Continuing the run of adrenaline-fueled attractions on the Backlot at Walt Disney Studios Park is Rock 'N' Roller Coaster avec Aerosmith. Although similar in some ways to its Disney's Hollywood Studios counterpart, this iteration of the ride presents a completely original story line and experience.
Both coasters start out in a recording studio and carry passengers on wild rides set to the music of Aerosmith, but since this version is set on a studio lot in France, a trip through Hollywood to see the band in concert at the Forum just wouldn't have made sense. Instead, the conceit is that Aerosmith and the record company have developed a new, interactive technology that we'll get to experience during the production of a music video.
Rock 'N' Roller Coaster here is sponsored by Gibson, and guitars feature heavily in the design, from the giant billboard on the front of the recording studio promoting the experience to this creative approach to the typical height measurement sign:
Once we've been granted clearance, we're on our way into the studios of Tour de Force Records to be prepped for today's shoot.
Inside, we pass an impressive collection of autographed guitars, drum skins and gold records from music legends the likes of U2, KISS and the Red Hot Chili Peppers.
In the studio for our meeting with the band, frontman Steven Tyler stands over a model of the twisting mass of trusses and rigging we're about to tackle, explaining what's going to go down in the shooting of this new kind of music video. Next thing you know, we're heading out back to the sound lab, where a sleek 24-passenger Soundtracker slides up between stacks of speakers and mixing boards.
We take our seats, brace ourselves and prepare to launch into a light and sound experience like no other. Throughout the ride, concert-style lighting and smoke effects combine with the on-board audio system, presenting a different show for each of the five possible music combinations (each train plays different Aerosmith songs).
As we come in for a landing, Aerosmith thanks us for helping them make history, shooting the first music video with the amazing Soundtracker system.
We rode this a few years ago, and it was interesting to see the different approach to the ride. The launch is more of a straight shot, and the music-video style is unique. However, it still didn't compete with the Hollywood decor of the Florida version. I really missed some of that extra theming in Paris. Still, it was a fun ride!
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