Rock ‘N’ Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith
Opened: June 20, 1999
Location: Sunset Boulevard
Extra Magic Hours: Morning, Evening
FASTPASS: Yes, and you’ll probably need one unless you ride at strongly recommended times.
Type: Indoor roller coaster
Similar To: A much faster, more exciting Space Mountain
Requirements: Must be 48” or taller to ride
What to Expect: Disney has been testing a new queue system which works more like the “take a number” system you might be familiar with from places like your state’s Department of Motor Vehicles. Instead of waiting in a slow moving queue, guests will receive a FASTPASS like card with their return time. They are then free to move around a large tent filled with games to pass the time. This method is only in early testing so chances are you’ll be stuck in the regular, slow moving line. Unlike many of Disney’s other rides, the queue area for Rock ‘N’ Roller Coaster is nothing more than a long, boring single-file line. If the line exceeds 20 minutes then you’ll want to take advantage of a FASTPASS. This is not a queue you want to be stuck in for an extended period of time.
Once you traverse the line, you will be taken into a room with a 3D-like video of Aerosmith who will invite you to a concert they’re performing in just a few minutes. You then move to another queue area which takes another five or so minutes to complete. You will then be seated on a 24-person roller coaster vehicle themed like a stretch limousine. The vehicles are low to the ground which can make it difficult for people with mobility problems to get in and out, but the seats are wide and there is plenty of room for two people per row. The vehicle will then propel out of the gate with the force of a supersonic F-14 jet and you’ll be well on your way through the most intense coaster Disney has to offer.
Scary Factor: Medium. Rock N Roller Coaster is Disney’s fastest, most intense roller coaster. It features three inversions, a corkscrew, numerous hairpin turns, and an initial takeoff that takes riders from 0 to 60 miles per hour in 2.8 seconds. Other than lit-up billboards, neon signs, and flashing lights, the ride is completely dark, which actually makes the ride less scary. It’s so fast, so dark, and so smooth, that you actually have no idea where you’re going or where you’ve been. If riders could see what the track actually looks like with the lights on it would probably scare many more people away than it does. If you enjoyed Expedition Everest, Thunder Mountain Railroad, or any of the more intense coasters at another theme park then you’ll be fine on Aerosmith. Rock ‘N’ Roller Coaster is much faster and intense than Thunder Mountain Railroad, but the smoothness of the ride makes it seem less so. If Space Mountain or Thunder Mountain was too much, then you may want to reconsider. Like with the Tower of Terror, you can exit the queue after watching the preshow video if you decide not to ride.
When To Go: Rock ‘N’ Roller Coaster is the second most popular attraction at the Hollywood Studios, behind Toy Story Mania. You’ll want to get here as early in the morning as possible because lines will swell soon after the first hour the Park is open. Most guests ride Toy Story Mania first thing and then head directly to Rock ‘N’ Roller Coaster to ride standby, which I would also recommend doing. If you don’t care much about Toy Story Mania, heading to Rock ‘N’ Roller Coaster first will allow you to ride several times in the early morning with a minimal wait. If you also want to ride Toy Story Mania, be sure to get a FASTPASS before 10:15am, as they will likely be gone shortly after. If you can’t get here early, use a FASTPASS in the afternoon or return in the final hour of Park operation or during the last hour of evening Extra Magic Hours.
Expect to Wait: Expect waits of 30 minutes by 10am and 60+ minutes in the afternoon. Depending on season, waits may exceed 120 minutes.
Length: The preshow video introducing Aerosmith lasts about three minutes. The roller coaster ride itself has a duration of just under 90 seconds.
Rating: 9/10
Commentary: Rock ‘N’ Roller Coaster is an intense, fun experience that equates to one of the two best roller coasters at Disney World. Expedition Everest may be better, but that’s just a matter of opinion. The smoothness of the ride coupled with the inability to see the inversions and corkscrews makes Rock ‘N’ Roller Coaster an accessible ride to anyone that can work up the nerve. I would highly recommend giving it a shot if you enjoyed Space Mountain, Thunder Mountain, Expedition Everest, or any other similar ride. My only complaint is that at only about 80 seconds, it’s much too short.