What’s CHANGED at Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster After Its LONG Closure?

A long Disney World refurbishment has FINALLY ended!

Rock is BACK!

Hollywood Studios’ Rock ’n’ Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith bid adieu for a long maintenance and refurbishment project in January, and remained closed for the duration of the year since. Initially, the coaster was listed as reopening in the “summer of 2024.” In late spring, Walt Disney World’s calendar was updated to show the ride would first be operating on July 27th. Last week, that changed to July 1st, which was the date we were “sure” of… until this weekend.

On Sunday, June 30th, with no advance fanfare, Rock ’n’ Roller Coaster held soft openings for the first time in half a year! So was anything new in the vaunted attraction?

 

In short, no.

Despite ever-present – – and often easily debunk-able – – rumors that the coaster would be losing its Aerosmith theme (the more prevalent current rumor sees them being replaced with Queen, but over the years it’s been everything from High School Musical and Hannah Montana to Mickey Mouse and The Descendants), the pre-show and ride experience remains essentially unchanged. As was essentially confirmed before it began, the months-long closure of the ride had more to do with repairing and upgrading “under-the-hood” technical aspects of the attraction than it did its actual theme.

The coaster’s ride vehicle.

The gift shop at the attraction’s exit remained virtually the same as well, offering ride-specific merchandise along with some more general Disney-related merchandise. This included numerous Stitch items, which fits thematically since Experiment 626 fancies himself a “King of Rock” after all.

Elvis Stitch Meet-and-Greet

After what seemed to be a successful soft opening on June 30th, crowds began rope-dropping the coaster early on July 1st to experience the attraction. However, they were disappointed to find the ride down for the early part of the morning, ruining the vibe of its big return. Oh rock stars, always fashionably late.

Lots of people were waiting to ride the coaster, and it stayed down for a good part of the first hour that Hollywood Studios was open. However, the ride reopened around 10:15AM, which brought cheers from the waiting visitors.

A large crowd waiting for the Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster on July 1st.

Rock ’n’ Roller Coaster’s return will be a boon for Disney’s Hollywood Studios, as the thrill ride being available should better disperse crowds to the park’s Sunset Boulevard area, and provide at least some relief to the wait times of the park’s other major attractions like Slinky Dog Dash, Rise of the Resistance, Tower of Terror, and Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway.

Aerosmith’s presence on the Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster was a major change for Disney at the time.

Originally opened in 1999, the Rock ’n’ Roller Coaster holds the distinction of being the first coaster with an inversion at any U.S. Disney park, as well as being the fastest ride at Walt Disney World. According to theme park urban legend, Disney considered several bands – – including The Rolling Stones, U2, and KISS – – to serve as the ride’s soundtrack before striking a deal with Aerosmith. The so-called “Bad Boys of Boston” were riding a wave of popularity in 1999, buoyed by a late 1980s/early 1990s comeback that had culminated in the #1 single “I Don’t Wanna Miss a Thing” (not so coincidently from the soundtrack to the Disney-produced Armageddon). The band’s relevancy has taken a dip in the last two decades, which – – along with singer Steven Tyler’s alleged legal issues – – is likely why rumors of the band being replaced often crop up around the ride.

The Rock ’n’ Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith, one of the most thrilling attractions at Walt Disney World, is back after a long maintenance project and – – for better or worse – – is still offering the same experience! Stay tuned to DFB for further updates on the attraction.

Jollywood Nights Is Coming BACK to Disney’s Hollywood Studios in 2024

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Do you enjoy the Rock ’n’ Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith as is, or do you wish to see the attraction changed? Let us know in the comments below.

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