Credit: DisneyBig changes are already underway at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, and the curtain has officially started to rise on what’s next for Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster.
Aerosmith is out, and Disney is wasting no time laying the groundwork for the Muppets to take center stage. With the preshow now removed, the transformation is moving into its first visible phase—and it’s happening faster than many expected. For over two decades, the preshow video starring Aerosmith was a staple of the ride’s experience.
Guests would watch the band—along with actors like Ken Marino and Illeana Douglas—invite them to hop in a “super stretch limo” and race across town to a concert. It was fun, energetic, and very much a product of its time. Now, that video is gone.
Disney made the decision to pull the preshow permanently in preparation for the attraction’s next chapter. This move clears the way for construction crews to begin work in stages, allowing the ride to stay open a bit longer before the full refurbishment begins.
Why The Muppets Could Be Coming Earlier Than Expected
Once Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster officially closes for its update, the track and layout will remain—but the theme is going in an entirely different direction. The new version of the ride, Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring the Muppets, will star the beloved characters as they prepare for the biggest concert of their lives.
Electric Mayhem, led by Dr. Teeth, will take over the audio and story, with guests joining a frantic search to find the band after they mysteriously go missing. Kermit, Scooter, and even some of the animatronic penguins from the now-closed MuppetVision 3D are expected to appear in the updated preshow, which explains why Disney started work in that section first.
By starting with the preshow, Disney is making a strategic move to avoid a lengthy closure down the line. Guests still get to ride the coaster for now, even without the familiar video, while Imagineers begin to lay the foundation for the new story. It’s a subtle signal that Disney is working quickly behind the scenes to make the 2026 debut timeline a reality. Or maybe even better—could the ride open earlier than expected?
With construction work now starting earlier than many anticipated, there’s a real possibility that Disney could move up the timeline by several weeks or more. These projects always come with built-in flexibility, and an early head start like this opens the door for a smoother path to reopening.
What It Means for Disney’s Hollywood Studios
This isn’t just about one ride. It’s part of a bigger Muppets shuffle happening across the resort.
With Muppet*Vision 3D now closed and a Monsters, Inc. land taking shape in its place, Disney is clearly repositioning the Muppets into a higher-profile attraction. And it makes sense. Instead of just having a 3-D show tucked into a corner, they’re getting a high-energy, high-speed roller coaster makeover that could introduce the characters to a new generation.
Plus, it fits into the broader transformation of Disney’s Hollywood Studios—a park that’s already seen major changes with additions like Galaxy’s Edge, Toy Story Land, and more.
It will also be interesting to see if Disney somehow brings back Muppet*Vision 3-D in some capacity in the future.
As of now, Disney’s official plan is to debut Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring the Muppets in summer 2026. But this early push signals a real chance that the ride could return sooner.
If the rest of the transformation goes as smoothly as this initial preshow removal suggests, fans may not have to wait as long as expected to jam out with Animal, Floyd, and the rest of the band. It’s still early, and Disney hasn’t made any promises. But the wheels are already turning—and the Muppets are on their way.