DHS Disney Confirms Muppets Take Over Rock 'n' Roller Coaster at Hollywood Studios

[TheMaxRebo]

So it’s been a while since this has been announced, and I have to admit…

I’m stoked for this ride to open. Am I upset we’re losing MuppetVision? Yes. I know they’re preserving the footage somehow and we can watch recordings of it on youtube anytime we want, but it’s a shame we’re losing the little details like the queue, showroom, etc.

BUT… this is a going to be a great thing for the Muppets IP in the long run. ever since Splash has gone to Tiana, despite its quality/reception, Tiana has been EVERYWHERE in Disney marketing and merch. I have a feeling this will have a similar effect, especially for younger generations. Now they’ll be raving about “I went on the Muppets ride!” to refer to RNRC. I also think the current RNRC layout is a perfect transition to a Muppets overlay- wouldn’t be surprised if they reuse a lot of the props and theming from MV for the queue/end of the ride. It’s not like it’ll be as obvious that another ride existed there before since RNRC had almost no fantastical theming.

Whatever happens, when this opens, expect to see a LOT more emphasis on the Muppets in WDW since this ride overlay will be the “next big thing” for a few years until Cars/Villains opens (in 2035 at this rate /s).

guess we will see - and can hope. I am sure there will be merch and some push when the overlay opens (whenever that is).

Is nice to see that they have the Muppet intro for the new World of Color at DCA and they did just add the new Muppets wrap to a skyliner car

 

[Coaster Lover]

Do we have an idea as to when the Animation Courtyard replacement project will be announced? Is there active development on the project?

I'll go out on a limb here and say the week of May 22, 2025 - when Epic U opens officially.

So, we still thinking this week?

 

[lentesta]

So, we still thinking this week?

I’m not, no. I hope I’m wrong.

 

[Streetway Again]

I’m not, no. I hope I’m wrong.

Is this more of a “moved to dd23” thing or “cancelled completely” thing

 

[Purduevian]

Exactly. That show scene is there next to brake holding. It is like extending RnR time because you were parked at launch for longer due to delay ahead.

The designed ride time on Test Track is not longer because people are taking longer to check your seatbelts at the checkpoint.

I think there is a gray area here. Disney has recently designed the last block brake to have a show element while waiting for the train ahead to leave the station. 7D has the cottage, Guardian's has the screen, SDD has wheezy, ect.

Even non-coasters have these "delays" put into them now such as the extended Beck dialog on ROTR, the asteroid scene on MFSR, Mama Odie longer dialog on Tiana, ect.

RnRC is currently just an unthemed hallway I think? maybe Muppets will change that.

 

[EagleScout610]

I think there is a gray area here. Disney has recently designed the last block brake to have a show element while waiting for the train ahead to leave the station. 7D has the cottage, Guardian's has the screen, SDD has wheezy, ect.

Even non-coasters have these "delays" put into them now such as the extended Beck dialog on ROTR, the asteroid scene on MFSR, Mama Odie longer dialog on Tiana, ect.

RnRC is currently just an unthemed hallway I think? maybe Muppets will change that.

Statler and Waldorf maybe?

 

[EagleScout610]

So, we still thinking this week?

I'll put money on them doing an update the week after MuppetVision goes down. Now, if that involves an RNRC closing date, I don't know.

 

[JD80]

I’m not, no. I hope I’m wrong.

Didn't you mention something something March 2026 on your show today?

 

[celluloid]

I think there is a gray area here. Disney has recently designed the last block brake to have a show element while waiting for the train ahead to leave the station. 7D has the cottage, Guardian's has the screen, SDD has wheezy, ect.

Even non-coasters have these "delays" put into them now such as the extended Beck dialog on ROTR, the asteroid scene on MFSR, Mama Odie longer dialog on Tiana, ect.

RnRC is currently just an unthemed hallway I think? maybe Muppets will change that.

RnR has show elements around you before launch, but you are not meant to sit there very long before launching. No one would reasonably say waiting before the launch is adding designed ride time.

Yes, but the duration stopped there does not designate the designed ride time.

Realistically it happens, but there is an ideal design time. It is not designed to be that long of a show stop. What you are describing would be more stall material for when it does.

 

[Purduevian]

RnR has show elements around you before launch, but you are not meant to sit there very long before launching. No one would reasonably say waiting before the launch is adding designed ride time.

Yes, but the duration stopped there does not designate the designed ride time.

Realistically it happens, but there is an ideal design time. It is not designed to be that long of a show stop. What you are describing would be more stall material for when it does.

Sorry wasn't talking about the RNRC launch... but the final break spot. POV picture from youtube. This is the equivalent location of Wheezy and Snow White's cottage

 

[BrianLo]

Is this more of a “moved to dd23” thing or “cancelled completely” thing

I see little need for them to continue to counter the news cycle on Epic. It's already been open in practicality and Disney Abu Dhabi (which in no way do I think actually temporally had to do with Epic's opening) is more than enough to dominate for the next little while.

Things opening in the far flung future need their own air time. Announcing something now would be dumping news to be buried more than it would do them good.

 

[Brer Panther]

Statler and Waldorf maybe?

"Y'know, when this ride first opened, it starred Aerosmith!"
"I was wondering why I've got the urge to 'walk this way'... to the exit door!"
"D'OOOOOOOOOOOOH-HO-HO-HO-HO-HO!"

 

[celluloid]

Sorry wasn't talking about the RNRC launch... but the final break spot. POV picture from youtube. This is the equivalent location of Wheezy and Snow White's cottage

View attachment 859520

I know what you were speaking of. You quoted me when I was speaking of the launch.

The hallway at the end of RnR was never meant to spend much time in. The quality of showmanship in a final brake run is a separate discussion.

At any rate, unless brakes are stopping a coaster for a show scene to play out, it is scenary to go by. In the video comparisons earlier from Snow White to other attractions, the video taken was one where there was a train there longer than operations was designed to.

 

[mattpeto]

I don't think it is closing for awhile.

I also would not put it past to be one of the things cut back.

It’s not a complex retheme. I would count on it unless Muppets taking over HoP instead.

 

[celluloid]

It’s not a complex retheme. I would count on it unless Muppets taking over HoP instead.

It is money in a park that probably does not want to close anymore for awhile.

 

[coffeefan]

It is money in a park that probably does not want to close anymore for awhile.

Depends when the contract is up. I doubt Disney wants to renew and keep paying royalties. Especially to a band not as relevant..

 

[celluloid]

Depends when the contract is up. I doubt Disney wants to renew and keep paying royalties. Especially to a band not as relevant..

Evidence of an actual contract that can end?
This stuff is often exaggerated. Disney owned the Aerosmith catalogue under Hollywood records back when they produced Armegeddeon and it's soundtrack.

I love The Muppets, but let's not pretend that The Electric Mayhem are more relevant than Areosmith. Being fictious what they are is closer to ageless/timeless

 

[ToTBellHop]

How much must they be actively working on before we stop this exhausting “I bet this is the project they cancel” nonsense? The horse is dead and they are indeed building a ton in WDW over the next several years.

Maybe we can return to the “okay, but it will all suck and Walt would have…”

At least that’s a discussion.

 

[celluloid]

It’s not a complex retheme. I would count on it unless Muppets taking over HoP ininstead.

Yep, and easy to be postponed or ditched.
If The Muppets were popular enough for Disney to utilize in retheming and anchoring The Hall of Presidents, then they would be popular enough to have Muppet Vision 3D remain.
Muppets are planned for RnR because the large popular attraction anchors the Muppets with easy synergy, not because the Muppets will bring much more attention to the already popular attraction.

I love The Muppets, but it is reality.

 

[Tha Realest]

Yep, and easy to be postponed or ditched.
If The Muppets were popular enough for Disney to utilize in retheming and anchoring The Hall of Presidents, then they would be popular enough to have Muppet Vision 3D remain.
Muppets are planned for RnR because the large popular attraction anchors the Muppets with easy synergy, not because the Muppets will bring much more attention to the already popular attraction.

I love The Muppets, but it is reality.

Muppets are the current answer because:

1) It is a fungible IP that they own that they can slot into many things,

2) It clears the very low bar of “are they more popular than Aerosmith?” and

3) may get Disney out of having to renew a licensing deal.