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Credit: Lee (myfrozenlife), FlickrThe “Studios” are officially entering their next act. While much of the buzz around Walt Disney World lately has focused on the massive construction walls in DinoLand, a paper trail of four new permits filed reveals that the most immediate and exciting changes are actually happening at Disney’s Hollywood Studios.
According to the latest filings, the park is moving at breakneck speed to prepare for a “Summer of Transformation.” These permits don’t touch the future site of Monstropolis; instead, they focus squarely on the two projects that will define the park’s 2026 season: the highly anticipated Muppet reimagining of Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster and the return of the Magic of Disney Animation.
If you are planning a visit this year, Hollywood Studios is about to look—and sound—very different. Here is a deep dive into the 4 new permits and the two massive projects they represent.
1. The Muppets Take Sunset Boulevard: A Coaster Revolution
The most significant news for thrill-seekers involves the towering guitar at the end of Sunset Boulevard. While Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith has been a staple of the park for decades, its final encore is just one month away. Disney has officially confirmed that the ride will permanently close on March 2, 2026, with March 1 as the final day for the Aerosmith version.
Three of the four permits filed today are dedicated to the rapid-fire transformation of this attraction into Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring The Muppets.
The Permit Breakdown:
- Elite A/V System Inc (Electrical): This permit focuses on the massive electrical overhaul needed for the ride’s new “psychedelic” lighting package and the launch tunnel’s reimagined media.
- Solotech (Electrical): A second electrical permit, likely tied to the intricate show control systems that synchronize the coaster’s movements with the new soundtrack.
- Sign Producers Inc (Signage): This is the visual confirmation fans have been waiting for. This permit covers the removal of the G-Force Records icons and the installation of the new Muppet-themed signage, both inside and outside the attraction.
The Story: Dr. Teeth and the Electric Mayhem
The new storyline for the coaster is pure Muppet chaos. Following a plot point from the Disney+ series The Muppets Mayhem, the story goes that Scooter’s uncle has bought out the legendary record studio. Scooter is now the production manager, and he’s frantically trying to get Dr. Teeth and the Electric Mayhem to the biggest gig of their careers.
Guests will receive VIP passes and walk through a recording studio that has been “Muppet-ized.” Keep an eye out for the penguins serving as audio engineers and Scooter himself appearing as a first-of-its-kind Audio-Animatronic to keep the queue moving. The ride itself will swap the Aerosmith hits for a high-energy soundtrack by the Electric Mayhem, with new blacklight set pieces featuring Miss Piggy, Kermit, and the rest of the gang.
2. The Return of the Magic of Disney Animation
Across the park, the “Animation Courtyard” is finally shedding its temporary Star Wars identity. The fourth permit filed today, assigned to Design Communications Ltd., is for the installation of signage at 190 Showbiz Blvd—the former home of the Star Wars Launch Bay.
This permit signals the final stages of the area’s rebranding into the Walt Disney Studios Lot. The centerpiece of this land will be the return of the Magic of Disney Animation, a reimagined experience that honors the legacy of the original attraction while utilizing modern technology.
What to Expect in the New Courtyard:
- The Animation Academy: The fan-favorite drawing classes are officially coming back. Guests will once again be able to sit down with a Disney artist and learn to sketch their favorite characters.
- “Once Upon a Studio” Integration: The new experience is heavily inspired by the award-winning short film Once Upon a Studio. Expect interactive environments where characters from 100 years of Disney history appear to “live” within the building’s walls through advanced projection mapping.
- Mary Blair-Inspired Play Area: For families with little ones, a new playground inspired by Alice in Wonderland and Mary Blair’s iconic art style is being constructed in the courtyard.
- Mickey Mouse Clubhouse Live! A brand-new Disney Jr. show will replace the aging Disney Junior Play and Dance!, featuring a more immersive stage and updated songs.
The signage permit for this area mentions explicitly the “Sorcerer Mickey Hat” motifs, which will serve as the gateway icon for the land, drawing guests back toward the animation building.
3. The 2026 Timeline: A Race to Summer
The filing of these permits in late January is no accident. Disney is operating on a remarkably tight construction window. With Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster closing on March 2, the park only has roughly three to four months to execute a complete creative reboot before its scheduled Summer 2026 opening.
The fact that permits for Elite A/V and Solotech have already been filed suggests that the heavy-duty electrical work has been mapped out and “pre-staged” behind the scenes. This allows the construction crews to move in, and the second, the Aerosmith version, takes its final bow.
Hollywood Studios 2026 Calendar:
| Date | Milestone |
| March 1, 2026 | Final day for Aerosmith’s Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster. |
| March 2, 2026 | Construction walls go up on Sunset Blvd; retheme begins. |
| May 2026 | Anticipated reopening of the Walt Disney Studios Lot (Animation Courtyard). |
| June/July 2026 | Grand Opening of Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring The Muppets. |
What This Means for Your Vacation
If you are visiting in the spring of 2026, you will need to adjust your strategy. With Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster out of commission and the Animation Courtyard largely behind walls, the “wait time burden” will fall heavily on Tower of Terror and Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway.
However, the payoff in the summer will be massive. For the first time in over a decade, Hollywood Studios will feel like a functional “Production Lot” again, blending the high-energy comedy of the Muppets with the classic charm of Disney Animation.
While Monstropolis and the future Monsters, Inc. coaster are still further down the road, these four permits prove that the “Immediate Future” of Hollywood Studios is looking incredibly bright—and a little bit green.
Are you ready to rock with the Electric Mayhem, or will you miss the Aerosmith era? Let us know in the comments!