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

[phillip9698]

No I am serious. Put me in the category of those who do not like this. I believe that category of those who agree with me is larger than some negative comments posted here.

There is a difference between not liking what they are doing to the attraction and calling the characters unlikable.

A huge difference.

 

[Brer Panther]

Calling The Muppets unlikable is really something. They are some of the most charming fictional characters ever created.

Unless you're talking about the Muppets in Muppets Most Wanted. That's the one project I can think of where they're unlikable.

You've got to remember, there are only a handful of regular posters on this forum, and a good chunk of them really like the Muppets and would like to see more of them in the Disney parks.

Hey, I really like the Muppets and I'm not excited for this. Mostly because it's a blatant attempt by Disney to satisfy those of us who are annoyed that they closed MuppetVision 3D.

 

[NelsonRD]

I do like Aerosmith, which is what sucked about finding out what he did. I grew up with my parents playing them. They were one of my favorites. But when I learned the reality of what he’d been up to, I dropped them from my life because actively consuming their work continues to profit him.

I do not have to do that with Muppets because guess what? He was fired at the first mention of any wrongdoing. He has not worked with the studio since the first accusations came out. Consuming new Muppets work does not benefit Clash.

It’s genuinely insane that you cannot see the difference between those two situations. YOU need to examine your biases.

No bias. Just pointing out that both situations are bad.

 

[Tha Realest]

I do like Aerosmith, which is what sucked about finding out what he did. I grew up with my parents playing them. They were one of my favorites. But when I learned the reality of what he’d been up to, I dropped them from my life because actively consuming their work continues to profit him.

I do not have to do that with Muppets because guess what? He was fired at the first mention of any wrongdoing. He has not worked with the studio since the first accusations came out. Consuming new Muppets work does not benefit Clash.

It’s genuinely insane that you cannot see the difference between those two situations. YOU need to examine your biases.

Clash has worked extensively with both Disney and Jim Henson Productions in recent years (Dark Crystal, Fraggle Rock, Earth to Ned, Happytime Murders)

 

[mattpeto]

Unless you're talking about the Muppets in Muppets Most Wanted. That's the one project I can think of where they're unlikable.

Hey, I really like the Muppets and I'm not excited for this. Mostly because it's a blatant attempt by Disney to satisfy those of us who are annoyed that they closed MuppetVision 3D.

It's not the best fit, but I do appreciate they are keeping Muppets active.

It's an olive branch for closing MV3D to the fans IMO. It could have a huge payoff if Sunset Showcase evolves to a Muppets production.

 

[ChewbaccaYourMum]

Once Villains land opens, do we think they'll replace Villains with a muppets show and turn this into a (fairly small) new muppets-land? Perhaps around the same time we get a successful new Muppets movie, show or series of specials too.

It would make sense to have the show and ride share a theme and I assume the villains show won't survive past the land opening in MK. Of course, if they fail to revive the muppets again, perhaps not.

By any chance, is there enough room in that area, where the Villains show is, to squeeze in a Muppets dark ride akin to Mystic Manor? Then we'd have a Muppets dark ride and coaster in mini-Muppets-land over there.

 

[JEANYLASER]

By any chance, is there enough room in that area, where the Villains show is, to squeeze in a Muppets dark ride akin to Mystic Manor? Then we'd have a Muppets dark ride and coaster in mini-Muppets-land over there.

I would like to have a The Muppets dark Ride and a coaster in the Mini-Muppets land over there too.

 

[HMF]

Pulling this out my memory banks, forgive me for inaccuracies.

After Fukushima they were surprised at how massively attendance rebounded for the 30th and they endeavoured to spend big. Ultimately through many delays that was B&TB/Fantasy Springs projects.

Before version 1 was announced (Frozen port and a more fulsome Disneyland effort with small world and Alice), Disney tried to sell them Radiator Springs. Then when they said no they really pushed Pandora in 2015. Then they really said no and told them to stop trying to use OLC to partially fund their domestic parks R&D.

I think Spirit threads? But I don’t want to misattribute.

We’ve still even more recently seen height test balloons there. They’ve been circling on those rivers for more than a decade.

Tokyo is better at seeing through Disney's BS than American's are most of the time.

 

[The Leader of the Club]

By any chance, is there enough room in that area, where the Villains show is, to squeeze in a Muppets dark ride akin to Mystic Manor? Then we'd have a Muppets dark ride and coaster in mini-Muppets-land over there.

By my very rough Google Earth approximation, you could level the theater and build a new structure using that plot and some of the parking lot behind it. This would give you about an acre of space to play with. Slightly smaller than Haunted Mansion?

Again, VERY rough approximation.

 

[Chester&Hester Enthusiast]

Because the Muppets does not fit the attraction, other than having a band. Their image, character, and dynamics does not fit what Rockin' Rollercoaster was.

You took a cool rollercoaster, with an intense 2.8 second launch, Rock Music, theming that teenagers and adults were attracted to, and turned it into a classless, juvenile, immature, and childish look with unlikable characters.

This is the same as changing Pirates of the Caribbean to Pirates and the Cabbage Patch Kids.

I find it interesting how accepted this is. Considering this is the same forum that has been complaining about a motionless animatronic for years, crying about the loss of Dreamfinder and the original Journey into Imagination, how Frozen doesn't fit EPCOT, losing Splash Mountain, to name a few, but any distain to this change is "wrong"?

Everybody I discuss this with in person is disgusted. Do people argue just to argue, or is this something you are genuinely excited about?

I don't think you know what The Muppets are? They absolutely fit a zany high speed attraction.

Also, "disgusted." Really?

 

[Tom Morrow]

The misguided assumption so many people have - that The Muppets are meant to be for kids, and therefore any enjoyment adults get out of them is based on nostalgia alone - is not only wrong but it continually stifles The Muppets from having anything interesting done with them. It's like they have trouble grasping that Sesame Street is not The Muppets.

Several years ago there was that Muppets show that was like The Office. It was one of the best things The Muppets have ever been in, and was the perfect showcase to bring their zany, ever-so-slightly edgy antics into the modern age. Yet the general consensus was "why are The Muppets discussing adult themes?" But would any of the people complaining about that have actually watched it if it was targeted at kids? Unlikely, and would today's kids be automatically on board with The Muppets if a show was crafted toward them? Not necessarily.

So yes, a fast roller coaster absolutely does fit The Muppets. It's also worth noting that Rock 'n' Roller Coaster isn't actually all that intense of a roller coaster outside of the first 10 seconds. It's not like we're theming a Velocicoaster-level coaster to The Muppets here.

 

[Sir_Cliff]

I don’t really consider RnRC to be “in” Sunset at all, it doesn’t really fit - RnRC is off in its own little sub land which should make it very easy to Muppetfy.

As someone who finds Disney's recent inability or at least inconsistency in being able to produce graphics that look like they are from the time period to which they are themed very annoying, this is an issue about which I find it hard to feel bothered. The main reason is that I think the attraction facade has always been pretty bad Imagineering and from the school of giant colourful props = theming.

Even if you could justify the studio being there, it doesn't look like a recording studio. Even if you buy a windowless box with a giant guitar on the outside as a recording studio, the car decoration is obviously a cheesy reference to the rollercoaster.

So, I am sure they could make it look more like The Muppets took over that whole mess and painted over it by hand and it would be better theming. At the end of the day, though, if the idea is the uncle of whoever bought the studio and hired someone to repaint the props that aren't realistic theming to begin with? Eh, I find it hard to muster up the energy to protest.

 

[BlindChow]

I don't think you know what The Muppets are? They absolutely fit a zany high speed attraction.

Plus, the original format of the ride--stylized, painted flats representing L.A. landmarks--is actually far more fitting for a Muppet attraction than one involving a real-life band ostensibly performing in real-life Los Angeles. It's bizarre that people are trying to claim otherwise.

(Also: note the car...)

 

[Brer Panther]

It's an olive branch for closing MV3D to the fans IMO. It could have a huge payoff if Sunset Showcase evolves to a Muppets production.

I'm probably just not as optimistic as you are, but "olive branch" implies that they actually care about Muppet fans being upset that they're closed MuppetVision 3D. Considering what Iger's Disney is like as a company, I'm guessing it was more just a way of shutting us up.

By any chance, is there enough room in that area, where the Villains show is, to squeeze in a Muppets dark ride akin to Mystic Manor? Then we'd have a Muppets dark ride and coaster in mini-Muppets-land over there.

I'm totally on board with a Muppets dark ride, but I don't think a trackless dark ride a la Mystic Manor is a good idea. First of all, the park already has two trackless dark rides. Second, the Muppets are known for their high energy and zany antics, whereas trackless dark rides have the vehicles move very slowly - it'd clash.

would today's kids be automatically on board with The Muppets if a show was crafted toward them? Not necessarily.

What about Muppet Babies?

 

[Smiley/OCD]

It feels very 70's era paint scheme to me which fits IMO

It only seems like a 70’s paint scheme if you had a really bad time a few years before at Woodstock…

 

[Tom Morrow]

What about Muppet Babies?

Well sure, but we're discussing whether or not The Muppets are appropriate for a thrill ride, not Muppet Babies.

 

[Incomudro]

I don't think you know what The Muppets are? They absolutely fit a zany high speed attraction.

Also, "disgusted." Really?

I have to agree, they certainly do fit.
I will miss the edge of Rock & Roll for the Zanyness of Sesame Street - deliberate dig there.
But yes, the set up will work for the Muppets.
Something will go wrong as it inevitably does in Muppet World.
We will be launched into some type of chaos, only to return in the end.
It will still be fun.
I love Aerosmith.
Like the Muppets.
Wish this didn't have to happen.
Consider it a personal loss.
But it'll certainly work, and be a lot of fun.

 

[phillip9698]

The key point of contention here is, can you make the Muppets fit a roller coaster? Yes you CAN. Is a roller coaster the best use of the IP, most likely no. Fans of the Muppets are not happy that the ride they will occupy is not the best medium to display the full gamut of their appeal. There is no room for Statler and Waldorf, no Sam the Eagle, no Fozzie jokes, etc....

If this was a coaster that stopped and had show scenes like The Mummy, then yeah it could be a much better fit, but thats not the type of coaster they have on their hands. Everything that has to do with the Muppets has to be done in the pre-show because once the coaster launches there isnt time for anything else other than cutouts.

 

[WaltsTreasureChest]

I don't think you know what The Muppets are? They absolutely fit a zany high speed attraction.

Also, "disgusted." Really?

While I don’t care much for the retheme, one could make the argument against what you’re saying. For example, the Muppets have always been rooted in theatrical performance, which is exactly why Muppet Vision worked so well.

Nothing about their style really suggests they belong in a high adrenaline launch coaster setting. Even the Electric Mayhem’s music does not match something like Aerosmith’s intensity appropriate for a ride like RNRC. Electric Mayhems sound was always much more of a loose, groovy rock style with strong funk, psychedelic, and jazz influences, inspired by the late 60s and 70s with a playful, comedic tone than anything built around speed or intensity.

 

[EagleScout610]

All I'm gonna add is it'll be tough for Electric Mayhem to match Nine Lives when it comes to the perfect launch soundtrack