There’s a brand new “rumor” that Rock ‘n’ Curler Coaster goes to be rethemed to Muppets Mayhem, with the collection co-creator fan the flames on this reimagining that many Walt Disney World followers would like to see occur. This covers the small print, why “rumor” is in air quotes, and engages in enjoyable armchair Imagineering about how Hollywood Studios might ‘reshuffle’ its Muppets and Vehicles lands to make this occur.
For starters, Rock ‘n’ Curler Coaster Starring Aerosmith unofficially reopened initially of summer time following its multi-month refurbishment. When the fun journey initially closed earlier this 12 months, rumors swirled concerning the period of the downtime–strengthened by building permits–that appeared it might final till Fall 2023. These indicated that Walt Disney World and third occasion contractors had been taking in depth time to deal with problematic points of the journey system which have plagued Rock ‘n’ Curler Coaster with downtime woes over the past a number of years.
With this prolonged closure, there additionally got here hypothesis that the theme of Rock ‘n’ Curler Coaster would change. Walt Disney World by no means straight addressed that, however implied that it was inaccurate by publicly stating that the “rocktastic attraction will resume its super-stretch limo rides in summer time 2023.” Effectively, now the journey has reopened and nothing has modified. It’s nonetheless Rock ‘n’ Curler Coaster Starring Aerosmith, and though a few props and photographs of the band have been eliminated, Steven Tyler and co. are nonetheless entrance and heart.
So, if Rock ‘n’ Curler Coaster reopened and it’s nonetheless Starring Aerosmith, it will appear to place these journey reimagining rumors to relaxation, proper? Incorrect. For one factor, bifurcated closures usually are not unusual. Spreading work into a number of distinct phases permits Walt Disney World to schedule downtime on the most opportune instances, and have rides obtainable after they’re actually needed. Right here, Rock ‘n’ Curler Coaster reopened simply in time for the summer time season.
One other current instance of that is actually proper subsequent door, with the Twilight Zone Tower of Terror. That journey was by no means added to the closure calendar final 12 months, however it had a ‘stealth refurbishment’ taking one elevator shaft down at a time and successfully lowering the journey to half capability. (That’s why it had the #1 or #2 highest common wait time at DHS for a lot of final 12 months.) With Tower of Terror, Walt Disney World timed the upkeep considerably strategically, and likewise paused the undertaking completely throughout peak season to permit the attraction to function at full capability.
One more instance can be final 12 months’s winter refurbishment to Splash Mountain. Little or no was touched on present scenes, Audio Animatronics, lighting, and different points of the attraction that may change when it was reimagined into Tiana’s Bayou Journey. Nonetheless, Imagineers did in depth groundwork to prep for the transformation a 12 months later. Suffice to say, Walt Disney World not dropping Aerosmith through the current closure is hardly conclusive that it received’t occur anytime quickly.
That brings us to the most recent growth, which comes courtesy of Jeff Yorkes, co-creator of The Muppets Mayhem collection on the Disney+ streaming service. Posting on Twitter in response to an article discussing rumors of a Muppets takeover of Rock ‘n’ Curler Coaster, Yorkes stated: “Not gonna lie–this was completely a part of our authentic pitch and is one other piece of this dream. Fingers-crossed that it occurs.”
Yorkes deleted the tweet inside hours of posting it, seemingly on the behest of somebody at Disney. Whereas not conclusive of something, it’s really a considerably optimistic signal that he’d be requested to take away the assertion. If this had been merely wishful pondering with no enamel to the rumors, Disney can be much less inclined to care.
This additionally isn’t the primary time in current weeks that there was notable dialogue concerning the Muppets taking up Rock ‘n’ Curler Coaster. In response to a different tweet suggesting a reimagining, former Imagineer Kevin Full of life stated, “if solely somebody had pitched that just a few years with a full preshow script and therapy…”
To that time, it’s additionally once more price noting right here that the Muppets are actually underneath the purview of Walt Disney Imagineering, and have been for the previous few years. That’s seemingly how we received Muppets Haunted Mansion (and why it was so good) and likewise explains the promotional appearances of the Muppet characters, together with Floyd Pepper from the Electrical Mayhem band taking a journey on Spaceship Earth simply final month to advertise the brand new Disney+ collection.
As we’ve talked about repeatedly over time–even earlier than Imagineering took over the characters–there should be somebody excessive up at Disney who’s championing the Muppets. There’s no different clarification for why they’ve been given probability after probability regardless of middling outcomes.
Now, along with the Muppets being front-of-mind for WDI, their newest outings on Disney+ have really been actually good. The Muppets Mayhem has the greatest critic and viewers scores of any of the characters’ reveals or motion pictures for the reason that Jason Segel-led movie in 2011 that basically introduced the characters again into the highlight.
Earlier than we get overly excited and switch to the probabilities for an Electrical Mayhem takeover of Rock ‘n’ Curler Coaster, let’s current the explanations for skepticism. First, though there’s a good quantity of “smoke” right here, there isn’t any “fireplace.” Lots of people in Hollywood are Walt Disney World and Disneyland followers (celebrities–they’re similar to us!), and would like to see their initiatives or armchair Imagineering concepts come to fruition.
Specifically, Marvel’s Kevin Feige is a big and longtime fan, particularly of old fashioned EPCOT Heart. It’s protected to imagine a few of the half-baked Marvel initiatives which have come to the parks are not ones for which he advocated. If Ryan Gosling had his method, there can be no Haunted Mansion Vacation. John Stamos, Neil Patrick Harris, and Chris Evans in all probability would like to see one in all their characters delivered to life at Walt Disney World. The record goes on and on.
Extra to the purpose, we’ve heard about pitches like this earlier than–and lots of of them have gone nowhere. It stands to cause that the creators of Muppets Mayhem would need as a lot synergy as potential, because it will increase the chance of renewal or longevity for the present. That they offered the thought to Disney, and even had discussions with Imagineering, doesn’t imply the proposal went wherever. WDI has exponentially extra proposed initiatives than constructed ones. So nothing to this point confirms that that is taking place–the Muppets takeover of Rock ‘n’ Curler Coaster needs to be handled with lower than rumor standing.
With that stated, there are a ton of causes {that a} reimagining of Rock ‘n’ Curler Coaster not solely is sensible, however is an inevitability sooner or later within the subsequent a number of years. For one factor, Aerosmith simply doesn’t have the identify cachet that they did within the late Nineties when Rock ‘n’ Curler Coaster opened. Sure, the band is among the many all-time greats, however not almost to the identical diploma with present park-goers.
For one more factor, Disney is paying to license the band’s music and likenesses. There’s no indication as to how a lot that prices, however it’s a non-zero quantity. Within the time since Rock ‘n’ Curler Coaster opened, Disney has gone on an acquisition-spree and develop into extra laser-focused on inside synergies. If the journey opened at the moment, there’s zero probability the corporate would look exterior their very own portfolio.
Lastly, sticking with Aerosmith presents intercourse scandal threat. Days after the refurbishment was introduced, Steven Tyler was formally named in a lawsuit and is accused of sexual assault, sexual battery, and intentional infliction of emotional misery. Whatever the consequence there, the allegations are unsettling. As a rock band from a “totally different period,” there’s a excessive chance that there are extra skeletons in Aerosmith’s closet that may not be perceived positively if ligitated within the courtroom of public opinion (or precise courtroom).
Merely put, showcasing a rock band from the Seventies is an pointless legal responsibility for Walt Disney World. Not simply Aerosmith…all of them. Between elevated social scrutiny and Disney’s family-friendly picture, it’s merely an pointless and imprudent threat. That is additionally why Disney has contingency plans in place that may permit the corporate to take away all references to Aerosmith in a single day. All of that is additionally why we’re extremely skeptical of “rumors” that Rock ‘n’ Curler Coaster can be rethemed to Queen.
From my perspective, altering the journey is a reasonably straightforward choice for Walt Disney World. Reimagining Rock ‘n’ Curler Coaster isn’t just the protected transfer, however it will be cash effectively spent. It presents a possibility for Imagineering to simply inject new life in an attraction that’s inherently standard as a thrill journey, and would give the corporate one thing to market whereas in-between growth cycles.
(As of proper now, there’s completely nothing confirmed for after Tiana’s Bayou Journey, and even when the subsequent initiatives as a part of that $17 billion spending plan for Walt Disney World had been introduced at the moment, nothing would open till 2026 on the absolute earliest.)
Enter the Muppets. Years in the past, one in all my concepts for a ‘Muppets Takeover’ of Disney’s Hollywood Studios was a Rock ‘n’ Curler Coaster reimagining that includes nationwide treasures Dr. Tooth and The Electrical Mayhem Band and a redone entrance to Pantages Theater, Amoeba Data, or Roxie Theatre.
Another choice can be a “Nice Muppets Music Trip” that options these characters within the queue and pre-show, however contains a random journey soundtrack of precise rock music from a rotating roster of bands. That is a part of Cosmic Rewind’s recipes for achievement, would provide the specified disconnect between band and music, whereas additionally giving the coaster infinite re-rideability. It might additionally provide flexibility in altering out songs, seasonal overlays, and extra.
The largest drawback with redoing Rock ‘n’ Curler Coaster to characters from animated motion pictures, and one which I think has given Disney pause, is that it’s essentially the most intense journey at Walt Disney World and has a peak requirement at 48 inches. I’m undecided to what extent this can be a concern with the Electrical Mayhem band, which might be most recognizable to individuals over 40. However, they’re cute and colourful characters, and the viewers watching Muppets Mayhem on Disney+ virtually definitely skews youthful.
Incredicoaster at Disney California Journey is a similarly-intense curler coaster that additionally has a 48″ peak requirement. Nonetheless, Disneyland has totally different demographics and Imagineering was backed right into a nook with a Paradise Pier reimagining. Toy Story Halfway Mania made Pixar the obvious alternative, and from there, The Incredibles is about as “grownup” of a Pixar film as there’s. There’s no such consideration with Rock ‘n’ Curler Coaster, which is remoted from the remainder of Sundown Boulevard.
However, shifting the Muppets to the again nook of Sundown Boulevard has numerous potential. Remodeling the doorway and queue to Rock ‘n’ Curler Coaster might open up this space, which could possibly be a bona fide Muppets Studio land. Lightning McQueen’s Racing Academy could possibly be changed with one other Muppets attraction, and there’s in all probability additionally house for a restaurant, too.
No good concept in Imagineering ever dies, and maybe this could possibly be the partial realization of the Muppets Studio land idea from a long time in the past. That was alleged to characteristic not simply MuppetVision 3D, but in addition a Nice Muppet Film Trip, plus two eating places: “The Nice Gonzo’s Pandemonium Pizza Parlor” and “Swedish Chef’s Cooking Faculty.”
As a lot because it pains me to say, I can’t see Walt Disney World shifting MuppetVision 3D given its age and recognition. Then once more, I can also’t see the corporate constructing a brand new attraction and restaurant from the bottom as much as create a Muppets Studio for that nook of the park. Then once more, I additionally didn’t count on Disney to maintain pushing ahead with Muppets ideas after repeated flops following the 2011 movie. Level being, stranger issues have occurred.
From Walt Disney World’s perspective, there’s additionally seemingly numerous long-term worth in relocating the Muppets from Grand Avenue to elsewhere in Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Given how little the corporate spent on redoing that space forward of Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, it has at all times been a placeholder.
Initially, it was rumored to be a placeholder for additional enlargement of Galaxy’s Edge itself. Personally, I believe that’s exceedingly unlikely at this level. I’ve heard nothing that leads me to consider the corporate has any urge for food to guess larger on Star Wars within the theme parks. That would change if the timeline is modified or opened up and the land turns into extra standard, however it’s arduous to see taking place now. (I do suppose the dinner present can be introduced within the subsequent few years, however that’ll be on the opposite facet of the land, behind Oga’s Cantina.)
Relatively than Star Wars, I believe one other Pixar franchise is the extra seemingly candidate. Earlier than Toy Story Land and Galaxy’s Edge had been introduced, Walt Disney World got here thisclose to greenlighting Vehicles Land. That’s a large success at Disney California Journey and a land with large endurance and merchandising potential; Walt Disney World getting a model of that also is sensible.
Imagineering would wish to get artistic to be able to exchange Grand Avenue with Vehicles Land, seemingly placing the present constructing for Radiator Springs Racers exterior the prevailing boundary of the park. They’d in all probability additionally wish to retool the secondary points of interest, however that’s doable. Vehicles Land can be a large hit, and could possibly be a part of that aforementioned $17 billion enlargement.
So there you could have my armchair Imagineering, and what I hope a possible Muppet takeover of Rock ‘n’ Curler Coaster would deliver to Disney’s Hollywood Studios. To be 100% clear, none of that is credible rumor–it’s merely what I need to occur. (Effectively, not a lot the Vehicles Land half–I’m tremendous with that being unique to California. I simply suppose it is sensible and is low threat.)
As for what I believe will really occur? Marvel. We coated this in our final piece about Rock ‘n’ Curler Coaster reimagining rumors, so I received’t rehash all of that, however I believe essentially the most believable retheme of the fun journey continues to be Marvel. These characters are extra becoming for a curler coaster and Marvel is one in all Disney’s tentpole manufacturers.
Imagineering has already redone one model of Rock ‘n’ Curler Coaster as a Marvel journey, and it will make full sense to do this once more–albeit with totally different characters, out of necessity. Marvel is simply too apparent of a solution for it to be anything. Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind has already confirmed massively standard, and there’s an urge for food for extra Marvel at Walt Disney World.
Regardless of being one in all Disney’s largest manufacturers, Marvel characters presently have much less of a presence at Walt Disney World than do the Muppets. In equity, a giant a part of that’s the Common contract, however there are nonetheless loads of characters that Disney might use. A thrill journey following the Cosmic Rewind template–with a mixture of music and humor–can be actually well-received, and could possibly be achieved with a reimagining Rock ‘n’ Curler Coaster.
Nonetheless, we Muppets followers can dream, proper? (I really feel like there’s a music about that.) Whereas nonetheless fairly removed from taking place, this feels way more believable than the “rumors” about Queen or different bands, and it’s inevitable that Aerosmith is changed sooner or later within the not-too-distant future, and possibly not with one other band. Doing so would breathe new life into the attraction and provide contemporary advertising potential.
Provided that…why not the Muppets? They’re evergreen characters which have a cult fan following, somebody high-up in Burbank clearly loves them, and they’re front-of-mind with Imagineering. It will not be the proper or most rational alternative by way of synergy, however the very same factor could possibly be stated about TRON Lightcycle Run. The very fact is that thrill rides have an amazing quantity of inherent enchantment, so it’s not like Disney wants to make this the Wakandacoaster to ensure that it to be standard.
Disney could possibly be attempt for the alternative method, with a theme park attraction that pulls extra consideration to a somewhat-dormant franchise that has large potential. Once more, stranger issues have occurred. Right here’s hoping we get an announcement at Vacation spot D23 this fall. Within the meantime, begin enjoying Muppets Mayhem on loop to get these viewership stats up!
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Your Ideas
What do you consider a Muppet takeover of Rock ‘n’ Curler Coaster? Assume the Electrical Mayhem band can be an excellent alternative for Aerosmith? Ideas on potential bands, manufacturers, or tremendous heroes to exchange Aerosmith? What would get your vote, so to talk? Assume Disney is being coy, and a retheme has really been deliberate all alongside? Any questions concerning the present refurbishments at Walt Disney World? Do you agree or disagree with our evaluation? Any questions we may also help you reply? Listening to your suggestions—even once you disagree with us—is each fascinating to us and useful to different readers, so please share your ideas beneath within the feedback!