Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring the Muppets officially opens May 26 at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, and Walt Disney Imagineering packed the reimagined G-Force Records with Muppets memorabilia, props, and visual gags. Disney describes the queue as less like a traditional wait line and more like backstage access to the Muppets’ greatest hits.
Fair warning: while this info was posted by Disney Parks Blog, the following info is entering major spoiler territory ahead of the opening; in case you’d like to experience seeing all of these details yourself first!
From the moment you walk in (now under the management of Muppet real estate tycoon J.P. Grosse) the references begin. Yolanda the Rat reportedly helped curate the whole thing, including many items from the original Muppet*Vision 3D that made the move. Here’s some of what you’ll find:
Gallery Case Room
- A tribute to Miss Piggy includes one of her signature looks: a pink and green polka dot dress with a matching hat.
- Kermit’s original banjo, the one used for “The Rainbow Connection” in The Muppet Movie, was recently donated to the Walt Disney Archives. Since the real one is preserved there, Imagineers built a recreation for display here.
- Both Floyd and Janice’s guitars on display are original instruments from The Muppet Show.
The Alley
The outdoor alley section on the way to your L.I.M.O. ride is loaded with details:
- Several props were brought directly from Muppet*Vision 3D, including shipping crates from that building. Statler and Waldorf’s balcony chairs from the theater also made the trip.
- Gonzo’s corner includes a “Gonzo’s Stunt School – Hollywood” setup, complete with the “The Great Gonzo” banner from the Muppet*Vision pre-show and his stunt airplane.
- The cannon Gonzo uses is the same one from Muppet*Vision — the one the penguins originally aimed at the Swedish Chef.
- Pizza boxes from PizzeRizzo are scattered nearby, and the Mona Lisa from Mama Melrose’s has also turned up in the alley.
- The Squeakeasy bar notes an establishment year of 1936 — the birth year of Jim Henson.
- Nearby fliers suggest that Bean Bunny has gone missing.
- Laundry hanging above the fire escape includes Fozzie’s bowtie, a PizzeRizzo apron, and an Electric Mayhem tour shirt.
- A large billboard advertising “Pop Off” by Fozzie Bear references the spot in The Muppet Movie where Fozzie hid his Studebaker.
Muppet Labs Parking Garage
Bunsen and Beaker’s automotive labs division is represented with:
- The Interpol Car from Muppets Most Wanted is parked in the garage.
- And the Muppet Mobile Lab, previously seen as a roaming meet-and-greet vehicle at EPCOT, Disney California Adventure, and Hong Kong Disneyland, is also stationed here.
On the Hollywood 101 Freeway
Once the ride launches, keep an eye on what you’re passing.
- World Wide Studios, the fictional movie lot from The Muppet Movie, appears along the route.
- A neon PizzeRizzo sign has relocated to the side of the 101.
- There’s an “Obligatory Easter Egg” with a “Waldo Crossing” sign, which is a nod to Waldo, the Spirit of 3D from Muppet*Vision.
Backstage at the Concert
The ride’s finale area features two of the biggest Easter eggs found in the attraction:
- Statler and Waldorf are present at the end – these are the actual Audio-Animatronic figures from Muppet*Vision 3D.
- The Jim Henson tribute portrait that hung in the rafters during the Muppet*Vision pre-show now hangs at the exit end of the ride, depicting Jim Henson as a Muppet.
I just have one question: where the heck is the Miss Piggy fountain? Will we ever see her again? What do you think of the included Easter eggs?
