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

[JohnD]

Disney doesn't reuse props or animatronics as much nowadays, do they? None of the Splash Mountain animatronics were reused for Tiana's Bayou Adventure.

Are you seriously going to use that as an example? We all know why there is nothing from the former ride--theme, music, props, AAs--other than the logs, track, and water that's left. And that was very much intentional. Even Splash Mountain carvings on the logs were removed.

 

[JohnD]

Okay, so here's what I think after all this discussion:

1. Either leave MuppetVision 3D or move the entire attraction somewhere else. It needs to be preserved.

2. Re-theme RNR but do it with something other than the Muppets.

You're a little late on this discussion because MuppetVision is already being removed from its current location (we don't yet know it's final landing place, if any) and RnRC will be Muppets.

 

[Jrb1979]

Very few kids of that age are ready for that level of intensity with a ride even if they’re tall enough.

IMO it depends not just on the kid but also the parents too. My 5 year old loves big thrill rides already. A lot of that is due to my wife and I taking her to Cedar Point since she was a 2. Since the wife and I love intense coasters, she's wanted to follow in our footsteps.

Where as I think if the only park you visit is Disney it's a lot harder to get kids into big coasters and thrills.

 

[Disgruntled Walt]

I'm fine with using Muppets on RNRC. I don't mind it at all, because there is a SLIGHT chance we get more Muppet animatronics in the preshow.

It's the show that I'm apprehensive about. Call it "apprehenson" if you will. It's such a perfect representation of the Muppets.

 

[DCLcruiser]

I think going to Disney+ is the most probable outcome, and it's not a terrible one - if it's adapted well.

I really hope they slide MV3D to Sunset Showcase, but I think it's a longshot. They have a Grand Avenue and they are choosing to kill it for a reason.

Honestly, for those of you that just cry Disney is pinching pennies at every turn, moving MV3D to Sunset Showcase would still likely be cheaper than to produce something new and operate daily.

We got a chance people!

Who is going to repair my house's walls after I watch it?

 

[ToTBellHop]

Who is going to repair my house's walls after I watch it?

It’ll be worth it to get a free orchestra of penguins with your Disney+ subscription.

 

[The Leader of the Club]

I have been banging the “Add Muppets to RnRC” drum for years, so I’m very excited for that. That being said, I hate that it is coming at the expense of MuppetVision. There is no good reason why Disney can’t move that to Sunset Showcase. You are the biggest entertainment company in the world, you can afford to keep Jim Henson’s last work around.

 

[mattpeto]

I have been banging the “Add Muppets to RnRC” drum for years, so I’m very excited for that. That being said, I hate that it is coming at the expense of MuppetVision. There is no good reason why Disney can’t move that to Sunset Showcase. You are the biggest entertainment company in the world, you can afford to keep Jim Henson’s last work around.

I think that's a great notion, I just really believe it's a real longshot.

They are eliminating Grand Avenue for a reason. The Muppets don't have enough pull to be represented in multiple attractions. I think sticking them in RnR is should be considered the death blow to MV3D.

 

[The Leader of the Club]

The Muppets don't have enough pull to be represented in multiple attractions. I think sticking them in RnR is should be considered the death blow to MV3D.

I actually believe the opposite. The fact that Muppets are becoming E-Ticket headliners proves that Disney sees them as valuable. I don’t know for certain that a Muppet experience will replace the villains show, but it makes as much sense as anything else. Disney may just be waiting to see how the Muppet RNRC merch sells.

 

[ToTBellHop]

I actually believe the opposite. The fact that Muppets are becoming E-Ticket headliners proves that Disney sees them as valuable. I don’t know for certain that a Muppet experience will replace the villains show, but it makes as much sense as anything else. Disney may just be waiting to see how the Muppet RNRC merch sells.

Th Muppets aren’t why RnRC will still have long lines.

 

[mattpeto]

I actually believe the opposite. The fact that Muppets are becoming E-Ticket headliners proves that Disney sees them as valuable. I don’t know for certain that a Muppet experience will replace the villains show, but it makes as much sense as anything else. Disney may just be waiting to see how the Muppet RNRC merch sells.

I think Muppets at RnR is an efficient way to use the IP. It gets rid of Aerosmith (licensing costs) and is an olive branch to the Muppets fan for losing MV3D.

That's the only way I look at this.

 

[Architectural Guinea Pig]

I have been banging the “Add Muppets to RnRC” drum for years, so I’m very excited for that. That being said, I hate that it is coming at the expense of MuppetVision. There is no good reason why Disney can’t move that to Sunset Showcase. You are the biggest entertainment company in the world, you can afford to keep Jim Henson’s last work around.

1) They’re already at work designing a show in the Cars show building, and spending money on another Little Mermaid show.

2) The film is outdated and 3D theaters aren’t novel or unique in 2024

3) There’s poor attendance on the existing MV3D, most of the attendance being fueled by the lack of attractions in DHS

4) There's no additional merch sales benefit- Muppets in their existing location isn't generating Disney any money, and RnRC fulfills any money that could be milked out

5) The cost to build new pieces or relocate makes the cost of building a new MV3D way too expensive with no payoff.

6) There are other ways to honor Jim Henson's legacy. Literally putting the film on Disney+ will have more viewers than it has now.

7) Muppets is a 7.5 billion franchise - until you realize all of that money comes from Merch sales generated by Sesame Street

8) Just because they're big doesn't mean Disney has to spend millions to please a small (but loud) number of superfans. The fact they're creating a new Muppet attraction we should be thankful for.

9) Villians is a better investment to the prime real estate of the area.

10) The Superfans would start complaining that they could build two attractions in the area- now they would want an entire Muppets land with an entire Muppets dark ride.

 

[Alice a]

Exactly. The fake outrage should be in defense of the boomers who love the Muppets but can no longer tolerate RnRC without visiting a chiropractor. When I first heard this rumor, I thought it was a surprising choice but as I consider it more, I don’t think 3-year olds will be an issue here.

Hey, there are plenty of us who are younger than boomers who can’t ride coasters. Lots of kids don’t want to, either, especially as neurodivergent rates rise.

Last I checked, WDW markets itself as a family, all ages, inclusive park.

I generally love your posts, so I’m probably misreading this, but it’s a point that needs to be made.

Edit- …aaaannnddd I just realized this is in the Rollercoaster thread, not the Monsters thread. Ack. Off topic, apologies.

 

[Disstevefan1]

Hey, there are plenty of us who are younger than boomers who can’t ride coasters. Lots of kids don’t want to, either, especially as neurodivergent rates rise.

Last I checked, WDW markets itself as a family, all ages, inclusive park.

When 30-40% of the family can’t ride the majority of rides in a park (because Star Tours, , and MMRR absolutely aren’t rideable by anyone over a certain age or with any kid of eye, motion sickness, or inner ear issues) there’s a problem.

The good news is we are getting a theater attraction in the new monsters area to replace Muppets.

The same folks that rode RnR before will ride again. The retheme will not gain any RnR riders.

Again, my only worry is they are moving the laugh floor to the new monsters area and closing another attraction in MK.

 

[DCLcruiser]

Hey, there are plenty of us who are younger than boomers who can’t ride coasters. Lots of kids don’t want to, either, especially as neurodivergent rates rise.

Last I checked, WDW markets itself as a family, all ages, inclusive park.

I generally love your posts, so I’m probably misreading this, but it’s a point that needs to be made.

Were you going to ride RnRC w/ Aerosmith? If not, it doesn't matter what the theme is. There are restrictions; whether based on height, medical condition or thrill-ride aversion.

 

[Nickm2022]

I'm personally excited about Muppets getting a ride. But moving on from the debate it sounds like the Muppets will also have random popular rock songs play on the song, any hopes of what songs you want featured on the new ride? Personally hoping for "Don't Stop Me Now" "Whole Lotta Love" but if they wanna go more modern to avoid Cosmic Rewind comparisons I say "Ride" by TOP "Shut Up and Dance" or "As it Was" since those are more fast paced modern songs that would work on a coaster

 

[ToTBellHop]

Hey, there are plenty of us who are younger than boomers who can’t ride coasters. Lots of kids don’t want to, either, especially as neurodivergent rates rise.

Last I checked, WDW markets itself as a family, all ages, inclusive park.

I generally love your posts, so I’m probably misreading this, but it’s a point that needs to be made.

Edit- …aaaannnddd I just realized this is in the Rollercoaster thread, not the Monsters thread. Ack. Off topic, apologies.

I just don’t see the issue given this ride has been here for 25 years.

The new door coaster should be pretty accommodating (for a suspended coaster). Disney certainly has a better track record there any any other themed entertainment company. I loved, yet barely survived, the Hulk coaster! Lost some neurons, though.

 

[Disgruntled Walt]

If they don't have the Electric Mayhem doing their songs on this, they will have missed the boat entirely. I don't want to hear them singing random pop songs. We need actual Muppet humor on this, not just audio that sounds like the Muppets singing random songs we can hear on the radio.

 

[Ice Gator]

Th Muppets aren’t why RnRC will still have long lines.

True, but their inclusion will help popularize the Muppets brand. Muppets is no longer a “skippable” attraction to average guests.

Still wish they would relocate 3D to the Lightning McQueen theater and make that corner the “Muppet Studios”.

 

[Ice Gator]

The only rock/pop song im okay with hearing on the ride: