Rock 'n' Roller Coaster Is Blasting 30 Holiday Songs in the Courtyard, and the Playlist Is Wild
The Muppets holiday overlay opened Wednesday at Disney's Hollywood Studios, and the full courtyard music loop is a loud, funny mix of punk, metal and Muppets.
Rock 'n' Roller Coaster Starring The Muppets is dressed up for the holidays, and the courtyard loop might be the best part. The limited run Obligatory Holiday Overlay opened Wednesday, November 4, at Disney's Hollywood Studios and sticks around through January 6, 2027.
The overlay adds holiday decorations, graphics and music all through the attraction. The Muppets also show up in festive looks during the pre-show. Out front, guests finally get to hear the whole courtyard playlist, and it's packed with rock.
What the overlay adds
Disney confirmed the overlay in early October, so the details have been building for a few weeks. A first ride on opening morning suggests it delivers just what Disney promised, with no big surprises.
The new queue poster is red and teal with snowflakes all over it. It advertises G-Force Records presenting an Electric Mayhem holiday concert. Inside, there are new holiday tracks from the Electric Mayhem and snowy touches on the Muppet Labs props.
The full courtyard music loop
The loop has 30 songs, and the lineup is anything but a typical department store playlist. Green Day has Xmas Time of the Year, Weezer does We Wish You a Merry Christmas, and U2 brings Christmas (Baby Please Come Home). Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers, Jimmy Eat World, Relient K and Smash Mouth are in the mix too.
The Muppets get plenty of airtime. Dr. Teeth and The Electric Mayhem sing 'Zat You, Santa Claus? and Run Rudolph Run. My Best Christmas Yet is a Muppets track featuring Jane Krakowski and Madison Pettis.
There are heavier picks as well. Silver Bells comes from Geoff Tate, Carlos Cavazo, James Lomenzo and Ray Luzier, and The Misfits take on Blue Christmas. Jay Taylor plays a metal version of Jingle Bell Rock, Dee Snider and Lzzy Hale team up on The Magic of Christmas Day, and Gary Hoey brings a guitar take on Santa Claus Is Coming to Town.
The playlist also goes bilingual. Chetes has Llegó la Navidad, El Vez does Feliz Navidad, and Los Lobos perform ¿Dónde Está Santa Claus? Hanukkah Snuck Up on Me by The Yule Logs and Miracle by Matisyahu add some variety to the holiday mix.
A few more fun ones round it out. Elton John has Step Into Christmas, and Train brings Shake Up Christmas. The Linda Lindas play Groovy Xmas, and Darlene Love and Ronnie Spector team up on Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree.
Then come the oddballs. Tommy Tutone's 867-5309/Jenny gets a Christmas version, Fountains of Wayne sing I Want an Alien for Christmas, and The LeeVees offer Applesauce vs. Sour Cream. The Jonas Brothers with Kenny G, The Boo, The Revillos and Classless Act fill out the list.
The rest of the holiday fun at the Studios
The overlay joins a lot of other seasonal touches around Disney's Hollywood Studios. Think window displays, fake snow machines and tinsel stars. Disney Jollywood Nights also kicks off today, November 7, and runs through January 5, 2027.
If you're heading to the park, give the courtyard a few extra minutes before you ride. With a loop this long, you could easily hear something new on your next lap through. So what's your favorite song on the list?
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