It’s good news/bad news for Muppet fans as one beloved Hollywood Studios attraction is closing, but the Muppets will live on in another!
Since D23’s big announcements, Muppet fans have been worried about the fate of MuppetVision 3D. With Disney planning a huge area based on Monsters Inc, including a roller coaster, the artwork hints at a makeover of the Muppet area that would remove that 3D film.
Disney has now confirmed that, yes, MuppetVision 3D will be removed in 2025. Opening in 1991, the attraction was the first part of a huge deal when Jim Henson sold the Muppets to Disney in 1990. That allowed Disney to use the Muppets and Henson would have the freedom to create new projects. There were plans for attractions like a Great Muppet Movie Ride.
Sadly, Henson’s sudden death in 1990 and the legal entanglements that followed ended any future rides. Disney did use the Muppets for several movies but aside from the occasional park show, MuppetVision was the only Muppet attraction at the parks.
Many believe the show’s longevity was because of the respect for Henson’s final-ever project and that’s why it’s lasted so long. Regardless, 33 years is an eternity for a Disney attraction to remain unchanged, so most expected this removal. The California Adventure version of the attraction was already removed in 2014.
However, the Muppets aren’t going away as Disney also announced that the Rock n Roller Coaster would be rethemed to feature the Electric Mayhem Band. There’s been rumors for some time of the Coaster needing a new theme after 25 years with Aerosmith and the long closure indicates Disney was working on it.
Disney Confirms Muppets Take Over Rock 'n' Roller Coaster at Hollywood Studios https://t.co/0H9lObwDio
— WDWMAGIC.COM (@wdwmagic) November 22, 2024
This is a great move by Disney as the building can easily be refitted for a Muppet theme with their usual in-jokes and such. There can be touches from MuppetVision and the Mayhem band should provide a great mix of new songs and old favorites. It’s also fun to imagine them popping up during the coaster itself and maybe cameos from some real-life rock stars.
The Disney press release noted the changes and how they want to honor the Muppets in some way.
"To make way for the monsters, Kermit the Frog, Miss Piggy and more of their friends will be moving right along to Sunset Boulevard! But there’s more to the story: The Muppets will be taking over Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster, teaming up with some of music’s biggest stars for a rockin’ music festival!" the press release reads. "We know so many of you share our love for The Muppets and know their energy will be a perfect fit for this coaster. Plus, as the first Disney ride ever to feature The Muppets, there’s sure to be laughter, screams and new tunes for this attraction for fans to enjoy throughout the adventure and plenty of Muppets-themed merchandise on Sunset Boulevard!"
The blog added that it’s possible MuppetVision may not fully go away but be preserved in some form. It’s possible this could be some sort of streaming release, much like the classic Michael Jackson film Captain EO, which was eventually released online.
"As we move forward with these changes, we are having creative conversations and exploring ways to preserve the film and other parts of the experience for fans to enjoy in the future," the blog post reads.
It is sad to see MuppetVision being taken down but to be frank the attraction was long past long in the tooth. Again, it was the respect for Henson that had it staying on so long, even as the Muppets had their ups and downs with audiences. It’s hopeful the film can stay on in some form and maybe find a new home in the future.
This frees up space for the Monsteropolis section, which is needed for that building and the big coaster. That’s another top attraction for the park, as Monsters Inc. has the potential to build its own fun section.
That Disney is keeping the Muppets in some form is a great move and having them spark up Rock N Roller Coaster is something fans were actually asking for. There’s no announced date for the closures of MuppetVision or usual Rock N Roller Coaster yet, so fans can enjoy them for a bit. While some may be upset about MuppetVision leaving, the advent of Monsters Inc. rides means that the Hollywood Studios are in for a big makeover in the next few years.