A long Disney World refurbishment has FINALLY ended!
Rock is BACK!
Hollywood Studios’ Rock ’n’ Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith bid adieu for a long maintenance and refurbishment project in January, and remained closed for the duration of the year since. Initially, the coaster was listed as reopening in the “summer of 2024.” In late spring, Walt Disney World’s calendar was updated to show the ride would first be operating on July 27th. Last week, that changed to July 1st, which was the date we were “sure” of… until this weekend.
On Sunday, June 30th, with no advance fanfare, Rock ’n’ Roller Coaster held soft openings for the first time in half a year! So was anything new in the vaunted attraction?
In short, no.
Despite ever-present – – and often easily debunk-able – – rumors that the coaster would be losing its Aerosmith theme (the more prevalent current rumor sees them being replaced with Queen, but over the years it’s been everything from High School Musical and Hannah Montana to Mickey Mouse and The Descendants), the pre-show and ride experience remains essentially unchanged. As was essentially confirmed before it began, the months-long closure of the ride had more to do with repairing and upgrading “under-the-hood” technical aspects of the attraction than it did its actual theme.
The coaster’s ride vehicle.
The gift shop at the attraction’s exit remained virtually the same as well, offering ride-specific merchandise along with some more general Disney-related merchandise. This included numerous Stitch items, which fits thematically since Experiment 626 fancies himself a “King of Rock” after all.
Elvis Stitch Meet-and-Greet
After what seemed to be a successful soft opening on June 30th, crowds began rope-dropping the coaster early on July 1st to experience the attraction. However, they were disappointed to find the ride down for the early part of the morning, ruining the vibe of its big return. Oh rock stars, always fashionably late.
Lots of people were waiting to ride the coaster, and it stayed down for a good part of the first hour that Hollywood Studios was open. However, the ride reopened around 10:15AM, which brought cheers from the waiting visitors.
A large crowd waiting for the Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster on July 1st.
Rock ’n’ Roller Coaster’s return will be a boon for Disney’s Hollywood Studios, as the thrill ride being available should better disperse crowds to the park’s Sunset Boulevard area, and provide at least some relief to the wait times of the park’s other major attractions like Slinky Dog Dash, Rise of the Resistance, Tower of Terror, and Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway.
Aerosmith’s presence on the Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster was a major change for Disney at the time.
Originally opened in 1999, the Rock ’n’ Roller Coaster holds the distinction of being the first coaster with an inversion at any U.S. Disney park, as well as being the fastest ride at Walt Disney World. According to theme park urban legend, Disney considered several bands – – including The Rolling Stones, U2, and KISS – – to serve as the ride’s soundtrack before striking a deal with Aerosmith. The so-called “Bad Boys of Boston” were riding a wave of popularity in 1999, buoyed by a late 1980s/early 1990s comeback that had culminated in the #1 single “I Don’t Wanna Miss a Thing” (not so coincidently from the soundtrack to the Disney-produced Armageddon). The band’s relevancy has taken a dip in the last two decades, which – – along with singer Steven Tyler’s alleged legal issues – – is likely why rumors of the band being replaced often crop up around the ride.
The Rock ’n’ Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith, one of the most thrilling attractions at Walt Disney World, is back after a long maintenance project and – – for better or worse – – is still offering the same experience! Stay tuned to DFB for further updates on the attraction.
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Do you enjoy the Rock ’n’ Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith as is, or do you wish to see the attraction changed? Let us know in the comments below.
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I am really happy that Aerosmith is not gone. Anyone who thinks they are no longer relevant should look at the prices for their concert tickets. Yes, they’ve been around a long time, but that is a testament to their appeal and their talent. There aren’t many in their league, and I would hate to see Disney replace the Aerosmith theme with something much less interesting. I mean, that happening is just a matter of time, I’m just glad it wasn’t THIS time. Now I just need to find my big naturadisastergirl pants and work up the guts to get on it again lol – I HATE that launch. I find the rest of the ride pretty mild, honestly, but I hate the launch.
After postponing our family trip because of covid, we finally got to go in Feb 2023. Everything was great until I caught Covid. I was sick as a dog, but luckily I was vaccinated . Therefore I did not have any long term effects. It was no fun staying in the hotel room while everyone else was at the parks. Be careful and be vaccinated.
Thank goodness. Don’t change a thing with that ride. Just add some Aerosmith merch to the store
The launch is the BEST part! Love those G forces.
So happy they didn’t replace Aerosmith!
Am I allowed to be amused that I was listening to Queen while reading this, given the rumor 😉
Best ride there and the merch is amazing not into rides but this one is a must would not be the same ride if it wasn’t Aerosmith best rock band with the greatest coaster. I mean why change perfection when you have it all in one place
So happy its back annnddddd, we’ve got concert tickets to their upcoming show as well. This will get my first time ever seeing them live. Love the launch, hopefully they smoothed out the rest of the ride because it gives me a headache. No matter, ill still ride
So happy Rock N Roller Coaster is back open! Hollywood Studios doesn’t feel right without it. Glad it’s still Aerosmith! Don’t change it just keep giving it some TLC. The ride is awesome as it is! Looking forward to seeing Aeromsith in concert in February!
this is my favorite ride, I cannot wait to ride it in December!!
We just rode this 11/17/24 and there was no music played during the ride. Is this common? I thought that was very strange as ive ridden it before and never experienced this.