Disney’s Hollywood Studios is about to look very different for longtime fans. Over the last few years, the park has gone through constant change, from the closure of classic attractions to the arrival of entirely new themed experiences. Some fans have loved the direction Disney has taken, while others still miss the older version of the park that leaned heavily into movie-making history and classic backstage charm.Credit: DisneyNow, another major shift has officially arrived at Walt Disney World. One of Disney’s most recognizable thrill rides is entering a completely new era, and demand is already exploding before the attraction even officially opens to the public.Annual Passholders got their first shot at previewing Rock ’n’ Roller Coaster Starring The Muppets this week, and the response immediately showed just how much interest there is surrounding Disney’s newest reimagining.The attraction officially opens to all guests on May 26, 2026, but Disney is using the days leading up to launch for special previews involving Annual Passholders and Disney Vacation Club members. Even before opening day arrives, though, the new version of the coaster is already becoming one of the most talked-about additions at Walt Disney World this summer.Disney Completely Reinvents a Hollywood Studios ClassicFor years, Rock ’n’ Roller Coaster starring Aerosmith remained one of Disney’s most intense attractions. The launch, inversions, loud soundtrack, and dark ride environment gave Disney’s Hollywood Studios something very different from the rest of Walt Disney World.Still, many fans believed the attraction was starting to feel outdated.Rumors about Disney potentially removing Aerosmith from the ride circulated for years before the company finally confirmed a complete retheme. Instead of creating an entirely new roller coaster, Disney chose to keep the ride system while rebuilding the experience around The Muppets and the Electric Mayhem band.Credit: DisneyThat decision immediately divided Disney fans.Some guests were excited to see The Muppets receive more attention after the closure of MuppetVision 3D. Others worried Disney was simply using the franchise as a replacement rather than creating something fully original.Now that previews have started, fans are finally getting a closer look at what Disney actually built.The updated attraction includes Disney’s first-ever Audio-Animatronics version of Scooter created using motion capture technology. The ride also features multiple Electric Mayhem soundtracks and collaborations involving artists like Def Leppard, Kelly Clarkson, Jennifer Hudson, Questlove, and others.Disney didn’t stop with the ride itself, either.The queue reportedly contains references and Easter eggs tied to MuppetVision 3D, along with a tribute portrait honoring Jim Henson. Statler and Waldorf also appear near the unload area with new dialogue and callbacks longtime Muppets fans are expected to recognize immediately.Virtual Queue Demand Shows Disney May Have Another Major HitOne of the biggest takeaways from the preview period is how aggressively guests are trying to experience the attraction.Disney set up multiple virtual queue distribution times throughout the day for Passholders. Guests who missed the 7:00 a.m. drop still had opportunities at 11:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m., although each distribution came with different reservation requirements.Even with those additional chances, excitement surrounding the ride appears extremely high.That probably should not surprise anyone.Credit: rickpilot_2000, FlickrDisney is opening the attraction during one of the busiest launch periods Hollywood Studios has seen in quite some time. The park is simultaneously preparing for several new entertainment offerings and experiences tied to Memorial Day weekend. Rock ’n’ Roller Coaster Starring The Muppets opens alongside Soarin’ Across America, Bluey’s Wild World, Disney Jr. Mickey Mouse Clubhouse Live!, and the new Walt Disney Studios courtyard.That combination could create massive crowds across Walt Disney World heading into summer vacation season.The virtual queue setup also continues Disney’s recent reliance on digital crowd control systems whenever a major attraction or experience debuts. While Disney has moved away from virtual queues for many attractions recently, the company still appears willing to bring them back for highly anticipated openings.For some guests, that system works well because it prevents hours-long standby waits. For others, it adds another stressful early-morning task to an already expensive Disney vacation.Fans Already Appear Split Over the ChangesLike almost every major Disney retheme lately, reactions online have been mixed.Some preview guests seem genuinely impressed by the amount of effort Disney put into the experience. Others continue arguing that the company should have left the original Aerosmith version alone.Comments shared online after previews showed just how divided Disney fans remain. Some users praised the updates and called the attraction an improvement, especially compared to the previous theming. Others admitted they were still frustrated about the loss of MuppetVision 3D, even if they enjoyed the coaster retheme itself.Credit: Lee (myfrozenlife), FlickrA few guests also pointed out operational concerns during previews.One guest mentioned difficulty seeing certain animatronics during the preshow because of crowd positioning. Another suggested Disney may eventually need to adjust how guests are staged before boarding.Those types of issues are not uncommon during preview periods, especially for a brand-new version of an attraction that is still adjusting to full-capacity operations.Still, Disney likely views the overall response as encouraging.The company needed this retheme to work.Hollywood Studios has undergone nonstop transformation over the past several years, and many longtime fans still feel the park has lost parts of its original identity. Disney clearly hopes additions like this will help create a stronger mix of nostalgia, modern franchises, and repeatable experiences.Disney’s Summer Transformation Is Just BeginningThe timing of this launch matters almost as much as the attraction itself.Disney is entering a major summer stretch filled with new openings, refreshed experiences, and increased competition across Central Florida. Universal Orlando’s Epic Universe has changed the conversation surrounding theme parks in 2026, and Disney appears determined to answer with a nonstop lineup of updates across its parks.Credit: Ken Lund, FlickrThat pressure helps explain why Disney is stacking so many openings together within the same week.Rock ’n’ Roller Coaster Starring The Muppets may ultimately become one of the most important pieces of that strategy. Disney is taking one of its highest-capacity thrill rides and giving guests a reason to experience it again, even if they already rode the original version countless times before.Whether fans fully embrace the retheme long term remains to be seen.But one thing already feels obvious after the first morning of previews: Disney has another attraction capable of generating serious demand at Hollywood Studios.The post Disney’s New Virtual Queue Fills Fast for Massive 2026 Ride Opening appeared first on Inside the Magic.