Hollywood Studios Disaster: Disney World Abruptly Restricts Guest Access to New Muppet Coaster

Hollywood Studios felt completely overwhelmed at times on May 26 as Disney officially opened Rock ’n’ Roller Coaster Starring The Muppets to regular guests.

Fans flooded Sunset Boulevard early in the morning, hoping to ride the newly transformed coaster, but many quickly ran into a frustrating reality. The attraction’s popularity is making it incredibly difficult to access, whether guests try to use the standby or Lightning Lane.

For Disney, the debut looks like a major win. For guests inside the park, though, the experience became much more complicated than expected.

Saying Goodbye to Aerosmith

Before The Muppets arrived, Rock ’n’ Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith spent years as one of the park’s most recognizable thrill rides.

The coaster opened in 1999 and became famous for its intense launch, loud rock soundtrack, neon visuals, and upside-down elements. For many Disney World visitors, it was a must-do attraction on every trip to Hollywood Studios.

That is why Disney’s decision to remove the Aerosmith version sparked such strong reactions online.

Some longtime fans were disappointed to lose one of the park’s most nostalgic attractions. Others believed Disney needed to modernize the ride and felt The Muppets offered a fun replacement.

After months of construction and previews, Disney finally launched the updated version this week.

Rock ’n’ Roller Coaster Starring The Muppets Arrives

Disney officially opened the attraction on May 26, and the changes are impossible to miss.

The coaster still uses the same ride track and launch system, but Disney completely redesigned the surrounding story. Guests now join Dr. Teeth and the Electric Mayhem for a much more comedic experience, featuring updated music, effects, and Muppet humor.

The overall vibe feels far more chaotic than the original Aerosmith version, but many guests appear to love that energy.

Early reviews have been surprisingly strong, especially from visitors who initially questioned whether The Muppets could work on a high-speed thrill ride.

Still, the ride’s popularity immediately created problems around the park.

Long Lines Took Over Sunset Boulevard

Opening day crowds hit Hollywood Studios hard.

Guests rushed toward the attraction during both Early Entry and rope drop, causing standby wait times to explode early in the morning. Reports showed waits climbing to 120 minutes as crowds packed Sunset Boulevard.

That demand was not entirely unexpected.

Disney spent months building anticipation for the attraction, and many fans specifically planned trips around the coaster’s debut. Add in the launch of Cool Kid Summer and other entertainment offerings across Disney World, and Hollywood Studios quickly became one of the busiest parks on property.

The biggest frustration for guests, however, may actually be Lightning Lane access.

Guests Are Already Struggling To Get Lightning Lane

Disney included the attraction in Lightning Lane Multi Pass selections at Hollywood Studios, but availability has reportedly become extremely difficult to secure.

Guests checking the My Disney Experience app throughout opening day noticed return windows disappearing almost immediately. Some visitors who purchased Multi Pass later in the day discovered there were no times left.

That creates another challenge inside a park that already has heavy Lightning Lane competition from rides like Slinky Dog Dash, Rise of the Resistance, and Tower of Terror.

If Rock ’n’ Roller Coaster Starring The Muppets is your biggest priority right now, there is a very real chance you may struggle to secure a reservation.

Guests May Need To Change Their Strategy

Interestingly, rope drop may not actually be the best approach right now.

While the attraction saw massive waits during Early Entry, crowds later shifted deeper into the park toward Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge. At one point, the coaster’s wait reportedly dropped to about 45 minutes as guests spread out across Hollywood Studios.

That means waiting until later in the morning could actually improve your chances of riding with a shorter standby line.

Guests visiting Hollywood Studios over the next several weeks may want to pay close attention to crowd movement in the My Disney Experience app as Disney continues to manage demand for its newest coaster.