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Credit: DisneyThere’s something surreal about realizing a ride you grew up with is about to disappear.
For nearly three decades, one high-speed coaster has roared through the darkness, blasted music into your ears, and launched guests into one of the most intense experiences at Walt Disney World. Now, with only days left, that era is coming to an end.
If you’ve been putting off “one more ride,” consider this your sign. The final day is approaching quickly, and once it’s gone, it won’t come back the way you remember it.
The Coaster That Changed Hollywood Studios
Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith opened at Disney’s Hollywood Studios on July 29, 1999. At the time, it felt bold. Disney was not exactly known for upside-down thrills or high-speed launches. This ride changed that.
From the moment you stepped inside the replica recording studio, the experience felt different. Aerosmith greeted you in a pre-show video, inviting you to join them at a concert across town. Then came the rush. The doors opened. The super-stretch limo pulled forward. And within seconds, you rocketed from 0 to 57 miles per hour in under three seconds.
That launch alone became legendary.
The ride didn’t just rely on speed. It featured three inversions, neon freeway signs, and synchronized Aerosmith tracks blasting through onboard speakers. “Sweet Emotion,” “Walk This Way,” and “Love in an Elevator” became part of the attraction’s identity. Every ride felt like a backstage pass mixed with a high-speed joyride through Los Angeles.
Over the years, Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster earned a reputation as one of the park’s most intense attractions. It stood alongside Tower of Terror as proof that Hollywood Studios could deliver real thrills. For many guests, it became a must-do. For others, it marked the moment Disney surprised them with something edgier than they expected.
Now, at almost 30 years old, that original version is about to close for good.
Disney Confirms the Final Day
Disney has officially announced that Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith will permanently close on March 1. That date marks the final opportunity to experience the ride in its current form.
Beginning March 2, the attraction will shut down as crews begin preparing for a full retheme. It will remain closed for several months in 2026 before reopening in the summer with an entirely different theme.
This is not a temporary refurbishment. Disney is retiring the Aerosmith version completely.
In recent weeks, fans have started lining up earlier, posting farewell photos, and treating each ride like a goodbye tour. Wait times have climbed as longtime guests make one last sprint through the queue. The mood feels nostalgic but urgent.
When March 1 ends, so does an era.
A Muppet Takeover Is on the Way
While saying goodbye is bittersweet, Disney is not leaving the space empty. The coaster will return in 2026 with a brand-new Muppets theme.
This move comes at an interesting time. Muppet Courtyard at Hollywood Studios has already closed, removing Muppet*Vision 3D and the surrounding area from the park. For many fans, that felt like the end of the Muppets at Walt Disney World.
Instead, Disney is pivoting.
The new version of the coaster will feature The Muppets, allowing guests to continue experiencing Kermit, Miss Piggy, Gonzo, and the rest of the crew in a major headliner attraction. While Disney has not released all the details yet, the reimagining will replace the Aerosmith storyline with a Muppet-driven adventure.
That shift keeps the characters alive in a meaningful way. Instead of losing them entirely, the franchise gets a high-profile home.
Details about the storyline remain limited, but early concept discussions suggest a chaotic, music-filled experience that fits the coaster’s existing structure. The Muppets have always thrived in backstage settings and over-the-top performances, which makes the transition surprisingly natural.
The launch system, track layout, and overall thrill level are expected to remain the same. The most significant changes will come through new scenes, updated effects, and a completely different soundtrack.
For guests worried about losing the ride entirely, that is not happening. The track and the thrills stay, but the theme changes.
The End of One Era, the Start of Another
It’s never easy to say goodbye to something that has defined a park for nearly 30 years.
Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith represented a turning point for Disney’s Hollywood Studios. It proved that the park could blend music, storytelling, and serious coaster technology into one unforgettable experience. Generations of guests have memories tied to that launch. First inversions. First scream. First time feeling brave enough to get in line.
March 1 will close that chapter permanently.
Starting March 2, construction walls will rise. Crews will move in. The familiar guitar riffs will fade out. And sometime in 2026, a new version will debut, bringing The Muppets back into the spotlight.
For now, though, the focus remains on the countdown.
If Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith has ever been on your must-ride list, the clock is ticking. After nearly three decades, this almost 30-year-old coaster is about to exit the stage.
And once the music stops on March 1, it won’t play the same way again.