Rock ‘N' Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith at Walt Disney World may rank really high in Disney ride reviews, but how scary might it be – and what exactly might you be afraid of?
Open since 1999, Rock ‘N' Roller Coaster was and still is a go-to roller coaster for high-speed thrill seekers. And although the rockin' music by Aerosmith adds to its overall thrill, the coaster itself certainly is on a thrill level of its own. Comparable in thrill to Incredicoaster at Disney California Adventure Park, Rock ‘N' Roller Coaster still sees long waits up to this day.
But what exactly might make it a scary ride? We've ridden Rock ‘N' Roller Coaster countless times and understand the ins and outs of it like the back of our hands.
Our favorite Disney-approved re-seller, Get Away Today, offers the best Disneyland discount tickets around. In addition to great discount prices, their customer service and easy support is absolutely fantastic. They have an entire department dedicated to making sure every order has a wonderful experience and they are on-call to help you during your vacation if you need them.
While Rock ‘N' Roller Coaster isn't as thrilling as roller coasters you'll find at theme parks like Universal Studios Orlando or SeaWorld Orlando, its thrill factor is still up there.
As your stretch-limo leaves the boarding station, the radio DJ of LA's Classic Rock Station, begins a short commentary, followed by a traffic report. The limo stops in front of a highway tunnel with a highway sign flashing fun messages in anticipation of your ride. Then, Steven Tyler counts down from five, launching you from 0-to-57mph launch as you zoom into the tunnel jamming to one of 9 possible Aerosmith songs.
After a long straightaway, your stretch-limo goes through 2 inversions, followed by several less-intense over-banked turns. Along the way, you'll encounter neon signs on the side of the track. This gives you the feel of zooming down a Los Angeles highway at night. Your limo then goes through its final inversion and a corkscrew before ending with more banked turns and a camelback hill.
Your ride then reaches the VIP backstage area, where you'll exit through the red carpet towards the gift shop.
This is why we at MickeyVisit put together this comprehensive ride review of Rock ‘N' Roller Coaster so you have a clear idea of what to expect when riding it.
In an effort to clearly define just how scary a ride is, we developed an ultra-scientific backed-by-research rating system. We call it the Mickey Visit Ride Rating System – MVRRS for short (pretty clever, huh?) The MVRRS goes as follows:
Rock ‘N' Roller Coaster has you racing down the freeways of Los Angeles in a super-stretch limo – while jamming to the tunes of Aerosmith!
Starting at the headquarters of the fictional G-Force Records company, you'll encounter the members of Aerosmith working on their next record. Shortly after you meet them, Aerosmith's manager suddenly enters to remind them that they're supposed to be doing a show.
But instead of leaving you, Steven Tyler and his buddies find a way to have you join them.
This leads you to your super-stretch limo that zooms around Los Angeles freeways to get to Aerosmith's concert venue!
Here’s some important information to review before riding Slinky Dog Dash:
Planning a Disney World Vacation?
Get exclusive access to prices on hotel & tickets just for Mickey Visit subscribers. Don't miss our travel hacks newsletter!
Rock ‘N' Roller Coaster Ride Review
In an effort to clearly define just how scary a ride is, we developed an ultra-scientific backed-by-research rating system. We call it the Mickey Visit Ride Rating System – MVRRS for short (pretty clever, huh?) The MVRRS goes as follows:
- Wimp Proof: Not scary at all
- Wimp Proof-ish: Seems scary at first, but after, you feel it's nothing to worry about
- Scary but Survivable: Moderately scary
- Scary: Definitely scary, but you'll be able to sleep at night
- Bravest Riders Only: The scariest ride you'll find in a theme park
Rock ‘N' Roller Coaster Overview
Rock ‘N' Roller Coaster has you racing down the freeways of Los Angeles in a super-stretch limo – while jamming to the tunes of Aerosmith!
Starting at the headquarters of the fictional G-Force Records company, you'll encounter the members of Aerosmith working on their next record. Shortly after you meet them, Aerosmith's manager suddenly enters to remind them that they're supposed to be doing a show.
But instead of leaving you, Steven Tyler and his buddies find a way to have you join them.
This leads you to your super-stretch limo that zooms around Los Angeles freeways to get to Aerosmith's concert venue!
Here’s some important information to review before riding Slinky Dog Dash:
- Access: Lightning Lane Multi Pass, Rider Switch, Single Rider
- Height Requirements: Guests must be at least 48″ (122cm)
- Highest Speed: 57mph (92kph)
- Tallest Height: 80ft (24m)
- Length: 1 minute 22 seconds
- Loops: 3
- Corkscrew: 1
- Other Features: Launch sequence
Discount Walt Disney World Tickets
Our favorite Disney-approved re-seller, Get Away Today, offers the best Disneyland discount tickets around. In addition to great discount prices, their customer service and easy support is absolutely fantastic. They have an entire department dedicated to making sure every order has a wonderful experience and they are on-call to help you during your vacation if you need them.
Get your discount Disneyland tickets here through our exclusive link!
Buying tickets from Get Away Today is easy and convenient since all their tickets are sent electronically. You can take their vouchers and head straight to the gate without needing to wait in any ticket booth lines. They also offer layaway plans so you can pay off your vacation over time.
You can read our editor's review on her personal experiences booking through Get Away Today and how much you can save here!
Both the standby queue, Lightning Lane, and single rider queue for Rock ‘N' Roller Coaster start right at the ride’s signage.
The first section of the queue is outdoors but under a covered area, placing you out of the Florida sun but still in the heat. Once you get inside the show building, you enter the fictional G-Force Records headquarters. Looking around, you'll find ceiling-high guitars, digital posters of popular musical artists, and a small exhibit of recording instruments. The floor even shows a giant record!
The merge point for these queues happens right before entering the pre-show room. Once you enter Studio C (the pre-show room), you encounter the band members of Aerosmith working on a recording with their sound engineer. The band greets you enthusiastically. But shortly after, their manager interrupts reminding them that they're late for their show.
As the band gets ready to depart, Steven Tyler says that they can't leave the guests (you) behind. The rest of the band agrees and convinces their manager to order you a super-stretch limo to transport you to the show! You'll then be directed down the final portion of the queue before boarding your ride vehicle.
Lastly, it's important to note that there are 2 chicken exits available should you choose to skip the ride. The first is at the boarding area, where you can ask a Cast Member to walk straight through to the exit. The second isn't the most convenient: if you decide to sit this ride out while in the queue, you can simply turn around and walk back out the way you entered.
Once you make it to the boarding area queue, a Cast Member will ask how many guests are in your party and will then direct you to a numbered row.
You'll then step down into your ride vehicle and pull down on your over-the-shoulder restraint. Note that the ride vehicle is designed like a traditional roller coaster, with your feet touching the bottom of the vehicle and sides enclosed. And like Incredicoaster at Disney California Adventure, this ride vehicle fits 2 rider across.
Rock ‘N' Roller Coaster also has a transfer access vehicle, which consists of a bench seat without a restraint situated next to a traditional coaster seat with the over-the-shoulder restraint. This bench allows those transferring from a wheelchair to have an easier time getting into the ride vehicle.
Each ride vehicle also has its own on-board audio that allow the vehicle's motion to sync with the ride music – more on that in the next section!
Rock ‘N' Roller Coaster Queue: What You Need to Know
Both the standby queue, Lightning Lane, and single rider queue for Rock ‘N' Roller Coaster start right at the ride’s signage.
The first section of the queue is outdoors but under a covered area, placing you out of the Florida sun but still in the heat. Once you get inside the show building, you enter the fictional G-Force Records headquarters. Looking around, you'll find ceiling-high guitars, digital posters of popular musical artists, and a small exhibit of recording instruments. The floor even shows a giant record!
The merge point for these queues happens right before entering the pre-show room. Once you enter Studio C (the pre-show room), you encounter the band members of Aerosmith working on a recording with their sound engineer. The band greets you enthusiastically. But shortly after, their manager interrupts reminding them that they're late for their show.
As the band gets ready to depart, Steven Tyler says that they can't leave the guests (you) behind. The rest of the band agrees and convinces their manager to order you a super-stretch limo to transport you to the show! You'll then be directed down the final portion of the queue before boarding your ride vehicle.
Lastly, it's important to note that there are 2 chicken exits available should you choose to skip the ride. The first is at the boarding area, where you can ask a Cast Member to walk straight through to the exit. The second isn't the most convenient: if you decide to sit this ride out while in the queue, you can simply turn around and walk back out the way you entered.
Rock ‘N' Roller Coaster Vehicle Information
Once you make it to the boarding area queue, a Cast Member will ask how many guests are in your party and will then direct you to a numbered row.
You'll then step down into your ride vehicle and pull down on your over-the-shoulder restraint. Note that the ride vehicle is designed like a traditional roller coaster, with your feet touching the bottom of the vehicle and sides enclosed. And like Incredicoaster at Disney California Adventure, this ride vehicle fits 2 rider across.
Rock ‘N' Roller Coaster also has a transfer access vehicle, which consists of a bench seat without a restraint situated next to a traditional coaster seat with the over-the-shoulder restraint. This bench allows those transferring from a wheelchair to have an easier time getting into the ride vehicle.
Each ride vehicle also has its own on-board audio that allow the vehicle's motion to sync with the ride music – more on that in the next section!
Rock ‘N' Roller Coaster: Ride Experience
While Rock ‘N' Roller Coaster isn't as thrilling as roller coasters you'll find at theme parks like Universal Studios Orlando or SeaWorld Orlando, its thrill factor is still up there.
As your stretch-limo leaves the boarding station, the radio DJ of LA's Classic Rock Station, begins a short commentary, followed by a traffic report. The limo stops in front of a highway tunnel with a highway sign flashing fun messages in anticipation of your ride. Then, Steven Tyler counts down from five, launching you from 0-to-57mph launch as you zoom into the tunnel jamming to one of 9 possible Aerosmith songs.
After a long straightaway, your stretch-limo goes through 2 inversions, followed by several less-intense over-banked turns. Along the way, you'll encounter neon signs on the side of the track. This gives you the feel of zooming down a Los Angeles highway at night. Your limo then goes through its final inversion and a corkscrew before ending with more banked turns and a camelback hill.
Your ride then reaches the VIP backstage area, where you'll exit through the red carpet towards the gift shop.
Let's review the aspects of the ride that that make Rock ‘N' Roller Coaster thrilling and add to its MVRRS rating:
Although I've ridden Rock ‘N' Roller Coaster countless times, I was shocked at how many thrill elements made up this ride.
Every time I rode Rock ‘N' Roller Coaster, all I knew was the thrill of the ride as you “drove” through Los Angeles, speeding towards Aerosmith's concert venue. For as long as I can remember, I only assumed there was 1 loop on this ride – just like Incredicoaster at Disney California Adventure Park.
But upon learning more, I realized I was completely wrong.
In fact, Rock ‘N' Roller Coaster is made up of 3 loops and a corkscrew. Looking at these elements alone, Rock ‘N' Roller Coaster is much more thrilling than Incredicoaster. But I always felt the opposite; that Incredicoaster was much more thrilling.
The big difference between the 2 rides is Rock ‘N' Roller Coaster's dark element. This makes you almost forget how many thrill elements are on this roller coaster. Yet at the same time, it gives you the illusion of speeding up and down the highways of Los Angeles.
That is my favorite moment of Rock ‘N' Roller Coaster.
So, how does our ride review of Rock ‘N' Roller Coaster stack up against our MVRRS?
- Launch Sequence: This is immediately the first thing you'll experience, as you reach your top speed within 2.8 seconds of launching.
- Speed: Rock ‘N' Roller Coaster reaches a top speed of 57mph right at its launch sequence
- Moderate Drops, Loops, and Corkscrew: There are no big drops – only several moderate drops. However, there are a total of 3 loops and 1 corkscrew, making it one of the most thrilling rides at Disney World. Those who are sensitive to motion sickness may consider skipping this ride
- Dark Ride: The entire ride sequence is in the dark, being only illuminated by the neon road signs along the side of the track. This actually makes you feel less of the effects of the drops, loops, and corkscrew
- Sweeping Turns: Rock ‘N' Roller Coaster has several banked turns, all which feel smooth, but not as smooth as those on Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind
- Camelback Humps: Your ride vehicle goes through a series of camelback humps, much like what you'd experience on Incredicoaster or Big Thunder Mountain
- Ride Vehicle: Your ride vehicle is a much more traditional roller coaster vehicle, with your feet touching the ground, the sides enclosed, and a handrail in front of you to hold onto – a much tamer ride vehicle compared to other Disney roller coasters
- Height: The highest height of this ride is 80 ft. However, since this ride is indoors and in the dark, you never really get a sense of how tall the ride is
- Visual and Audio Effects: Throughout the ride are neon road signs on the side of the track, making you feel like you're on an LA highway. The ride's soundtrack, which includes 1 of 9 Aerosmith songs, is also synced with the ride to add an extra-rockin' element to it
- Length: At 1 minute 22 seconds, Rock ‘N' Roller Coaster is over 1 minute slower than Expedition Everest, about 2 minutes slower than Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind, and about 30 seconds faster than TRON Lightcycle / Run
Favorite Moment of Rock ‘N' Roller Coaster
Although I've ridden Rock ‘N' Roller Coaster countless times, I was shocked at how many thrill elements made up this ride.
Every time I rode Rock ‘N' Roller Coaster, all I knew was the thrill of the ride as you “drove” through Los Angeles, speeding towards Aerosmith's concert venue. For as long as I can remember, I only assumed there was 1 loop on this ride – just like Incredicoaster at Disney California Adventure Park.
But upon learning more, I realized I was completely wrong.
In fact, Rock ‘N' Roller Coaster is made up of 3 loops and a corkscrew. Looking at these elements alone, Rock ‘N' Roller Coaster is much more thrilling than Incredicoaster. But I always felt the opposite; that Incredicoaster was much more thrilling.
The big difference between the 2 rides is Rock ‘N' Roller Coaster's dark element. This makes you almost forget how many thrill elements are on this roller coaster. Yet at the same time, it gives you the illusion of speeding up and down the highways of Los Angeles.
That is my favorite moment of Rock ‘N' Roller Coaster.
Rock ‘N' Roller Coaster: Scary Verdict
So, how does our ride review of Rock ‘N' Roller Coaster stack up against our MVRRS?
MVRRS VERDICT: Scary but Survivable: Moderately scary
I'll admit: although the dark indoor portions of this ride gives you the illusion that there are no loops, the feeling of speeding down LA's highways in a stretch-limo makes Rock ‘N' Roller Coaster a thrilling ride nonetheless. Much like Space Mountain, the dark indoor element of this ride combined with its sweeping turns, high speeds, loops, and corkscrew make it feel much faster since you don't have a reference point to gauge your true speed. But unlike Space Mountain, Rock ‘N' Roller Coaster is the 2nd fastest ride at Disney World. This means that the dark indoor element makes you feel like you're going even faster! All of the elements of Rock ‘N' Roller Coaster likely explain why the height requirement is one of the tallest in all of Disney World. With that said, Rock ‘N' Roller Coaster certainly is a ride made for thrill and speed seekers. I would personally rate it as the most thrilling roller coaster at Disney World. It might even rank as one of the most thrilling roller coasters at any Disney theme park. In the end, I highly recommend riding Rock ‘N' Roller Coaster, as long as you know what you're getting into!Plan Your Walt Disney World Vacation
To get a head start to planning your Disney vacation, subscribe to our FREE Deals newsletter. Here you will have access to useful planning information, exclusive Disney deals, and access to the lowest priced Disney tickets anywhere. Find more information on planning your vacation here:- Disney World Weather by Month
- Expedition Everest – What Should I Be Afraid Of?
- Disney World Lightning Lane Multi Pass
- Hollywood Studios Rides Guide
Is Rock N' Roller Coaster a good ride?
Rock ‘N' Roller Coaster is a very good ride. With 3 loops, a corkscrew, and camelback, it's a very thrilling roller coaster that is sure to make thrill seekers very happy.
How intense is the Rock N' Roller Coaster?
With 3 loops, a corkscrew, a camelback, and a top speed of 57mph, Rock ‘N' Roller Coaster is very intense. Since it's also indoors and in the dark, this ride gives you the illusion that you're speeding down a Los Angeles highway in a stretch-limo, adding more thrill to the experience.
How scary is the Rock N' Roller Coaster?
We rate Rock ‘N' Roller Coaster as”scary but survivable.” In other words, this ride is moderately scary. With its loops, corkscrew, camelback, top speed, and dark ride element, Rock ‘N' Roller Coaster is more geared toward Disney fans who are thrill and speed seekers.
Does the Rock N' Roller Coaster have a drop?
Rock ‘N' Roller Coaster does have a drop, but it's not a big drop like you would see on Incredicoaster or Expedition Everest. The drops on Rock ‘N' Roller Coaster are much more mild. However, Rock ‘N' Roller Coaster does have 3 loops, a corkscrew, and a camelback, making it a very thrilling ride.
Planning a Disney Vacation? Get Exclusive Discounts + Free Bonuses
In addition to exclusive discounts for Mickey Visit subscribers, get our free planning printable and guide to make your life SO much easier.
