Walt Disney World's Rock 'n' Roller Coaster closure may be longer than first thought

Feb 23, 2023 in "Rock 'n' Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith"

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Rock n Roller Coaster guitar refurbishment completed

Posted: Thursday February 23, 2023 6:30am ET by WDWMAGIC Staff

Rock 'n' Roller Coaster at Disney's Hollywood Studios in Walt Disney World closed for a major refurbishment earlier this week, and recent permits suggest that the closure may be longer than initially expected.

Rock' 'n Roller Coaster closed to begin its refurbishment on February 21 2023

Two permits have been filed for the Rock 'n' Roller Coaster project, the first with Adena Corporation, expiring on September 7, 2023. Adena has worked on several Disney projects, including TRON Lightcycle Run and recent work on the EPCOT redevelopment. Adena's involvement suggests the work at Rock 'n' Roller Coaster is significant, with the company specializing in coaster track work.

A second permit covering electrical work by Maddox has an expiration date of September 14, 2023. Notably, both permits override the default 12-month timeframe and specify specific permit expiration dates in September.

Track and electrical work looks to be part of the refurb

While it isn't possible to translate permit filings to actual project timelines with high confidence, the signs point to this refurbishment lasting into late summer.

Disney's official website states, "This rocktastic attraction will resume its super-stretch limo rides in summer 2023." The summer season will run through September 23, 2023, so a September reopening would fit both Disney's summer estimation and align with the permit dates.

The ride has been experiencing extended downtimes in recent years, and this refurbishment may address some of those issues. Disney has said previously that no changes are planned to the ride experience.

Rock 'n' Roller Coaster ride vehicle

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BocabearOct 02, 2023

RNRC is a great coaster and a lot of fun...never found it to be too rough....I would love to see it get better interior sets that aren't just painted flats. I would love to see a re-theme to make it feel more in step with Old Hollywood...be it Muppets, or Roger Rabbit/Toontown theming.

SplashJacketOct 01, 2023

I notoriously take every jab at RnRc I can. Historically, I think it’s aggressively mediocre at best. Absolutely loved the ride today. Was fantastic! Felt smoother than normal (didn’t even experience head banging) and everything looked so vibrant. Honestly never even noticed the floor lights before today. Goes from a ride I couldn’t care less to skip to a ride I’ll wanna ride each visit to Hollywood Studios.

rd805Jun 22, 2023

I think it was just included in the very brief JOLLYWOOD Night offering announcment, which obviously isn't bible -- but after being down for 2+ months shutting it right down again doesn't seem likely. If it were me though? BRING ON THE MAYHEM!!

MisterPenguinJun 22, 2023

Yeah... if a full retheme was just a week away, all the CMs working RnRC would know about it and be spilling the beans.

GhostHost1000Jun 22, 2023

Not happening - the shut down next week anyways The retheme maybe one day. To what who knows

GalacticZeroJun 22, 2023

Just saw a tweet from someone I follow that said yesterday he was told by a castmember at RnRc that it is "closing next week to be re-themed"... I highly doubt this to be true since they just finished a refurb. However, down the road, and maybe announced at D23, it does sound like a re-theme to Muppets Electric Mayhem is a real possibility that has some legs. Anyone have any more about this?

wdwmagicJun 06, 2023

1 h 20 min delayed opening today

IncomudroJun 06, 2023

I never found it to be rough. I think it would be nuts to spend the money to re-track it. Space Mountain on the other hand...o_O Though the roughness does make Space fun in a way.

Jrb1979Jun 06, 2023

I never said it was shabby. Its a rough coaster and is in need of re-tracking. That was my point, spend money on improving the ride not just new lights and paint.

EricsBiscuitJun 06, 2023

It is not as rough as you make it out to be and neither is it as shabby as you make it out to be.

Jrb1979Jun 06, 2023

Brightening up the signs and making lights on the floor more visible doesn't make the ride itself better. At the end of the day it's still a rough Vekoma coaster that desperately needs the track to be refurbished. Same for Space Mountain. Universal had no issues with redoing the Hulk, why can't Disney spend the money and do the same.

EricsBiscuitJun 06, 2023

Rode today and it looks the best I have seen it in years. The signs are very bright and colorful. The map/city lights of LA on the floor is more visible than ever. Everything timed very well.