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Is This Disney’s Best Retheme Ever? Fans React to the Mind-Blowing New Muppets Coaster

Giant, colorful guitar with stars marks the Rock 'n' Roller Coaster entrance as Statler & Waldorf return at Hollywood Studios.
Credit: Disney

For over 25 years, Sunset Boulevard at Disney’s Hollywood Studios was defined by the screaming guitar riffs of Aerosmith. But as of mid-May 2026, the rock-and-roll landscape has officially shifted. The keys to G-Force Records have been handed over to Dr. Teeth and The Electric Mayhem.

Fans pose for a selfie by the iconic Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster guitar, pumped for Statler and Waldorf’s Muppets comeback.
Credit: Disney

While the official grand opening is set for May 26, 2026, exclusive preview windows are happening right now for Cast Members, Annual Passholders, and media. Early riders have taken to social media to share their thoughts on Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring The Muppets, sparking a fierce online debate. Is this a creative masterpiece, or did Disney miss the mark?


The Fan Verdict: Aggressive Chaos Meets High Thrills

The physical roller coaster track layout remains unchanged—delivering a pulse-pounding launch from 0 to 57 mph in 2.8 seconds through three inversions. However, the story has been completely rewritten. Guests are invited to a VIP recording session where Scooter, Miss Piggy, Kermit, and a crew of audio engineer penguins are trying to rush the Electric Mayhem to a sold-out concert.

For a massive portion of the fandom, the update is being hailed as a triumph. Enthusiastic riders are calling the queue and pre-show a “work of art,” noting that the irreverent, self-aware humor of the Muppets is an ideal match for the chaotic energy of a launch coaster.

However, the retheme hasn’t won over everyone. 90s nostalgia purists are mourning the loss of Aerosmith, calling it “another classic ruined.” Meanwhile, other critics have pointed out a demographic clash: the Muppets appeal heavily to small children who are physically excluded by the ride’s strict 48-inch height requirement. Fortunately, guests can check out the new pre-show queue and simply use the “chicken out” exit right before the loading platform.


Hidden Treasures: The Ultimate Muppet Easter Egg Guide

What makes winning over skeptics so successful is the incredible level of detail Imagineers poured into the ride. The experience serves as a giant love letter to Muppet history, filled with deep-cut references. Here are the top Easter eggs fans are losing their minds over:

Statler and Waldorf, mustachioed in suits, sit together at Hollywood Studios, eyeing the revamped Muppets coaster.
Credit: Disney

1. The Ultimate Aerosmith Throwback

Disney didn’t completely erase the ride’s history. If you ask a cast member for the front row, you will be directed to a separate waiting area. On the wall, you can spot the blueprints for the new ride vehicle—the L.I.M.O. (Lengthy Immediate Motion Object). Look closely at the text notes on the schematic; it features the phrase “make it a stretch, make it a super stretch,” a direct, brilliant nod to Chris Anthony’s iconic line from the original Aerosmith pre-show.

2. Muppet*Vision 3D Callbacks

With the recent closure of the Muppet Courtyard area, Imagineers preserved the legacy of Muppet*Vision 3D by recycling its audio and props.

Guests watching Muppet*Vision 3D at Disney's Hollywood Studios
Credit: Disney
  • The Minute and a Half: During the pre-show chaos, Kermit the Frog turns to the band and says, “You’ve got a minute and a half,” which is the exact runtime of the original Muppet*Vision film presentation.
  • The Show-Stopping Record: Keep an eye out in the studio for a Miss Piggy vinyl record. The sleeve brags that it features a “huge, show-stopping, major song,” a direct quote from her classic theme park performance.
  • Statler and Waldorf: The iconic hecklers sit inside a tour trailer at the unload station, throwing randomized insults at breathless riders.

3. Grand Avenue In-Jokes

The ride features seamless synergy with Hollywood Studios’ remaining Muppet ties. In the pre-show studio, you can spot cardboard PizzeRizzo pizza boxes cluttering the workspace. Furthermore, immediately after the high-speed launch, one of the very first L.A. billboards you fly past is a massive, glowing advertisement for Rizzo the Rat’s pizza joint.

The Muppets cruise by a giant guitar with Statler and Waldorf in a lively mural at Rock 'n' Roller Coaster, Hollywood Studios.
Credit: Disney

The Verdict

By trading old-school rock stardom for meta-humor, custom ride vehicle paint wraps, and a randomized audio tracklist featuring Def Leppard and Kelly Clarkson, Imagineers have breathed new life into an aging ride. Whether you are a thrill-seeker or a Muppet purist, Sunset Boulevard is officially louder and funnier than ever before.

About Rick Lye

Rick is an avid Disney fan. He first went to Disney World in 1986 with his parents and has been hooked ever since. Rick is married to another Disney fan and is in the process of turning his two children into fans as well. When he is not creating new Disney adventures, he loves to watch the New York Yankees and hang out with his dog, Buster. In the fall, you will catch him cheering for his beloved NY Giants.

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