Disney World permanently removes Aerosmith from Rock 'n' Roller Coaster preshow - Disney World makes permanent change to Rock 'n' Roller Coaster preshow

Disney World has officially retired the iconic preshow for Rock 'n' Roller Coaster that featured Aerosmith. The pre-ride sequence, which included appearances by the band, a young Ken Marino, and Illeana Douglas, is no longer part of the attraction as Disney prepares for a major transformation.

Starting in 2026, the roller coaster at Disney's Hollywood Studios will be reimagined with a Muppets theme. Guests will now encounter Kermit, Scooter, and the penguin animatronics from the former MuppetVision 3D show, along with Dr. Teeth and the Electric Mayhem band. The new storyline will have riders searching for the missing Electric Mayhem crew as they prepare for their biggest Hollywood concert.

The original Aerosmith preshow introduced visitors to the ride's story, showing a recording session and the journey through busy highways to reach a concert. Disney has removed it to allow phased construction of the Muppets version while keeping downtime for guests minimal. The coaster itself, which debuted in 1999, will continue operating during the transition.

Disney first revealed plans for the Muppets to move into the Rock 'n' Roller Coaster space in November 2024. This announcement followed the closure of MuppetVision 3D, which had been a staple since 1991 and was one of Jim Hensons final projects. Disney has indicated that the theater-style show may return in some form in the future.

Alongside these changes, Disney World and Disneyland are introducing new experiences based on popular properties. The Bluey franchise will arrive at Disneylands Fantasyland Theatre on March 22, 2026, with an immersive show called Bluey's Best Day Ever!, while Animal Kingdom will feature another Bluey-themed experience later in 2026. Dinoland, U.S.A. at Animal Kingdom is also being revamped with Central America-inspired areas, including an Encanto ride and an Indiana Jones retheme of the Dinosaur attraction.

Magic Kingdom will soon welcome Villains Land, uniting multiple Disney villains in a single space, following the expansion of a new Cars-themed area.

Rock 'n' Roller Coaster Starring the Muppets is scheduled to open in summer 2026 at Disney's Hollywood Studios.

Author: Sophia Brooks