Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster is one of those Disney World rides that feels like it’s always been there. But it was a full decade after Disney’s Hollywood Studios (nee Disney-MGM Studios) opened before Aerosmith moved in to shake up Sunset Boulevard. Monday, July 29, marks the 20th anniversary of its official opening. The attraction has stayed mostly the same over the decades, and it should continue to draw visitors to that side of the park, even after Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge opens Aug. 29. Here are five rock ‘n things, notes and memories about the ride.
* DREAM THEME. Would you like a theme with that theme park? Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster is all in on theming, from the gigantic Fender guitar and upside-down (and perched above) car outside into the queue studio, to the limo-ized ride vehicle, Aerosmith music and the drumsticks in the gift shop.
* HAVE YOU SEEN THIS CHRIS? Perhaps the most dated-looking part of attraction is the recording studio with a life-sized video of band members, flanked by actress Illeana Douglas, are gathered. It looked dang realistic back in the day, but it’s not-so-high def in 2019. But it does continue to set the scene, and I still like when Douglas counts how many people are waiting and changes the limo request. (“Make it a super-stretch.”) It’s also the site of a disconnect because, once upon a time, a band member asked a (flesh-and-blood) cast member for assistance (“Chris, can you grab my black Les Paul?”) Alas, Chris is no longer stationed there.
Honestly, that was a weird moment even when Chris was there, but now I sort of miss Chris. I might be hard to please on this point.
* 3-2-1 CHEESE. I’m not frightened by the coaster’s initial blast into a tunnel. Honest. And yet my mind does reel into worst-case scenarios as we go faster and faster and faster into the darkness (Said to be going 60 mph.) More frightening: The face I’m making in the on-ride photo taken right about then.
* HOW WE ROLL. Once we’re rolling, it’s all good. How can black-light traffic signs and palm trees be soothing? Maybe it’s the Aerosmith soundtrack, which varies by ride. (I prefer the “Sweet Emotion” version.) But bursting through the O in HOLLYWOOD remains exciting.
* WALKED THIS WAY. Months after the coaster I opened, I was waiting for “Fantasmic,” the nearby nighttime spectacular, to begin. A section of bleachers was roped off / reserved. I was irritated, I always am while waiting for “Fantasmic.” But then there was star sighting behind the rope: Steven Tyler of Aerosmith, looking very casual – and somehow cool despite the Florida heat.
dbevil@orlandosentinel.com
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