First Video of Rock 'n' Roller Coaster Muppets Preshow Shows Off Jaw-Dropping Scooter Animatronic

31 days ago in "Rock 'n' Roller Coaster Starring The Muppets"

Penguin Audio Engineers and Scooter at Rock 'n' Roller Coaster
Posted: Friday May 15, 2026 4:43pm ET by WDWMAGIC Staff

Disney has released a 25-second video giving the first look at the new preshow for Rock 'n' Roller Coaster Starring The Muppets in action.

The clip shows the first-ever Audio-Animatronics figure of Scooter and the penguin audio engineers inside G-Force Records, with Scooter's movement drawing immediate attention.

The attraction opens for Annual Passholder previews on May 21, with the public opening on May 26, 2026.

The clip demonstrates the range and fluidity of the Scooter Audio-Animatronics figure, created using motion-capture technology from the actual Scooter Muppet. The figure moves with a naturalness and expressiveness that goes beyond typical Audio-Animatronics work.

The standout moment comes at the end of the clip, where Scooter faints and drops to the floor. The movement is fluid, expressive, and unmistakably Muppet in character, capturing the physical comedy that has defined the character for decades.

The clip also gives a look at the penguin audio engineers at work in the control booth alongside Scooter. The penguins add an immediate layer of Muppet absurdity to the otherwise authentic recording studio environment, delivering on the promise of G-Force Records under new Muppet management.

Disney previously revealed that the Scooter figure was built and programmed using motion-capture data recorded from the actual Scooter Muppet. The 25-second clip demonstrates why that approach was worth the effort.

Rock 'n' Roller Coaster Starring The Muppets opens for Annual Passholder previews on May 21, just days away. DVC Member priority access follows on May 24, with the public opening on May 26, 2026.

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celluloid3 days ago

Yes, the original had one screen to a mixing table with a door open to a back alleyway that everyone could notice with how far back it is. There were no monitors or effects or characters in foreground. So reasonably most could see what was designed to be seen. This redo of the space has fun effects and new media on various screen heights that very few can see all of by comparison. There would have been some simple design choices where this would be improved. The single rider line definitely has hurt this aspect over the years as the platform was designed to be another level.

Agent H3 days ago

Apologies! For some reason I didn’t see the second part of your post.

Professortango13 days ago

I was asking in regard to the sightlines in the preshow, not the difference in the attractions as a whole.

Agent H3 days ago

The grey paint and the muppet props and characters cover up what a complete failure this ride has always been from a theming standpoint plus the soundtrack is better.

Marc Davis Fan3 days ago

Make that a super-stretch. I’m sorry. I’ll show myself out.

Incomudro3 days ago

It's not a direct, point by point comparison. The comparison is in the inherent difficulties in retrofitting one IP into a place that it wasn't designed for. Imaginears get faced with working things into sightlines, design constraints, pacing etc., that are a part of the original ride.

dmc4934 days ago

Comparing this to Tiana feels like a stretch

Incomudro4 days ago

I would say that part of the problem is that now they have added things that you are supposed to see, but many cannot see. Particularly tough for children. This is part of the reason that I say that the Aerosmith version though having less, just worked. Like Tiana's this is one of the issues when you try to retrofit an IP that the ride system wasn't designed for from the outset.

ChewbaccaYourMum4 days ago

I'm not tall at all-- about 5' 7".. I think.. -- I was standing towards the back and with a little maneuvering of my head side to side through the sea of people I was able to see what was going on. I'm not giving an excuse, I wish it was done differently somehow, but the people saying it's impossible to see from the back are being a bit dramatic. Now, if you're a kid in the back, you will never will be able to see, but I don't think they would have been able to see the previous preshow either.

dmc4934 days ago

As a tall person who was in the very back of the room last night, you can’t see the penguins, however, scooter is higher and pronounced enough that you can watch between ppl’s heads It’s not the absolute worst thing in the world but not great either. You can also enjoy the penguins for what they are as you start funneling into the next room

EagleScout6104 days ago

Just wait until someone noticed Animal throws the Shocker and we have a weirdly CG Animal hand for the next 20 years

HakunaMatata894 days ago

For now

MisterPenguin4 days ago

And less shockering.

celluloid4 days ago

I have said before they should have ditched the rotounda video idea because the move stream thing is odd and the material would have gone better in the carport queue where there is nothing. Many have mentioned the pre-show staging was terrible. Sad zero was done about it.

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