The “Studios” are officially entering their next act, and the script is being rewritten in real-time. While much of the recent buzz at Walt Disney World has focused on the massive construction walls at Animal Kingdom, a paper trail of four new permits filed this week reveals that the most immediate and exciting transformations are actually happening at Disney’s Hollywood Studios.
According to the latest filings, the park is moving at breakneck speed to prepare for a “Summer of Transformation.” These permits don’t just represent minor maintenance; they provide a blueprint for the two projects that will define the park’s 2026 season: the high-octane Muppet reimagining of Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster and the nostalgic return of the Magic of Disney Animation.
If you are planning a visit this year, Hollywood Studios is about to look—and sound—very different. Here is a deep dive into the 4 new permits and the three massive projects they represent.
1. The Muppets Take Sunset Boulevard: A Coaster Revolution
The most significant news for thrill-seekers involves the towering guitar at the end of Sunset Boulevard. While Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith has been a staple of the park for decades, its final encore is just one month away. Disney has officially confirmed that the ride will permanently close on March 2, 2026, with March 1 as the final day of operation for the Aerosmith version.
Three of the four permits filed today are dedicated to the rapid-fire transformation of this attraction into Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring The Muppets.
The Permit Breakdown:
- Elite A/V System Inc (Electrical): This permit focuses on the massive electrical overhaul needed for the ride’s new “psychedelic” lighting package and the launch tunnel’s reimagined media.
- Solotech (Electrical): A second electrical permit, likely tied to the intricate show control systems that synchronize the coaster’s high-speed movements with a new, chaotic soundtrack.
- Sign Producers Inc (Signage): This is the visual confirmation fans have been waiting for. This permit covers the removal of the G-Force Records icons and the installation of new Muppet-themed signage, both inside and outside the attraction.
The Story: Dr. Teeth and the Electric Mayhem
The new storyline for the coaster is pure Muppet chaos. Following the events of The Muppets Mayhem, Scooter is now the production manager for the Electric Mayhem, and he’s frantically trying to get the band to the biggest gig of their careers. Guests will receive VIP passes and walk through a recording studio that has been “Muppet-ized.” Keep an eye out for Scooter himself appearing as a first-of-its-kind Audio-Animatronic in the pre-show to keep the queue moving.
2. The Return of the Magic of Disney Animation
Across the park, the “Animation Courtyard” is finally shedding its temporary Star Wars identity. The fourth permit filed today, assigned to Design Communications Ltd., is for the installation of signage at the former home of the Star Wars Launch Bay.
This permit signals the final stages of the area’s rebranding into the Walt Disney Studios Lot. The centerpiece of this land will be the return of the Magic of Disney Animation, a reimagined experience that honors the legacy of the original 1989 attraction while utilizing modern technology.
What to Expect in the New Courtyard:
- The Animation Academy: The fan-favorite drawing classes are officially coming back. Guests will once again be able to sit down with a Disney artist and learn to sketch their favorite characters.
- “Once Upon a Studio” Integration: The new experience is heavily inspired by the “Once Upon a Studio” short film. Expect interactive environments where characters from 100 years of Disney history appear to “live” within the building’s walls through advanced projection mapping.
- Hooray for Trees: In a move that has stunned long-time fans, Disney has removed the concrete wasteland aesthetic of the courtyard and planted multiple mature, majestic trees, mimicking the lush look of the actual Burbank studio lot.
3. The Monstropolis Shadow: Preparing for the Door Coaster
While the permits filed today focus on the immediate 2026 openings, they also hint at the infrastructure shifts needed for the elephant—or monster—in the room: Monstropolis.
Work on Monsters, Inc. Land is currently focused on the former Muppet Courtyard area. While the Muppets are moving to Sunset Boulevard, their old home is being systematically dismantled to make way for the first-ever “Door Coaster.” Foundations for the massive new show building were poured last month, and the scale of the site is reportedly “massive,” visible even from the parking lot.
The coordination of these permits suggests a “musical chairs” strategy: Disney is rushing to open the Walt Disney Studios Lot and the Muppet Coaster by Summer 2026 to provide enough park capacity for when the heavy vertical construction on Monstropolis begins in earnest later this year.
What This Means for Your 2026 Vacation
The filing of these permits confirms that Hollywood Studios is currently a park in “Fast-Forward Mode.” If you are visiting in the spring or summer of 2026, here is the reality:
- Sunset Boulevard will be the bottleneck: With Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster closed for the Muppet retheme from March to June, expect wait times for Tower of Terror to skyrocket.
- Animation is the New Oasis: The new “Walt Disney Studios Lot” area is being designed as a place to linger, with shade, seating, and a Mary Blair-inspired playground titled “Drawn to Wonderland.”
- The Final Encore: If you want one last ride with Aerosmith, you have until March 1, 2026. After that, the Super Stretch Limo officially belongs to the Muppets.
The $60 Billion Vision: Why the Studios?
Disney is clearly positioning Hollywood Studios as its “IP Powerhouse.” By simultaneously launching a Pixar expansion, a Muppet reimagining, and a return to classic animation history, the park is moving away from its “behind-the-scenes” roots and toward a “living the movies” philosophy.
As the Elite A/V Systems and Sign Producers Inc. crews begin executing these new permits this week, the message is clear: Hollywood Studios is no longer waiting for the future—it’s building it.
Are you ready to rock with the Electric Mayhem, or will you miss the Aerosmith era? Let us know in the comments!
