Things might be looking worse for Muppet fans.Â
Earlier this month at D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event, Disney announced a slew of new additions coming to its theme parks in the near future, including a Monsters, Inc.-themed area coming to Disney Hollywood Studios. However, after some concept art of the new land potentially indicating that Pixar’s monsters might be replacing the Muppets Courtyard, many Disney fans – – including us! – – started freaking out. We’ve combed over concept art and timelines, trying to figure out where Monsters, Inc. land will go and in turn if Kermit and co.’s days at the park were numbered. Now, a new clue may have emerged.Â
While perusing Disney’s website recently, we noticed something that may be a harbinger of bad news for those of us who love The Muppets.Â
After initially appearing, Muppet*Vision 3D has been REMOVED from the list of attractions that will be available during 2024’s Extended Evening Hours — a special perk that allows Disney World guests staying at Deluxe hotels an additional 2 HOURS of park time in select parks on select days — at Hollywood Studios. The attraction was offered during the 2023 version of the event.Â
While not being offered during Extended Evening Hours isn’t necessarily a death knell for Muppet*Vision 3D by itself (after all, Rise of the Resistance isn’t open during Extended Evening Hours Either, and we’re pretty confident that ride isn’t going anywhere) but combined with the piece of Monsters, Inc. concept art and Disney’s lack of clarification about Muppet*Vision’s future, it has many worried that the film won’t make it to the end of 2024.Â
Muppet*Vision 3D opened to great fanfare in 1991. The film is notable for being the final project to be worked on by Muppets creator Jim Henson, who passed away in the spring of 1990, just months after directing the film.
Henson’s premature death put an end to Disney’s attempt to acquire The Muppets at the time (which finally ended up happening in 2004) and scuttled plans to add several more Muppet attractions to the park.Â
There’s still no official word on where Monsters, Inc. land is going at Hollywood Studios, however, given this latest development, we’re starting to get more and more worried about the future of Muppet*Vision 3D. Stay tuned to AllEars for further updates.Â
The ONE Thing You’ll Need To Do BEFORE Going to the New Monsters Inc. Land at Disney’s Hollywood Studios
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Do you think Monsters, Inc. would be worth losing Muppet*Vision 3D? Let us know in the comments below.Â
So when they originally couldn’t get the Muppets into the Disney family, plans for more Muppets attractions were scuttled. And after they got the Muppets? And now? Remember that Muppets window show above the Hall of Presidents in MK? That’s gone and now it appears 3D will be as well. What was the point in acquiring the Muppets?
I doubt too may people were flocking to Muppet Vision during these late night hours because that time is better spent at attractions that get long lines during the day. Muppetvision is basically a walk-on on every day except the most crowded days. So I wouldn’t read too much into this closure during the extra hours.
ABSOLUTELY NOT! Leave the Muppets alone!