Less Than 24 Hours Left To Enjoy This Disney World 1999 Attraction Before Its Gone Forever
Fans Begin Their Goodbyes After 17 Years
There’s something about walking down Sunset Boulevard at Disney’s Hollywood Studios that feels electric. The hum of neon lights, the distant screams from high-speed attractions, and the promise of cinematic adventure have defined this park for generations of Walt Disney World guests.
For many, that anticipation has always led to one place: the looming guitar outside Soundstage 15. It’s bold. It’s loud. It practically vibrates with energy. And for nearly three decades, it has signaled one of the most intense experiences in Disney theme park history.
Fans are heartbroken this weekend—not because of a temporary refurbishment or routine maintenance—but because something far more permanent is happening.
Guests Sense a Major Shift Happening Behind the Scenes
Over the years, Hollywood Studios has transformed dramatically. Lands have evolved. Stories have changed. The Walt Disney Company has leaned deeper into beloved franchises and nostalgic characters to keep the park fresh for new generations.
Still, some attractions feel untouchable.
One particular thrill ride—synonymous with screaming guitars and high-octane launches—has stood as a rite of passage since 1999. It was Disney’s first roller coaster with inversions, blasting guests from 0 to 57 mph in just 2.8 seconds and pulling between 4 and 5 Gs before flipping riders upside down.
Now, as crowds pour in this weekend, there’s a sense that time is running out.
A Ride That Redefined What “Thrill” Meant at Disney World
When Rock ’n’ Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith opened in 1999, it changed the game. Inside its 68,131-square-foot home labeled “Soundstage 15,” guests boarded 24-passenger “super stretch limos” equipped with 120 onboard speakers pumping more than 32,000 watts of audio power.
The 3,403-foot indoor track features two roll-over loops and a corkscrew, sending riders through neon Los Angeles landmarks—including the Hollywood sign and a giant doughnut—on a mad dash to make an Aerosmith concert.
Five different trains deliver unique synchronized soundtracks, including “Sweet Emotion,” “Love in an Elevator,” and “Walk This Way.” There’s even a reserve track, “What Kind of Love Are You On?” used in case of audio issues.
Hidden Mickeys are embedded in every vanity plate—1QKLIMO, UGOGIRL, BUHBYE, 2FAST4U, and H8TRFFC—with each Imagineer sneaking in their birthday as part of the design.
The queue itself immerses guests in G-Force Records, a fictional label founded in the 1930s that mysteriously declined after a 1939 incident at the neighboring Hollywood Tower Hotel. When the hotel reopened, G-Force rebuilt, adding the now-iconic 40-foot Stratocaster guitar whose neck morphs into a 320-foot coaster track.
Even Aerosmith members Steve Tyler and Joe Perry rode the attraction 12 consecutive times during previews, requesting changes to the preshow studio setup to match their real-life configuration.
But now, the curtain is closing.
March 1 Marks the Final Performance for Aerosmith’s High-Speed Launch
This weekend is officially your final chance to experience Rock ’n’ Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith in its original form.
The attraction will close at the end of operations on March 1, 2026. Park hours for Saturday, February 28, and Sunday, March 1, run from 8:30 a.m. to 9:00 p.m., with Early Entry beginning at 8:00 a.m. for Disney Resort hotel guests.
When it reopens in summer 2026, it will return as Rock ’n’ Roller Coaster Starring The Muppets.
While the high-speed launch, inversions, and overall thrill ride experience will remain intact, the storyline and music will shift dramatically. Guests will follow the Electric Mayhem on a frantic dash across Hollywood as they try to reach their biggest concert yet. Inside the reimagined G-Force Records—now under Muppet management—Scooter will attempt to wrangle the band while penguin audio engineers manage the chaos.
Disney has confirmed this will be the first time Scooter appears as a Muppet Audio-Animatronics figure, with hints that additional Muppet characters may appear throughout the experience.
The end of an era is here—but so is a bold new beginning.
Social Media Is Divided as Fans Say Goodbye and Look Ahead
On X and Reddit, emotions are running high. Some longtime fans are scrambling to secure Lightning Lane reservations or rope-drop strategies to squeeze in one last ride with Aerosmith’s soundtrack blasting in their ears.
“Not ready to say goodbye,” one fan posted. Others are embracing the change, excited to see the Electric Mayhem finally headline a major Disney thrill ride.
It’s a rare moment where nostalgia and anticipation collide.
For future travelers planning spring and summer 2026 trips, this closure means adjusting expectations. If Aerosmith’s version is on your bucket list, this weekend is truly your final opportunity.
After that, Hollywood Studios will enter a transitional period—one that signals The Walt Disney Company’s continued investment in its classic characters while preserving the coaster’s signature adrenaline rush.
So what do you think? Are you racing to ride one last time, or are you ready to rock with the Muppets?
Either way, the countdown has begun.
