Disney Imagineers Take Major Step Forward on Muppets Coaster for 2026

For a while now, Rock ’n’ Roller Coaster has felt like it’s been stuck between eras.

Guests still blast out of the station at full speed, but something has clearly shifted. Pre-show areas have been blocked off. Construction walls have quietly appeared. And Disney, uncharacteristically, hasn’t rushed to explain much of anything. That silence has been doing a lot of work.

Now, we finally know why.

Disney Imagineers have taken a significant step forward on the long-discussed Muppets transformation of Rock ’n’ Roller Coaster, confirming that the project has officially moved beyond planning and into physical construction. It’s the clearest sign yet that this isn’t just a concept for the future — it’s happening.

A Shift From Planning to Reality

Up to this point, much of the conversation around the Muppets coaster lived in the abstract. Fans debated tone. Others worried about legacy. Some wondered if Disney would quietly scale back the idea altogether.

But the latest developments make one thing clear: Imagineers are no longer theorizing. They’re building.

Physical set work marks a turning point in any attraction overhaul. It means creative decisions have been locked in enough to move forward, environments are being installed, and the vision is starting to take shape behind the walls. Once this stage begins, projects rarely reverse course.

That’s why this moment feels heavier than previous updates.

Why This Change Feels Different

Rock ’n’ Roller Coaster isn’t just another thrill ride. Since 1999, it’s been one of Disney’s boldest attractions — loud, fast, and unapologetically intense. It also hasn’t undergone a true identity shift in its entire history.

That’s part of what makes this transition so emotional for longtime fans, especially following the closure of MuppetVision 3D. For many guests, that show represented the heart of the Muppets at Walt Disney World. Losing it raised real concerns about whether the characters still had a meaningful place in the parks.

This coaster appears to be Disney’s answer.

What the Muppets Coaster Is Expected to Deliver

The new attraction will center on Electric Mayhem, with familiar characters like Kermit, Miss Piggy, and Scooter guiding guests through a frantic, music-fueled storyline. The core coaster experience — the launch, speed, and inversions — is expected to remain, while the story and atmosphere change dramatically.

Instead of celebrity swagger, the tone shifts toward chaos, comedy, and controlled disaster. The success of that pivot will depend heavily on the physical sets now being installed. On a ride this fast, visuals need to communicate story instantly.

This phase of construction will likely determine whether the humor lands — or gets lost in the noise.

The Timeline Is Closing In

Disney has confirmed that guests will only have a short window in early 2026 to experience Rock ’n’ Roller Coaster in its current form. The ride is expected to close in the spring, with the Muppets version opening later that summer.

That creates a compressed, emotional countdown. Fans are already planning final rides, while Imagineers quietly dismantle pieces of the old experience behind the scenes.

It’s a deliberate transition, not a gradual fade.

A Bigger Statement for Hollywood Studios

This change isn’t happening in isolation. Disney’s Hollywood Studios is in another period of reinvention, and placing the Muppets at the center of a marquee thrill ride sends a clear message: these characters aren’t being phased out — they’re being repositioned.

Whether that gamble pays off remains uncertain. But with construction now underway, the debate has officially shifted from “if” to “how well.”

The walls are up. The sets are coming. And 2026 is no longer a distant idea — it’s right around the corner.