Rock 'n' Roller Coaster Starring The Muppets: What Changed
Rock 'n' Roller Coaster Starring The Muppets opened May 26, 2026, at Disney's Hollywood Studios, replacing the Aerosmith version with Jim Henson puppets and celebrity musician guest stars. The new ride carries Lightning Lane Tier 1, Hollywood Studios' top reservation category [Disney Tourist Blog] [MickeyVisit].
What actually changed
The launch track, the indoor darkness, and the 80-foot layout are the same coaster that opened in 1999. What Disney swapped out is the theming and soundtrack: Aerosmith's stretch-limo storyline is gone, replaced by a Muppets-driven concept featuring Jim Henson's puppet cast and celebrity musician cameos. The Lightning Lane Tier 1 placement puts it in the same reservation tier as the park's other top-demand attractions.
Where it ranks now
Rock 'n' Roller Coaster Starring The Muppets already averages 47.5 minutes in our wait-time data, the second-longest average wait of any Hollywood Studios attraction.
| Attraction | Zone | Avg wait (min) | Peak hourly avg (min) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Slinky Dog Dash | Toy Story Land | 56.0 | 87 |
| Rock 'n' Roller Coaster Starring The Muppets | Sunset Boulevard | 47.5 | 72 |
| Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance | Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge | 45.1 | 90 |
Slinky Dog Dash still out-waits it, and Rise of the Resistance trails close behind. Three months after its Aerosmith-era predecessor closed, the Muppets version has already established itself as one of the two or three hardest rides to walk onto in the park.
Best and worst times to ride it
The ride's own hour-by-hour data shows a wide gap between morning and midday.
| Metric | Hour | Avg wait (min) |
|---|---|---|
| Best hour | 8am | 26.0 |
| Worst hour | 12pm | 57.3 |
Riding at 8am instead of noon cuts the typical wait by more than half. Given that the ride now sits in Lightning Lane Tier 1, guests without a reservation are best served treating this as an early-morning or Lightning Lane-only attraction.
Related coverage
For the ride's Aerosmith-era history before the retheme, read The Aerosmith Era: remembering Rock 'n' Roller Coaster 1999-2026. For the other major Galaxy's Edge change from the same month, see Millennium Falcon gets a Mandalorian mission. For more on how Lightning Lane tiers work across the resort, see Disney World Lightning Lane and Lightning Lane 2026 changes. To plan your full day around Hollywood Studios' current headliners, our Hollywood Studios touring plan covers ride order.
Current typical waits for Rock 'n' Roller Coaster Starring The Muppets and every Hollywood Studios attraction are at parkautopilot.com/wait-times/hollywood-studios.
Sources
- Lightning Lane strategy changes and new reimagined rides — Disney Tourist Blog
- Disney World Lightning Lane changes, May 27 2026 — MickeyVisit
Ready to put this into practice? Park Autopilot creates your touring plan from real-time wait times. Try it free →
Ready to put this into practice?
Park Autopilot takes everything in this guide and automates it. Just open the app on your park day, and it'll tell you exactly where to go next based on current wait times.
Try Park Autopilot NowRelated Articles
Passholder Appreciation Days Start Aug 15: Expect Crowds
Universal Passholder Appreciation Days run six weeks starting Aug 15, 2026, with 30% off Express Passes. Here is what that means for your visit.
The Lightning Lane Price Ceiling: $45 Days Explained
Magic Kingdom Lightning Lane pricing is forecast to hit $42-45 during peak summer 2026 dates. Here is what drives the ceiling and how EPCOT compares.
Epic Universe Express Pass Now: How It Actually Works
Express Pass Now hit Epic Universe in summer 2026 at $20–$25 per ride, once per attraction per day, with no unlimited option. Here is what that means.