View source for Rock 'n' Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith

{{Short description|Indoor roller coaster at Disney's Hollywood Studios}}
{{About|the roller coaster at Disney's Hollywood Studios|the roller coaster formerly at Opryland|Rock n' Roller Coaster (Opryland)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=September 2022}}
{{Infobox roller coaster
|name                   = Rock 'n' Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith
|logo                   =
|logo_width             =
|image                  = Rock 'n' Roller Coaster starring Aerosmith 1.jpg
|imagedimensions        = 249px
|caption                = A large, red [[Fender Stratocaster]] on display outside the attraction in Florida
|location               = Disney's Hollywood Studios
|section                = Sunset Boulevard
|coordinates            = {{coord|28|21|33.9|N|81|33|38.5|W|display=inline}}
|status                 = Operating
|opened                 = {{Start date|1999|7|29}}
|closed                 =
|location_rcdb_number   = 560
|location_single_rider  = available
|extend                 = {{Infobox roller coaster extend
|altname                = Rock 'n' Roller Coaster avec Aerosmith
|location               = Walt Disney Studios Park
|section                = Backlot
|coordinates            = {{coord|48.864850|2.779931|display=it}}
|status                 = Rethemed (converted into [[Avengers Campus#Walt Disney Studios Park|Avengers Assemble: Flight Force]])
|opened                 = {{Start date|2002|03|16}}
|rcdb_number            = 1444
|cost                   =
}}
|type                   = Steel
|type2                  = Enclosed
|type3                  = Launched
|manufacturer           = Vekoma
|designer               = [[Walt Disney Imagineering]]
|model                  = [[Linear Synchronous Motor|LSM]] Coaster
|track                  =
|lift                   = [[Linear Synchronous Motor|LSM]] launch
|height_ft              = 80
|drop_ft                = <!--Must be expressed in feet and may contain only numeric characters.-->
|length_ft              = 3267.7
|speed_mph              = 57
|inversions             = 3
|duration               = 1:22
|angle                  = <!--Do not include "degrees", it is added automatically.-->
|capacity               = 1,800
|acceleration_from      = 0
|acceleration_mph       = 57
|acceleration_in        = 2.8
|gforce                 = 5
|restriction_in         = 48
|trains                 = <!-- Not specified by RCDB.com, requires a source cited in article -->
|carspertrain           = 6
|rowspercar             = 2
|ridersperrow           = 2
|virtual_queue_image2   = Lightning Lane Icon Logo.webp
|virtual_queue_status2  = available
|virtual_queue_status   = was available
|transfer_accessible    = yes
|custom_label_1         = Sponsor
|custom_value_1         = [[Gibson (guitar company)|Gibson]] (Florida)
|custom_label_2         = Hosts
|custom_value_2         = [[The Muppets]] (Florida)<br>[[Aerosmith]] (Paris)
}}
'''Rock 'n' Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith''' is an indoor [[launched roller coaster]] located at [[Disney's Hollywood Studios]] within [[Walt Disney World]]. Manufactured by [[Vekoma]], the roller coaster opened to the public on July 29, 1999. It uses [[linear motor]] electromagnetic technology for acceleration, which propels riders from 0 to {{convert|57|mph|km/h|abbr=on}} in 2.8 seconds. Riders experience up to 5 [[g-force|G]]s and travel through three inversions, which include a [[sea serpent roll|rollover]] and a [[Corkscrew (roller coaster element)|corkscrew]]. The attraction also features recorded music and appearances from American [[rock music|rock]] band [[Aerosmith]].
A second installation with an identical track layout opened as '''Rock 'n' Roller Coaster avec Aerosmith''' at [[Walt Disney Studios Park]] within [[Disneyland Paris]] on March 16, 2002. It closed in September 2019 for a planned transformation, reopening as [[Avengers Assemble: Flight Force]] in 2022 as part of the new [[Avengers Campus]] themed land at the park.
In November 2024, Disney announced that the attraction would be re-themed to [[the Muppets]] following the closure of ''[[Muppet*Vision 3D]]'' and the Muppet Courtyard.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last=Rachel |date=2024-11-22 |title=Monsters and Muppet Updates for Hollywood Studios |url=https://disneyparksblog.com/wdw/monsters-inc-the-muppets-hollywood-studios/ |access-date=2024-11-22 |website=Disney Parks Blog |language=en-US}}</ref>
==History==
In April 1998, Disney-MGM Studios (later named Disney's Hollywood Studios) announced that they would be adding Rock 'n' Roller Coaster.<ref name="1998 Announcement" /> The ride was set to open in 1999 for the park's tenth anniversary.<ref name="1998 Announcement">{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/62078800/roller-coaster-rides-new-attraction-wave/|title=Roller coaster rides new-attraction wave|publisher=The Orlando Sentinel|date=April 22, 1998|via=[[Newspapers.com]] {{Open access}}|access-date=October 29, 2020}}</ref> The park hired [[Vekoma]] to build the launched [[indoor roller coaster]], and construction began two months prior to the announcement in February 1998.<ref name="OS-07-23-1999a">{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/13153664/|title=Wild ride of music and speed|publisher=The Orlando Sentinel|first=Jamie J.|last=Anderson|date=July 23, 1999|via=[[Newspapers.com]] {{Open access}}|access-date=January 30, 2018}}</ref> The track layout was completed by June 1998.<ref name="Coaster101">{{cite web|last=Stilwell|first=Andrew|date=May 23, 1999|title=19 for 99: Rock 'N' Roller Coaster at Disney's Hollywood Studios|url=https://www.coaster101.com/2019/05/23/19-for-99-rock-n-roller-coaster-at-disneys-hollywood-studios/|access-date=January 26, 2021|publisher=Coaster101}}</ref>
[[Soft launch|Soft opening]] cast member previews began in June 1999.<ref name="OS-07-23-1999a"/> The following month,<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/17000009/aerosmith_rock_n_roller_coaster/|title=Aerosmith rocks, new coaster rolls|publisher=The Orlando Sentinel|first=Jim|last=Abbott|date=July 30, 1999|via=[[Newspapers.com]] {{Open access}}|access-date=January 30, 2018}}</ref> the attraction held its grand opening on July 29 with a special, invitation-only party featuring [[Aerosmith]] as the guests of honor.<ref name="OS-07-23-1999b">{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/17000423/|title=Best bets|publisher=The Orlando Sentinel|date=July 30, 1999|via=[[Newspapers.com]] {{Open access}}|access-date=January 30, 2018}}</ref> Winners were taken to the park, in stretch limousines and received complimentary meals.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.insidecentralflorida.com:80/partners/WHTQ/scrapbook/whtq_bikini1.html|title=WHTQ Rock n Roller Coaster Featuring Aerosmith - Photo Gallery|publisher=96.5 WHTQ|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20001202150900/http://www.insidecentralflorida.com/partners/WHTQ/scrapbook/whtq_bikini1.html|archive-date=December 2, 2000|access-date=January 30, 2018|url-status=dead}}</ref> After a special performance by painter [[Denny Dent]], winners received the chance to ride the roller coaster with one of the Aerosmith band members. A picture from the special event is on display near the exit of the ride.
In each train, there are a total of 120 speakers. There are five surrounding each rider, consisting of two mid-range speakers, two tweeters, and a subwoofer placed under the seat.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/17000623/|title=Episode I: The Coaster Wars|publisher=The Orlando Sentinel - Florida Magazine|work=Restless Native|first=Mike|last=Thomas|quote=Under your seat is a giant woofer. Surrounding you but unseen are two mid-range speakers and two tweeters. So you get five speakers blasting you with concert-quality sound.|date=August 1, 1999|access-date=January 30, 2018}}</ref> The Walt Disney Studios Park version of the ride opened on March 16, 2002.<ref>{{cite web | title=Rock 'n' Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith | website=D23 | date=August 10, 2017 | url=https://d23.com/a-to-z/rock-n-roller-coaster-starring-aerosmith/ | access-date=February 12, 2018}}</ref> It featured the same track layout as the Walt Disney World installation, but the theme and line queue were different.<ref name=Paris-RCDB>{{cite RCDB|coaster_name=Rock 'n' Roller Coaster|location=Disneyland Paris|rcdb_number=1444|access-date=June 10, 2020}}</ref> In 2007, the queue was modified to accommodate [[single rider]]s in addition to [[FASTPASS]].
On December 17, 2015, the Hollywood Studios location hosted a special event to promote the release of ''[[Star Wars: The Force Awakens]]''. The queue line featured [[Star Wars]] movie posters, the Aerosmith pre-show was disabled and the speakers played music from the film.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://insidethemagic.net/2015/12/star-wars-takes-over-rock-n-roller-coaster-at-disneys-hollywood-studios-for-one-night-only/|title=Star Wars takes over Rock 'n' Roller Coaster at Disney's Hollywood Studios for one night only|date=December 18, 2015 }}</ref> The same Star Wars overlay also occurred on April 14, 2017.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://wdwnt.com/2017/04/full-schedule-list-events-released-star-wars-galactic-nights-rock-n-roller-coaster-overlay-returns/|title=Full Schedule and List of Events Released for Star Wars Galactic Nights; Rock 'N' Roller Coaster Overlay Returns|date=April 14, 2017 }}</ref>
In 2016, the pre-show video was edited to digitally remove a "[[Shocker_(gesture)|crude hand gesture]]" made by [[Steven Tyler]].<ref name="Removal of Shocker hand guesture">{{cite news|url=https://www.orlandoweekly.com/arts/disney-removes-steven-tylers-shocking-hand-gesture-from-rock-n-roller-coaster-2517559|title=Disney removes Steven Tyler's shocking hand gesture from Rock 'n' Roller Coaster|publisher=Orlando Weekly|date=August 18, 2016|access-date=August 5, 2024}}</ref>
In 2017, the Hollywood Studios location received new television screens mounted in spaces prior to the boarding area. They show loading and safety tips in an effort to reduce boarding time.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://wdwnt.com/2017/01/photos-video-new-safety-pre-show-rock-n-roller-coaster/|title=PHOTOS, VIDEO: New Safety Pre-Show at Rock 'N' Roller Coaster|date=January 23, 2017 }}</ref> In addition, the exterior of the main ride building was given a new coat of paint.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://blogmickey.com/2017/08/photos-rock-n-roller-coaster-gravity-building-repainted-new-lands/|title=PHOTOS: Rock 'n' Roller Coaster Gravity Building Being Repainted For New Lands|date=August 20, 2017 }}</ref>
It was announced at the 2018 [[D23 (Disney)|D23 Expo]] in [[Japan]] that the [[Walt Disney Studios Park]] location would be closing for a complete theme change to the ''[[Tony Stark (Marvel Cinematic Universe)|Iron Man]]'' and [[Avengers (Marvel Cinematic Universe)|Avengers]] franchises of the [[Marvel Cinematic Universe]].<ref name="Disney Parks Blog 2018">{{cite web | title=Rock 'n' Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith at Walt Disney Studios Park to Receive Marvel Transformation | website=Disney Parks Blog | date=February 11, 2018 | url=https://disneyparks.disney.go.com/blog/2018/02/d23j-japan-rock-n-roller-coaster/ | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180212091110/https://disneyparks.disney.go.com/blog/2018/02/d23j-japan-rock-n-roller-coaster/ | url-status=dead | archive-date=February 12, 2018 | access-date=February 12, 2018}}</ref> After more than 18 years of operation, the attraction officially closed on September 2, 2019<ref name="Disneyland Paris Closure">{{cite web |last1=Tuttle |first1=Brittani |title=Disneyland Paris announces closing date for Rock 'n' Roller Coaster|url=https://attractionsmagazine.com/rock-n-roller-coaster-closing-dlp/ |website=Attractions Magazine |access-date=June 10, 2020 |date=February 1, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.endorexpress.net/parks/disneyparks/disneyland-paris/2019/01/confirmed-closing-dooowwwnnnnn-date-for-rock-n-roller-coaster-at-disneyland-paris%EF%BB%BF/|title=Confirmed “Closing Dooowwwnnnnn” Date for Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster at Disneyland Paris|date=January 31, 2019|website=EndorExpress}}</ref> and was replaced by [[Avengers Assemble: Flight Force]] on July 20, 2022, as part of the new [[Avengers Campus Paris]] themed land.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://news.disneylandparis.com/en/2018/12/10/disneyland-paris-reveals-new-image-of-marvel-themed-area-coming-to-walt-disney-studios-park/|title=Disneyland Paris reveals new image of Marvel-themed area coming to Walt Disney Studios Park|work=news.disneylandparis.com|publisher=Disney|access-date=September 2, 2019|archive-date=September 2, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190902093945/https://news.disneylandparis.com/en/2018/12/10/disneyland-paris-reveals-new-image-of-marvel-themed-area-coming-to-walt-disney-studios-park/|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name="Disney Parks Blog 2018"/><ref>{{Cite web |title=Avengers Campus – DisneylandParis News |url=https://disneylandparis-news.com/en/avengers-campus/ |access-date=May 25, 2022 |language=en-US}}</ref>
On November 22, 2024 in conjunction with the announcement of the closure of ''[[Muppet*Vision 3D]]'', Disney announced that Rock 'n' Roller Coaster will be re-themed to feature [[The Muppets]], but would retain the same name.<ref name=":0" /><ref name="Diller">{{cite web |last=Diller |first=Nathan |date=November 22, 2024 |title=Disney closing beloved Muppets film attraction, relocate characters |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/travel/experience/theme-parks/2024/11/22/disney-hollwood-studios-muppets-monsters-inc/76495093007/ |access-date=November 22, 2024 |website=USA TODAY}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=McCarthy |first=Kelly |date=November 22, 2024 |title=MuppetVision 3D closing for new Monsters, Inc. Land, but characters will relocate to Rock 'n' Roller Coaster |url=https://abcnews.go.com/GMA/Travel/muppetvision-3d-closing-new-monsters-land-characters-relocate/story?id=116136647 |access-date=November 23, 2024 |website=ABC News}}</ref>
==Ride experience==
The pre-show of the attraction was modified over time. The most recent version features band member [[Joe Perry (musician)|Joe Perry]] asking Chris, the Disney cast member in the pre-show, to grab his black [[Gibson Les Paul|Les Paul]] guitar. The cast member in the pre-show area then proceeds to pick up and remove a black guitar signed by Joe Perry from the set. The pre-show film also includes a [[Road crew|roadie]] saying "Hey, Joe, I'll get it for ya." in the background as a backup, in the event that a cast member is not available to participate.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D5fcuqwJkzQ | title=Rock 'n' Roller Coaster - Disney MGM Studios (1999 Pre-Show) | website=[[YouTube]] | date=December 15, 2020 }}</ref>
===Queue===
====Disney's Hollywood Studios====
As guests enter the line queue, they walk into a high-ceilinged circular room themed to a fictional record label called G-Force Records. Walls are decorated with ceiling-high guitars and digital posters of [[Hollywood Records]] artists, and the floor depicts a giant record. These digital posters sometimes display guests' names as recording artists, accomplished by short-range RFID scanners that read their MagicBands and Magicband+'s<ref name=itm-custom-posters>{{cite news|title=Rock 'n' Roller Coaster introduces personalized rock posters at Walt Disney World|url=http://www.insidethemagic.net/2016/04/video-rock-n-roller-coaster-introduces-personalized-rock-posters-at-walt-disney-world/|author=McCabe, Adam|date=April 19, 2016|access-date=October 21, 2016}}</ref>  Also on display to guests is a small exhibit of recording instruments in the stand-by queue.
As part of the pre-show experience, guests are asked to wait outside the doors of Studio C. Different musical instruments can be heard being played in Studio B during a rehearsal. As guests enter Studio C, [[Aerosmith]] is working on an instrumental recording of "[[Walk This Way]]" with a sound engineer ([[Ken Marino]]). The band greets the guests as their manager ([[ Illeana Douglas]]) walks in interrupting, telling the band they're running late to a scheduled show. As the band gets ready to depart, [[Steven Tyler]] stops and says they can't leave the guests behind. [[Joe Perry (musician)|Joe Perry]] and the rest of the band agree, as the manager sarcastically replies, "Well, guys, what do you expect me to do? Send them all with you?" Steven pauses and says, "Wait a minute. I love that idea. How about some backstage passes?" The manager reluctantly agrees and makes a phone call ordering a "super stretch" limo, calling it a "really fast car" that will take everyone across town to the show. The limo that Aerosmith boarded in the background peels out, leaving their manager behind to her disappointment. As the scene ends, "Walk This Way" resumes playing but this time with vocals. Guests are permitted to exit the pre-show area and board the ride.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.disneydining.com/7-facts-and-secrets-about-the-rock-n-roller-coaster-starring-aerosmith/|title=7 Facts And Secrets About The Rock 'n' Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith|date=March 18, 2017 }}</ref>
====Walt Disney Studios Park====
The former Paris version was similar, except guests entered a building themed to the fictional Tour de Force Records. The story focused on Aerosmith, working with engineers, creating a revolutionary new music experience at the Tour De Force Records studios. After watching the pre-show which features Aerosmith's Steven Tyler hyping up the ride, guests were lured into the testing area where they boarded one of five ''Soundtrackers'', the prototype vehicles for the new experience.
===On-ride===
As the limo leaves the parking garage, Bill St. James, the radio DJ of LA's Classic Rock Station, begins a short commentary, usually followed by a traffic report in the surrounding area where Aerosmith's concert is taking place. The limo stops in front of a highway tunnel where a highway sign flashes humorous messages like: "Traffic bug you? Then STEP on it!". (In the Paris version, instead of guests being taken on the Los Angeles freeways, the Paris version is based around an Aerosmith music video.) Building up anticipation, seconds before the limo is launched, Steven Tyler counts down from five, launching the limo from 0 to {{Convert|57|mph|km/h|abbr=on}} in less than 2.8 seconds at "one!". As the limo enters the tunnel, the on-ride photo is taken and a selection of Aerosmith songs play.
After a long straightway, the limo rises up into the Rollover element, which is a two inversion element,<ref>{{Cite web|title = Rock 'n' Roller Coaster - Walt Disney World - Disney's Hollywood Studios (Lake Buena Vista, Florida, USA)|url = http://rcdb.com/560.htm|website = rcdb.com|access-date = February 3, 2016}}</ref> and then some less intense over-banked turns. During the ride, there are neon signs on the side of the track, designed to mimic road signs; in the Paris version, lighting rigs, projectors, strobes, and smoke effects are used in place of the road signs that exist in the U.S. version. The limo continues along the track, until it reaches the third and final inversion, a corkscrew, and ending the ride with more banked turns as well as a camelback hill. The limo proceeds to the VIP backstage area, where guests exit through the red carpet towards the on-ride photo screens at the gift shop.
===Soundtrack===
[[File:rock n rollercoaster night.jpg|thumb|The giant red [[Fender Stratocaster]] outside of the Disney Rock 'n' Roller Coaster at night]]
[[File:Lock'n'roll.JPG|thumb|The garage sign in the ride's load area]]
====Disney's Hollywood Studios====
[[Walt Disney Imagineering]] worked with Aerosmith to produce a special soundtrack for the roller coaster. Each coaster train features different Aerosmith songs, some containing some new lyrics written specifically for the attraction; for example, "Love in an Elevator" is sung as "Love in a Rollercoaster".
* License plates and songs heard on each car:
** 1QKLIMO: Plays "[[Nine Lives (Aerosmith song)|Nine Lives]]"
** UGOBABE: Plays "[[Love in an Elevator]]" and "[[Walk This Way]]"
** BUHBYE: Plays "[[Pump (album)|Young Lust]]", "[[F.I.N.E.]]", and "[[Love in an Elevator]]" (sung as "Love in a Rollercoaster" in the last line)
** H8TRFFC: Plays "[[Back in the Saddle]]" and "[[Dude (Looks Like a Lady)]]"
** 2FAST4U: Plays "[[Sweet Emotion]]" (live, as featured in ''[[A Little South of Sanity]])''
** There is an unused song that is only used during testing and maintenance known as "[[What Kind of Love Are You On]]" (sung as "What Kind of Ride Are You On" in the last line)
There is a 6th limo in the fleet that has no license plate and is always "in refurbishment." The vehicles are rotated in and out of use after a period of many thousands of laps around the track. However, the maintenance teams will switch out the plate and add the proper song to the new vehicle every time a rotation is made.
In addition, prior to the 2007 refurbishment:
*The ride featured Uncle Joe Benson, a well-known Los Angeles rock radio DJ, as the station's DJ. Bill St. James, former host of [[Citadel Media|ABC Radio]]'s ''[[Flashback (radio program)|Flashback]]'', currently provides his own voice as the DJ of "LA's Classic Rock Station."
*The UGOBABE license plate has been used as UGOGIRL.
*[[Steven Tyler]] displayed the [[Shocker (gesture)|Shocker]] gesture when agreeing to offer backstage passes.
*The "Chris" that [[Joe Perry (musician)|Joe Perry]] asked to grabbed the black Les Paul was portrayed by a cast member who took a black Les Paul off of the recording studio set.
*Only the UGOGIRL and BUHBYE limos had actual countdowns<ref>https://web.archive.org/web/20060504065854/http://www.rocknrollercoaster.com/rnr5.mp3 {{bare URL inline|date=April 2023}}</ref> (As a result, Steven Tyler has commentary while counting down when it was added to the other limos).
====Walt Disney Studios Park====
The vehicles in Paris were called "Soundtrackers" instead of limousines. A unique aspect of the Walt Disney Studios version is that each Soundtracker had its own theme. There were five different light shows and five different soundtracks, one for each Soundtracker. The themes were as follows:
* '''Soundtracker 1:''' green lightshow theme; played "Back in the Saddle" and "Dude (Looks Like a Lady)"
* '''Soundtracker 2:''' purple lightshow theme; played "Young Lust," "F.I.N.E.", and "Love in an Elevator"
* '''Soundtracker 3:''' multicolour lightshow theme; played "Love in an Elevator" and "Walk This Way"
* '''Soundtracker 4:''' red lightshow theme; played "Nine Lives"
* '''Soundtracker 5:''' blue lightshow theme; played "Sweet Emotion" (live, as featured in [[A Little South of Sanity]])
==References==
{{reflist}}
==External links==
* [https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/attractions/hollywood-studios/rock-and-roller-coaster-starring-aerosmith/ Official website]
{{Disney's Hollywood Studios}}
{{WDW Coasters}}
{{Aerosmith}}
[[Category:1999 establishments in Florida]]
[[Category:2002 establishments in France]]
[[Category:2019 disestablishments in France]]
[[Category:Aerosmith]]
[[Category:Backlot (Walt Disney Studios Park)]]
[[Category:Enclosed roller coasters]]
[[Category:Former Walt Disney Parks and Resorts attractions]]
[[Category:Licensed properties at Walt Disney Parks & Resorts]]
[[Category:Roller coasters at Disney's Hollywood Studios]]
[[Category:Roller coasters at Walt Disney Studios Park]]
[[Category:Sunset Boulevard (Disney's Hollywood Studios)]]
[[Category:Walt Disney Parks and Resorts attractions]]
[[Category:Walt Disney Studios Park]]