Walt Disney World has given us all backstage passes (wait a minute…I really like that concept) for a sneak peek at Rock ‘n’ Curler Coaster Starring the Muppets. This contains brand-new idea artwork, backstory concerning the reimagined journey, and particulars about how the Muppets are going to take over G-Drive Information and match into the pre-show and present scenes vacated by Aerosmith.
Earlier this summer season, MuppetVision 3D and extra closed to make approach for Monstropolis. Partitions at the moment are up round Muppets Courtyard, and work has already began within the space, with the long-shuttered Stage 1 Firm Retailer already demolished. Themed components and props have additionally been eliminated, as Imagineering works to remodel the world to the Monsters, Inc. land.
When saying the closure of Muppets Courtyard, Walt Disney World revealed that Kermit the Frog, Miss Piggy and extra of their buddies might be transferring proper alongside to Sundown Boulevard. The Muppets might be taking up Rock ‘n’ Curler Coaster, teaming up with a few of music’s greatest stars for a rockin’ music pageant. With at the moment’s replace, these strikes earlier this summer season make a bit extra sense.
The Electrical Mayhem are headlining their greatest Hollywood live performance ever! Anybody who’s anybody is in attendance to witness Animal, Dr. Tooth, and the remainder of this groove-tastic group rock the home down. There’s only one little drawback: the band is nowhere to be discovered.
Throughout city at G-Drive Information, we’re handled to a VIP tour of the legendary rock and roll recording studio. Issues would possibly look a little bit totally different round this Hollywood establishment, because the label has lately come beneath new administration – The Muppets!
The colourful crew has landed some new digs, with just a bit assist from Scooter’s uncle, actual property tycoon and proprietor of the Muppet Theatre, J.P. Grosse (he places the G in G-Drive). Simply wait till you see how they’ve made these hallowed halls their very own, creating the right place to make candy, candy Muppet music collectively!
Rock ‘n’ Curler Coaster Courtyard
For followers of that large guitar (for now the one comically giant icon in DHS…till the Sorcerer Hat makes its triumphant return to the Magic of Disney Animation), you’ll be stoked to know that the most recent residents of Rock ‘n’ Curler Coaster are placing their very own spin on that ruby crimson paint job.
A vibrant and psychedelic new design will grace the underside of the guitar (impressed by a traditional Muppet automotive paint job); the piano motif on the base will function a golden key as a nod to Dr. Tooth. In any other case, it seems to be just like the courtyard is usually unchanged, as is the precise facade of the constructing.
This was to be anticipated, as previously-filed development permits indicated that the guitar was being repainted. It wouldn’t have made sense to repaint it so near closure…or to repaint it after which take away the guitar. However stranger issues have occurred, and one hand doesn’t all the time know what the opposite is doing.
Welcome to the Studio
Together with your VIP passes, you’ll be welcomed contained in the recording studio, the place you’ll discover the Electrical Mayhem are cranking out some critically rocking tunes. Together with the best audio engineers (all penguins, after all) we’ll see Scooter doing his greatest to persuade Electrical Mayhem to cease jamming and get to their more and more stressed followers. However will or not it’s sufficient to get the band throughout city and onstage in time?
As might be fairly apparent, this pre-show occupies the very same area as the present Rock ‘n’ Curler Coaster Starring Aerosmith. It even makes use of the identical model, with the Electrical Mayhem Band on the opposite aspect of the recording studio “glass” by way of a big display. Additionally showing on separate screens flanking the primary one are Kermit and Miss Piggy.
What’s much less apparent is that Scooter and the penguin audio engineers are Audio Animatronics! It is a big win for an attraction that we beforehand anticipated to be an environment friendly and cheap undertaking–a “no dough” reimagining that was a ardour undertaking for Imagineers, versus a well-funded one.
Whereas Walt Disney World hasn’t confirmed that the latter are being repurposed from MuppetVision, that appears considerably apparent. They’re not precisely core characters that might warrant inclusion however for the property already current in MuppetVision.
This isn’t criticism in any approach, form or type. We’re actually, actually pleasantly shocked by this. Penguins as audio engineers is humorous–identical to penguins as an orchestra. And it’s a pleasant nod to MuppetVision.
It additionally may assist clarify why MuppetVision closed when it did. If Imagineering is beginning off-site prepwork on Rock ‘n’ Curler Coaster proper now, it’s potential that they want the Audio Animatronics and different property to start the repurposing course of now.
I’m not saying that is completely the case, however the extra we see recycled from MV3D, the higher I’ll really feel about dropping the present roughly a 12 months earlier than it seemingly wanted to shut for the sake of Monstropolis development. (As a result of, once more, the curler coaster goes to take quite a bit longer to construct than the prevailing courtyard will to reimagine.)
Some followers would possibly view this negatively, as a ultimate nail within the coffin for a comeback of MuppetVision. We’d warning in opposition to this line of pondering. For one factor, it was all the time unlikely that MV3D would ever return to the parks.
For an additional, reusing some MuppetVision property doesn’t preclude the present’s return. Personally, I wouldn’t complain if the orchestra was quick a few penguins. Not solely that, however there’s the fact that that is the second MuppetVision to shut, and among the DCA property most likely obtained archived.
Our perspective is that the extra bold the reimagining of Rock ‘n’ Curler Coaster Starring the Muppets, the extra probably it’s to stay round for the lengthy haul. And in flip, that will increase the chance of Muppets Courtyard 2.0 as soon as Villains Unfairly Ever After ends. I nonetheless don’t suppose this state of affairs is extra probably than to not occur, but it surely’s now extra probably (in my thoughts) than it was yesterday.
A Rock ‘n’ Roll Street Journey
With the assistance from our buddies at Muppet Labs and a really quick limousine, we’ll take a twisting, turning, and screamingly enjoyable street journey throughout Hollywood to achieve the live performance in time. The long-lasting surroundings and landmarks of Tinseltown will function a Muppet twist.
And all through the journey, you’ll hear the Electrical Mayhem taking part in among the most iconic, rockin’ hits in your ears to maintain the music and adrenaline pumping. Walt Disney World additionally teased that G-Drive Information may launch a live performance setlist quickly.
There are additionally a pair particulars right here which are notable to me, the primary of which is that Electrical Mayhem goes to be performing the music performed on the journey. Observe that it says “the” rockin’ hits versus “their” rockin’ hits, suggesting Electrical Mayhem will play covers of hits.
I’m shocked by this, however not the covers half. Some followers believed this meant “Rainbow Connection” on Rock ‘n’ Curler Coaster, however my expectation was all the time that the on-ride portion was just about the place the Muppets portion of the attraction ended. That they’d be used as a framing gadget for the queue and pre-show, however then there’d be a “story excuse” to play a distinct band or mainstream hits.
I’m very pleased to be unsuitable about that! Once more, this demonstrates that Disney is all-in on the idea and investing extra money than beforehand thought on the reimagining. I simply hope it doesn’t backfire.
One of many nice strengths of Cosmic Rewind is its crowd-pleasing music. I fear that the Muppets don’t have the fanbase to help an everyday curler coaster and received’t resonate with most of the people. However, the typical visitor could not care by some means–the thrills are sufficient for them.
It’s additionally attention-grabbing that the surroundings of Tinseltown will function a Muppet twist. I’d think about which means that lots of the prevailing visuals might be repurposed, which was exactly what we anticipated, however that there might be Muppet visible gags added to the landmarks. I wouldn’t anticipate the cut-out model of the surroundings to vary (in spite of everything, we’ll model be zooming round in a really quick limo at the hours of darkness), however it will be unbelievable if there’s extra to see alongside the way in which.
With all of those new particulars, it’s price revisiting the query of simply how lengthy the Rock ‘n’ Curler Coaster reimagining will take. Take a look at Observe was about one 12 months. Large Thunder Mountain Railroad might be no less than that lengthy. DINOSAUR’s conversion into Indiana Jones Journey will (hopefully) take no less than 18 months.
If RnRC’s reimagining is comparable, Rock ‘n’ Curler Coaster Starring Aerosmith would want to shut ASAP in 2026 to accommodate. We is perhaps speaking a January closing simply to have an opportunity at a November 2026 opening. Even with these promising new updates, we suspect the RnRC reimagining received’t take that lengthy.
The curler coaster monitor and format are nearly definitely going to stay unchanged inside the present gravity constructing, and adjustments to any of that’s what would balloon the timeline of this undertaking. It’s most likely not getting a brand new facade or any structural adjustments to the outside.
Given the idea artwork, we all know the journey automobiles will not be altering (apart from cosmetically). It’s additionally probably that the load space, launch, and unload will probably keep the identical. From what’s been revealed, Imagineering has created story contrivances that provide appreciable overlap with Rock ‘n’ Curler Coaster Starring Aerosmith.
Being a curler coaster at the hours of darkness with minimal props, there’s most likely an honest quantity of prepwork that might be finished after hours whereas Rock ‘n’ Curler Coaster Starring Aerosmith remains to be operational with out company noticing. It’s additionally completely potential that the “Muppet twist” to the props actually simply means tacking on Muppetized (if that’s not an actual phrase, it needs to be) visuals to the prevailing flats. Or creating new ones that go in the identical spots and utilizing the identical infrastructure for the set up.
The trickier and time-consuming adjustments will occur within the queue and pre-show. There are no less than three Audio Animatronics being added to the pre-show, and that’s not merely a matter of plopping down figures. There’s all types {of electrical} and different work that must be finished to prep the area (simply have a look at how lengthy the Hatbox Ghost set up took). We’d additionally anticipate fashionable new screens within the pre-show and loads of different adjustments.
With all of that stated, it’s our understanding that Disney has had contingency plans in place for years that might enable for the in a single day removing of all references to Aerosmith. That Rock ‘n’ Curler Coaster may proceed working, with out closure, within the occasion of an Aerosmith scandal that required Disney to distance itself from the band instantly.
This tangent is related as a result of that very same contingency plan may enable for a reimagining with minimal downtime. It’s completely potential that Imagineering may wall-off the pre-show to perform no less than a portion of what would be the greatest and presumably most time-consuming adjustments to the attraction whereas it’s nonetheless operational. It is because, in contrast to many different sights, the non-skippable security spiel isn’t in the course of the pre-show.
With the doorways open on that pre-show room permitting for company to go by means of, this theoretically opens the door for the Muppets Mayhem takeover to return to life with much less downtime than would in any other case be required. At this level, we all know sufficient to fairly imagine this received’t be an in a single day switchover. However there’s lots of work that might occur in a single day whereas the journey remains to be working if that’s what Walt Disney World needed to do. That is how the Jungle Cruise reimagining was performed post-COVID, for reference.
My wager is that this finally ends up being someplace in between, and the reimagining into Rock ‘n’ Curler Coaster Starring the Muppets takes no less than 6 months. Once more, my perspective is just about: the longer, the higher.
Perhaps it’s not simply Audio Animatronics within the pre-show, possibly the following large shock reveal might be Statler and Waldorf on the finale (or launch!). I’d love nothing greater than for this journey to make pretty bold adjustments to the queue, pre-show, and post-show. If it in some way takes a full 12 months, that’s completely phenomenal in my guide.
Not solely does it imply that Rock ‘n’ Curler Coaster Starring the Muppets might be a greater attraction, but it surely will increase the chance that the fun journey will stick round for no less than a decade, maybe extra. The longer the closure and the extra money spent, the longer Rock ‘n’ Curler Coaster Starring the Muppets sticks round.
My honest hope is that Rock ‘n’ Curler Coaster Starring Aerosmith closes on January 5, 2026 and Rock ‘n’ Curler Coaster Starring the Muppets opens on December 11, 2026. That might be absolutely the best-case state of affairs based mostly on what we now know. That’s what I wrote earlier than, whereas additionally saying that I extremely doubted it’d be that prolonged of a undertaking. I nonetheless doubt it’ll take that lengthy, however minus the “extremely” half.
An inexpensive middle-of-the-road timeline could be closing the present model after Spring Break season (mid-April 2026) and Rock ‘n’ Curler Coaster Starring the Muppets debuting between Fall Break and Veterans Day 2026. A timeline on this ballpark is smart, and likewise would possibly imply that each the reimagined Rock ‘n’ Curler Coaster and reimagined Animation Courtyard may debut at or across the similar time.
One other very actual chance is that the closure and opening happen seemingly at random. This has been occurring an increasing number of with Walt Disney World closures and openings. It’s additionally potential that timelines are dictated by when Millennium Falcon Smugglers Run goes down–if it goes down. And even by routine refurbishments. There are lots of transferring items, and DHS needs to be cautious with timing (not the intense extent as Animal Kingdom, however extra so than Magic Kingdom).
Until they actually work exhausting to maintain the journey operational at the same time as work is being finished to the outside, pre-show and journey portion of Rock ‘n’ Curler Coaster, I simply don’t see this reimagining being a lot shorter than 6 months. Maybe it’s nonetheless wishful pondering on my half, however I now absolutely anticipate Rock ‘n’ Curler Coaster to be closed for extra of 2026 than it’s open. Most likely sounds odd to hope for extra downtime of a headliner, however I’m taking part in the long-game on a Muppetized journey I need to take pleasure in for the following decade-plus.
As all the time, the largest saving grace for Rock ‘n’ Curler Coaster Starring the Muppets is that there are hardcore Muppets followers in Walt Disney Imagineering. We identified beforehand that this implies they’ll battle for a wholesome price range, fairly lengthy reimagining, reusing components from MuppetVision that might in any other case be discarded, and having as a lot distinctive Muppets humor as potential.
This being a ardour undertaking is an excellent factor, even when it’s achieved on a good price range (that’s how we obtained PizzeRizzo). It now seems as if no less than a few of that is correct, so kudos to the WDI undertaking workforce. I can’t wait to see how they pull off this journey reimagining, even when it’ll by no means absolutely change MuppetVision. Then once more, possibly it received’t must…in the event that they do such a great job that this results in a future Muppets Courtyard on this space!
Planning a Walt Disney World journey? Find out about resorts on our Walt Disney World Lodges Critiques web page. For the place to eat, learn our Walt Disney World Restaurant Critiques. To save cash on tickets or decide which sort to purchase, learn our Suggestions for Saving Cash on Walt Disney World Tickets publish. Our What to Pack for Disney Journeys publish takes a novel have a look at intelligent gadgets to take. For what to do and when to do it, our Walt Disney World Trip Guides will assist. For complete recommendation, the very best place to start out is our Walt Disney World Journey Planning Information for every thing you want to know!
YOUR THOUGHTS
Does this new reveal have you ever extra excited for Rock ‘n’ Curler Coaster Starring the Muppets? Blissful to see it’ll have Audio Animatronics and different adjustments to the outside, queue, pre-show, and ride-through? Predictions on closing and opening dates? Assume this might be a brief reimagining or a prolonged one? Are you upset concerning the Muppets changing Aerosmith, Monsters changing MuppetVision, or each? Do you agree or disagree with our assessments? Any questions we can assist 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 under within the feedback!
