Earlier this year, Disney announced plans to add a new land inspired by Pixar Animation Studios' Monsters, Inc. to Disney's Hollywood Studios at Walt Disney World Resort. While exciting, the announcement was met with a bit of hesitation as concept art for the new land seemed to indicate it would be replacing a beloved area of the park.
These fears were confirmed today when Disney announced that Monsters Inc. Land will indeed replace Muppets Courtyard. This also means that MuppetVision 3D's time is coming to an end.
Perhaps sensing that the announcement would result in blowback from Muppets fans, Disney announced that the Muppets would take over Rock 'n' Roller Coaster. But even the announcement of the first Disney ride ever to feature The Muppets did little to appease fans upset to see Muppets Courtyard and MuppetsVision 3D go.
Even the biggest Muppets fans know that MuppetsVision 3D isn't among the most popular attractions at Hollywood Studios. It's old. The production value is incredibly dated. It's not terribly exciting for kids — especially the younger generation who may not be as familiar with The Muppets as the older ones.
A good portion of the complaints point out the history behind Muppetvision 3D. It's the final project Jim Henson ever worked on. And now Disney is removing it.
Muppets 3D is being replaced at Disney's Hollywood Studios 😢
— John Hoey (@JohnnyHoey) November 22, 2024
I know it hasn't been as popular, but sometimes you have to do what's right. Erasing Jim Henson's last creation/gift to society for Monsters Inc is like repainting the Sistine Chapel with Mr. Beast AI thumbnails. pic.twitter.com/yvUFciLMVo
Social media is filled with Muppets fans expressing disappointment over Disney's decision to remove a huge piece of history. And while The Muppets are moving homes and taking over a new attraction, it's just not the same.
heartbroken over this closing. Muppetvision is not just a 3D movie, it is the last work of Jim Henson and the embodiment of his creativity. Removing it is plain disrespectful. I wish the Muppets were never sold to Disney. pic.twitter.com/iTFnjbFdnG
— figment (SAVE MUPPETVISION * 3D) (@niksenergyadv) November 22, 2024
Another criticism is the fact that Disney isn't adding anything to the park. They are removing one attraction — albeit a boring one that draws little crowd — just to replace it with another.
There's no doubt a Monsters, Inc. suspended thrill ride will be more popular with the average park goer, but removing classics doesn't typically sit well with Disney purists. It never has, and it never will.