LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. -- It's time to ditch the stretch limo in favor of a L.I.M.O., or Lengthy Immediate Motion Object (for the record, L.I.M.O. rhymes with emo, not minnow).
The Muppets have officially taken over the attraction Rock 'n' Roller Coaster in Walt Disney World Resort's Hollywood Studios, replacing the coaster's original hosts, Aerosmith, and adding their own twist to the thrilling ride.
The coaster first opened in 1999 as Rock 'n' Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith, featuring the band and frontman Steven Tyler inviting guests into a super-stretch limo to head to their concert. Backstage passes were, of course, provided to all. Riders would hear Aerosmith songs while riding the attraction.
The preshow of Rock 'n' Roller Coaster Starring the Muppets. Photo Credit: Jamie Biesiada
But as of May 26, the Muppets and all-Muppet band the Electric Mayhem will take center stage in Rock 'n' Roller Coaster Starring the Muppets (but don't worry, Kermit the Frog still offers backstage passes).
Rock 'n' Roller Coaster 2.0
In the new storyline, the Electric Mayhem is supposed to be performing at a concert, but is instead still busy in the studio, G-Force Records.
Attraction guests are going on a VIP tour that starts in the studio.
Scooter the band manager, joined by penguin audio engineers, convinces the band to get back to their fans and play the actual concert. Guests are invited to board a L.I.M.O., the latest creation from Muppet Labs, run by Dr. Bunsen Honeydew and Beaker.
On the attraction, guests can hear one of several Electric Mayhem hits as they ride the attraction: "Song 2," "Born to Be Wild," "Love Rollercoaster," "Rock! Rock! (Till You Drop)" and "Walking on Sunshine."
The coaster itself is unchanged, minus the signage alongside the track, but the preshow and post-show areas have all been overtaken by the Muppets. The fast launch from 0 to nearly 60 mph remains in place, as do the inversions.
The Electric Mayhem plays at a party celebrating the opening of the attraction. Photo Credit: Jamie Biesiada
Disney feted the rethemed attraction this week during a media event, where the Electric Mayhem played.
Justin DeTolla, creative director with Walt Disney Imagineering, said the goal was to keep the core experience of the coaster the same, but inject "this new flavor of the Muppets into the attraction."
DeTolla grew up with the Muppets. Working with them was "nothing short of amazing," he said.
One of his favorite elements of the rethemed attraction is the Scooter animatronic in the preshow area.
Band manager Scooter is an animatronic. He convinces the band to get to the concert. Photo Credit: Jamie Biesiada
"I think he looks nothing short of delightful, and we really kept the spirit of puppetry involved, because it looks like he's being puppeted and not an audio-animatronic," DeTolla said.
To accompany the new attraction, the giant guitar outside has been repainted in a psychedelic color scheme.