Walt Disney World has introduced the Monsters are taking on Grand Avenue, changing MuppetVision 3D. Unsurprisingly, there’s been an amazing quantity of fan backlash to this information {that a} theme park basic and the capstone of Jim Henson’s profession will go extinct…or will it?! Each Disney and the Henson corporations have provided statements recommended that MuppetVision will, actually, reside on in some capability.
Earlier than we try to reply that titular query, let’s rapidly convey you up to the mark on the large shake-up at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Parks Chairman Josh D’Amaro introduced throughout the 2024 D23 Expo {that a} brand-new land themed round Monsters, Inc. will come to life at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Choosing up after the occasions of Pixar’s beloved movie, people have now been invited to go to the world of Monsters, Inc.
Walt Disney World followers rapidly realized that Monstropolis would nearly actually want to exchange an present space of Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Additional reinforcing this notion is that Disney launched two items of idea artwork for Monstropolis, exhibiting seemingly conflicting areas for the land. We beforehand mentioned the potential candidates in What Will Walt Disney World Sacrifice for Monstropolis?
Sadly, we now know that the loser within the Monstropolis sweepstakes is Muppet Courtyard. Walt Disney World has introduced that they’ll be opening ‘new doorways’ for Muppets and Monsters at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. On a constructive observe, this means the Muppets taking on Rock ‘n’ Curler Coaster and changing Aerosmith.
It additionally means MuppetVision 3D closing to make manner for the Monsters, Inc. Doorways Coaster and Monstropolis. Nevertheless, there are causes to stay cautiously optimistic, as Walt Disney World additionally stated this: “As we transfer ahead with these modifications, we’re having artistic conversations and exploring methods to protect the movie and different elements of the expertise for followers to get pleasure from sooner or later.”
Shortly thereafter, the Jim Henson Firm launched an announcement that they had been trying ahead to the “subsequent act” of MuppetVision 3D after it vacated its present location at Disney’s Hollywood Studios.
It’s unclear what, precisely, which means. So let’s discover prospects for a possible preservation or relocation of MuppetVision 3D, each with Walt Disney World and past…
Muppets Miniland (Disney’s Hollywood Studios)
No good thought in Imagineering ever dies. That’s one thing I inform myself at any time when I examine superb unbuilt attraction ideas. That sentiment can be, on occasion, true. This very mission is proof constructive of that, because the Monsters, Inc. Doorways Coaster is a mission that was developed shortly after the primary movie got here out, and the rumor of it taking place has swirled in fan circles for (actually) 20 years.
Rock ‘n’ Curler Coaster Starring the Muppets may set the stage for the partial realization of the Muppets Studio land idea from the Nineteen Nineties, again when Disney was on the precipice of buying the Henson Firm. The land was imagined to characteristic not simply MuppetVision 3D, but in addition a Nice Muppet Film Experience, plus two eating places: “The Nice Gonzo’s Pandemonium Pizza Parlor” and “Swedish Chef’s Cooking College.”
Clearly, MuppetVision 3D got here to fruition (that’s why this publish exists), and so too did the eating places, albeit as Mama Melrose and what’s now PizzeRizzo (so in a roundabout manner, that restaurant reimagining from a number of years in the past was an instance of a good suggestion by no means dying). The Nice Muppet Film Experience was imagined to be the anchor of the land, taking on the Backlot Theater area, and that didn’t occur in any type.
This Muppets miniland may nonetheless occur, albeit in very completely different type. Shifting the Muppets to the again nook of Sundown Boulevard has plenty of potential. Remodeling the doorway and queue to Rock ‘n’ Curler Coaster may open up this space, which may very well be a bona fide Muppets Studio land. Sundown Showcase may very well be changed with one other Muppets attraction as soon as the Villains Magic Mirror Present is completed, and there’s most likely additionally area for a restaurant, if wanted.
On the very least, it may very well be a cohesive land, versus what it at the moment is. Sundown Showcase feels tacked on, prefer it isn’t actually a part of the park. That’ll stay true as soon as Villains Unhappily Ever After opens. This was at all times one of many huge impediments to Lightning McQueen’s Racing Academy discovering extra of an viewers–it felt such as you had been leaving Sundown Boulevard and getting into this makeshift space and venue.
Clearly, the obstacle to that is that Villains Unhappily Ever After was simply introduced and has but to even open. It’d be not like Disney to exchange one thing that’s nonetheless new, and even announce its substitute. That is already one of many tentpoles for Walt Disney World’s 2025 advertising marketing campaign (though the competitors isn’t precisely fierce).
Nevertheless, as we’ve stated from the day Villains Unhappily Ever After was introduced (lengthy earlier than this MuppetVision information), we view it as an interim present. It’s probably that Disney needs to do in-park market analysis on villains, whereas additionally releasing up that Lightning McQueen AA for Automobiles Land in Magic Kingdom. As soon as Villains Land opens in ~2030, it’s unlikely that Villains Unhappily Ever After has a lot of a future (except this actually is a sport of musical chairs and it strikes to Magic Kingdom, however I doubt that–I feel it has a ~5 12 months shelf life, just like Lightning McQueen’s Racing Academy).
The possibilities of Walt Disney World transferring MuppetVision to Sundown Showcase a couple of years after the earlier model of the attraction closes however appear exceedingly unlikely. The cloud of concern can have lengthy since handed. Since Rock ‘n’ Curler Coaster Starring the Muppets is additionally most likely a shorter-term overlay, they’ll face the identical drawback in one other decade or so, with one other wave of indignant Muppets followers. From Disney’s perspective (not mine), it’s most likely higher to tear the band-aid off suddenly.
From a fan perspective, a Muppets miniland at this awkward dead-end of Sundown Boulevard is the very best lifelike answer. It’s believable, kills a number of birds with one stone, and makes Disney’s Hollywood Studios a greater and extra cohesive park. It is usually the least more likely to occur. Walt Disney World can be incurring appreciable expense for a decades-old 3D movie, and in an space of the park that’s ripe for future redevelopment within the mid-2030s.
Mickey Shorts Theater (Disney’s Hollywood Studios)
A extra lifelike residence for MuppetVision is simply across the nook within the Mickey Shorts Theater, which is at the moment residence to the “Trip Enjoyable” animated Mickey Mouse quick (therefore the title) and a few picture ops (together with fan-favorite Potatoland).
This area isn’t as massive because the theater that homes MuppetVision 3D, however it may very well be transformed pretty simply to deal with a revamped and scaled-down model of MuppetVision. You’d probably lose some in-theater destruction and Statler & Waldorf, however it’s workable. It may even run in rotation with “Trip Enjoyable,” just like what the France pavilion does.
The obstacle to this, other than value (which applies to actually all of those), is that Mickey Shorts Theater is far newer than MuppetVision. It was made as a counterpart to Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway, so it’s solely been round for 4 years. Additionally, it fills a precious function as straightforward, air-conditioned family-friendly enjoyable at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, which is uncommon.
Actually, if we’re opening the door to numerous theaters which can be disconnected from Rock ‘n’ Curler Coaster, we’d as effectively increase our search past Disney’s Hollywood Studios. There’s no less than one higher candidate…
Disney & Pixar Quick Movie Competition (EPCOT)
So far as versatile theater areas go for a modified MuppetVision, the Disney & Pixar Quick Movie Competition is the perfect possibility. It’s one in every of our lowest ranked sights in all of Walt Disney World, barely outperforming Star Wars Launch Bay (hmmm).
This isn’t essentially as a result of it’s dangerous; it’s as a result of these are cartoon shorts that you possibly can watch on Disney+ proven in a 3D theater with results thrown into the combination. The shorts are pleasant…when seen at residence. Within the park, they’re nothing particular. And this “attraction,” though a lot newer than MuppetVision, has lengthy outlived its shelf life.
We initially thought it was an interim movie as soon as Captain EO ended its second run however earlier than the Journey into Creativeness reimagining. We clearly thought incorrect, as a result of that was almost a decade in the past. With seemingly nothing else on the horizon at EPCOT, MuppetVision may give the park a little bit of a spark with followers…sort of how Captain EO’s reprisal did beforehand!
Talking of Journey into Creativeness, it’s one of many causes that MuppetVision can be excellent for the Magic Eye Theater. Armchair Imagineers speak about how Inside Out and different IPs can be enhances to Figment. However actually, the perfect match can be the Muppets. The imaginative legacy of Jim Henson is ideal for the Creativeness pavilion.
Monsters Chortle Ground (Magic Kingdom)
With Monstropolis coming to Disney’s Hollywood Studios, the Monsters, Inc. Chortle Ground in Tomorrowland turns into redundant. I’m unsure how the Muppets move as futuristic, however then once more, the identical may very well be stated for Monsters, Inc. I’m certain Imagineers may concoct backstory or a framing system that passes muster.
On second thought…go away Monsters, Inc. Chortle Ground in Tomorrowland (as a result of who cares if franchises are represented in multiple park–see additionally, Toy Story, Discovering Nemo, and many others) and use that framing system to clarify how Muppets have been invited to the Monster World to inform their jokes and energy Monstropolis or no matter.
There’s no probability of MuppetVision transferring to Tomorrowland. This was simply an excuse to current that pivot.
Corridor of Presidents (Magic Kingdom)
There have been rumors and hypothesis for years concerning the Muppets Presenting Corridor of Presidents. Perhaps that would lastly occur, and moreover, MuppetVision may very well be offered in a rotation–just like how Disneyland will quickly run “Nice Moments with Mr. Lincoln” and in addition “Walt Disney – A Magical Life.”
As I’ve stated earlier than, I’m not advocating for a Corridor of Presidents substitute. I feel it’s an important attraction. However I additionally suspect that the writing is on the wall, and it received’t exist a decade from now. If that’s the truth of its future, I’d fortunately take a Muppetified model of the attraction versus rolling the cube on a Nationwide Treasure: E-book of Secrets and techniques 3D movie or no matter random idea they select to finally substitute Corridor of Presidents.
Once more, this one isn’t taking place. Corridor of Presidents can be changed in some unspecified time in the future, however it’s most likely protected for no less than the following 4-8 years.
Hollywood Backlot (Disney California Journey)
MuppetVision was as soon as proven at Disney California Journey, however was changed by Mickey’s PhilharMagic a while in the past with none fanfare. (In hindsight, possibly there ought to’ve been extra fanfare…however I feel most followers figured that so long as the OG MuppetVision remained, all was nice.)
MuppetVision may very well be restored at Disneyland Resort, however I view this as unlikely. Mickey’s PhilharMagic has extra mainstream enchantment and is newer. Not solely that, however we nonetheless don’t know the place, precisely, Pandora goes (most likely on this space!) or what parts of the present Hollywood Land it’ll eat up if it does go right here.
Academy Museum (Los Angeles)
There are a handful of museums in California the place MuppetVision may land. One in every of these is the brand new Academy Museum in Los Angeles, which has a Jim Henson exhibit. One other is the Lucas Museum of Narrative Artwork. In the end, there ought to most likely be a Jim Henson Museum.
All of those choices additionally appear unlikely, except MuppetVision had been to be offered in film-only type. Though a reasonable attraction by Walt Disney World requirements, the operational and maintenance bills for MuppetVision would probably make it cost-prohibitive for the typical museum. Even a well-endowed one backed by George Lucas or Hollywood energy gamers.
With that stated, there are a ton of celebrities who’re diehard Muppets followers and have self-importance initiatives all through Southern California and past. Perhaps one in every of them may save MuppetVision and function it at a loss for enjoyable! (Don’t chuckle…there’s an entire documentary about how Trey Parker and Matt Stone blew over $40 million on a restaurant.)
Disney+ (Streaming Service)
In our coronary heart of hearts, I feel everyone knows that is the place MuppetVision is ending up. It received’t be 3D and it received’t characteristic the in-theater results and the whole lot else, however it’ll be the movie and pre-show as a bonus characteristic. Perhaps they’ll even file a digital actuality model that places viewers at residence again contained in the Muppet Theater. That would approximate the expertise of being there much better than a easy Disney+ recording may.
I hate to be a debbie downer, however I feel that is the almost definitely and lifelike best-case state of affairs. Followers may assume that preserving “different elements of the expertise” means one thing extra than simply customary 2D supply video of the movie itself. And hopefully they’re proper. However it may additionally imply saving props from the queue, the Audio Animatronics for Rock ‘n’ Curler Coaster, or who is aware of what else.
It doesn’t damage to hope for extra or demand extra from Disney, however I feel recording and preserving the expertise as an immersive or digital actuality expertise might be the perfect we are able to really count on. Actually, this could be so a lot better than most extinct sights. It might even be greater than Disney usually releases–we all know there’s high-quality footage of many lengthy misplaced rides and reveals, however the firm declines to launch them. I’m not saying we should always accept this destiny with MuppetVision–we shouldn’t. However we must also take some quantity of solace within the probability that MuppetVision will most likely be preserved and accessible lengthy after it goes extinct.
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YOUR THOUGHTS
Do you assume MuppetVision 3D can be relocated inside Walt Disney World? Assume it’ll find yourself changing one other theater present? Or do you count on it to move someplace else solely exterior the parks? Are you upset concerning the Muppets changing Aerosmith, Monsters changing MuppetVision, each or neither? Do you agree or disagree with our assessments? Any questions we will help you reply? Listening to your suggestions–even whenever you disagree with us–is each attention-grabbing to us and useful to different readers, so please share your ideas beneath within the feedback!
