LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. -- The five members of America's premier rock band, Aerosmith, who have sold more than 80 million records and influenced generations of musicians, have teamed with Walt Disney Imagineering to create a high-speed thrill ride that will rock and roll Walt Disney World Resort guests -- literally.
Rock 'n' Roller Coaster starring Aerosmith, blasts off this summer at Disney-MGM Studios as part of the largest property-wide expansion in Walt Disney World history. The indoor roller coaster features a high-speed launch of 0-60 mph in 2.8 seconds, three inversions, rock-concert lighting and a specially created Aerosmith soundtrack blasting from 120 onboard speakers in each coaster train -- all firsts for a Walt Disney World attraction.
"This thrilling new attraction is a perfect fit for Disney-MGM Studios and its celebration of show business -- film, television, theater, animation and now music," said Walt Disney World president Al Weiss. "And Aerosmith, with its multi-generational, international appeal and ever-youthful approach to rock 'n' roll music, is a fantastic match for this new thrill ride."
Formed in the early 1970s in Boston, Aerosmith (Steven Tyler, vocals; Joe Perry, guitars; Brad Whitford, guitars; Tom Hamilton, bass; and Joey Kramer, drums) is more popular today than ever before. In fact, the global appeal of this internationally renowned band continues to grow, thanks to the recent release of its chart-topping, multi-platinum studio and live albums ("Nine Lives" and "A Little South of Sanity"), a #1 single from the motion picture "Armageddon" ("I Don't Want to Miss a Thing"), a Grammy Award and a stunning live performance at the 1999 Academy Awards.
"When you've toured the world as much as we have, it's a real thrill to find a new audience," said lead singer Steven Tyler. "Coming up with a soundtrack for this Disney ride really brought the kid out in all of us and has given us the opportunity to play audio gymnastics with our music."
Rock 'n' Roller Coaster, located near The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror on Sunset Boulevard, represents yet another breakthrough in Disney theme park rides.
"Once again, Imagineers are at the forefront with this technologically progressive attraction that fuels awesome thrills with the power and allure of rock 'n' roll music," said Ken Wong, president of Walt Disney Imagineering, the creative design and development division of The Walt Disney Company.
Guests aboard each "limo" encounter nearly 5 Gs as they transition from launch to loop at the ride's first inversion. By comparison, astronauts aboard the Space Shuttle experience 3 Gs at liftoff.
Rock 'n' Roller Coaster will surprise guests with unexpected twists, turns and high-speed revolutions along its darkened tracks. The attraction begins with a tour of the fictional G-Force Records, where guests encounter Aerosmith finishing up a studio recording session. After being invited by the band members to see them in concert, guests climb aboard a 24-passenger "stretch limo" and swiftly accelerate into the Hollywood night. The enclosed experience features brilliantly lit Southern California landmarks highlighted by a trip through the famous Hollywood sign -- 365 days a year, rain or shine.
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