Kermit The Frog Is Kicking Aerosmith Out of Disney World

With one announcement two of my favorite parts of Disney World are soon to be gone. Aerosmith's Rock'n Rollercoaster is about to be de-Aerosmith'd. And I'm no longer going to be able to chill with Statler and Waldorf in the Muppets 3D theater.

Aerosmith's exit from Disney World has been rumored to happen for years. When Steven Tyler from Aerosmith was going through some legal issues, they flared up again but then died down. When a renovation closing the ride for months happened this past year, many Disney fans anticipated a change but were surprised when the ride reopened and Aerosmith was still in the ride's recording studio at reopening. But this time it's for real.

Aerosmith's Rock'n Rollercoaster has been a favorite of mine since my first visit to Disney about 20 years ago. I can't tell you how many times I waited in that excruciatingly long line. I know every line in the recording session studio scene word for word. Then there's that rush once you finally are in your seat, you pull up to the starting point and that blast of speed whips you into the dark and as an Aerosmith song blares in your ears. Big changes are coming.

The real punch to the gut is it's not just Rock'n Rollercoaster that's getting overhauled. Disney World has announced that the Muppets will be taking over the coaster. That's not all bad. I love the Muppets. Fozzy Bear is my spirit animal. I love Statler and Waldorf - I look for them every time I'm at a show at The Mahaffey Theater. But the Muppets 3D show is going away. It'll be replaced by a Monsters Inc. attraction according to Entertainment Weekly. The Muppets will instead host the Rock'n Rollercoaster ride.

EW says that MuppetVision 3D show was one of Jim Henson's final Muppets projects before he passed away. At least the Muppets aren't going to disappear completely. According to Disney, the Muppets will be the featured attraction at a redone Rock'n Rollercoaster with "some of music's biggest stars." But as for Aerosmith, they're going to Walk This Way to the exits at Hollywood Studios at Walt Disney World.

According to wdwmagic.com, no dates have been given on the projects so if you're an Aerosmith fan like me, you still have time to visit Steven Tyler, Joe Perry and the rest of the guys in the recording studio before you take one more stretch limo ride to the concert. It does make sense though. Aerosmith's fan base (like me) is aging out of the Disney demographic.

Steven Tyler is many things: One of the greatest frontmen of all time, a poet and, it bears mentioning, one of the wackiest dudes to ever walk the Earth. All of that combined is what makes the Demon of Screamin' so iconic and so beloved.

With that in mind, it also makes the recent news of Aerosmith having to retire from touring all the more of a gut-punch.

On August 2, the band issued a statement announcing the cancelation of their farewell tour. The band issued the following statement:

"It was 1970 when a spark of inspiration became Aerosmith. Thanks to you, our Blue Army, that spark caught flame and has been burning for over five decades. Some of you have been with us since the beginning and all of you are the reason we made rock ‘n’ roll history. 

It has been the honor of our lives to have our music become part of yours.  In every club, on every massive tour and at moments grand and private you have given us a place in the soundtrack of your lives. 

We’ve always wanted to blow your mind when performing.  As you know, Steven’s voice is an instrument like no other.  He has spent months tirelessly working on getting his voice to where it was before his injury.  We’ve seen him struggling despite having the best medical team by his side. Sadly, it is clear, that a full recovery from his vocal injury is not possible. We have made a heartbreaking and difficult, but necessary, decision - as a band of brothers - to retire from the touring stage.

We are grateful beyond words for everyone who was pumped to get on the road with us one last time. Grateful to our expert crew, our incredible team and the thousands of talented people who’ve made our historic runs possible. A final thank you to you - the best fans on planet Earth.  Play our music loud, now and always.  Dream On. You’ve made our dreams come true."

It's devastating that Aerosmith won't be able to go out on their own terms. They more than deserved that after being active for over 50 years. While they may not have gotten the ending they wanted, there will always be the music. In the case of Tyler, there will also be his wacky one-liners. Here's a look back on ten quotes attributed to the Aerosmith frontman ranging from hilarious to poignant and everywhere in between.