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If you’ve ever been to a wedding in New Jersey or know someone from the Garden State who’s getting married, you’ll understand that there is a tradition particular to that state. At some point during the wedding, it is required that Bon Jovi’s “Livin’ on a Prayer” is played. During the song, the entire audience and DJ know that when Jon Bon Jovi sings, “We’re halfway there,” the DJ cuts the music, and the party sings, “Oh, oh, livin’ on a prayer.”
Jon Bon Jovi. Credit: Steve, Flickr
But this particular New Jersey tradition may be heading south to Central Florida. The Walt Disney Company has made an acquisition that could hint at the future of Disney’s Hollywood Studio’s Rock’ n’ Roller Coaster.
On Monday, Disney-owned Hulu announced that it had acquired Thank You, Goodnight: The Bon Jovi Story, a four-part docuseries that chronicles Jon Bon Jovi and the career of Bon Jovi from New Jersey to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. The series is produced by Gotham Chopra, known for his documentaries on Tom Brady and Kobe Bryant.
Disney and Hulu acquiring a documentary about a rock band isn’t necessarily big news, but a line from the release should intrigue Walt Disney World fans. Thank You, Goodnight: The Bon Jovi Story is the first documentary made with the cooperation of all past and present members of the band.
Credit: Disney
New Rock’ n’ Roller Coaster Theme?
On January 8, the Rock’ n’ Roller Coaster at Disney’s Hollywood Studios shut down for a lengthy refurbishment. This is the second time in two years that it has needed a lengthy rehab. Walt Disney World has not yet announced when the attraction will reopen, but most insiders believe it won’t open until this summer.
So, why the lengthy shutdown of the fan-favorite ride? Most insiders believe that the Rock’ n’ Roller Coaster is being shut down this year to fix what was done during the 2023 shutdown.
Rock’ n’ Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith / Credit: Wesley Lowe, Flickr
But Disney World has a more significant problem with the Rock’ n’ Roller Coaster, and it’s Aerosmith. Aerosmith frontman Steven Tyler has been accused by multiple women of sexual misconduct. Many believe that Disney would use the 2023 shutdown to strip Aerosmith and Steven Tyler from the ride in favor of another band.
In steps Bon Jovi. This new partnership with Bon Jovi is the perfect opportunity for Disney to replace Aerosmith on the attraction with the boys from New Jersey. With the entire band joining to make the documentary, it wouldn’t be challenging to get them all together to redo the introductory movie.
The argument against Bon Jovi is the band is no longer relevant, but honestly, the same can be said for Aerosmith. And Bon Jovi doesn’t come with the same baggage that Steven Tyler and Aerosmith bring to the attraction.
Credit: Rick Vink, Flickr
It is the perfect tie-in, especially if the ride can be ready by late April when the documentary premieres on Hulu.
So, what band do you want to see take over the Hollywood Studios’ ride, and what new theme would you like?
DEFINITELY BON JOVI
If this gets changed to Bon Blomi, I will never ride this again. Why would they ever replace a no longer relevant band with another no longer relevant band. Absolutely horrible idea, IMO. Aerosmith had, and probably still has, a much bigger draw and following than Bon Jovi, but I certainly agree that its time to move on. Just not in this direction. Please.
I believe they should leave what works. Just because the one person is in trouble doesn’t make the whole band horrible. The whole ride is great and regardless what is in the news I would continue to ride it and my kids would love to ride it still and now my grandkids love it. We don’t think about what is in the media when we go to Disney. We think about the rides, the parades and the food. The whole idea of going to Disney is to get away from the whole world and life going on and to just have fun and make magical moments to remember. We don’t go and say oh we can’t ride that because so and so is in the news. If that being the case we would never go to Disney because it’s always in the news when something bad happens. We go to Disney to have fun not to worry about what is being said in the news. I say leave it the way it is. Don’t change it. I love Aerosmith and the songs.