There’s A LOT happening right now at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, and I’m worried that not all of it is good.
©Disney
Hollywood Studios is going to look mighty different in the near future as the park continues to evolve. The Magic of Disney Animation will reimagine Animation Courtyard in 2026, while the MASSIVE Monsters, Inc. Land project is currently underway, transforming Muppets Courtyard into Disney World’s very own Monstropolis (Disney’s first-ever suspended coaster included!). While The Muppets are being kicked out of their, they aren’t truly leaving Hollywood Studios — instead hopping over to Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster. While this change is exciting and welcome, there’s one big caveat that has us incredibly worried that the ride’s reimaging could be a complete letdown.
Currently themed after the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame band Aerosmith, Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster will be adjusted to star The Muppets in a new musical adventure, featuring a Scooter (the Muppet band manager of Electric Mayhem) animatronic, penguin audio engineers, and music from some of today’s biggest stars. It all sounds amazing, but the ride’s timeline is concerning.
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Disney announced that the ride is set to reopen with The Muppets in the summer of 2026. That’s all fine and dandy, except Summer 2026 will be here before we know it, and the ride has yet to even close for this lengthy refurbishment! As each day passes, Disney is limiting itself on time to perfect this latest version of the attraction. Now, we’re 100% here for a quick ride update. Epic Universe was built in like .2 seconds, so we know amazing things are possible in a short amount of time. But Disney isn’t known for speedy updates and changes.
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Ultimately, there are two problems that could arise from this short turnaround. The first is obviously a delayed opening. Without a closure announced, Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster’s refurbishment is starting closer and closer to that summer opening timeline…that is, if the timeline stays the same. It’s possible that the ride reopens later than expected because Disney is waiting to start the project.
Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster
Frankly, that’s not as big a concern as the one we have if the timeline stays the same.
The limitations of a short makeover have us — and other Disney fans — scared. Will Disney World just slap some animatronics and new decor on the ride? Will it feel more like an overlay?! Will the retheme really be worth it?
Some realities put our fears to rest, however. The ride will continue to use the same track, and installing a whole new layout would take a good chunk of time. With that NOT being a concern, time isn’t as pressing as it would be for something like the Big Thunder Mountain Railroad project, which has received a new track over in Magic Kingdom over the course of a year-plus.
It’s also inarguable that Disney already knows the ride’s measurements and is completely familiar with the space, so everything can be accurately prepped well before any physical work is even started. Remember, Disney World is essentially redecorating a space it’s already operated since 1999. It’ll be difficult to encounter pitfalls during this project.
It’s these facts that have us feeling A LOT better about the direction of this retheme. There’s still much we have to learn about the newest version of Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster, but you can count on us delivering you all the latest updates right here at the Disney Food Blog!
We’ve Got Some Bad News About Disney World’s New Monsters, Inc. Coaster
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Disney will probably shut the ride down after the Christmas holiday. Can’t disappoint the high rollers!
NOT a fan… Muppets had their area of the park that is now gone, but Aerosmith is LEGENDARY. I won’t be enjoying the new version of the ride, and maybe it’s just my dislike of puppets talking, but it’s not something I’m looking forward to one bit.