Very similar to one other band of misfits, the Electrical Mayhem have a journey of their very own within the reimagined Rock ‘n’ Curler Coaster Starring the Muppets at Hollywood Studios. After over a dozen rides to listen to each track and spot each Easter Egg and gag, right here’s my evaluation of Walt Disney World’s new-look thrill journey that covers the great, dangerous & ugly of the attraction. (Warning: this journey evaluation comprises spoilers.)
One other ‘warning’ is that Rock ‘n’ Curler Coaster Starring The Muppets is my #1 most anticipated openings of 2026. As a fan who liked and nonetheless mourns the closure of MuppetVision 3D, I view this reimagining as an olive department, and one with large footwear to fill relative to that iconic attraction. I preserve that Walt Disney World made an enormous mistake in closing MuppetVision 3D, and consequently, the RnRC reimagining was at all times going to be a ‘lemonade out of lemons’ mission.
Additionally related because it pertains to my biases is that I appreciated however didn’t love Rock ‘n’ Curler Coaster by the point it closed. It was beforehand #34 on my Rankings of All Sights at Walt Disney World, which truly isn’t half dangerous! One spot behind Dwelling with the Land and one forward of Area Mountain (that’s proper).
As a lot as I liked RnRC as a teen and nonetheless get pleasure from Aerosmith’s music, I used to be prepared for a change. I’m unsure whether or not all of this makes me a more durable critic or simpler viewers, however do with that data what you’ll. Maybe you’ll conclude that this dude has loopy opinions that aren’t value studying!
After experiencing Rock ‘n’ Curler Coaster Starring The Muppets for the primary time, the comparability that instantly got here to thoughts is that the Electrical Mayhem is mainly the Guardians of the Galaxy, however as Muppet musicians versus Marvel tremendous heroes. (Minor distinction.)
The Guardians of the Galaxy have up to now acquired two Disney sights. One is Cosmic Rewind over at EPCOT, a revolutionary curler coaster with a blockbuster finances that was years within the making. The opposite is Mission Breakout out at Disney California Journey, which was a relatively fast ‘low dough’ reimagining to the Twilight Zone Tower of Terror.
Because it seems, Rock ‘n’ Curler Coaster Starring The Muppets has rather a lot in widespread with each. Whereas not excellent, the reimagined journey belongs in the identical dialog as these Guardians of the Galaxy sights, which ought to converse volumes about this reimagining given the visitor reception to the Marvel hero-helmed sights.
Let’s stroll by means of the great, dangerous & ugly of Rock ‘n’ Curler Coaster Starring The Muppets from begin to end…
What Did Not Change
Rock ‘n’ Curler Coaster Starring Aerosmith initially opened in 1999, and when you rode the curler coaster then and now, you’d have the identical journey expertise. Nicely, it most likely wouldn’t be fairly as easy.
Suffice to say, the curler coaster observe and format are unchanged. It nonetheless includes a 0 to 57 MPH launch and every part that defines essentially the most intense curler coaster at Walt Disney World. Work was achieved throughout two prolonged refurbishments in 2023 and 2024 to increase the lifetime of the coaster and journey system. When you’re hoping for a basically completely different journey expertise, regulate your expectations.
That is the place the Guardians of the Galaxy – Mission Breakout comes into play, as that was roughly the identical blueprint for its Tower of Terror takeover. Whereas the underlying Rock ‘n’ Curler Coaster serves because the blueprint for the Muppets makeover and will simply be ignored when you’re simply there for the thrills, rather a lot has been added to boost the expertise and add to the re-rideability.
RnRC Muppets Makeover Backstory
The brand new backstory is much like the previous one. The Electrical Mayhem are headlining their largest Hollywood live performance ever! There’s only one little downside: the band is nowhere to be discovered.
Throughout city on the under-new-management G-Power Data, we’re handled to a VIP tour. The colourful crew’s new digs are due to Scooter’s uncle, actual property tycoon and proprietor of the Muppet Theatre, J.P. Grosse.
The Muppets have already made these hallowed halls their very own, in methods large and small…
Rock ‘n’ Curler Coaster Courtyard
Out within the Rock ‘n’ Curler Coaster courtyard, the Electrical Mayhem has put their very own spin on that ruby-red guitar, that includes a vibrant, psychedelic design impressed by the basic Muppet automobile paint job.
The piano motif on the base includes a golden key as a nod to a sure far-out band chief. And the L.I.M.O. (Prolonged Instant Movement Object) above the courtyard archway has its personal psychedelic paint job.
The archway and present constructing have been repainted darkish grey. I don’t actually have a powerful opinion on this. It took me like two days to get used to it, and now I feel the psychedelic paint pops a bit extra towards the darker backdrop, however that’s not a hill I’d die on.
Contained in the Hallowed Halls of G-Power Data
As earlier than, Rock ‘n’ Curler Coaster has a variety of out of doors overflow queue that’s pretty unremarkable. Only a sea of switchbacks which might be largely devoid of shade, and might get disagreeable on crowded days.
Inside you’ll be greeted by ample air-conditioning, and if that doesn’t make you need to cease lifeless in your tracks, absolutely the brand new social media-inspired feeds within the foyer will. Don’t fear, it’s higher than it sounds.
Walt Disney World is touting 45 minutes of recent Muppets footage, and that’s simply what made it contained in the attraction–much more was left on the reducing room ground. About half-hour of which might be right here on this first room. This footage replaces common ole band posters, and is an apparent improve.
It happens through a bunch of temporary movies that includes the Muppets and movie star cameos, together with Awkwafina, Danny Trejo, Darren Criss, Travis Barker, Yvette Nicole Brown, Wayne Brady, “Bizarre Al” Yankovic, and others.
One spotlight for me was Illeana Douglas reprising her function because the supervisor, which is one in every of a number of nods to Rock ‘n’ Curler Coaster Starring Aerosmith. Just a few followers have requested about this, so we’re completely happy to share that there are many surprises on that entrance, past simply what was recycled from one model of the attraction to the opposite. (There’s additionally a variety of that.) Don’t fear, Ken Marino followers, he has a can’t miss cameo later within the queue.
My solely grievance about this loop is that the room the place it performs is small. Even with this coming earlier than the merge level, you’ll solely spend a couple of minutes in right here. That’s a superb downside to have, and is best than the choice of listening to the identical temporary snippet time and again as a result of the road is slower than the loop is lengthy.
After that comes one other room with a show case that includes Muppets memorabilia. Following that’s the standby and Lightning Lane merge, after which the pre-show holding space, which comprises Muppets live performance artwork, album covers, and a treasure trove of archival treats in your perusal.
Contained in the Studio Pre-Present
The pre-show takes friends contained in the recording studio, the place you’ll discover The Electrical Mayhem cranking out the acquainted tunes of “Can You Image That?” as they rehearse for his or her large live performance.
This pre-show occupies the identical house as the present Rock ‘n’ Curler Coaster Starring Aerosmith. It even makes use of the identical type, with the Electrical Mayhem Band on the opposite facet of the recording studio “glass” through a big display.
The large change is that the pre-show is highlighted by three Audio Animatronics, that includes the first-ever determine of Scooter, who’s joined by two audio engineer penguins.
Scooter’s fluid motion and vary of movement are the unequivocal spotlight, very like Rocket Raccoon in Mission Breakout…however higher! He appears like an precise, in-real-life Muppet, proper all the way down to the puppeteering rods in his arms.
The penguin Audio Animatronics add a layer to the scene to make the studio really feel much less ‘flat.’ In addition they add Muppet absurdity to the combo, as these little guys display their skilled vary in going from performing in an orchestra throughout MuppetVision 3D to being audio engineers in Rock ‘n’ Curler Coaster.
Additionally showing on separate screens flanking the primary one are Kermit and others. The character showing on the video above Scooter is randomized, including a component of repeatability. Unsurprisingly, my favourite is Sam Eagle, who delivers a line that actually made me snicker out loud (to spoil this for you’ll be distinctly unpatriotic). I’ll start quoting it out-of-context at residence ASAP.
Additionally all through this room are quite a lot of Easter Eggs and references to the Muppets, MuppetVision, PizzeRizzo, and even Rock ‘n’ Curler Coaster Starring Aerosmith. It rewards astute eyes, however sadly, you’ve solely obtained a few minute and a half in right here!
This pre-show is a big enchancment over its predecessor, and never only for the addition of three Audio Animatronics (though that definitely doesn’t damage). It’s jam-packed with element, humorous and fodder for quotes. This was clearly a labor of affection, nevertheless it’s additionally apparent that this pre-show had a wholesome finances.
The Alley Loading Zone
As soon as whisked out of the pre-show, friends head out into the alley the place the rockin’ L.I.M.O. (pronounced lime-o) awaits. This loading zone is essentially the identical as earlier than, proper all the way down to the parking storage being operated by Lock ‘n’ Roll Parking Programs. I used to be personally relieved that this fictional firm survived; it’s a peak Nineties Imagineering pun, and is now canon within the Muppets universe.
We’ve already coated a variety of what’s out right here in our Information to Easter Eggs in Rock ‘n’ Curler Coaster Starring the Muppets. Suffice to say, that is the densest space of the attraction for props, paying homage to the Muppets pre-show.
Critics would possibly contend that that is throwaway fan service with no story justification for present. They’re improper, and have clearly by no means immersed themselves in parking garages in Los Angeles, the deepest depths of which nearly at all times comprise random assortments of junk.
Regardless, the Muppets are recognized for his or her eclectic nature, and there was by no means something greater than the flimsiest of pretenses for all this junk within the MuppetVision pre-show. Generally it’s good to only get pleasure from junk for junk’s sake, and no one does junk higher than the Muppets.
The Trip: A Rock ‘n’ Roll Street Journey
After boarding the L.I.M.O., we put together for launch on the Hollywood 101. The essential billboard above the tunnel, nonetheless counts down, however has acquired a shiny and vibrant improve. It additionally adjustments based mostly on the track that’s about to be performed on the journey. I do know this as a result of the intro to “Strolling on Sunshine” is ceaselessly burned into my mind.
The launch space appears nice, from twists on what was beforehand right here to new particulars. There’s much more to see than earlier than, and regardless of how lengthy you linger within the loading space, you received’t see all of it.
This makes for a little bit of a juxtaposition to the journey itself. It’s at all times been the case that the journey by means of portion of Rock ‘n’ Curler Coaster was sparse. It was mainly Useless Area (Mountain): Pretend Hollywood Fwy Version. That continues to be true.
The nice is that the surroundings and landmarks of Tinseltown now function a Muppet twist. It’s nonetheless the cut-out type, however with Muppet gags added to the present landmarks–proper all the way down to the palm bushes. The adjustments are enjoyable. My favourite is a deep reduce: Sweetums handing out maps a la Drew Carey in Tremendous Star Limo (IYKYK).
That is ok as soon as the journey hits its stride, however my largest critique of the entire attraction is that it’s too lifeless within the ~15 seconds after launch. There aren’t any visuals on this house and a lot of the songs begin slowly. The journey actually would’ve benefited from even a few added cutouts (and maybe paint within the launch tunnel) to bridge the hole.
I didn’t anticipate this to alter, however was nonetheless stunned by how ’empty’ the early portion of the curler coaster feels, my notion of which is probably going because of the music beginning slower than the Aerosmith songs.
Rock ‘n’ Curler Coaster On-Trip Playlist
Whereas driving Rock ’n’ Curler Coaster Starring The Muppets, the music takes middle stage. The Electrical Mayhem teamed up with a few of rock’s largest names for the playlist. Considered one of these 5 songs performs randomly on every journey:
- Tune 2 – The Electrical Mayhem
- Born To Be Wild – The Electrical Mayhem ft. Camilla the Rooster
- Love Rollercoaster – The Electrical Mayhem ft. Jennifer Hudson & Questlove
- Rock! Rock! (Until You Drop) – The Electrical Mayhem ft. Def Leppard
- Strolling on Sunshine – The Electrical Mayhem ft. Kelly Clarkson
Not like Cosmic Rewind, the place the clear consensus is that “September” is one of the best track, my polling of different friends revealed no such clear favourite right here. If there’s one, it’s most likely “Tune 2.” However there undoubtedly isn’t an apparent finest or worst track on Rock ‘n’ Curler Coaster Starring the Muppets.
I’ve heard the entire songs a minimum of as soon as, together with “Strolling on Sunshine” six occasions, “Born to Be Wild” and “Love Curler Coaster” 4 occasions every. I’ve heard these so many occasions as a result of I didn’t get “Tune 2” to finish my assortment till my most up-to-date journey. In different information, I now have CTE.
I loved my first time listening to every of those songs, and sit up for doing future “analysis” to see which I want over the course of a median go to that doesn’t contain a number of consecutive ride-throughs of listening to “Strolling on Sunshine.” Doing the journey solely a couple of times in a day is consultant of how the common visitor will expertise Rock ‘n’ Curler Coaster Starring the Muppets.
What I can say now’s that the music doesn’t work as nicely on Rock ‘n’ Curler Coaster Starring the Muppets because it does on Cosmic Rewind. This shouldn’t come as an enormous shock since that was a brand new construct, and the Omnicoaster journey platform is tailored to ‘dance’ with music.
I used to be nonetheless anticipating one thing barely extra since Mission Breakout does rather well shifting with the music, however there’s additionally the important distinction there that the journey profile was reprogrammed for the music. That couldn’t occur with Rock ‘n’ Curler Coaster.
The music on RnRC remains to be an asset, and enjoyable function. It simply isn’t on the extent of Cosmic Rewind or Mission Breakout, however that’s a excessive bar that no different rides meet. It will’ve been good if the on-board audio system was upgraded, and even simply made louder. (Uncommon for something at Disney to be too quiet.)
On the plus facet, these songs are extra enjoyable than the Aerosmith soundtrack, and the randomized component plus the prospect of bonus tracks provides to the re-rideability. Simply don’t go in anticipating Cosmic Rewind from the journey. The after the very fact music doesn’t work as nicely with the cadence of the journey. It doesn’t “dance.”
Statler & Waldorf Audio Animatronics
In a dream come true state of affairs for me, the Statler and Waldorf Audio Animatronics from MuppetVision 3D seem on-board the attraction!
The curmudgeonly dynamic duo look like in an Airstream trailer, with containers of tomatoes in entrance of them. They’ve a number of traces of dialogue, however until there’s a backup within the tunnel, you’ll solely hear one or two jokes per ride-through. Though you solely catch them for a fleeting second, they appear and sound nice (the audio handoff from tunnel to figures is well-done).
Not solely do Statler and Waldorf present a satisfying send-off to friends, however they reprise a few of their finest traces from MuppetVision. It’s the right 3-second finale to Rock ‘n’ Curler Coaster Starring the Muppets. I want it had been longer.
The one unavoidable draw back is the staging of Statler and Waldorf.
Until you’re within the entrance left seat, you may’t actually see them from the tunnel as you strategy unload. And you’ll’t actually see them from the unload platform both, due to the best way they’re angled.
This being a retrofit, there’s restricted house for Statler and Waldorf, and eager to see extra of them is an efficient downside to have that encourages repeat rides. However the common visitor isn’t going to journey repeatedly, so a minimum of decreasing the hole between jokes within the tunnel so extra audio will be heard throughout backups could be a pleasant enchancment.
Electrical Mayhem Submit-Present
After (spoiler alert) arriving to the live performance on time, you’ll see the Electrical Mayhem carry out “Can You Image That?” within the post-show journey photograph evaluation space.
That is recorded live performance footage, and it additionally contains a few movie star cameos and Easter Eggs. It’s value watching after you safe your PhotoPass pictures.
Rock ‘n’ Curler Coaster Starring The Muppets Verdict
Rock ‘n’ Curler Coaster Starring The Muppets presents one thing for everybody. It has quintessential Muppets humor that demonstrates once more that Imagineering “will get” their model of humor. Nevertheless it’s not only for Muppets followers.
It has Easter Eggs, visible gags, references and tributes galore. It has movie star cameos. It has a variety of humor. If you’re somebody who enjoys having enjoyable, Rock ‘n’ Curler Coaster Starring The Muppets is for you. If you don’t, nicely maybe Walt Disney World isn’t for you.
Above I defined why you shouldn’t go in anticipating the curler coaster to be Cosmic Rewind, as a result of that’s setting your self up for disappointment. Bringing that full circle, I’d truly argue that Rock ‘n’ Curler Coaster Starring The Muppets is the “reverse” Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind.
Whereas the side of Cosmic Rewind that’s endlessly repeatable is the journey itself, the a part of Rock ‘n’ Curler Coaster Starring The Muppets that I need to do time and again is every part else. This might be a walk-through attraction the place I take the Camilla Exit to the post-show and I might be glad.
Simply to be clear, it’s not that I dislike the ride-through portion of this or dislike the pre-show of that. It’s about their respective strengths, and which holds up extra after repeat experiences. Judging by everybody cramming in the direction of the doorways in Cosmic Rewind, a minimum of half of that is hardly a controversial take. It’ll be attention-grabbing to see the extent to which most people agrees with me about RnRC, however I really feel it’s additionally higher paced and, just like the current Muppet Present revival, Disney has achieved a superb job of providing one thing for everybody right here.
On condition that I rank Cosmic Rewind because the #5 attraction in all of Walt Disney World, this must be considered as excessive reward for Rock ‘n’ Curler Coaster Starring The Muppets. It received’t rank larger because of the respective curler coasters, however the queue, pre-show and post-show are higher right here. I can’t think about ever tiring of all that–it’ll be the coaster itself that limits my rides. Once more, all just about the reverse of Cosmic Rewind.
In the end, that is just about the absolute best end result for Rock ‘n’ Curler Coaster Starring The Muppets. Within the grand scheme of issues, my complaints are minor, and largely ‘baked in’ by advantage of the pre-existing journey system. No attraction is ideal, and that’s doubly true of ones which have the constraints of a retrofit. But in some way Imagineering managed to seize lightning in a bottle right here–and pull off that feat in underneath three months!
My largest criticism is an oblique one, which is that this can not fill the footwear of MuppetVision 3D. However that’s one thing we knew from the outset. There was no sum of money or ardour that might be put into this mission to show a curler coaster into that iconic, all ages attraction. The codecs and parameters are utterly completely different, as is visitor accessibility. MuppetVision 3D was a nationwide treasure. A timeless and culturally important attraction that ought to’ve been an untouchable a part of Disney historical past like Haunted Mansion or Pirates of the Caribbean.
All of these issues nonetheless exist for me, however on the identical time, I acknowledge that extra informal friends will expertise Rock ‘n’ Curler Coaster. New Muppets followers will probably be solid within the course of, similar to I turned interested by basic movies after experiencing Nice Film Trip. There are definitely silver linings, however we don’t need to gloss over the ‘unique sin’ of closing MuppetVision that obtained this rolling within the first place. That’s the ‘ugly’ of Rock ‘n’ Curler Coaster Starring The Muppets–that we needed to lose MuppetVision to get it.
The journey reimagining itself turned out higher than anticipated, aided tremendously by the hardcore Muppets followers in Walt Disney Imagineering who “get” the characters’ distinctive model of humor. They fought for this mission within the first place and labored tirelessly to make sure the reimagining is well-done, reusing components from MuppetVision that may in any other case be discarded, and in some way made this one thing particular. Rock ‘n’ Curler Coaster is clearly a love letter from Imagineering to Jim Henson and the Muppets, and so they did superlative work right here.
It received’t matter within the grand scheme of issues or to the common visitor, however the turnaround time additionally bodes nicely for future tasks of this nature getting greenlit by Walt Disney World management. Talking of which, now that Imagineering has pulled off a reverse Cosmic Rewind with the reimagined Rock ‘n’ Curler Coaster, it’s time to start out speaking significantly a few future Muppets Courtyard on this space. This must be the beginning of a bona fide Muppet renaissance!
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YOUR THOUGHTS
Have you ever skilled Rock ‘n’ Curler Coaster Starring the Muppets? Ideas on how the reimagined journey compares to its predecessor, Cosmic Rewind or Mission Breakout? Are you excited for Muppets makeover? Do you agree or disagree with our assessments? Any questions we might help you reply? Listening to your suggestions–even while you disagree with us–is each attention-grabbing to us and useful to different readers, so please share your ideas beneath within the feedback!
