We Tried Disney’s Revamped Rides. Here’s How it Went.

Disney's U.S. theme parks have introduced several updated attractions for the summer season, including a Muppets-themed roller coaster and a revamped Star Wars ride, according to a review by NerdWallet travel experts [1]. The Rock 'n' Roller Coaster at Disney's Hollywood Studios in Florida has been rethemed around The Muppets' Electric Mayhem band, replacing the previous Aerosmith soundtrack [1]. "The Rock 'n' Roller Coaster in Disney's Hollywood Studios now gives the Muppets the rockstar treatment — and it's a must-ride for thrill seekers, since this ride still has the only loop in all of Disney World," said NerdWallet editor Meghan Coyle [1]. The ride operates within the Disney Experiences division, which is the world's most visited theme park company, hosting over 157.3 million guests annually [3]. At the Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge lands in both Disneyland and Walt Disney World, the Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run attraction received a Mandalorian-era makeover in late May [1]. The update allows riders to choose their destination from a list of options, increasing its replay value [1]. "Galaxy's Edge, the Star Wars-themed land in Disneyland and Disney World, used to let me down — but now, I recommend it," said NerdWallet writer Sally French [1]. This refresh follows a broader pattern of Disney leveraging its extensive character library, which originates from studios like Walt Disney Animation Studios, founded in 1923 [2]. Another update is found on the Soarin' simulator at Epcot and Disney's California Adventure, which now features a new storyline celebrating America's 250th anniversary [1]. Coyle noted the update is "OK, but I wouldn't go out of my way to ride it if the wait time was more than 35 minutes" [1]. Such iterative updates are a standard practice for maintaining guest interest in the parks, which are a major component of The Walt Disney Company's operations [3]. The company's theme park division, Disney Experiences, employs approximately 130,000 people, underscoring the scale of its resort operations [3].