard will broadcast the riffs of Steven Tyler and Joe Perry for the very last time. After more than 25 years of faithful service, Rock 'n' Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith is taking its final bow to make way for a complete reinvention driven by Disney's most rock and roll—and most zany—franchise: The Muppets.

Cover photo credit: Disney Parks Blog

The end of a Sunset Boulevard icon

Inaugurated in July 1999, at the peak of Disney’s Hollywood Studios’ glory (then still called Disney-MGM Studios), the attraction was a technical and thematic feat for its time. Its concept was simple yet effective: inviting guests into the studios of "G-Force Records" for a recording session with Aerosmith, before launching them through the Los Angeles traffic in a supercharged limousine to catch a concert across town.

With its launch from 0 to 92 km/h (about 57 mph) in just 2.8 seconds and its three inversions plunged into total darkness, the coaster remained the most intense attraction at Walt Disney World for two decades. However, time eventually caught up with the Boston rockers. Between mechanical wear requiring increasingly long maintenance periods and a licensing contract with the band reaching its end, Disney had to make a radical decision.

Why is Aerosmith leaving?

Several factors explain this change of direction. The first is purely contractual. The use of Aerosmith's image and music relies on costly, fixed-term licensing agreements. In an overall strategy where Disney seeks to own 100% of the Intellectual Property (IP) present in its parks to maximize synergy, maintaining an external rock band became less relevant.

Furthermore, the band's image has been tarnished by various controversies in recent years, and the announced end of their touring career made the attraction less "current" for new generations. Disney needed a new lease on life, an IP capable of appealing to families while retaining the musical and energetic DNA of the original experience.

The Arrival of "The Electric Mayhem": A Stroke of Genius?

This is where Dr. Teeth and the Electric Mayhem, the legendary Muppets rock band, step onto the scene. For many purists, this choice is a masterstroke. The Muppets boast an intergenerational fanbase and are enjoying renewed popularity thanks to the Disney+ series The Muppets Mayhem.

The attraction’s storyline is expected to be revamped while retaining the structure of the "launch coaster" we know. According to initial leaks and announcements, visitors will no longer be rushing to an Aerosmith concert but will find themselves swept up in the Electric Mayhem’s chaotic and psychedelic tour. Imagine Animal on the drums setting the launch countdown rhythm, or Janice and Zoot adding a touch of psychedelic rock to the inversions.

What will concretely change

While the attraction's layout (the Vekoma roller coaster track) will remain identical for structural and cost reasons, the sensory experience will be totally transformed:

• The queue and Pre-show: The G-Force Records recording studio will likely be retained but redecorated in The Muppets’ colors. The famous screen where Aerosmith invited fans into their limousine will be replaced by a humorous interaction with Jim Henson’s puppets.
• The soundtrack: This is the most anticipated change. No more Walk This Way or Dude (Looks Like a Lady). The attraction will feature new rock orchestrations composed specifically for The Muppets, complete with modernized audio-visual synchronization.
• Visual effects: The neon signs simulating Los Angeles are expected to be replaced by more colorful, perhaps more cartoony, sets, utilizing the latest video mapping technologies to make the immersion more fluid.
• The facade: The giant 12-meter-high guitar, which has become a visual landmark on Sunset Boulevard, is the focus of all questions. Will it be retained and repainted, or replaced by an even more whimsical instrument belonging to Animal?

A Major Impact on Hollywood Studios

This closure and "rebranding" are part of a broader park restructuring. Disney’s Hollywood Studios has undergone a profound transformation since the opening of Toy Story Land and Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge. The park is moving away from its original concept of "active movie studios" to become a place where you "live the movies."

The integration of The Muppets on Sunset Boulevard also creates an interesting bridge with the rest of the park. Currently confined to the Grand Avenue area with Muppet-Vision 3D, Jim Henson's characters are gaining a prominent position here. However, this announcement worries some fans: if The Muppets move to Sunset Boulevard, what future awaits the original Muppet Courtyard? Could Disney take advantage of this relocation to demolish the old area and make way for a future expansion (such as the rumored Monsters Inc. area)?

The Construction Timeline

The Rock 'n' Roller Coaster will officially close its doors on March 31, 2026. Disney has announced that they want to move quickly so as not to leave too long of a "gap" in the park's thrill ride offerings. The reopening under The Muppets theme is hoped for Summer 2027, potentially coinciding with the 55th anniversary celebrations of Walt Disney World.

Until then, fans have just over a year to enjoy the Aerosmith version. Attendance is likely to be record-breaking during the final months, with every visitor wanting to experience the iconic launch to the sound of electric guitars one last time.

A Necessary Transition

Aerosmith's departure marks the end of an era—that of partnerships with "real" celebrities that defined Disney parks in the 90s (like Michael Jackson in Captain EO). By choosing The Muppets, Disney opts for longevity and humor. While the adrenaline rush will remain the same, the soul of the attraction is about to become much more colorful and absurd.

For park enthusiasts, this is a bittersweet moment. We lose a rock legend, but we gain a deeper integration of a beloved franchise that deserves its place in the pantheon of major attractions. One thing is certain: the volume will remain cranked to 11 on Sunset Boulevard.

What do you think? Are you excited to see Animal take control of the coaster, or will you miss Steven Tyler? Let us know in the comments!