(Review) 5 things we loved about Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring the Muppets
After months of speculation and debate among Disney fans, Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring the Muppets is finally opening at Disney’s Hollywood Studios — and after previewing the attraction ourselves, we came away pleasantly surprised by just how much Disney packed into the reimagined experience.
Matt Roseboom, publisher of Attractions Magazine, shares his thoughts in this firsthand review.
While the coaster itself remains largely intact, the attraction surrounding it now feels completely transformed with new music, hidden jokes, queue additions, MuppetVision references, and plenty of chaotic Muppets energy.
Here are five things our team loved most about Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring the Muppets. Please note our review is from a hosted media experience.
1. The queue is loaded with Muppets comedy
One of the biggest surprises is how much effort Disney put into the queue experience itself. Shortly after entering the building, guests arrive in a rotunda area featuring more than 30 minutes of Muppets skits, celebrity cameos, backstage videos, and jokes playing throughout the space. The clips genuinely feel like classic Muppets humor.
Because there are so many different video segments, the queue also feels surprisingly replayable, especially for longtime fans who enjoy spotting smaller references and visual gags.
Photo by Matt Roseboom
Spotted! This trash can in the queue has a bumper sticker with a quote from Jim Henson on it, “My hope still is to leave the world a bit better than when I got here.” See our photo below.
Photo by Matt Roseboom
2. Scooter completely steals the pre-show
The new pre-show featuring Scooter is easily one of the strongest additions to the attraction. The audio-animatronic itself is expressive and energetic, but the surrounding scene is what really works. The Muppets’ signature backstage-disaster-style comedy is upfront and center while still preserving some of the pacing and structure of the original attraction setup.
Photo by Matt Roseboom
Fans of Muppet*Vision 3D will likely notice several nods hidden throughout the room, including familiar props, references, and even reused lines from the former attraction.
There is also a fun re-ride element built into the experience. Different Muppets interrupt the pre-show depending on the ride cycle, giving returning guests slightly different versions of the scene each time.
Spotted! Look for rainbow wires as a “rainbow connection” reference as well as Kermit’s banjo next to a stunning guitar preserved from the Aerosmith iteration of the ride.
3. The ride still feels intense
For fans worried Disney softened the coaster itself, the good news is that Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster still feels very much like Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster. The launch remains intense, the inversions are still aggressive, and the ride maintains the same fast-paced darkness and energy longtime riders expect.
Nearly all of the visuals throughout the ride have been “Muppet-ified,” replacing the original Los Angeles concert imagery with colorful effects, jokes, and chaotic Muppets moments. Combined with the new onboard soundtrack and character audio, the coaster now feels like a runaway backstage Muppets adventure.
Surprisingly, that chaotic tone fits the coaster extremely well.
Photo by Matt Roseboom
4. The attraction rewards fans
One of the best parts of the attraction is spotting all the hidden references. But there is no way you’ll catch it all in one or even two rides.
The queue and pre-show are filled with nods to both the original ‘Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith’ and the now-closed Muppet*Vision 3D. Fans will notice familiar props, visual callbacks and smaller Easter eggs tucked throughout the experience.
During the pre-show video, there is a clip of “experiment 07291999” — a nod to the original July 29, 1999 opening date of ‘Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith.’
Side note: There are so many we’re still working on compiling them all, stay tuned!
We especially loved seeing references to the Muppet Mobile Lab technology in the queue, even if we still wish it were actively roaming Epcot or the courtyard outside. There are also plenty of smaller jokes and visual details that reward repeat rides and careful observation.
Not familiar with the Muppet Mobile Lab? Watch our YouTube video below.
5. Statler and Waldorf get the perfect final moment
One of the loudest crowd reactions during previews came near the end of the attraction. Statler and Waldorf, beloved from ‘Muppet*Vision 3D,’ now appear near the unload area delivering their trademark commentary and jokes. It is a relatively small addition, but one that perfectly captures the spirit of the Muppets and ties the experience together emotionally for longtime fans.
The attraction’s final moments leave guests laughing, which is one of the biggest differences between this version and the original.
Final thoughts
Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring the Muppets is more substantial than we initially feared. It fits the attraction’s base. It is still noticeable that the Muppets probably would not have been placed in this slot for an attraction if they had received a new one built from scratch, but there is enough fan service to make it forgivable.
Disney kept the core thrill ride experience intact while rebuilding much of the attraction’s personality around Muppets humor, backstage chaos, replayability, and fan-service details. The result is a coaster that still delivers the intensity guests expect, but with true Muppet chaos.
Attractions Magazine will continue sharing additional coverage, tips, and video (head to our YouTube channel) from Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring the Muppets at Disney’s Hollywood Studios as the attraction officially opens to guests.
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