The Muppets Take Over Rock 'n' Roller Coaster: Everything You Need To Know About Disney World's Newest Thrill Ride For Summer 2026
The long-standing rumors are officially true: The Muppets are getting their own high-speed roller coaster at Walt Disney World, marking one of the biggest and most exciting changes coming to Disney’s Hollywood Studios. As of late 2025, the iconic Rock 'n' Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith has begun its transformation, which will see the legendary band replaced by Kermit the Frog, Miss Piggy, and the entire Muppet ensemble in a brand new, thrilling experience set to debut in Summer 2026. This major re-theme is part of a larger plan to reimagine the park's areas, consolidating the Muppets' presence while making way for a completely new land.
This news confirms the Muppets are not leaving Hollywood Studios entirely, but rather relocating from the former Muppets Courtyard to a prime spot on Sunset Boulevard. The move is a strategic decision by Disney to inject fresh life into a classic attraction and provide a new, dedicated home for the beloved characters following the closure of their long-time 3D show. Fans are buzzing with anticipation for what promises to be a hilarious, musical, and incredibly fast adventure with the world's most famous puppets.
The Muppets Roller Coaster: An Overview of the Rock 'n' Roller Coaster Re-Theme
The new attraction will be officially titled Rock 'n' Roller Coaster Starring The Muppets. Unlike building a new ride from scratch, this project involves a complete overhaul of the existing coaster's theme, queue, pre-show, and on-ride audio/visual experience, while utilizing the same high-speed track layout. This ensures the thrilling launch and multiple inversions that fans love will remain, but the storyline and music will be entirely Muppet-focused.
The Thrill Remains: Speed, Inversions, and the Track
The core of the ride, the track itself, will remain unchanged. This means guests will still experience the signature 0-to-57 mph launch in less than 2.8 seconds, navigating three inversions—two roll-overs and one corkscrew—all in the dark. The intensity of the experience will be preserved, ensuring the attraction remains a major thrill ride for the park. The change is purely in the narrative and aesthetic, transforming a backstage L.A. recording studio into a chaotic, star-studded Muppet production.
A New Pre-Show and Storyline
The original Rock 'n' Roller Coaster featured a pre-show where guests met Aerosmith, who invited them to a concert across town. The Muppets version will introduce a brand-new, comedic storyline. While official details are scarce, the narrative is expected to involve the Muppets rushing to a major performance, with guests being recruited as the road crew or the band's speedy entourage. Imagine Statler and Waldorf heckling riders from a balcony during the pre-show, or Animal causing mayhem in the "limo" queue line.
Muppet Music and On-Ride Experience
The key element of the re-theme will be the music. Instead of Aerosmith hits, the ride vehicles, which are themed as stretch limousines, will blast classic Muppet songs, perhaps re-imagined as high-energy rock tracks. Potential songs could include rock covers of "The Muppet Show Theme Song," "Rainbow Connection," or "Mah Nà Mah Nà." Disney is known for its detailed audio-animatronics, and there is speculation that new Muppet figures—perhaps Dr. Teeth and The Electric Mayhem—could be integrated into the show scenes along the track to replace the original L.A. landmarks and concert props.
The End of an Era: Muppets Courtyard and Muppet*Vision 3D Closure
The new roller coaster comes at a bittersweet time for Muppets fans, as it coincides with the permanent closure of the Muppets' long-time home, the Muppets Courtyard. This area, located near the Grand Arts Theatre, had been a staple of Disney's Hollywood Studios for decades.
Muppet*Vision 3D and PizzeRizzo Say Goodbye
The centerpiece of the Courtyard, Muppet*Vision 3D, a beloved 3D film attraction featuring Sam Eagle and the whole cast, officially closed its doors forever on June 8th, 2025. This closure also included the adjacent quick-service restaurant, PizzeRizzo, which was themed to Rizzo the Rat's family pizza business. The demolition of the MuppetVision shop and surrounding structures has been confirmed, signaling the definitive end of the Courtyard as fans knew it.
The Rise of Monstropolis: A New Land
The reason for the Muppets' relocation is the development of a brand-new themed land. The former Muppets Courtyard area is being transformed into a Monsters, Inc. themed area, specifically a section called Monstropolis. This new land will bring Mike Wazowski, Sulley, and the entire Monsters, Inc. crew to life, likely incorporating a new attraction and dining experiences. This confirms that Disney is strategically utilizing the valuable real estate in Hollywood Studios for a major expansion, and the Muppets are being given a high-profile replacement attraction on Sunset Boulevard rather than being eliminated from the park entirely.
Why The Muppets Roller Coaster Is a Game-Changer for Hollywood Studios
The decision to re-theme the Rock 'n' Roller Coaster to The Muppets is a significant move that addresses several key strategic goals for Disney's Hollywood Studios.
Increased Family Appeal and Accessibility
While the Rock 'n' Roller Coaster is a thrill ride, the Muppets theme inherently broadens its appeal. Aerosmith's music and branding, while classic, had a niche appeal that didn't fully resonate with younger generations visiting the park. The Muppets, however, are universally loved by families and children. The comedic, self-aware nature of Kermit and company will make the queue and pre-show more engaging, even if the ride itself remains intense. This re-theme revitalizes an aging IP and makes the attraction feel more current and relevant to a broader audience.
Topical Authority and Muppets Entities
The new attraction will serve as the central hub for the Muppets' presence at Walt Disney World. This consolidation of the franchise ensures that key entities like Kermit the Frog, Miss Piggy, Fozzie Bear, Gonzo, Pepe the King Prawn, Dr. Teeth and The Electric Mayhem, Statler and Waldorf, and Rizzo the Rat remain highly visible and accessible to guests. The re-theme provides a fresh, modern context for these characters, using a high-capacity, E-ticket attraction to anchor their future in the park.
The Future of Sunset Boulevard and Hollywood Studios
With the opening of the Muppets coaster in 2026, Sunset Boulevard will feature two major, re-themed attractions: The Muppets roller coaster and the Tower of Terror. This strengthens the overall identity of the area as the park's thrill-ride corridor. Furthermore, the vacated Muppets Courtyard space allows for the development of the highly anticipated Monsters, Inc. land, showcasing Disney's commitment to continuous, multi-franchise expansion and keeping Hollywood Studios a destination for both classic and modern IP. The transition is a clear sign that Disney World is constantly evolving, with 2025 and 2026 being pivotal years for new attractions and land transformations.
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