Muppetational Changes to Take Place in Disney's Hollywood Studios
By Joseph Montgomery
The closing of a famous ride or attraction, let alone in Disney’s theme parks, can leave a deep and emotional impact upon its fans. From California Adventure’s Tower of Terror being rethemed into a thrill ride based on Marvel’s “Guardians of the Galaxy” to the controversial Splash Mountain being rebuilt into a flume ride based on “The Princess and the Frog,” the subject of beloved attractions becoming renovated into new ones has sparked massive debate and controversy among lovers of theme parks. This type of situation is especially prominent when it comes to a particular attraction in Disney's Hollywood Studios at Walt Disney World.
On November 22, 2024, Walt Disney World announced that Muppet*Vision 3D, a beloved Muppet-themed attraction, will officially close its curtains. It was confirmed recently that June 7 will be the attraction's final day of operation.
The 3D show ― along with the surrounding area, Muppet Courtyard ― will be closed down to make way for a new land based on Pixar’s “Monsters, Inc.” franchise. Many fans of the Muppets and Disney theme parks, on the other hand, have anticipated this to happen ever since the new “Monsters, Inc.” land was first announced at the 2024 D23 Expo back in August.
Muppet*Vision 3D is an indoor show that fuses together 3D effects with animatronics and other practical effects, as the Muppets try to put together a special performance of sketches and music numbers with their signature chaos and humor. The attraction also holds historical value to Muppet culture, as it is recognized to be not only the final film to be directed by Jim Henson, but also the final project to feature his performance as Kermit. In fact, the attraction first opened on May 16, 1991, which marked the first anniversary of Henson’s passing.
This significance behind the attraction explains why the confirmation of its closure has been met with much controversy. The historical aspect of the 3D show was especially addressed by a post on X ― formally known as Twitter ― by an account titled, “Lost Media Busters,” which shares tweets focused on “lost and unreleased media.”
“Dear Disney, Muppet*Vision 3D is more than just a 3D show,” the account tweeted back on August 15. “It’s the memoriam of a creative visionary who continues to inspire millions with promoting creativity, the importance of family, and imperfections being okay.
“Don’t upset the lovers and dreamers,” the tweet concluded.
The Jim Henson Company shared a statement via Instagram regarding the news of the attraction’s closure, praising it as “a one-of-a-kind Jim Henson experience, and an unforgettable capstone to Jim’s magnificent career.”
“As we learn of the show’s upcoming closure in its current form at Disney’s Hollywood Studios,” the statement read, “we look forward to Muppet*Vision 3D’s next act.”
Other Instagram accounts replied sharing their love and respect for the attraction, as well as their disappointment in seeing the attraction eventually close down. "I really hope this gets moved to another part of the park, maybe ever with a refreshed movie with new scenes," Dean Jason Coles, a Disney fan, replied to the post. "This is too much of a classic to just cease to exist."
"I want so badly to see a positive spin on this," another user, Cassidy Tucker, replied. "I’m so disappointed with this decision to erase the core of Jim Henson’s legacy from the Disney parks. No themed roller coaster can replace that."
However, this does not mean that the Muppets will be leaving Disney's Hollywood Studios entirely. It was further confirmed by Walt Disney World that the Muppets will be relocated to another one of the theme park's famous attractions: the Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster.
Opened back on July 29, 1999, the Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster is an indoor roller coaster featuring the iconic rock band Aerosmith. The ride takes riders on a high-speed cruise through Hollywood to an Aerosmith concert before time runs out ― all while jamming out to some of the band’s most famous tunes.
Based on a piece of promotional concept art, the refurbishment of the coaster will most likely feature a primary emphasis on the Muppet band Electric Mayhem. This would likely mean that, while remaining essentially the same, the ride will include singles from Electric Mayhem as opposed to Aerosmith. The closing date for the original Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster, however, has yet to be confirmed.
Despite all of these changes, the Muppets will continue to live on in Disney's Hollywood Studios with a new attraction. Until then, Muppet fans and theme park enthusiasts alike still have an opportunity to experience Muppet*Vision 3D before time runs out.