Rock 'n' Roller Coaster Staring Aerosmith

Rock 'n' Roller Coaster Staring Aerosmith is an attraction located in Disney's Hollywood Studios

Attraction History

The roots of Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster began in 1990, with the addition of the Sunset Boulevard expansion to the Disney-MGM Studios. The expansion featured seven different plots, which were to be used for a variety of attractions, eventually including a roller coaster. Disney Imagineers began working on the new coaster (originally titled Rocking Rollercoaster), in the mid-1990s. One of the early concepts for the attraction had the roller coaster track actually looping over World Drive. Construction on Rock N Roller Coaster began in early 1998, with the track being completed in June. In March of 1999, Testing began on the attraction, with hope that the roller coaster would open in June. Despite not yet being open to the public, Aerosmith members Joe Perry and Steven Tyler road the ride together 12 times in a row on June 11.

Although soft openings for the attraction began on June 26, 1999, the Grand Opening for Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster took place on July 29th 1999, with Aerosmith on hand for the event. Since its opening in 1999, Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster has not seen any major changes.

Attraction Plot

Preshow

The pre-show for Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster begins with guests entering the fictional G-Force Records. Here, guests see the rock band Aerosmith finishing up their latest album. Although the band is happy to see their fans, unfortunately they are late for their concert at the Forum. After hearing a Cast Member’s suggestion, Steven Tyler agrees that guests should come with the band to the concert. Aerosmith's manager then tells guests that he will send a "super stretch limo" to pick them up.

Main Ride

After being invited to the concert, guests are led down what looks like a back alley to the rides loading area. Here, they board into the 24 seat passenger limo. As the ride begins, guests are launched forward, going from 0 to 60 miles per hour in 2.8 seconds. Each limo has its own unique soundtrack, which blasts guests with Aerosmith music, creating a soundtrack for the attraction. After launching, guests go on a high speed tour of Hollywood, passing icons such as the Hollywood Sign and the Roxy Theatre. The track that the ride takes place on is themed to look like the Los Angeles Area Freeway (Including Interstate 5, 10, 101), and it includes three inversions (a corkscrews and two roll-over loops). After making their way through Hollywood, the attraction ends with guests arriving at the theater and walking down a red carpet.

Soundtrack

Each limo on Rock 'n' Roller Coaster has its own unique soundtrack. The songs played for each ride vehicle are (as identified by license plate)

1QKLIMO- "Nine Lives"

UGOBABE- "Love in an Elevator" and "Walk This Way" (This license plate formally read UGOGIRL)

BUHBYE- "Young Lust", "F.I.N.E.*" and "Love in an Elevator"

H8TRFFC- "Back in the Saddle" and "Dude (Looks Like a Lady)"

2FAST4U- "Sweet Emotion (live)"

Fun Facts and Trivia

Disney Imagineers originally wanted the Rolling Stones to be featured on the attraction.

Rock 'n' Roller Coaster was built on a Cast Member parking lot.

The Stratocaster guitar at the entrance of the attraction is 40 feet tall!

Actress Ileana Douglas portrays the band's manager in the pre-show film.

Some of the lyrics on the attraction have been altered to fit the roller coaster theme (ie. "Love in a Elevator" has been changed to "love in a roller coaster".

There is a sixth limo that is used on Rock 'n' Roller Coaster, however it does not have license plate. The car is rotated with the other five, after several thousand laps.

The ride's soundtrack formally featured Uncle Joe Benson, a well-known Los Angeles rock DJ.

While on the first loop in the attraction, guests are pulling five g's. That is two more g's then astronauts experience when a space shuttle lifts off.