The Jim Henson Company Weighs in on the Closure of Muppet*Vision 3D
Muppet fans got the news that they had been dreading yesterday, when Disney officially announced that the new Mosnters, Inc. land coming to Disney’s Hollywood Studios would replace Muppet*Vision 3D
While it has long been known that Monstropolis was set to be added to Walt Disney World, where Disney planned on building the land was not clear. The decision seemed to come down to Muppet Courtyard or the long-neglected Animation Courtyard.


Disney
Ultimately, Disney chose the cheaper option and decided to transform Muppet Courtyard into Monstropolis.
A Tough Day For Muppet Fans
Already the only Walt Disney World theme park without any of its opening-day attractions still operational, Disney’s Hollywood Studios has now lost one of the last remaining remnants of the park’s original vision.


Muppet*Vision 3D
For Muppet fans, the news was especially gut-wrenching, as Muppet*Vision 3D was the last project that Jim Henson worked on before his tragic death in 1990.
In recognition of the unpopularity of their decision, especially amongst Muppet fans, Disney reassured everyone that Muppet*Vision would live on in some capacity.


Photo: Disney
“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,” Disney explained.
The Jim Henson Company Responds
Following the outpouring of Muppet love on social media, the Jim Henson Company released an official statement on the closure of Muppet*Vision, noting the film’s importance and looking ahead to the future.


Photo: Disney
“Jim Henson’s final project was Muppet*Vision 3D, now regarded as a true theme park classic. Innovation was always Jim Henson’s north star, and his trailblazing career led him to a unique challenge: a truly immersive Muppet experience where audiences are part of the happy chaos of the iconic Muppet Show,” the Henson Company wrote on Instagram.
“Originally debuting in 1991, Muppet*Vision 3D combined 3D technology with real-world practical effects, alongside animatronic and live Muppet characters. The result was 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 , we look forward to Muppet*Vision 3D’s next act.”
Fans Continue to Hold Out Hope
With the Muppets set to move over to Sunset Boulevard for a new version of Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster, fans are holding out hope that Muppet*Vision 3D could return.


disney
Lending credibility to these hopes is that the new Disney Villain show is set to debut next door to Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster next year. According to a particularly optimistic theory, Disney will let the Villain show run its course, culminating with the new Disney Villain land opening at Magic Kingdom.


Photo: Disney
At that time, Disney would replace the show with the triumphant return of Muppet*Vision 3D, creating a new Muppet mini-land in the back of Sunset Boulevard.
Disney Knows the Decision Is Unpopular
While the plan makes sense in theory, it is hard to see why Disney would not simply announce that Muppet*Vision will eventually return, especially in light of the backlash they are currently receiving.


Photo: The Walt Disney Company. Josh D’Amaro (Chairman; Disney Parks, Experiences and Products)
Instead, the company is seemingly trying to have its cake and eat it, too. As our very own David Mumpower astutely points out, Disney has long known that Muppet*Vision 3D was on the chopping block. Still, they also eventually came to understand how unpopular the decision would be with a segment of the fanbase. To that end, Josh D’Amaro ducked the issue during D23: The Ultimate Fan Event and news of Muppet*Vision’s closure was instead quietly released on a Friday afternoon before the week of Thanksgiving.
While it seems plausible that Disney eventually altered their original plans, eventually giving birth to Muppet Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster, they were clearly also willing to pay a public relations cost to get at the land they wanted, Muppet Courtyard.
Whether or not Disney will admit it, they don’t care about Muppet*Vision 3D, and the idea that the company would go out of its way to somehow relocate the attraction seems far-fetched to this writer. Instead, the best-case scenario will likely be a Disney+ release of some sort.
As they say, however, hope springs eternal.