After Nearly Three Decades, Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Enters Its Final Week
If you’ve ever walked down Sunset Boulevard and heard the distant sound of a screaming guitar, you know exactly where you were headed.
Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith has been a staple at Disney’s Hollywood Studios since 1999. For years, it has stood as one of the park’s most intense experiences. But now, that chapter is officially coming to a close.
March 1 will be the final day guests can ride the Aerosmith version before it permanently shuts down on March 2.
That final date hits differently because this isn’t just a refresh. It’s a complete retheme.
For decades, the ride offered something unique in Disney’s lineup. It was loud. Fast. Slightly rebellious by Disney standards. Riders blasted off in a super-stretch limo, rocketing into darkness before flipping through inversions while Aerosmith tracks played at full volume.
It balanced Hollywood Studios’ attraction mix perfectly. Families could explore Toy Story Land or Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, but thrill-seekers knew exactly where to go for a serious adrenaline rush.
Now, that original theme is being retired.
Disney has confirmed the coaster will return with The Muppets taking over the storyline. The Electric Mayhem band will reportedly lead the charge, shifting the tone from hard rock concert chaos to Muppet-style musical mayhem.
It’s an interesting swap. The ride system itself isn’t going anywhere. The high-speed launch and inversions should remain. But the personality of the attraction is about to change completely.
Closures like this always bring out emotion. Some guests feel excited about something new. Others feel nostalgic about what they’re losing. Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster falls squarely into that emotional category because it’s been around long enough to span generations.
Parents who rode it in the early 2000s now ride it with their kids.
That’s what makes this final week significant. It’s the last chance to hear Steven Tyler invite you to the show. The last chance to zoom past glowing freeway signs with Aerosmith blasting in your ears.
After March 1, that version becomes history.
If you want one more ride, now’s the time to plan it. Expect crowds. Expect long waits. But also expect that bittersweet feeling that only comes when a Disney classic takes its final bow.
