Disney World’s Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster, which opened in 1999, will remain in use until spring 2026, when it will be replaced by a new Muppets-themed attraction. But while fans can still experience the ride for a few more months, the coaster’s trademark pre-show video featuring Aerosmith has been cut immediately.
Entertainment Weeklyreported that Disney World has removed the video, which featured frontman Steven Tyler along with band members Joe Perry, Tom Hamilton, Brad Whitford and Joey Kramer in order to begin construction work on the Muppets-centric pre-show area.
“The coaster itself, which opened in 1999, will remain open, though the preshow area will no longer operate as crews work to bring a new presentation featuring Kermit, Scooter, the adorable penguin animatronics from the former MuppetVision 3D show that closed earlier this year at Hollywood Studios, and the Dr. Teeth and the Electric Mayhem band,” EW wrote.
What’s been removed–and what’s coming next
In the Aerosmith clip, which has been part of the Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster experience since the beginning, riders are treated to what is supposed to be a mock recording session for the band, followed by a limousine ride down the highway to a packed concert.
Among the songs that play during the ride are “Walk This Way,” “Sweet Emotion,” and “Love in an Elevator,” transformed in to “Love in a Roller Coaster.”
According to WDWMagic.com, the Muppets iteration of the Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster will feature Dr. Teeth and the Electric Mayhem preparing for their “biggest concert ever.”
“Inside the reimagined G-Force Records, now under Muppet management, guests will encounter Scooter trying to get the band moving while penguin audio engineers run the control room,” WDWMagic said. “The attraction will also feature a brand-new Audio-Animatronics figure of Scooter, with Disney hinting that additional Muppets may appear throughout the experience.”
The limo will remain, but the road race to the concert will contain new scenery and decorations as well as music from Electric Mayhem, instead of Steven Tyler and Co. Also, the giant red guitar outside the building will be receiving a “psychedelic” makeover.
Fans ‘Cryin’ over change
News of Disney World’s decision has been met with some criticism from fans of the park and Aerosmith alike.
“Removing the Aerosmith pre-show from Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster with no announcement was a bad move,” one fan wrote. “That pre-show was a big part of the ride being themed to Aerosmith.”
“No warning or date closure RIP Aerosmith just hope they add lots of animatronics and muppet theming not just projections or printed scenery so they can actually transform the whole area as a bigger new muppets land,” another person added.
“Oh come on Disney! I love hearing that Walk This Way bass line and drums in the preshow room! Really should just close the whole thing and do the whole conversion at one time,” a third person said.
“Worst time for my family to come see the ride,” a fourth lamented.
