When Toy Story Pizza Planet closed in January for a refurbishment it was immediately wondered if the Hollywood Studios pizza spot would reopen with a new theme.
The former Pizza Planet
A short time later, a few clues began to lend weight to rumors that the quick service spot might reopen with a Muppets theme. First, there was the arrival of construction walls around the closed restaurant with more than a subtle hint of that classic Muppets humor.
Walls surrounding Pizza Planet
Walls surrounding Pizza Planet
And second, the area surrounding the location was renamed Muppets Courtyard a few months later.
Updated Map of Hollywood Studios with Muppets Courtyard
Now, it appears this more-than-rumored updated location has a name to go with it: according to wdwnt.com, a permit has been filed for Pizza Rizzo!
Muppet Rizzo the Rat has always loved pizza
Now, for those of you hesitant about a restaurant named in honor of Muppet Rizzo the Rat, just remember that this wouldn’t be the first time a rat has been celebrated in connection with food at Disney World… remember when Remy used to show up occasionally at Chefs de France?
So you can’t tell me that the presence of rodents automatically rules out great dining possibilities. Come to think of it, I’m sure Mickey Mouse wouldn’t argue with it, either 😉 .
What do you think of the potential for Pizza Rizzo? Please let us know with a comment!
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WONDERFUL!!!!!! It will be perfect as long as the pizza is better (like WPE in the Marketplace), and they have the mocha cappuccino cupcakes! I’m so excited over this!
Rizzo: the original Pizza Rat 🙂
If this is true, it’ll lessen some of the hurt caused by the Muppets cancellation.
As long as the quality of the pizza is better than what it’s been in the past, they can call it whatever they want 😉
Nothing wrong with the change, but it does seem strange. Isn’t part of Hollywood Studios big expansion a Toy Story themed area. Seems like Pizza Planet would go with that and I can see maybe upgrading the outside to look a bit more like Toy Story than the current Muppets/City look it has now.
I hope this is true and can also be taken as a sign that Muppet Vision isn’t on the chopping block anytime soon.
Remy is also a high class restaurant on the Disney Cruiseline
Regardless of the namesake I just hope they theme it appropriately. I was really disappointed in the theming of Pizza Planet.
So excited! Takes me back to my childhood and everything Muppets! Do you have a projected re-opening date? We’re visiting in the late summer and would love to dine with Rizzo!
This would be awful. Pizza planet was a huge part of my generation’s childhood and even the current generation with Toy Story 3’s release! The muppet’s are definitely not as popular and would take away the experience of visiting the real Pizza Planet since the movie made it look like such a fun arcade oriented restaurant.
ConcernedGuest — The rumor has actually been confirmed: PizzeRizzo has been officially announced as opening in Disney’s Hollywood Studios this fall. But please don’t lose heart. If you hadn’t already heard, a new Toy Story-themed land is also coming to Studios. We’re hoping to hear about some awesome Toy Story eateries in the next few years, and we’ll bring you the news as soon as we hear it!