ALL PHOTOS BY DYLAN DUNCAN
We told you about the soundtrack preview party we were invited to a month ago, but Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring The Muppets finally opened on May 26 at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, replacing the Aerosmith version with Muppet house band, The Electric Mayhem, featuring Dr. Teeth, Animal, Floyd, Janice, Zoot, and Lips. Our Photo Friend Dylan Duncan (Instagram | Website) got inside and grabbed photos for us. Because he’s awesome like that.
“Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring The Muppets blends the whimsy and inspiration of Jim Henson and The Muppets with the thrill of a rock ‘n’ roll powered roller coaster. While it’s a much different experience than MuppetVision 3D, I think it’ll a hit with anyone man or Muppet [SWEDISH CHEF NOISES].”
– ORLANDO SHINE PHOTO FRIEND DYLAN DUNCAN
The coaster’s storyline picks up inside G-Force Records, the fictional recording studio now under new management thanks to Scooter’s uncle, real estate tycoon J.P. Grosse. The band is in the middle of rehearsing when guests arrive as VIPs and get drafted into helping get them to the show on time. The queue is lined with concert posters and celebrity cameos including Awkwafina, Danny Trejo, Darren Criss, John Stamos, Neil Patrick Harris, Travis Barker, Yvette Nicole Brown, Wayne Brady, and “Weird Al” Yankovic, all making appearances scattered along the queue.
The big new addition is the first-ever Audio-Animatronics figure of Scooter, built using motion-capture technology of the actual Muppet. Walt Disney Imagineering used the performance data to match his movement and expressions down to the tiniest details.
The ride vehicle is now called the L.I.M.O. (Lengthy Immediate Motion Object), and the set list has been fully overhauled. Tracks include “Song 2,” “Born to Be Wild,” “Love Rollercoaster” featuring Jennifer Hudson and Questlove, “Rock! Rock! (Till You Drop)” with Def Leppard, and “Walking on Sunshine” with Kelly Clarkson, but with Muppet co-stars.
Outside, the guitar marquee has been repainted in a psychedelic design inspired by the classic Muppet car, with a golden key at the base as a nod to Dr. Teeth. FØØD by Swedish Chef next door has also been refreshed with a new menu.
