Walt Disney World has introduced the Muppets are taking on Rock ‘n’ Curler Coaster, changing Aerosmith. Regardless of Kermit and co. being a fan-favorite franchise, the response has been moderately blended to this information. One of many stunning sticking factors is whether or not the Kermit, Miss Piggy, and the Electrical Mayhem Band belong within the Hollywood Studios thrill journey to start with.
Earlier than we try to reply that titular query, let’s shortly convey you up to the mark on the massive shake-up at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Parks Chairman Josh D’Amaro introduced through the 2024 D23 Expo {that a} brand-new land themed round Monsters, Inc. will come to life at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Choosing up after the occasions of Pixar’s beloved movie, people have now been invited to go to the world of Monsters, Inc.
Walt Disney World followers shortly realized that Monstropolis would nearly definitely want to switch an present space of Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Additional reinforcing this notion is that Disney launched two items of idea artwork for Monstropolis, exhibiting seemingly conflicting areas for the land. We beforehand mentioned the potential candidates in What Will Walt Disney World Sacrifice for Monstropolis?
Sadly, we now know that the loser within the Monstropolis sweepstakes is Muppet Courtyard. Walt Disney World has introduced that they’ll be opening ‘new doorways’ for Muppets and Monsters at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. This implies MuppetVision 3D closing to make method for the Monsters, Inc. Doorways Coaster and Monstropolis.
Nonetheless, it additionally means the Muppets taking on Rock ‘n’ Curler Coaster and changing Aerosmith. This journey just lately celebrated its twenty fifth Anniversary, and Aerosmith took to social media to have a good time the event.
When the journey opened method again in 1999 at what was then referred to as the Disney-MGM Studios, Rock ‘n’ Curler Coaster was unprecedented. Disney had by no means completed a curler coaster with a high-speed launch and a number of full inversions, sudden twists, turns, and excessive velocity revolutions at midnight. It felt like the primary time that Disney was aiming for Common’s viewers.
The opening act was shortly adopted up with California Screamin’ at DCA (extra on this in a bit) and a second (albeit very totally different) Rock ‘n’ Curler Coaster Starring Aerosmith within the Walt Disney Studios Park at Disneyland Paris. Though subjective, I’d say that Rock ‘n’ Curler Coaster continues to be probably the most intense thrill journey at Walt Disney World.
In any case, between its 25-year historical past, enduring reputation, and unprecedented nature, it must be wholly unsurprising {that a} sure phase of Walt Disney World followers are upset concerning the retirement of Rock ‘n’ Curler Coaster Starring Aerosmith. Or, at the very least, of the final two phrases of the attraction identify. We Walt Disney World followers are typically a nostalgic bunch, so heartbreak over a journey reimagining comes with the territory.
I nonetheless need to admit to being barely shocked by the fan response. After I first heard this rumor had a powerful risk of occurring, my response was that shedding MuppetVision 3D was the intestine punch, but it surely was at the very least a silver lining that the Muppets would dwell on at Walt Disney World by way of Rock ‘n’ Curler Coaster. A suboptimal final result, to make certain, however higher than nothing.
My expectation was that this could be the response of most followers. And to make certain, I believe that’s roughly the case. There are various Walt Disney World followers mourning MuppetVision, however excess of anticipated are additionally lamenting the lack of Aerosmith in Rock ‘n’ Curler Coaster.
A part of this, it will appear, is that I got here to phrases with shedding Rock ‘n’ Curler Coaster Starring Aerosmith roughly 6 years in the past. Again in November 2018, the New York Instances did a bit about how a lot Disney was spending on growth that included a tidbit about Rock ‘n’ Curler Coaster being rethemed. Disney shortly denied it and NYT corrected the piece, however from my perspective, the writing has been on the wall ever since.
In any case, let’s handle among the fan considerations concerning the Muppets takeover of Rock ‘n’ Curler Coaster primarily based on reader feedback to the announcement…
The Muppets Are For Children…
The critique right here is that the Muppets are colourful puppets and subsequently aimed toward kids, most of whom are too small for intense points of interest. Consequently, the audience received’t even be capable to journey Rock ‘n’ Curler Coaster with the Muppets, because it has a 48″ minimal peak requirement.
That is really one thing we’ve addressed in numerous posts about potential journey reimaginings of Rock ‘n’ Curler Coaster over time. I identified this concern, but additionally that the Incredicoaster at Disney California Journey is an intense curler coaster that additionally has a 48″ peak requirement.
The Incredibles is about as “grownup” of a Pixar film as there’s (save for Wall-E–however that’s not precisely coaster materials) and Disney California Journey undoubtedly has totally different demographics, however nonetheless. It was on this foundation that I dominated out nearly all Pixar and Walt Disney Animation Studio tie-ins to Rock ‘n’ Curler Coaster (particularly Inside Out and Zootopia).
The one exceptions to that had been the Muppets (not animated, however comparable concept) and Rock ‘n’ Curler Coaster Starring Max Goof as “Powerline.” My foundation for this was that neither the Muppets nor Powerline are literally kids’s franchises. They’re primarily common with Millennials and older!
Personally, I enormously respect all of you mother and father who’re introducing your youngsters to tradition and have raised Muppets followers. You’re really doing the Lord’s work. We plan on elevating Megatron proper and doing likewise. However I’m most likely not incorrect in saying that none of your youngsters’ mates are Muppets followers…proper?
The peak of the Muppets reputation was someday 30 to 40 years in the past. I’m no math professional, however I believe that makes most of its followers sufficiently old to satisfy that minimal peak requirement. Muppets fanatics are (largely) elder Millennials to Child Boomers, not youthful generations.
Heck, even those that had been youngsters when the final two Muppets films had been launched in theaters to blended success at the moment are sufficiently old for Rock ‘n’ Curler Coaster–these movies got here out over a decade in the past!
One of many large criticisms of Disney’s dealing with of the Muppets is that they’ve mismanaged them, failing to make them common with youthful audiences. Whereas I’m essential of rather a lot that Disney has completed–and I do suppose that the Muppets underneath Disney haven’t completed nice at nailing their trademark wit and humor–mismanaging the Muppets will not be a type of issues. The Muppets had been fading lengthy earlier than Disney acquired them.
If something, Disney has given the Muppets probability after probability. For this reason I’ve written repeatedly that there have to be somebody high-up throughout the firm who’s a giant Muppets fan. It’s as a result of Disney retains making an attempt, regardless of repeated failures. (To make certain, a few of these failures are self-induced. Disney has had kernels of fine concepts with the Muppets that they didn’t give sufficient time to germinate.)
In any case, this brings us to the subsequent critique…
The Muppets Aren’t Widespread…
That is sadly correct (see above). It’s unimaginable for me to argue on the one hand that the Muppets aren’t common with youngsters underneath 48 inches after which argue that they’re common however. The Muppets shouldn’t have up to date reputation on their facet. They don’t seem to be related. I’ll be the primary to confess this.
What the Muppets have is cultural recognition and significance. As a franchise or model, they’re well-established and have longevity. Characters like Kermit the Frog and Miss Piggy are memorable and iconic. They’re much like Mickey Mouse on this regard, and vital components of popular culture historical past.
What I might argue along with that is that even because the Muppets don’t get pleasure from mainstream reputation, they are more and more influential amongst key constituencies. Disney Adults love the Muppets. That is an highly effective demographic that’s solely going to develop within the coming years as they enter their peak incomes years.
As a retired Childless Disney Millennial, I can guarantee you that my (former) folks will spend large on all issues Muppets. I just lately purchased a few overpriced Muppet Christmas Carol shirts, which offered out in minutes to hours relying on the dimensions and magnificence. You higher consider that Rock ‘n’ Curler Coaster Starring the Muppets will transfer merchandise.
As a present Youngster-Having Disney Millennial (unsure that’s a factor…however it’s now), I may also guarantee you that I can be absolutely indoctrinating our daughter into the methods of the Muppets. I’m certain I’m not the one one. The affect Millennial mother and father and buying energy of Childless Millennials is one thing we’ve introduced up numerous occasions up to now, often to justify a revival of Disney Afternoon stuff.
At a time when long-dormant franchises are being revived and rebooted to stunning success, there’s something to be stated for Disney’s method in protecting the Muppets within the highlight. The “bones” of the franchise are nonetheless sturdy, and these characters are one hit away from being large once more–and that features the again catalogue.
I don’t fake to know what the children as of late discover humorous (largely stuff that’s silly, I assume), however the Muppets’ humor is timeless. They might be common once more. Perhaps the Rock ‘n’ Curler Coaster journey reimagining will play a job in that. Who is aware of.
Even when it doesn’t, truthfully, who cares?
TRON will not be common. Twilight Zone will not be common. You could possibly argue that most of the older animated films upon which a lot of Disney’s darkish rides are primarily based aren’t all that common anymore. It definitely might’ve been stated about Splash Mountain, and perhaps even Avatar (regardless of each films in James Cameron’s franchise–and presumably all subsequent ones–doing gangbusters on the field workplace).
One thing we’ve additionally stated numerous occasions is {that a} compelling attraction or land can overcome its supply materials. Actually, we had been defenders of Pandora early-on when the land was introduced and so many others known as it “irrelevant.” Relevancy doesn’t matter when you will have high quality!
Rock ‘n’ Curler Coaster is common due to the joys journey at its core. I promise you that it’ll not be much less common with the Muppets as its hosts. That will be true even when they changed the rock music with the “Meow Combine” jingle on loop. Wait a minute…I really like that concept.
I might even be very cautious earlier than happening the “X isn’t sufficiently common” street. These of you making an attempt to make use of that line to protest a Muppets overlay of Rock ‘n’ Curler Coaster is likely to be inadvertently making Disney’s level for them with regard to changing Rivers of America and Tom Sawyer Island.
To not point out Corridor of Presidents, American Journey, Spaceship Earth, Carousel of Progress, and any variety of different points of interest that followers would possibly need to see saved now or sooner or later. For my part, reputation shouldn’t be the one metric used when figuring out an attraction’s worth or placement at Walt Disney World.
In truth, I believe most Walt Disney World followers would agree with this sentiment. In that case, I might merely ask that you just not embrace it solely when it fits your private preferences. This line of reasoning is both a defend or a sword, not each.
Aerosmith is Irreplaceable…
I hate to interrupt it to you, fellow elder Millennials and older, however Aerosmith additionally will not be common with the youth. And I say this as an Aerosmith fan! A couple of of you instructed that Aerosmith ought to hold the gig as a result of they’re the all-time biggest rock ‘n’ roll band.
It is a extremely doubtful declare in a world the place the Rolling Stones, Led Zeppelin, Pink Floyd, and the Beatles exist. (I’d personally add just a few others to that record above Aerosmith, however my preferences are irrelevant–these are the 4 bands that personal excessive perches in historical past.)
Regardless, the commonality amongst all bands on a ‘biggest of all time’ record goes to be their age. For this reason we beforehand shot down “rumors” about Queen changing Aerosmith–as a result of it was a lateral transfer at finest. It might require Disney paying for the expense of a reimagining, plus licensing charges all whereas selling another person’s catalogue whereas not transferring the needle on bookings.
Though not essentially outcome-determinative, there are two further elements at play with the choice to switch Aerosmith. First, the band simply retired from touring, efficient instantly. “Peace Out: The Farewell Tour” was already set to be the ultimate tour for Aerosmith, however the retirement got here extra abruptly attributable to lead singer Steven Tyler’s vocal harm.
Second, Steven Tyler has been named in two separate lawsuits within the final two years, accusing him of sexual assault, sexual battery, and intentional infliction of emotional misery. We don’t search to evaluate the benefit of the allegations in opposition to Steven Tyler. Frankly, the end result doesn’t a lot matter.
No matter what occurs in courts of regulation, it’s pretty simple that showcasing a rock band from the Nineteen Seventies is a legal responsibility for Walt Disney World. Not simply Aerosmith…just about any rock band of that period! Many did unsavory issues, and there are most likely closets filled with skeletons. Between elevated social scrutiny and Disney’s family-friendly picture, it’s an pointless and imprudent threat.
We’ve beforehand reported that Disney has contingency plans in place that might enable the corporate to take away all references to Aerosmith in a single day (it’s an analogous story with Jimmy Fallon over at Common, from what we perceive). That could be a slight exaggeration–given how lengthy it took to assemble CommuniCore Corridor, I’m guessing the changeover would take at the very least every week.
As we’ve additionally identified beforehand, the one musician it will make sense to showcase in Rock ‘n’ Curler Coaster would by Taylor Swift. Earlier than you curmudgeons begin grumbling about expertise, overexposure, or who is aware of what else–this isn’t about your preferences (I personally want Aerosmith to Taylor Swift, however I additionally dwell on planet earth and know who’s extra common). That is concerning the one musician who has marketability and drawing energy that might really justify the insane licensing charges.
That record is one entry lengthy, and she or he’s it. So except you’d want Rock ‘n’ Curler Coaster: Taylor’s Model, it was all the time going to be Disney IP highlighted as a part of a journey reimagining.
Imagineering Doesn’t Know What They’re Doing…
This one strikes me as followers not understanding how Disney makes selections, assuming that Imagineering has the final word authority and selected to swap MuppetVision for Rock ‘n’ Curler Coaster Starring the Muppets. To cite that one annoying business: “that’s not the way it works…that’s not how any of this works!”
Consider Imagineering just like the culinary staff at a restaurant, Walt Disney World administration because the visitor, and also you as a viewer watching on tv. Like The Bear, however much less traumatic. For the restaurant on this instance, let’s use Cítricos on the Grand Floridian.
It’s among the best Disney eating places anyplace, and the chef (Imagineering) has some really formidable and envelope-pushing dishes on the menu. Sadly, the visitor (Walt Disney World administration) retains ordering the hen nuggets from the children menu.
The conclusion you may draw is that Citricos sucks now as a result of it’s a prestigious restaurant that solely serves is hen nuggets. Should you didn’t have perception into the complete menu because of this being televised, that might be an inexpensive conclusion. But when watching this on TV, you’d most likely conclude that the visitor is the issue. The meal can solely be nearly as good as what’s ordered.
So a lot of you’re fast to level out that the worldwide parks, Tokyo Disney Resort particularly, get the entire good things. Have you ever ever stopped to ask why? Regardless of Imagineering being the artistic agency for all of them, why does Walt Disney World so usually obtain the worst outcomes? Assume it by way of. It’s not as if Imagineering actively hates Walt Disney World and is making unhealthy selections solely for Florida. It’s the executives, not the creatives, who’re the first downside.
To be truthful, generally the artistic is unhealthy or poorly executed. However more often than not, Imagineers try to make lemonade out of lemons, or to proceed our tortured instance, making an attempt to make hen nuggets which are really formidable and scrumptious.
It’s additionally once more price reiterating right here that the Muppets are underneath the purview of Walt Disney Imagineering, and have been for the previous couple of years. That’s doubtless how we obtained Muppets Haunted Mansion (and why it was so good) and in addition explains the promotional appearances of the Muppet characters.
Imagineers love the Muppets. They’ve zero curiosity in destroying MuppetVision. You had higher consider that Imagineering pitched a number of plans on executives that might’ve saved MuppetVision, and pushed exhausting for management to order these. If you wish to blame anybody for this final result, direct your ire at Bob Iger, Josh D’Amaro, and Jeff Vahle.
Whereas I don’t have excellent perception into how this went down, my sturdy suspicion is that Rock ‘n’ Curler Coaster Starring the Muppets was a hail mary by Imagineering to avoid wasting the Muppets at Disney’s Hollywood Studios in some capability within the hope that they might ultimately construct on it and switch this into a brand new Muppets miniland. It’s a small miracle that they even managed to perform this, to be completely sincere. It’s additionally gotta be so despiriting for the Imagineers who did every part they might to avoid wasting the Muppets be topic to backlash from followers who don’t perceive how issues work.
A Curler Coaster Isn’t Proper for Muppets Humor…
One other one with which I largely agree!
In an ideal world, the Muppets would have a meaty attraction. Say, a 17-minute present with a prolonged pre-show beforehand, ready space loaded with gags, and theater together with tons of results. In different phrases, MuppetVision 3D. I might additionally gladly take a darkish journey, maybe the Nice Muppets Film Experience.
Once more, see the above instance about menu planning. Over the previous couple of a long time, I’d hazard a guess that there have been dozens upon dozens of such meaty points of interest on Imagineering’s menu. We even find out about just a few of them! Nonetheless, they’ve by no means been greenlit by the executives.
In the end, it’s Rock ‘n’ Curler Coaster Starring the Muppets or nothing. Anything that followers are debating is a false selection, at the very least from the angle of Imagineering. Type of like what occurred just lately with Nation Bear Musical Jamboree, which is fairly removed from my favourite attraction however higher than the real looking various. (As an apart, the explanation I’ve shunned reviewing it’s as a result of I do know the work Imagineering put into making that occur in any respect, and I’ve no need to knock that. The fervour and understanding of the bears shines by way of, whatever the finish product.)
My hope is that Rock ‘n’ Curler Coaster Starring the Muppets can be well-executed. I don’t suppose there’s any probability it lives as much as MuppetVision 3D for me primarily based solely on my attraction preferences and the respective codecs, however I believe it might be good. If there’s one factor that Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind has proven us, it’s that curler coasters can be meaty points of interest with a fantastic humorousness. If Rock ‘n’ Curler Coaster Starring the Muppets finally ends up being a cross between MuppetVision 3D and Cosmic Rewind, it’ll be an enormous win. On the very least, it’ll expose an enormous variety of new friends to the Muppets, and that alone makes it a distinctly patriotic attraction.
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YOUR THOUGHTS
Do you suppose Rock ‘n’ Curler Coaster Starring the Muppets will “work” as an attraction? Are you upset concerning the Muppets changing Aerosmith, Monsters changing MuppetVision, or each? If MuppetVision had been going away regardless, would you continue to be mad concerning the RnRC reimagining? Do you agree or disagree with our assessments? Any questions we may also help you reply? Listening to your suggestions–even if you disagree with us–is each fascinating to us and useful to different readers, so please share your ideas under within the feedback!
