Rock 'n' Roller Coaster opened back on July 29, 1999, when DHS was still Disney-MGM Studios. The indoor launch coaster was the first of its kind at Walt Disney World, as well as the fastest and the first here to go fully upside-down. And that launch was no joke. Riders went from 0 to 57 mph in about 2.8 seconds, hitting about 4.5Gs of force.
I’ll never forget my younger son’s first ride on it. We typically avoid the craziness of the parks on peak holidays…but one Christmas Day a few years ago we realized that he finally hit the 48" height mark and could ride the attraction with the highest standard height requirement on property: Rock 'n' Roller Coaster. So after we finished opening gifts, but before settling in for the rest of the day, we made a very special park visit to get him on. It’s a memory we’ll have forever.
And while I’m excited to see what’s to come with the Muppets, and am glad they’re getting a place after the closure of Muppet*Vision 3D, I’ll miss those “Sweet Emotion” corkscrews and “Dude (Looks Like a Lady)” take-offs—not to mention this epic Fender Stratocaster out front.
Taken just before a rainstorm with my 14mm and cropped down a bit in post, f/8, 1/100 second, ISO 100. Then edited into absolute submission to get this dreamy view and these pops of color.