Walt Disney World has pulled back the curtain on the big surprise inside Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring the Muppets, revealing the rumored Statler and Waldorf Audio Animatronics on-board the attraction. Here’s first look video plus our commentary about the turnaround time on installing the AAs. (Warning: this post contains ride spoilers.)
As basic background, Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster will soon embark on a Muppets takeover featuring Kermit the Frog, Miss Piggy and more of their friends. The Muppets are moving right along to Sunset Boulevard, teaming up with some of music’s biggest stars for a rockin’ music festival.
Walt Disney World has really been pulling the curtain back on Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring The Muppets. We’ve learned about the courtyard, backstory, setlist, post-show, Audio Animatronics, and pre-show stage-setting scene. And now, we’re going to see some of this for the first time about a week before the ride opens…
Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring The Muppets is one of the higher profile attraction openings of Summer 2026. That’s definitely true for Walt Disney World and/or Muppets diehards, especially since this ride reimagining was basically an olive branch to fans following the closure of MuppetVision 3D.
We’re cautiously optimistic about this ride reimagining, especially after seeing the Song List for Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring the Muppets. It sounds like Imagineering is using the blueprint from Cosmic Rewind, which is great.
Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Opening & Preview Dates
Walt Disney World previously announced that Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring The Muppets will open on May 26, 2026!
Annual Passholder previews of Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring The Muppets will take place at Disney’s Hollywood Studios on the following dates: May 21, 22 and 23, 2026. Following that, Disney Vacation Club Members will get “Priority Access” to Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring The Muppets on May 24, 2026.
DVC using the words “priority access” as opposed to “previews” suggests to us that the attraction will also be available to the general public on that same day (with DVC Members getting one-time Lightning Lanes), or May 25, 2026 at the latest. We strongly suspect there will be soft openings of RnRC ahead of Memorial Day.
Since we literally just walked through everything you need to know about Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring The Muppets yesterday, we’re going to skip ahead to the big surprise. Last chance: close this window now (or at least don’t watch the video below) if you want to avoid spoilers…
What’s all the commotion about Statler and Waldorf have a new home at Hollywood Studios pic.twitter.com/MOBYp7ziYi
— Disney Parks (@DisneyParks) May 16, 2026
Statler & Waldorf Audio Animatronics
As we’ve been pointing out since the supposedly full reveal, Walt Disney World’s announcements have continued to tease that there are more surprises to come with Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring the Muppets. We walked through the low-hanging fruit possibilities yesterday, ranging from the end video to Easter eggs from MuppetVision 3D and Aerosmith in the queue.
Another wildcard was something meatier from MuppetVision 3D being brought over and added to the attraction. My personal wish list involved a certain curmudgeonly dynamic duo who would heckle guests, and further reinforce the Cosmic Rewind comparisons.
Well, it seems like my wish has been granted, as Statler and Waldorf Audio Animatronics do appear on-board the attraction! This has been rumored for months, but we’ve been slightly skeptical that it wasn’t just speculation or wishful thinking that had morphed into “rumor.” Unless you hear something directly from credible sources (and I hadn’t), it’s sometimes hard to tell where armchair Imagineering ends and actual Imagineering begins.
The curmudgeonly dynamic duo appear to be in an Airstream trailer, with boxes of tomatoes in front of them (perfect for throwing). We can just see the ride vehicle passing them, but it’s unclear where in the ride where Statler and Waldorf are located.
My best guess is that they’re near unload but not visible from it. The only real alternative would be right before launch, but if you listen to the video, there’s a line of dialogue that wouldn’t make sense at the beginning of the attraction. It’s almost certainly the end based on process of elimination.
I’d be shocked if Imagineering put them at the unload station, as then guests would loiter around that area, presenting crowd flow and safety concerns. Then again, Imagineering did design the problematic pre-show for Cosmic Rewind, so who knows.
Not only should Statler and Waldorf at the end provide a satisfying send-off to guests, but it allows them to reprise one of the best lines from MuppetVision, “we can’t you old fool, we’re bolted to the seats!”, which also ended that attraction. I hope their dialogue loop is long, encouraging repeat ride-throughs to hear it all. I’m also looking forward to a treasure trove of other MV3D Easter eggs.
Beyond having two more Audio Animatronics in Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring the Muppets for a total of at least 5 AAs, what most impresses me about this is the turnaround time. Honestly, that’s why I was most skeptical about Statler and Waldorf appearing in the attraction in the first place. It just didn’t seem like enough time to get this done!
While Scooter and the penguins are impressive, it’s worth reiterating that the pre-show closed back in November. Imagineering began working on that months before the rest of the attraction closed in early March. In fact, the pre-show has been behind walls for double the duration of the rest of the ride.
By contrast, Imagineering has had 2.5 months to transform everything else, including adding Statler and Waldorf. And since there were no Audio Animatronics previously in their location, it wouldn’t have been a simple matter of plopping them down. There’s all kinds of electrical and other work that needs to be done to prep the space–just look at how long the Hatbox Ghost installation took from start to finish!
My guess is that Imagineering started working on all of that after hours while Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith was still operational. I’m really curious as to the logistics of this all, and hope Disney shares more behind the curtain about how they knocked this out so speedily.
Suffice to say, the quick turnaround time is impressive. Or at least, promising. I don’t want to offer too much praise until riding myself, as it’s possible the end result feels rushed, but it certainly doesn’t look it from videos. After seeing Walt Disney World take 5 years to transform the center of EPCOT into a bland office park, it’s great to see project teams move with a sense of urgency.
It’s also great to see a ride reimagining look like it’s going to overdeliver versus the concept art and what was announced. I don’t want to count my chickens before they hatch, as the Audio Animatronics for Tiana’s Bayou Adventure were really impressive in isolation, but the Muppets Makeover of Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster appears to be shaping up nicely. The combination of speed and apparent quality is a very pleasant surprise. Huge kudos to the project management team.
This bodes well not just for the big expansion projects, but also for getting future ‘singles & doubles’ projects greenlit. Imagineering accomplished something similar with Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin (review still coming soon), and I hope they’re given more opportunities like this to breathe new life into old attractions…and Audio Animatronics of more old men!
11 days to curtain Your first look at Scooter on Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring The Muppets pic.twitter.com/HlpmAopoTG
— Disney Parks (@DisneyParks) May 15, 2026
Scooter & Penguin Audio Animatronics
Sticking with the Audio Animatronics in the attraction, we’ll jump back to the pre-show, where the other confirmed three AAs are inside the attraction. Above is another new video released by Walt Disney World showcasing these characters.
The 25-second clip shows the first-ever Audio-Animatronics figure of Scooter and the penguin audio engineers inside G-Force Records, with Scooter’s fluid movement and range of motion drawing immediate attention. In short, he looks like an actual, in-real-life Muppet, right down to the puppeteering rods in his arms (a nice touch).
The highlight comes at the end of the clip, where Scooter faints and drops to the floor in exasperation. It’s unmistakably Muppet in character and personality, capturing the essence of the comedy that has defined the Muppets for decades.
The clip also offers a first look at the penguins at work in the studio. The penguins add an immediate layer of Muppet absurdity to the mix, as these little guys demonstrate their professional range in going from performing in an orchestra during MuppetVision 3D to being audio engineers in Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster.
There’s also a brief cameo by Beaker, who appears in a burst of smoke after the Electric Mayhem crank out the familiar tunes of “Can You Picture That?” as they rehearse for their big concert.
The Audio‑Animatronics figure of Scooter was brought to life using motion‑capture technology of the real Scooter the Muppet. By recording and tracking Scooter’s performance, Walt Disney Imagineering was able to build and program a figure that looks, moves, and emotes exactly like Scooter should, right down to the small details.
Joined by the finest audio engineers (all penguins, of course), Scooter is doing his best to convince The Electric Mayhem to stop jamming and get to their increasingly restless fans. But will it be enough to get the band across town and on stage in time?
This pre-show occupies the exact same space as the current Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith. It even uses the same style, with the Electric Mayhem Band on the other side of the recording studio “glass” via a large screen. Also appearing on separate screens flanking the main one are Kermit and Miss Piggy.
The pre-show features three Audio-Animatronics (one Scooter plus two penguins). This is a huge win for an attraction that we previously expected to be an efficient and inexpensive project–a “no dough” reimagining that was a passion project for Imagineers, as opposed to a well-funded one.
Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring The Muppets Backstory
The Electric Mayhem are headlining their biggest Hollywood concert ever! Anyone who’s anyone is in attendance to witness Animal, Dr. Teeth, and the rest of this groove-tastic group rock the house down. There’s just one little problem: the band is nowhere to be found.
Across town at G-Force Records, we’re treated to a VIP tour of the legendary rock and roll recording studio. Things might look a little different around this Hollywood institution, as the label has recently come under new management – The Muppets!
The colorful crew has landed some new digs, with just a little help from Scooter’s uncle, real estate tycoon and owner of the Muppet Theatre, J.P. Grosse (he puts the G in G-Force). Just wait until you see how they’ve made these hallowed halls their own, creating the perfect place to make sweet, sweet Muppet music together!
A Rock ‘n’ Roll Road Trip
Thanks to the newest technological advancements from Muppets Labs, we’ll board a super-powered vehicle in the alleyway just behind Studio C known as the Lengthy Immediate Motion Object (L.I.M.O.)! We’ll then take a twisting, turning, and screamingly fun road trip across Hollywood to reach the concert in time.
The iconic scenery and landmarks of Tinseltown will feature a Muppet twist. And throughout the journey, you’ll hear the Electric Mayhem playing some of the most iconic, rockin’ hits in your ears to keep the music and adrenaline pumping.
It’s interesting that the scenery of Tinseltown will feature a Muppet twist. I’d imagine this means that a lot of the existing visuals will be repurposed, which was precisely what we expected, but that there will be Muppet visual gags added to the landmarks. Don’t expect the cut-out style of the scenery to change, but it would be fantastic if there’s more to see along the way.
Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster On-Ride Playlist
While riding Rock ’n’ Roller Coaster Starring The Muppets, the music takes center stage. The Electric Mayhem teamed up with some of rock’s biggest names to deliver a lineup of tracks designed to crank the adrenaline from the loading zone to the final brake run.
Here’s what’s on the set list:
Song 2 – The Electric Mayhem
Born To Be Wild – The Electric Mayhem ft. Camilla the Chicken
Love Rollercoaster – The Electric Mayhem ft. Jennifer Hudson & Questlove
Rock! Rock! (Till You Drop) – The Electric Mayhem ft. Def Leppard
Walking on Sunshine – The Electric Mayhem ft. Kelly Clarkson
Each song brings its own energy, tempo, and attitude, creating a concert style experience where the soundtrack doesn’t just play – it goes from zero to sixty in three… two… one! And like any great show, the fun doesn’t stop with the final note. We heard the band’s been working on some bonus tracks…
After rockin’ out, check out your concert-inspired versions of the attraction photo from Disney PhotoPass Service that puts you center stage with The Electric Mayhem. The photos below also reveal the ride vehicles, at least in part, which look similar to the upside down super-stretch that’s been repainted in the courtyard outside.
Electric Mayhem Post-Show
After (spoiler alert) arriving to the concert on time, you’ll see the Electric Mayhem perform “Can You Picture That?” in the post-show. Walt Disney World hasn’t clarified whether these are video showing previously recorded concert footage or Audio Animatronics performing live, but they’re most likely video.
As exciting as the possibility of more Audio Animatronics might be, the Electric Mayhem will probably be presented in video form above the on-ride photo review area, just as Aerosmith concert footage was previously shown. When in doubt, assume the RnRC reimagining will follow the blueprint of its predecessor.
What’s Not Changing
The speedy turnaround time on the ride reimagining–and getting it reopened by May 26, 2026 along with previews before that–is because substance of Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster will not materially change for the most part, aside from the pre-show.
The roller coaster track and layout are going to remain unchanged inside the current gravity building. Aside from cosmetically, the ride vehicles are not changing. It’s also likely that the load area, launch, and unload will likely look somewhat similar when all is said and done, albeit with new props. Work was done during two lengthy refurbishments in 2023 and 2024 to extend the life of the coaster and ride system.
Imagineering has created story contrivances that offer considerable overlap with Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith, allowing for a lot of RnRC to remain unchanged. If you’re hoping for a fundamentally different attraction experience, you should adjust your expectations.
Expect a fairly 1:1 ride reimagining, with Imagineering swapping out Aerosmith stuff for Muppets stuff. The original Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster will serve as the blueprint for the changes, and if you don’t like the new music or the Muppets for whatever reason, you can put on headphones during the ride (not recommended since it’s a roller coaster) and listen to Aerosmith to have the same general experience as before.
Ultimately, we’re cautiously optimistic about Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring the Muppets. There are hardcore Muppets fans in Walt Disney Imagineering who fought for this project in the first place, and will likewise work tirelessly to ensure the reimagining is well-done, reusing elements from MuppetVision that would otherwise be discarded, and having as much unique Muppets humor as possible.
We can’t wait to see how Imagineers pull off this ride reimagining, even if it’ll never fully replace MuppetVision. Then again, maybe it won’t have to…if they do such a good job that this leads to a future Muppets Courtyard in this area, we could end up with a windfall and the start of a bona fide Muppet renaissance!
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YOUR THOUGHTS
Thoughts on the Audio Animatronics in the pre-show? Any bold bets about the other big surprises in the attraction?Or do you think this is it? Excited for Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring the Muppets to open on May 26, 2026? Hoping to take advantage of previews prior to then? Are you excited for Muppets makeover? Do you agree or disagree with our assessments? Any questions we can help you answer? Hearing your feedback–even when you disagree with us–is both interesting to us and helpful to other readers, so please share your thoughts below in the comments!
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