Concern Grows as Disney Reveals Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster In Its Last Days

Big changes are coming to Disney’s Hollywood Studios, and they’re not exactly the kind that ease crowd levels. As Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith nears its final months of operation before closing for its massive Muppets reimagining, Disney has confirmed a timeline that’s leaving many fans uneasy — and for good reason.

This isn’t just another refurbishment. This is a headliner closure that’s going to stretch across most of 2026. And when you look at what’s already happening in this park, the picture gets even messier.

Hollywood Studios Already Has Multiple Construction Zones

The coaster’s retheme to Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring The Muppets is set to open in summer 2026, which means the existing version will likely close early in the year. That leaves just about eight months to transform one of the park’s most popular thrill rides — a tight window compared to other recent Disney reimaginings.

But the real problem isn’t just the short turnaround. It’s the fact that the closure piles onto an already thin attraction lineup. Muppet*Vision 3D and the surrounding courtyard have already been shuttered to make way for the new Monstropolis land. Meanwhile, the Animation Courtyard has gone dark as work ramps up on a new experience. Guests have already noticed how packed the rest of the park feels with those spaces out of commission.

Losing a Headliner Is a Big Deal

Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster isn’t just any ride. It’s one of the few thrill attractions in Hollywood Studios that can reliably soak up thousands of guests a day. When it closes, those guests have to go somewhere. With Toy Story Land, Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance, and The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror already drawing heavy lines, capacity strain is inevitable.

Unlike EPCOT or Magic Kingdom, Hollywood Studios doesn’t have an endless list of rides to disperse the crowds. That means wait times for the remaining headliners are almost guaranteed to skyrocket — and navigating the park could get chaotic, especially during peak travel seasons.

Disney Knows This Will Sting

While Disney hasn’t publicly admitted to bracing for crowd control issues, the timeline alone shows they’re aware of the squeeze. Closing one of the park’s most in-demand coasters while two major sections are already walled off is bound to create congestion problems.

It’s not hard to picture longer Lightning Lane demand, extended wait times, and narrower pathways as guests are pushed into fewer active areas. This isn’t exactly the recipe for a stress-free vacation.

Guests Are Already Frustrated

Many fans are already voicing concerns online, calling the timing “a logistical nightmare.” Some are worried that the park will feel half-finished for most of next year, with construction walls replacing some of the park’s most nostalgic corners. Others are questioning whether Disney should have staggered these projects rather than running them simultaneously.

One guest summed it up perfectly on social media: “It already feels like half the park is gone. Once Rock ‘n’ Roller closes, it’s going to be wall-to-wall people.”

A Crowded Future for 2026

If everything goes according to plan, the new Muppets coaster will open in summer 2026, adding a fresh (and much-needed) dose of capacity. But between now and then, guests visiting Hollywood Studios may face one of the most crowded periods in the park’s recent history.

Disney will likely rely heavily on entertainment, temporary experiences, and nighttime spectaculars to help soak up some of those crowds. But no matter how much they pad the schedule, losing one of the park’s biggest rides is going to leave a serious hole.