Theme park fans get used to change, but some goodbyes feel heavier than others. After nearly three decades of high-speed launches and blaring rock anthems, one of Hollywood Studios’ most recognizable attractions is about to close its original chapter.
March 1 will be the last day to ride Rock ’n’ Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith. After that, the experience you’ve known since 1999 disappears.
If it’s been a while since your last ride, the clock is officially ticking.
How This Coaster Rewrote Expectations
When Rock ’n’ Roller Coaster opened on July 29, 1999, it stood out immediately. Disney wasn’t known for aggressive launches or multiple inversions. This ride delivered both.
Guests entered a recording studio and watched Aerosmith invite them to a concert across Los Angeles. Moments later, they strapped into a super-stretch limo and blasted from 0 to 57 miles per hour in under three seconds. That launch shocked first-time riders and hooked thrill-seekers instantly.
From there, the coaster tore through three inversions under glowing freeway signs while Aerosmith tracks pumped through the speakers. Songs like “Sweet Emotion,” “Walk This Way,” and “Love in an Elevator” defined the ride’s identity.
It quickly became a must-do attraction. Alongside Tower of Terror, it gave Hollywood Studios a thrill ride lineup that felt bold and grown-up. For many guests, riding it became a rite of passage.
Now, just shy of 30 years later, the Aerosmith era ends.
What Happens on March 2
Disney has made it official: March 1 is the final operating day for Rock ’n’ Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith. On March 2, the attraction closes to begin a full retheme.
The coaster won’t disappear forever. Instead, it will undergo several months of transformation before reopening in summer 2026 with a new theme.
This marks a permanent retirement of the Aerosmith version. Fans already treat the final weeks like a farewell tour. Wait times climb as guests squeeze in one last ride. People film their launches, savor the pre-show, and linger just a little longer in the exit corridor.
Once the park closes on March 1, that version becomes history.
Enter The Muppets
When the ride returns, The Muppets will take over.
This shift comes after Muppet Courtyard closed, including Muppet*Vision 3D. Many assumed that meant the characters were fading from Walt Disney World. Instead, Disney is repositioning them inside a headline attraction.
The reimagined coaster will swap the Aerosmith concert storyline for a Muppet-driven adventure. While Disney hasn’t released every creative detail, the tone suggests fast-paced backstage chaos that aligns naturally with the ride’s structure.
Notably, the thrills remain. The launch system and track layout are expected to stay the same. Guests will still race through inversions at high speed. The biggest differences will come from new scenes, updated visuals, and a fresh soundtrack.
The coaster keeps its intensity. The theme changes entirely.
A Farewell Worth Taking
Few rides define a park the way Rock ’n’ Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith has defined Hollywood Studios. It introduced a new level of adrenaline in 1999 and maintained that edge for decades.
March 1 closes that chapter for good. On March 2, construction begins, and the transformation starts.
By summer 2026, The Muppets will headline the experience. Until then, the original version gets its final spotlight.
If you’ve ever loved that explosive launch or those rock anthems echoing in the dark, don’t wait. After March 1, the ride you remember won’t exist anymore.
