Getting to Disney World early usually comes with some pretty big advantages. Shorter lines, smaller crowds, and the chance to experience popular attractions before the afternoon rush can make those early alarms worthwhile.
But what happens when the ride you've been looking forward to isn't operating when the park opens?
That's exactly the problem some Disney's Hollywood Studios guests encountered recently, and it raises an important question about how visitors should plan their mornings.
One of Disney World's newest attractions experienced an unexpected shutdown that lasted for hours, leaving early arrivals without the experience they had planned.
Disney World's Newest Roller Coaster Experiences Unexpected Shutdown
Rock ‘n' Roller Coaster Starring The Muppets opened at Disney's Hollywood Studios in May 2026, bringing a completely new theme to the park's longtime thrill ride.
The updated attraction replaced Aerosmith with the Muppets, giving the beloved characters a new home following the closure of Muppets Courtyard.
Naturally, the roller coaster has attracted plenty of attention from guests eager to experience the updated version.
However, visitors hoping to ride first thing in the morning recently encountered an unexpected problem.
According to AllEars, Rock ‘n' Roller Coaster Starring The Muppets failed to open with the rest of Hollywood Studios on October 26.
At 9 a.m., the attraction was listed as temporarily closed. The same message appeared at 10 a.m., meaning guests couldn't experience the roller coaster during the first two hours of regular park operations.
The ride finally reopened by 11 a.m., posting a 35-minute wait.
Although the shutdown was temporary, it created an unfortunate situation for visitors who had made the attraction their first priority.
Hollywood Studios Guests Face Another Problem
Unfortunately, unexpected downtime isn't the only issue guests need to consider.
Rock ‘n' Roller Coaster Starring The Muppets is among Hollywood Studios' newer experiences, making it an appealing destination for visitors arriving early.
But that popularity can work against guests attempting to beat the crowds.
When large numbers of visitors head toward the same attraction immediately after park opening, standby lines can build quickly.
That means arriving early doesn't necessarily guarantee a short wait.
And if the attraction experiences technical difficulties, guests who planned their morning around it could find themselves scrambling to make other arrangements.
Interestingly, October 26 offered several alternatives.
At 9 a.m., The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror posted a 13-minute wait, while Mickey & Minnie's Runaway Railway had a 15-minute wait.
Even Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance was posting just 25 minutes.
Guests who adjusted their plans could have taken advantage of those shorter waits instead of waiting for Rock ‘n' Roller Coaster to reopen.
Should Guests Avoid the Roller Coaster in the Morning?
Not necessarily, but flexibility could make a major difference.
On October 26, Rock ‘n' Roller Coaster's wait time fluctuated throughout the afternoon.
After reaching 65 minutes at noon, the wait dropped to 40 minutes by 1 p.m. It eventually reached 35 minutes at 5 p.m. and again at 8 p.m.
Those numbers suggest that waiting until later in the day can sometimes be a reasonable alternative to rushing toward the attraction at opening.
Guests can also consider purchasing Lightning Lane Multi Pass and securing a return window, depending on availability.
Of course, one morning's closure doesn't mean the attraction will experience the same problems every day.
Still, the incident serves as a reminder that even Disney World's newest experiences aren't immune to unexpected downtime.
For Hollywood Studios visitors, the best approach might be keeping a backup attraction in mind rather than relying on a single roller coaster to start the day.
After all, spending your first two hours waiting for a ride that isn't operating probably isn't how anyone wants to begin their Disney World vacation.
