Well, this past weekend had some MASSIVE announcements for the Disney Parks.
In case you missed it, D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event happened this past weekend, and we got a ton of new announcements from Disney about movies, TV shows, and a bunch of future plans for the Disney Parks. So, we wanted to focus on one piece of news about Disney’s Hollywood Studios in Disney World and why that announcement has us super worried about its future. Let’s talk about it!
As we were saying, Disney just announced that a brand new land is coming to Hollywood Studios, and it’s Monsters, Inc. themed! On the backstory for this new land, Disney shared that the new land will pick up after the events of the original movie. Also, we’ll be able to visit the iconic factory itself.
But that wasn’t the only surprise. Disney Experiences Chairman Josh D’Amaro shared that, “You’ll go into the factory and experience the first suspended coaster ever in a Disney park. Remember in the movie how those claws grab the doors and hoist them up into the air to take them away? We’re doing that, too. And you’re going along for the ride.”
It’s pretty incredible thinking that we’re getting a brand-new land and a suspended coaster, and that the work is expected to start next year.
That all sounds well and good, but if we’re honest, that’s what’s got us worried too. This has us concerned that Muppet*Vision 3D could be on the chopping block, and the recent rumors don’t help.
Here’s what we know: It looks like Disney might be eyeing the Muppet area of the park (Grand Avenue) for a major overhaul. An insider who apparently has knowledge of the situation, in an interview about this project, shared that Walt Disney Imagineering (the secretive and creative arm behind all the Disney parks’ magic) only has a couple of weeks to decide whether to keep or close Muppet*Vision 3D. In fact, during the recent D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event, there was supposedly some alternate artwork that was ready to be shown that could have confirmed Muppet*Vision’s fate, but at the last minute, Disney decided to hold off, and leave us all in suspense.
Disney has yet to confirm where this new land will be, but it could make sense to have the Monsters, Inc. land takeover Muppets Courtyard. The area already has a restaurant (PizzeRizzo) and infrastructure that could easily be re-themed into Monstropolis. Plus, the faux cityscape of Grand Avenue would fit really nicely with the urban setting of Monsters, Inc.
Also, since Disney has earmarked $60 billion for theme park expansions worldwide, the idea of “refurbing and reusing” an area like Muppet Courtyard into a new Monsters, Inc. land could be less expensive than creating a space from scratch (saving money would be more attractive to Disney in the long run).
What makes this rumor feel even more credible is the lack of Muppet merch in the area. The fact that Disney hasn’t reopened the Muppets-themed store could be a sign that the company is slowly moving away from the franchise. Is this like a breadcrumb trail leading us to the conclusion that Muppet*Vision 3D might not be long for this world?
Here’s the thing, we get that Disney is all about evolving and keeping things fresh to keep drawing in new visitors and themed lands based on popular IPs like Monsters, Inc. feel like they’re bound to be crowd-pleasers. But for many of us, Muppet*Vision 3D is a piece of Disney history that we’re just not ready to say goodbye to. It’s one of the few places in the parks where the Muppets still have a presence, and losing that feels like losing a part of our childhood.
You can see that love in the responses to this rumor. For example, AE reader Carol shared, “I love the Muppets and would hate for their presence to disappear, but they either need to update the movie or do a different Muppet attraction.” Janeen echoed the sentiments with, “I love Muppetvision! And it’s a great spot to sit and watch a show when you’re hot and tired or it’s raining or you just need a break! I hope they don’t take it away!!!! KERMIE!!!!!”
Again, we have to reiterate that Disney hasn’t confirmed that Muppet*Vision 3D will be closing, but if it does, it would definitely be the end of an era not just for Hollywood Studios, but for Disney fans everywhere who grew up with the Muppets.
There’s also another location that might be in the running: the Animation Courtyard. This area of Hollywood Studios, which once served as the gateway between the original Disney-MGM Theme Park and its production facilities, is now, for the most part, unused.
It’s currently home to Launch Bay, a “Star Wars” exhibit, but given its open space and relative lack of current other attractions, the Animation Courtyard could also make a great spot for a Monsters, Inc. land.
It would allow Disney to breathe new life into was is currently an underused part of the park while keeping the Muppets in their current location.
AE reader B-A Adventures seemed to have the same thought when they shared, “As huge Star Wars fans, we love the Launch Bay Area, however those items and meet and greets could be moved closer to Galaxy’s Edge or even placed in the area used for the Galactic Star Cruiser boarding since you know, that’s not used anymore…. We do love muppets as well! And the infrastructure area makes sense as well especially financially, I just don’t know what they could do! We will find out soon though!”
Well, I know that’s a lot to take in. We’ll be on the lookout for every scrap of info on this, so keep checking back in with AllEars again soon for more.
9 MAJOR Announcements We’re Surprised Disney Left Out at D23
How do you feel about the possibility of Muppet*Vision 3D closing permanently? Let us know in the comments!
PLEASE keep the Muppets!! I mean, we’ve already lost The Muppets Present… Great Moments in American History at Magic Kingdom for cryin’ out loud. What’s next…Regal Eagle?? 🙁
There is so little for me to do at Hollywood Studios now. I cannot tolerate any motion sickness inducing ride, so I can pretty much do what’s available for someone like me in just a few hours, if that. So when I go to WDW, I no longer even consider a day at the Studios. Why spend $125+ for a ticket to go there? If I stayed at the Beach Club or Boardwalk in the past, I would consider a park hopper pass on the day I go to Epcot to take a walk to, and through, the Studios as part of my day. But with lines being what they are at Epcot, that isn’t worthwhile anymore. Sad really. I just don’t get it why Disney is taking out , one by one, the rides for peop!e like me or people with medical conditions, or families with very young children who don’t meet the height requirements. Imagine Disney removing A ride like the Rock n Roller Coaster or Tower of Terror for a Muppet 3D ride or to create Tom Sawyer Island. Its like them taking out different food kiosk stands one by one and replacing them with turkey leg stands.
Well yeah. That’s what you get when Miss
piggy calls the Disney Legends a ‘Bunch of Randos’