The Muppets and the New Era of Hollywood Studios
It has been a massive week for Disney’s Hollywood Studios as one of its most iconic thrill rides officially entered a new era. We have been tracking the data, and the numbers are in: the newly reopened Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring The Muppets has officially made its mark. After months of construction and speculation, the high-speed limo ride through the streets of Los Angeles—now led by the Electric Mayhem—saw an average wait time of nearly one hour during its first full week back in action.
Our take? This is a significant shift for the park’s crowd flow. While Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind at EPCOT remains the heavy hitter for the entire resort, the Muppets have proven they can still draw a serious crowd. The retheme, which features an all-new Scooter animatronic and cameos from Kermit and Miss Piggy, has breathed fresh life into Sunset Boulevard. If you are planning to ride, we highly recommend utilizing Lightning Lane Multi Pass to bypass that hour-long standby line, especially as fans flock to see the new Muppet-themed details in the queue.
EPCOT Transitions and Short Wait Opportunities
Over at EPCOT, the landscape is shifting as Soarin’ has officially closed its doors to prepare for the highly anticipated Soarin’ Across America retheme. This closure, while temporary, has redirected guests to other areas of World Nature and World Discovery. Interestingly, while the headliners are packed, several high-capacity shows and films had zero wait times this week.
- Awesome Planet
- The American Adventure
- Beauty and the Beast Sing-Along
- Disney and Pixar Short Film Festival
- Frozen Ever After (Wait times fluctuated, but the film festival was a walk-on)
- Impressions de France
- Reflections of China
If you want to escape the Florida humidity without a long wait, these classic EPCOT attractions are your best friend right now. They provide a much-needed break for families waiting for their Lightning Lane windows to open up for the bigger thrills.
Looking Ahead: New Hotels and Rumors
Beyond the rides, the buzz around Lakeshore Lodge is reaching a fever pitch. This new nature-inspired resort, set on the shores of Bay Lake, is making visible progress. New concept art shows off a lazy river and waterfront “Lake Houses” that draw inspiration from Bambi and Pocahontas. We are also keeping a close eye on rumors regarding Toy Story 5. While nothing is official yet, recent clues suggest a potential musical collaboration with Taylor Swift that could bring even more traffic to Toy Story Land in the coming years.
Finally, for those looking beyond the Disney bubble, Universal Kids Resort in Frisco, Texas, has officially set its opening date for July 1. This is a huge development for theme park fans and could influence how families split their travel time between Florida and other emerging destinations.
Disclaimer: This information is gathered from various online sources and news outlets. While we strive for accuracy, Disney plans and policies can change rapidly. We recommend double-checking official Disney sources for the most up-to-date information before making final travel plans.