As previously reported, Rock ’n’ Rollercoaster is about to undergo a lengthy refurbishment this year. Disney has reported that no major changes are to occur during this refurbishment. Naturally, fans are still speculating on the fate of the coaster.
Aerosmith, while iconic in their own right, is not really a poppin’ band anymore. The band is heavily associated with the sounds of the 70s and 80s. However, they did have another moment in the late 90s with the hit “I Don’t Wanna Miss A Thing” in 1998. Rock’n’Rollercoaster opened a year later in 1999. So, Aerosmith was still very relevant.
In recent years, the popularity of the band has waned, especially amongst newer generations that are now going to Walt Disney World.
But who could replace Aerosmith?
The last time I was in line to ride Rock ’n’ Rollercoaster, this exact conversation came up with my group. I asked who would be able to replace Aerosmith with, as there really aren’t many rockstars today. In this day of short-form media, popularity seems to wane very quickly. An artist could be trending for a month and then disappear into the void forever. When I think of iconic musicians, I think of Britney Spears. But even she is past her prime, unfortunately. Who would be new enough, yet iconic enough to make Rock’n’Rollercoaster rockin’ again?
Taylor Swift, of course.
Frequent readers of Disney Darling know that I am a huge Swiftie. So of course I am biased in this opinion, but I really think Taylor Swift is this generation’s rock star.
Why Taylor Swift?
Taylor Swift is considered this generation’s most iconic artist. She is critically and commercially successful with over 200 million records sold globally, over 500 awards, and 9 number 1 songs at the time of writing. She has been in the music industry for almost 2 decades now, and she is not going away anytime soon. She is the first woman to win a Grammy for Album of the Year three times. Even more remarkable, each Grammy was won for albums not only in 3 different genres of music, but also 3 different decades. Fearless is a country album released in 2008. 1989 is a pop album released in 2014, and Folklore is an alternative record released in 2020. This trajectory alone should prove that Taylor Swift’s music transcends genres and generations.
Her peers in the music industry also give her high praise. Bon Jovi said “she’s the real deal”. Stevie Nicks said “ This girl writes the songs that make the whole world sing”. Billy Joel said “She knows music and she knows how to write. She’s like that generation’s Beatles.” Speaking of the Beatles, both Ringo Starr and Paul McCartney have also praised Taylor Swift. Ryan Tedder of One Republic said “Taylor is the only artist that I’ve worked with that has the complete skillset.” Tim McGraw said “She’s one of the greatest artists to come along in a long time.” Dolly Parton said she is “a great writer”. Even newer stars credit Taylor for inspiration, such as Sabrina Carpenter, The Vamps, Billy Ellish, Halsey, and Camila Cabello. Artists such as Beyonce, Lady Gaga, Pink, Nicki Minaj, Shania Twain, Mariah Carey and Ed Sheeran have shown support for her as well.
Bet you know at least one Taylor Swift song. Whether it’s Shake It Off, Anti-Hero, Love Story, or I Knew You Were Trouble, you have probably rocked out to at least one of her hits before. Swift is a clear choice for Rock ’n’ Rollercoaster.
Disney + Swift = Perfection
Taylor Swift makes perfect sense for Disney. She has a very clean image (unlike Aerosmith…but that’s another discussion). She has plenty of family-friendly songs. And the ones that aren’t can easily be censored.
Swift has worked for Disney several times before. She was featured on the Hannah Montana: The Movie soundtrack, and appeared on The Disney Channel with Phineas and Ferb. Two concert movies have been made in partnership with Disney+, and it is rumored that she is contracted to make one more (Eras Tour???).
Taylor herself is at least a mild Disney fan. She has dressed up as Disney characters before, attended Disneyland, and has talked about her love of Pocahontas, Cinderella, and Beauty and The Beast.
Honestly, I’m surprised Taylor hasn’t written anything for a Disney animated movie before. Her songs like Enchanted or Long Live would fit in perfectly to any fairytale.
Fun fact: Taylor herself has even sang with Steven Tyler on her 1989 World Tour!
Theming
The best part of this re-theme is that not much would actually have to change. The concept of fans walking in to Taylor Swift at the recording studio, and then being invited to her concert can stay the same. And since Taylor Swift is actively touring, they can record her inviting fans to “the Eras Tour”. This would make sense thematically as all of the songs featured in the ride will be from throughout her career, or from different eras.
The iconic line “better make it a super-stretch” can remain, of course.
And of course, there would probably be jokes about arriving “swiftly” in your “getaway car” so you can “meet (Taylor) at midnight”.
As far as props go, there are so many different options. Disney can use items from music videos, merchandise, or posters from previous Taylor tours. Disney and Taylor can do what they do best, and place many easter eggs throughout the ride. Perhaps a red scarf can be found on top of a pile of vinyl records, next to a popsicle stick castle. Maybe a paper airplane necklace can be draped across a Polaroid camera. A Scrabble board can be used to spell out lyrics. A clock with hands pointing to 2 a.m., a mirrorball hanging from the ceiling, a big “13” graffiti’d onto the wall, cat paw prints on the floor…the possibilities are endless. Taylor herself would want to be involved in the creative process of the ride, and she would come up with something amazing.
The coaster vehicles themselves could be repainted in Taylor’s signature color - Red. Or maybe a sparkly silver or gold. The license plates could spell out “SW13T” or “RPUT8N” or “TS1989” or “123 LGB” (that last one may not be Disney friendly enough).
As for the street signs featured in the ride, there can be some Taylor Swift theming here as well. Signs for 16th Avenue, Cornelia Street, New York, London, and Coney Island could all be displayed.
The ride dump gift shop could remain largely the same. Just replace any Aerosmith merchandise with Taylor Swift merchandise. Taylor has her own official merchandise through UMG, but she could collaborate with Disney to make Disney-exclusive merch. Can you imagine how popular Taylor Swift Minnie ears would be? The lines would be longer than the ones for popcorn buckets.
- …Ready For It?
- Lavender Haze
- End Game
- Look What You Made Me Do
- Getaway Car
- Blank Space
- Style
- Out of the Woods
- Shake It Off
- Sparks Fly
- State of Grace
- Red
- I Knew You Were Trouble
- 22
- Picture To Burn
- Cruel Summer
Would a Taylor Swift Attraction Be Successful?
Considering how popular Taylor Swift is, I can easily see a new crowd of fans coming in to the park just to ride this attraction. This could draw people away from Magic Kingdom to more evenly space out the crowds amongst the four theme parks.
And if Disney decides to do merch with Taylor Swift, they could easily make bank.
I can imagine an opening day ceremony with Taylor performing some songs on stage in front of the Chinese Theater. Along with press, she could specially invite some of her fans. They would then post pictures and videos all over social media, generating even more of a buzz within the Swiftie fanbase.
Even outside of her hardcore fanbase, the general public really enjoys Swift, as evident in her numerous chart-topping singles. I myself know many “casual Swifties” who enjoy her radio hits, and would’t mind hearing a few seconds of her songs on a thrilling attraction.
Of course, there are going to be people who do not care for this ride. With as many fans as Taylor Swift has, she is bound to have haters as well. She does receive backlash at times, but nothing so image-damaging that Disney would take an issue with. She’s definitely not as controversial as Miley Cyrus, Nicki Minaj, or Ariana Grande. This isn’t hate towards them, but it is true that they may not fit Disney’s image as well as Taylor Swift does.
As stated before, Taylor Swift has a long music career ahead of her. This makes her an obvious choice for the attraction, as she is currently relevant and predictably will be years from now. She will not grow stagnant. Even if she were to retire tomorrow, she has 10 studio albums to pull content from, giving the soundtrack to the attraction endless possibilities.
What do you think of Rock ’n’ Rollercoaster? Who would you want to replace Aerosmith? What Taylor Swift songs do you think should be on this ride? Please share your thoughts!
I love Taylor Swift! I think Bad Blood should play on the ride
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