Disney’s Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Opens Earlier Than Planned After Unexpected Delay

Disney’s Hollywood Studios guests encountered an unexpected change on October 6, as the Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring The Muppets was pulled from its usual operating schedule. Originally, Disney had listed the coaster with an 11 a.m. opening time, a significant departure from its typical availability during Early Theme Park Entry, which begins at 8:30 a.m. for eligible guests. This meant that visitors planning to start their day on Sunset Boulevard faced a major disruption in their plans.

However, the situation took another turn as the coaster began operating by approximately 9:30 a.m., much earlier than the published 11 a.m. opening. While it still missed Early Entry, the shorter wait time relieved some of the frustration for guests. The coaster’s absence from Early Entry forced visitors to choose alternative attractions like the Twilight Zone Tower of Terror or Slinky Dog Dash.

The unusual operation comes just months after Disney transformed the attraction, replacing Aerosmith with The Muppets on May 26, 2026. The high-speed launch and inversions remained, but the new storyline features The Electric Mayhem band. The coaster’s intense experience makes it a key part of the park’s thrill-ride lineup, so any operational changes significantly impact guest planning.

Disney’s initial warning about the 11 a.m. opening proved overly cautious, as the coaster started running by 9:30 a.m. This adjustment, though still not ideal, was better than the expected delay. The company has not indicated if this is a permanent change, suggesting it was a one-time disruption. The incident serves as a reminder for guests to check attraction availability frequently, as schedules can shift in their favor.