The Aerosmith Era: Remembering Rock 'n' Roller Coaster 1999-2026
Rock 'n' Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith launched riders from 0 to 57 mph in 2.8 seconds, a stat that held up for almost 27 years before the ride closed on March 2, 2026 [Wikipedia]. It was the only launched coaster at Disney's Hollywood Studios, and for most of its run, the fastest ride in the resort behind Test Track.
How it opened
Construction began in February 1998, with the attraction announced that April. Built by manufacturer Vekoma, the coaster officially opened on July 29, 1999, timed to Disney-MGM Studios' 10th anniversary, with a launch party that made Aerosmith the guests of honor [Wikipedia].
The ride was built entirely indoors, in the dark, on Sunset Boulevard. Riders sat in stretch-limo-themed vehicles, six cars per train, 24 riders per train, and hit the launch speed in the time it takes to read this sentence out loud.
The numbers behind the ride
| Spec | Value |
|---|---|
| Opened | July 29, 1999 |
| Closed (Aerosmith version) | March 2, 2026 |
| Manufacturer | Vekoma |
| Launch | 0-57 mph in 2.8 seconds |
| Height | 80 feet |
| Track length | 3,267.7 feet |
| Inversions | 3 |
| G-force | Up to 5 Gs |
| Ride duration | 1 minute 22 seconds |
| Hourly capacity | 1,800 riders |
Source: Wikipedia
Rock 'n' Roller Coaster was also the first Walt Disney World coaster built with multiple inversions, a distinction that outlasted the Aerosmith soundtrack and the limo theming by more than two decades.
What replaced it
Rock 'n' Roller Coaster Starring The Muppets opened on May 26, 2026, replacing the Aerosmith theming with Jim Henson puppets and celebrity musician guest stars. The new version carries Lightning Lane Tier 1, Hollywood Studios' top reservation category.
In our wait-time data, the Muppets version already averages 47.5 minutes, the second-longest average wait at Hollywood Studios behind Slinky Dog Dash's 56.0 minutes and just ahead of Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance's 45.1 minutes.
| Attraction | Zone | Avg wait (min) |
|---|---|---|
| Slinky Dog Dash | Toy Story Land | 56.0 |
| Rock 'n' Roller Coaster Starring The Muppets | Sunset Boulevard | 47.5 |
| Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance | Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge | 45.1 |
The launch track, the 80-foot layout, and the indoor darkness are unchanged from the Aerosmith era. What changed is the soundtrack, the theming, and now, the crowd it draws.
For the full story on the new version, read Rock 'n' Roller Coaster Starring The Muppets: what changed. For the Galaxy's Edge attraction that added its own new storyline the same month, see Millennium Falcon gets a Mandalorian mission. To plan around all of Hollywood Studios' current wait times, see our Hollywood Studios touring plan and Disney's May 2026 ride closures.
Live and typical waits for the current lineup at Hollywood Studios are at parkautopilot.com/wait-times/hollywood-studios.
Sources
- Rock 'n' Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith — Wikipedia
- Rock N Roller Coaster — AllEars.Net
- Disney World Lightning Lane changes, May 27 2026 — MickeyVisit
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