Disney’s Hollywood Studios will bid farewell to the Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith on March 1, 2026, ending nearly three decades of high-speed thrills. The attraction, a staple since 1999, will undergo a full retheme to feature The Muppets and reopen in summer 2026. Fans are urged to experience it one last time before the transformation begins.
The Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith, which opened at Disney’s Hollywood Studios on July 29, 1999, has been a defining thrill ride at Walt Disney World. Guests enter a replica recording studio where a pre-show video features Aerosmith inviting them to a concert. The experience then accelerates with a launch from 0 to 57 miles per hour in under three seconds, followed by three inversions, neon freeway signs, and synchronized tracks including “Sweet Emotion,” “Walk This Way,” and “Love in an Elevator.” This combination of speed, music, and storytelling set it apart when Disney was not widely known for such intense coasters.
Disney has confirmed that March 1, 2026, marks the final day for the ride in its current form. Starting March 2, the attraction will close permanently for retheming, with crews preparing the site for several months. It is not a temporary refurbishment; the Aerosmith theme will be retired entirely. In recent weeks, wait times have increased as guests seek farewell rides, capturing photos and lingering in the queue.
The coaster will return in summer 2026 with The Muppets as the new theme, replacing the Aerosmith storyline with a Muppet-driven adventure. This follows the closure of Muppet Courtyard, including Muppet*Vision 3D, which had raised concerns about the characters’ future at the park. The launch system, track layout, and thrill elements will remain, but scenes, effects, and soundtrack will be updated to fit the chaotic, backstage style of Kermit, Miss Piggy, Gonzo, and the ensemble. Details on the exact storyline are limited, but it aims to preserve the ride’s intensity while introducing a fresh narrative.
