Disney’s Hollywood Studios looked completely packed before many guests had even made it past their first attraction of the morning. By sunrise, crowds were already flooding Sunset Boulevard as Disney finally opened one of its biggest ride transformations in years to the general public. At the same time, fans spotted another major update quietly appearing inside the My Disney Experience app.
Disney clearly planned for May 26, 2026, to feel like a huge day across Walt Disney World, and guests responded immediately.
After months of previews, construction walls, online debate, and nonstop fan speculation, Rock ’n’ Roller Coaster Starring The Muppets officially opened to all guests today. Disney had already allowed limited previews ahead of launch, but this marked the first time that everyday visitors could freely experience the rethemed coaster.
Judging by the crowds, people were more than ready.
The Muppets Take Over a Disney World Classic
For decades, Rock ’n’ Roller Coaster remained closely tied to Aerosmith. The attraction originally opened in 1999 and became one of Disney’s most recognizable thrill rides thanks to its intense launch, loud soundtrack, and fast indoor layout.
That version is now gone for good.
Disney replaced Aerosmith with Dr. Teeth and the Electric Mayhem, giving the attraction a much more colorful and chaotic personality. Guests now race through a wild Muppet concert adventure filled with over-the-top visuals, comedy, psychedelic lighting, and nonstop music.
Even though Disney completely changed the story and atmosphere, the coaster itself still delivers the same intense thrills fans remember. The launch, inversions, and high-speed ride system all remain intact.
Still, longtime visitors immediately noticed how different the attraction feels overall. Nearly every part of the experience now leans heavily into the Electric Mayhem aesthetic. Neon colors dominate the queue and preshow, while Muppet humor replaces the more serious rock-concert vibe associated with Aerosmith.
For many Disney fans, this officially closes a major chapter in Hollywood Studios history. Aerosmith spent more than 20 years attached to the attraction, making this one of the resort’s biggest rider theming projects in recent memory.
Disney World Rolled Out Multiple Major Openings
Rock ’n’ Roller Coaster was not the only attraction drawing crowds today.
May 26 became one of Disney World’s busiest launch days of 2026 thanks to several new experiences opening across the resort. Hollywood Studios alone debuted multiple additions, while Animal Kingdom also saw heavy demand due to Bluey’s Wild World.
Families rushed toward Animal Kingdom early this morning to experience Bluey’s Wild World after previews had already created huge interest online. Bluey’s popularity with younger families helped turn the area into one of the resort’s biggest crowd magnets.
Meanwhile, Hollywood Studios officially debuted the Walt Disney Studios courtyard along with Disney Jr. Mickey Mouse Clubhouse Live!, adding even more activity to an already packed park.
Even with all those additions, Rock ’n’ Roller Coaster Starring The Muppets remained the biggest attraction of the day.
Opening-day crowds always create a different atmosphere at Disney World, especially when guests finally gain access to a highly anticipated replacement attraction. Sunset Boulevard quickly became one of the busiest sections of the park as standby lines and Lightning Lane return times stretched outward early in the morning.
Disney Quietly Removed a Famous Piece of Ride History
While guests focused on the coaster itself, Disney also finalized another noticeable change inside the My Disney Experience app.
For years, Rock ’n’ Roller Coaster featured the famous red guitar icon connected to the Aerosmith version of the attraction. The image became one of the ride’s most recognizable visual trademarks inside the Disney World app.
That icon has now disappeared.
Guests checking the map today noticed Disney replaced the classic guitar with a brand-new design inspired by the Electric Mayhem version of the attraction. The updated icon features a much more psychedelic electric guitar with bright colors and exaggerated styling.
The change may seem minor, but many longtime Disney fans immediately recognized what it represented. The old icon had become one of the final remaining visual ties to the Aerosmith era.
Now, Disney has fully committed to the Muppets version across both the physical attraction and the resort’s digital systems.
Triple-Digit Waits Started Shockingly Early
The crowds surrounding the coaster began building almost immediately after guests entered the park.
Around 8:00 a.m., posted wait times had already climbed to roughly 110 minutes, even while Disney resort guests still largely controlled Early Entry access. That number quickly caught people's attention because the general public had not yet entered the park.
As the morning continued, lines only grew larger.
Given the anticipation surrounding the retheme, Disney likely expected significant demand on opening day. Still, triple-digit waits that early suggest Rock ’n’ Roller Coaster Starring The Muppets could stay extremely busy for the foreseeable future.
Once park-hopping crowds arrive later in the day, wait times may lengthen further.
For Disney, though, today already proved one thing: guests are absolutely showing up for the Muppets takeover.
