It is officially May 2026, and the air at Disney’s Hollywood Studios is electric. After months of being shrouded in mystery and construction scrims, the end of Sunset Boulevard has finally been unveiled. This week, the walls came down around the courtyard of the Rock ‘n' Roller Coaster Starring The Muppets, offering guests their first unobstructed look at a transformation that is as groovy as it is grand.
With the grand opening set for Tuesday, May 26, 2026—just in time to anchor the summer season—the removal of the construction barriers reveals a reimagining that proves the Muppets are ready to rock Tinseltown.
The Iconic Guitar Gets a Psychedelic Glow-Up
The most anticipated part of the reveal was undoubtedly the 40-foot-tall Fender Stratocaster marquee. For over two decades, its ruby-red finish served as the beacon for Aerosmith fans. Today, that guitar has been completely “Muppet-ified.”
Gone is the standard rock-and-roll red. In its place is a vibrant, psychedelic design that looks like it was painted by the Electric Mayhem themselves. The new color palette is a high-energy explosion of neon blue, green, yellow, lilac, and purple, adorned with bright yellow stars that shimmer under the Florida sun.
The attention to detail extends to the very base of the instrument. The piano-key motif that grounds the guitar has been refreshed, and eagle-eyed fans have already spotted a “golden key” amid the black-and-whites. This golden key is a direct nod to Dr. Teeth, the flamboyant leader of the Electric Mayhem, signaling that the band has officially moved into their new digs.
New Management at G-Force Records
The exterior transformation is only the beginning. The building itself has been repainted in a sophisticated dark grey, which makes the marquee's neon colors “pop” even more. The storyline for the 2026 version of the ride places guests inside a familiar institution with a new twist: G-Force Records has been bought by J.P. Grosse, the real estate tycoon and owner of the Muppet Theatre (who also happens to be Scooter’s uncle).
As guests enter the queue, they’ll find the hallowed halls of the recording studio filled with Muppet history. Posters lining the walls celebrate the Electric Mayhem’s legendary career, featuring “celebrity cameos” from the likes of “Weird Al” Yankovic, Travis Barker, and Danny Trejo. Reports indicate that fans should also keep an eye out for props salvaged from the nearby Muppet-Vision 3D, making the queue a literal treasure trove of Easter eggs.
The First-Ever Scooter Animatronic
Inside the recording studio, the pre-show has received a massive technological upgrade. While the classic Aerosmith video has been retired, it has been replaced by a live-action and animatronic hybrid experience. Guests will encounter the first-ever Audio-Animatronics figure of Scooter, who is desperately trying to manage the chaos in the booth.
Scooter is joined by a team of audio engineers—who are, naturally, penguins—as they try to convince Dr. Teeth, Animal, Janice, Floyd Pepper, Zoot, and Lips to stop jamming and head to their sold-out Hollywood concert. When the band realizes they are running late, they recruit the guests to join them in a high-speed dash across town in a fleet of L.I.M.O.s (Lengthy Immediate Motion Objects) “souped up” by the geniuses at Muppet Labs.
A Setlist for the Ages
Perhaps the most exciting change for repeat riders is the music. The coaster now features a randomized soundtrack, meaning you might get a different high-octane rock track every time you launch. The Electric Mayhem has collaborated with a VIP list of real-world legends to create five custom tracks for the ride:
- “Song 2” – A high-energy cover of the Blur classic.
- “Born To Be Wild” – Featuring the vocal talents of Camilla the Chicken.
- “Love Rollercoaster” – A collaboration with Jennifer Hudson and Questlove.
- “Rock! Rock! (Till You Drop)” – A hard-hitting remix with Def Leppard.
- “Walking on Sunshine” – A rock-charged duet with Kelly Clarkson.
Same Thrills, New Vibe
While the “show” is entirely new, thrill-seekers will be happy to know the ride system remains unchanged. Guests will still experience that heart-pounding 0 to 57 mph launch in just 2.8 seconds, followed by two rollover loops and a corkscrew. The 3,403 feet of track still delivers a high-G experience, but now with the added humor and heart of the Muppets.
As Disney’s Hollywood Studios gears up for the May 26 debut, Cast Member previews are already underway, with Annual Passholder and DVC previews expected to follow mid-month. Whether you’re a die-hard Muppet fan or just a coaster enthusiast looking for a fresh spin, the new Rock ‘n' Roller Coaster Starring The Muppets is shaping up to be the sensation of the summer. It’s time to play the music—the Mayhem is just getting started!
