Author’s Note: This 4-part series answers the question: when you are trying to make the most of your limited time at the parks, and the crowds are maddening, there may be times when you will have to choose which favorite ride you will get a fast pass for that day. What would that ride be? Well, I definitely have my favorites at every park, each of which is covered under this title with parts 1-4.
When I only have limited time at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, I will always choose either Tower of Terror or Rock N Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith as my fast pass; depending on the wait in the standby lines. Both of these rides are awesome for thrill seekers.
If you have been reading the Affordable Mouse for a while, you know my all-time favorite ride is the Twilight Zone Tower of Terror. If you didn’t know, let me familiarize you with this fantabulous ride here. Whenever the wait for TOT is shorter than the wait for Rock N Roller Coaster, though, I wait in the standby line for TOT and use my one fast pass for RNR.Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith is an enclosed steel roller coaster and it is a beast! It is a totally awesome ride and my family loves it. The queue is mostly outside but once you enter the building you are in the offices and recording studios of record label G-Force Records. You will notice that the lobby is decorated with posters of real acts signed to labels owned by Disney.
You will then enter the recording studio where Aerosmith is just finishing a recording session. In this prerecorded show, their manager comes in and tells them that they’re late for a concert. Lead singer, Steven Tyler, isn’t happy that the guys are having to leave their fans in the studio, so he requests backstage passes for everyone to attend the concert. Then the band hops into their limo on the way to “The Forum” and leaves their manager to order a super stretch limo to get all of us to the concert. She tells us to go outside and when we exit we continue in line until we are put into the line for our row and we are ready for the time of our lives!
The super stretch limo ride vehicle holds 24 guests. There are 12 rows that each seat 2 guests. The restraint is a shoulder harness so we are definitely secure. Once the limo is loaded, we are off to wait for the green light. You can feel the vehicle back up slightly and lock into place on the catapult.
Once the countdown starts, put your head back against the seat and get ready! We are at 3-2-1 then we’re catapulted from 0 to 60 mph in 2.8 seconds. Be sure to smile as the camera takes your picture upon launch! We shoot into the pitch black ride that is adorned with neon, street signs, and a huge donut, while great Aerosmith music like “Love in an Elevator” or “Sweet Emotion” plays in our ears (there are speakers in your seat). We hit 4.5g as we enter the first inversion. That is more than an astronaut does on a space shuttle launch.
The roller coaster goes through three inversions, two of which are rollovers and one of which is a corkscrew on a winding track. It is loud and really fast. It is fantastic! The only thing better would be if they would do the whole thing in reverse at the end of the ride. What a thrill!
It is impossible to put your hands up on this ride due to the restraints. When I carry a backpack, I always put one strap through one of my legs before getting on and then put the other strap around the other leg once I am on, because remember the ride goes upside down. Although you can’t put your hands up, screaming is certainly allowed and definitely encouraged. Hop on this baby for the time of your life.
General Info
- Must be 48” tall to ride
- Health restrictions
- Must transfer from ECV to wheelchair, then from wheelchair to ride
Brenda is a native Texan born and raised on the Gulf Coast. She visited Disney World twice as a teenager and always dreamed of growing her family Disney. She took her first-timer husband and their three children to Disney World in 2000 and they now spend every Thanksgiving there. Brenda writes with a comedic twist on various Disney topics. She will be sharing tips she has learned during her travels and also hopes to enlighten people on little-known freebies that Disney has to offer. She wishes she could have met Walt Disney and considers herself to be a student of Walt. In parallel to his dream it is her wish that everyone would take at least one trip to Disney World in order to share in its magic with their families.
Brenda you and I are on the same page. Our absolute favorite ride is TOT but we always FP RNR. The line seems soooooo long for RNR. I kind of like the line for TOT…I just love looking around the place.
HA! I’m not surprised, Kelly! I think we’re soul sisters! Have a great day!