Behind the Ride
The Ultimate Rock'n' Roll Thrill Ride
Ready for an unforgettable limousine trip through the Hollywood hills, bound for an Aerosmith concert? You'd better hold on tight.by Sean McDevitt
PICTURE THIS: You're taking a behind-the-scenes tour of a record company known as G-Force, and the sounds of different bands in rehearsal can be heard everywhere. You make your way through the entrance of "Studio C," and right before your very eyes are none other than multi-platinum rockers Aerosmith, who are finishing up a recording session. Next thing you know, the band's manager emerges. She instructs them to leave the studio–they've got to get to a gig!
What comes next is the stuff of rock 'n' roll fantasy. The band extends an invitation to come see them in concert. But you've got to get there quickly! So you proceed to a special 24-passenger "super-stretch limousine," which will carry you through the hills of Hollywood.
By the way, this "special" limousine, which resembles an early-1960s Cadillac, goes from zero to 57 miles per hour... in under three seconds. Imagine a high-speed launch that's similar to sitting in a supersonic jet as it blasts off from the deck of an aircraft carrier!
Welcome to the Rock 'n' Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith, a ride that's waiting for you at Disney-MGM Studios. The enclosed ride, which has thrilled guests since it first opened in July of 1999, is full of unexpected twists and turns as it screams past a series of Southern California landmarks.
"This thrilling attraction is a perfect fit for Disney-MGM Studios and its celebration of show business–film, television, theater, animation and music," explains Al Weiss, president of Worldwide Operations for Walt Disney Parks and Resorts. "And Aerosmith, with its multi-generational, international appeal and ever-youthful approach to rock and roll music, is a fantastic match for this thrill ride."
The members of Grammy-winning Aerosmith–vocalist Steven Tyler, guitarists Joe Perry and Brad Whitford, bassist Tom Hamilton and drummer Joey Kramer–joined forces with Walt Disney Imagineering to create the stunning ride, which includes a trio of inversions, special rock-concert lighting and a unique soundtrack (recorded by the band) that blasts from a total of 120 onboard speakers in each coaster train.
"When you've toured the world as much as we have, it's a real thrill to find a new audience," says Tyler, whose band has sold more than 80 million albums worldwide and earned induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. "Coming up with a soundtrack for this Disney ride really brought the kid out in all of us and has given us the opportunity to play audio gymnastics with our music."
Speaking of gymnastics, the Rock 'n' Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith features more twists than a pretzel. Riders climb nearly eight stories high and find themselves upside-down on three separate occasions, including two roll-over loops and a corkscrew. When riders finally exit the limousine–after covering more than 3,400 feet of track–they'll be where everyone wants to be at an Aerosmith concert–backstage! The opportunity to watch the band perform on a large-screen monitor awaits them.
"Once again, Imagineers are at the forefront with this technologically progressive attraction that fuels awesome thrills with the power and allure of rock and roll music," says Don Goodman, president of Walt Disney Imagineering, the creative design and development division of The Walt Disney Company.
The Rock 'n' Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith features FASTPASS, which is offered at no charge to park guests and is designed to reduce the wait time at popular attractions at Walt Disney World Resort.
Fast Facts:
- Rock'n' Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith
- Speed: Zero to 57 mph in 2.8 seconds
- Ground Broken: February 17, 1998
- Opened to public: July 30, 1999
- Length of ride: 3 minutres, 12 seconds
- Ride's maximum height: Approximately 85 feet, or eight stories
- Total number of speakers: More than 900