Walt Disney World has introduced Monsters, Inc. is changing MuppetVision 3D. Unsurprisingly, there’s been an enormous fan backlash to this information {that a} theme park traditional and the capstone of Jim Henson’s profession will go extinct…or will it?! Each Disney and the Henson corporations have supplied statements recommended that MuppetVision will, in truth, dwell on in some capability. (Up to date January 26, 2025.)
To shortly deliver you on top of things, Walt Disney World has introduced that they’ll be opening ‘new doorways’ for Muppets and Monsters at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. On a constructive be aware, this means the Muppets taking on Rock ‘n’ Curler Coaster and changing Aerosmith.
It additionally means MuppetVision 3D closing to make means for the Monsters, Inc. Doorways Coaster and Monstropolis. For the reason that unique announcement, Walt Disney World has adopted up with phased closure dates for MuppetVision and the eating places in Grand Avenue, which is able to all shut by June 8, 2025.
Nonetheless, there are causes to stay cautiously optimistic, as Walt Disney World additionally stated this in its unique announcement: “As we transfer ahead with these adjustments, we’re having inventive 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 a press release that they have been trying ahead to the “subsequent act” of MuppetVision 3D. Whereas considerably reassuring, it’s price noting that the Henson Firm has no management over the way forward for MuppetVision, until Disney presents them the present they usually discover someplace to indicate it….which appears unlikely.
With the announcement of the deadline, there was no additional clarification as to what, precisely, this implies. As a result of preserving the movie and different elements of the expertise may be very ambiguous, and could possibly be an excellent factor…or a really underwhelming factor. Our greatest guess is that it skews in the direction of the latter. Disney possible would’ve introduced its intentions together with the closure date if there was an precise plan, and it have been one that will blunt the blow of the upcoming attraction closure.
So let’s discover potentialities for a possible preservation or relocation of MuppetVision 3D, each inside 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 each time I examine superb unbuilt attraction ideas. That sentiment can also be, once in a while, true. This very mission is proof constructive of that, for the reason that Monsters, Inc. Doorways Coaster is a mission that was developed shortly after the primary movie got here out, and the rumor of it occurring has swirled in fan circles for (actually) twenty 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 purported to characteristic not simply MuppetVision 3D, but additionally a Nice Muppet Film Experience, plus two eating places: “The Nice Gonzo’s Pandemonium Pizza Parlor” and “Swedish Chef’s Cooking Faculty.”
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 means, 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 purported to be the anchor of the land, taking on the Backlot Theater house, and that didn’t occur in any type.
This Muppets miniland may nonetheless occur, albeit in very totally different type. Shifting the Muppets to the again nook of Sundown Boulevard has a variety of potential. Remodeling the doorway and queue to Rock ‘n’ Curler Coaster may open up this space, which could possibly be a bona fide Muppets Studio land. Sundown Showcase could possibly be changed with one other Muppets attraction as soon as the Villains Magic Mirror Present is completed, and there’s in all probability additionally house for a restaurant, if wanted.
On the very least, it could possibly 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 Unfairly Ever After opens. This was all the time one of many massive impediments to Lightning McQueen’s Racing Academy discovering extra of an viewers–it felt such as you have been leaving Sundown Boulevard and coming into this makeshift space and venue.
Clearly, the obstacle to that is that Villains Unfairly Ever After was simply introduced and has but to even open. It’d be in contrast to 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 and marketing marketing campaign (though the competitors isn’t precisely fierce).
Nonetheless, as we’ve stated from the day Villains Unhappily Ever After was introduced, we view it as an interim present. It’s possible that Disney desires to do in-park market analysis on villains, whereas additionally liberating up that Lightning McQueen AA for Vehicles 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. It in all probability has a ~5 yr shelf life, just like Lightning McQueen’s Racing Academy.
The possibilities of Walt Disney World shifting MuppetVision to Sundown Showcase a number of years after the earlier model of the attraction closes however appear unlikely. The cloud of shock can have lengthy since handed. Since Rock ‘n’ Curler Coaster Starring the Muppets is additionally in all probability 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 in all probability higher to tear the band-aid off all of sudden.
From a fan perspective, a Muppets miniland at this awkward dead-end of Sundown Boulevard is the absolute best life like resolution. 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 prone 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 life like dwelling for MuppetVision is simply across the nook within the Mickey Shorts Theater, which is at the moment dwelling to the “Trip Enjoyable” animated Mickey Mouse quick (therefore the title) and a few picture ops (together with fan-favorite Potatoland).
This house isn’t as massive because the theater that homes MuppetVision 3D, but it surely could possibly be transformed pretty simply to deal with a revamped and scaled-down model of MuppetVision. You’d possible lose some in-theater destruction and Statler & Waldorf, but it surely’s workable. It may even run in rotation with “Trip Enjoyable,” just like what the France pavilion does.
The obstacle to this, apart from value (which applies to actually all of those), is that Mickey Shorts Theater is way 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 useful position as simple, air-conditioned family-friendly enjoyable at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, which is uncommon.
Actually, if we’re opening the door to numerous theaters which are disconnected from Rock ‘n’ Curler Coaster, we would as nicely develop our search past Disney’s Hollywood Studios. There’s not less than one higher candidate…
Disney & Pixar Quick Movie Pageant (EPCOT)
So far as versatile theater areas go for a modified MuppetVision, the Disney & Pixar Quick Movie Pageant is the supreme possibility. It’s certainly one 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 unhealthy; it’s as a result of these are cartoon shorts that you could possibly watch on Disney+ proven in a 3D theater with results thrown into the combination. The shorts are pleasant…when considered at dwelling. Within the park, they’re nothing particular. And this “attraction,” regardless that 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 mistaken, as a result of that was practically 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…form 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 most effective 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 undecided how the Muppets go as futuristic, however then once more, the identical could possibly be stated for Monsters, Inc. I’m positive Imagineers may concoct backstory or a framing gadget that passes muster.
On second thought…depart Monsters, Inc. Chortle Ground in Tomorrowland (as a result of who cares if franchises are represented in a couple of park–see additionally, Toy Story, Discovering Nemo, and many others) and use that framing gadget 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 shifting to Tomorrowland. This was simply an excuse to current that pivot.
Corridor of Presidents (Magic Kingdom)
There have been rumors and hypothesis for years in regards to the Muppets Presenting Corridor of Presidents. Possibly that might lastly occur, and moreover, MuppetVision could possibly be introduced 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 excellent 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 fact of its future, I might 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 ultimately substitute Corridor of Presidents.
Once more, this one isn’t occurring. Corridor of Presidents shall be changed in some unspecified time in the future, but it surely’s in all probability secure for not 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, perhaps there ought to’ve been extra fanfare…however I feel most followers figured that so long as the OG MuppetVision remained, all was effective.)
MuppetVision could possibly 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 (in all probability 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 all 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. Ultimately, there ought to in all probability be a Jim Henson Museum.
All of those choices additionally appear unlikely, until MuppetVision have been to be introduced in film-only type. Though a cheap attraction by Walt Disney World requirements, the operational and maintenance bills for MuppetVision would possible make it cost-prohibitive for the common 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 vainness initiatives all through Southern California and past. Possibly certainly one of them may save MuppetVision and function it at a loss for enjoyable! (Don’t chortle…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, 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 every part else, but it surely’ll be the movie and pre-show as a bonus characteristic. Possibly they’ll even report a digital actuality model that places viewers at dwelling 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 more than likely and life like best-case situation. Followers may assume that preserving “different elements of the expertise” means one thing extra than simply normal 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 most effective we are able to truly anticipate. Actually, this may be so significantly better than most extinct sights. It could 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 must always accept this destiny with MuppetVision–we shouldn’t. However we must also take some quantity of solace within the chance that MuppetVision will in all probability be preserved and accessible lengthy after it goes extinct.
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YOUR THOUGHTS
Do you assume MuppetVision 3D shall be relocated inside Walt Disney World? Suppose it’ll find yourself changing one other theater present? Or do you anticipate it to move some place else solely outdoors the parks? Are you upset in regards to the Muppets changing Aerosmith, Monsters changing MuppetVision, each or neither? Do you agree or disagree with our assessments? Any questions we may also 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!
