Disney to Retire Aerosmith-Themed Rock ’n’ Roller Coaster After 26 Years
After more than two decades as one of Walt Disney World’s most recognizable attractions, the Aerosmith-branded Rock ’n’ Roller Coaster at Disney’s Hollywood Studios is officially approaching the end of its run. The resort confirmed this week that the ride will permanently remove Aerosmith’s branding and storyline, closing in spring 2026 for a full thematic overhaul that will introduce a new musical act: the Muppets’ Electric Mayhem.
The decision marks a significant shift for the park. Since opening in 1999, Rock ’n’ Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith has been one of Hollywood Studios’ marquee thrill rides, known for its indoor launch, high-speed loops, and an original preshow video featuring the band in a recording studio. Riders boarded a “stretch limousine,” accelerated from zero to 57 mph, and sped through a stylized nighttime version of Los Angeles while Aerosmith hits played through individual speakers in each vehicle.
Disney’s plans signal the end of all Aerosmith elements, including the fictional record-label storyline, archival footage, and on-ride soundtrack. When the attraction reopens in summer 2026, guests will step into a fully reimagined experience centered around the Electric Mayhem, the Muppets’ long-running in-universe rock band led by Dr. Teeth, Animal, Janice, Floyd Pepper, Zoot, and Lips. Earlier this year, Disney revealed broader intentions to expand the Muppets’ footprint within Hollywood Studios, making the Electric Mayhem coaster a key piece of that initiative.
While the track layout and core ride system will remain intact, Disney says the redesigned version will introduce a new narrative: guests will board “a very fast limousine” on a frantic road trip through Hollywood, racing to make it to an Electric Mayhem concert on time. The attraction will feature a new soundtrack performed by the band, designed to mirror the original coaster’s sense of speed and musical immersion.
This is not the first time an Aerosmith coaster has been rebranded. The matching installation at Disneyland Paris closed in 2019 and reopened in 2022 as Avengers Assemble: Flight Force, themed to Marvel superheroes. The Florida version, however, has remained largely unchanged since its debut, making its upcoming transformation one of the most notable updates to Hollywood Studios in recent years.
Rock ’n’ Roller Coaster became a cultural fixture at the peak of Aerosmith’s late-Nineties resurgence, launching shortly after the success of “I Don’t Want to Miss a Thing.” Its combination of high-energy rock music, indoor lighting effects, and a rare Disney inversion coaster turned it into a staple for generations of parkgoers. The decision to retire the Aerosmith storyline follows years of speculation about the attraction’s long-term future, especially as Disney has continued expanding IP-driven areas within the park.
An exact closure date has not been announced, but the ride will operate through the end of 2025, giving guests one final year to experience the original version before construction begins in early 2026.
The Electric Mayhem reimagining is expected to debut in summer 2026, adding a new chapter to the coaster’s 26-year legacy while anchoring Disney’s growing commitment to revitalizing the Muppets brand for a new generation.
