Recently, Disney World announced that a classic Hollywood Studios attraction is CLOSING.
©Disney
That’s right, we’ll soon be saying goodbye to Muppet*Vision 3D and all of Muppets Courtyard as the area gets replaced with a Monsters, Inc.-themed land. As a consolation, Disney will be replacing Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster with a Muppets coaster. But even with that change, the loss of Muppet*Vision is pretty controversial — and fans have a lot of questions and concerns!
Why Didn’t They Replace Lightning McQueen With Muppets?
One of the first questions that people started asking when the Muppets news was released was — “why didn’t they replace Lightning McQueen’s Racing Academy with Muppet*Vision 3D instead of making a new Villains show?” In case you forgot, Lightning McQueen’s Racing Academy (next to Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster) was closed earlier this year to make way for a new Disney Villains stage show.
Lightning McQueen’s Racing Academy
If they had moved Muppet*Vision to the Sunset Showcase, then we’d be able to keep the beloved show AND have it next door to the new coaster. So what gives? Well, ultimately this is a question we won’t know the true answer to unless Disney tells us, but it seems like now is a great time for the company to start hyping fans up about the Disney Villains.
©Disney
With a Villain-themed land coming to Magic Kingdom, this theater show could help gauge interest in the classic Disney characters and get people in the mood for the new addition. We’ll just have to wait and see how it performs!
Will the Miss Piggy Fountain Disappear?
One of the most iconic parts of Muppets Courtyard in Hollywood Studios is the Miss Piggy Statue of Liberty fountain. It’s located smack dab in the front of the land and features the pink diva herself…but dressed as Lady Liberty!
Muppets Courtyard in Hollywood Studios
The fountain has been the backdrop for many a family photo over the years, so we’re left wondering if Disney will preserve it or move it somehow. We’d love to see Miss Piggy for many years to come!
Why Didn’t They Gut Animation Courtyard Instead?
When it was announced that Hollywood Studios would be getting a Monsters, Inc. land, fans had generally narrowed down the location to one of two spots — Muppets Courtyard or Animation Courtyard. Many people fought for the Pixar additions to be placed in Animation Courtyard, since the land hasn’t seen too much action in recent years. But alas, we’ll be saying goodbye to Muppets Courtyard with two restaurants and a theater show instead.
Animation Courtyard
So why not Animation Courtyard? Well, it likely has to do with the space. It has already been announced that a new Little Mermaid show will be coming to one of the theaters there, so that space is out of commission. On top of that, Animation Courtyard is a bit more landlocked by other parts of the park than Muppets Courtyard is. To add the Monsters, Inc. rollercoaster to Muppets Courtyard, Disney may be able to cut into some backstage and parking areas. That’s space that they’d be severely limited on elsewhere in the park.
Fans Can’t Agree on the Perfect Musical Guest
As part of the Muppets takeover of Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster, we’ll be getting some NEW music for the ride! The coaster is currently themed to Aerosmith, but the new announcement stated that the Muppets would be teaming up with some of “music’s biggest stars for a rockin’ music festival.
©Disney
So who are these stars? Disney hasn’t announced yet, but even here at DFB, we can’t seem to agree on who we think would be best for the role. You’ll want someone with the potential to really make the ride ROCK, but you’ll also want a decently popular name to draw attention. Who do you think it could be? We’ve got a lot of mixed opinions!
How Will Muppet*Vision 3D Be Preserved?
When it was announced that Muppet*Vision 3D would be going away, we were immediately heartbroken. But then, we got a bit of news that softened the blow. According to Disney, they are “having creative conversations and exploring ways to preserve the film and other parts of the experience for fans to enjoy in the future.”
Kermit!
That’s so exciting! How could they preserve the show? Well, in a few ways. Is it possible we could get the short film on Disney+ to watch at our leisure, or maybe it’ll appear somewhere else in Disney World? Disney hasn’t specified details yet, but it’s an important piece of legacy for Jim Henson fans. The Jim Henson Company even released a statement about the closure, saying, “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.”
We’re Losing a Really Cool Themed Restaurant
And finally, we’ve got to talk about the other reason Muppet fans are sad — we’re losing a super fun restaurant in the process! While PizzeRizzo may not be known for the best food in town, this spot definitely has some spectacular theming and we’ll be sad to see it go.
PizzeRizzo
From the rat wedding room to the old-school pizza parlor vibes, we’re definitely going to miss this place. Thankfully, you’ll still be able to get puffy pizza at Catalina Eddie’s.
That’s a wrap on our list of comments right now, but we’ll make sure to keep you updated with any more news about this transformation! Stay tuned to DFB for the latest!
Click Here for ALL the Details on the Muppets News!
Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe!
WE KNOW DISNEY.
YOU CAN, TOO.
Oh boy, planning a Disney trip can be quite the adventure, and we totally get it! But fear not, dear friends, we compiled EVERYTHING you need (and the things to avoid!) to plan the ULTIMATE Disney vacation.
Whether you're a rookie or a seasoned pro, our insider tips and tricks will have you exploring the parks like never before. So come along with us, and get planning your most magical vacation ever!
What makes you sad about the Muppets Courtyard loss? Tell us in the comments!
Our handy (and portable!) ebook guides make sure you get the best deals and can plan a vacation of a lifetime.
The only thing that makes me sad about it is that muppet fans still aren’t happy after they are ruining a rollercoaster just for them. I wish disney would see how ungrateful these muppet fans are being and decide to retheme rock n rollercoaster to something good and relevant. Majority of millineals and young do not give two figs about the muppets, it is a poor choice for a retheme all to appease the very vocal minority.
I’m really sad. Move Muppetvision elsewhere please
So we are going to loose another handicap attraction
Want to build somewhere in Hollywood Studios? Get rid of Indiana Jones! That ride has become a boring, worthless part of the park. Once you see it you have no desire to return. Unlike Muppets, which endures and always is a must see. Don’t destroy a vital area like Muppets by acting out of a fear of Universal, which we all know is happening. Disney is NOT Universal. Stop these knee-jerk reactions and actually think about what people are looking for from Disney: THE MAGIC. Something you can’t find at Universal.
Disney please keep Muppets 3D. In some format at another location.
I am so sad about it Muppet Vision. It makes no sense to retheme Rock n Roller Coaster with the Muppets. They need to find a different place to show Muppet Vision.
Animation Courtyard has a LOT of Disney office space. It does appear that Disney has made quite a few fumbles post D23-closing the River’s of America and now closing the Muppets area. Hollywood Studios needs capacity closing an indoor themed show for a rollercoaster (hopefully it is a decent SLC as most of them are called ‘hang and bangs’ by the coaster community) won’t solve that problem. I picture the Monster’s land being another Galaxy Edge type area food options, merchandise, and a single attraction for the first couple of years. The Rock and Roller coaster re-theme appears to be a two birds one stone for Disney-they get to drop Aerosmith and have a Muppet themed attraction. Here is hoping that Disney does a solid job in theming that surrounding area.
Very sad day for guests. There is a multi million dollar build just sitting here where Monster would fit right it…
How about re-imagining the Star Wars Hotel into Monsters Univercity at more…?
MuppetVision 3D and It’s Tough to be a Bug, are two of the most clever Disney attractions in all of WDW. I don’t understand the need to destroy these attractions with so much emotional connection for the Guests.
Disney needs to leave the muppets right where they r at we have been to that attraction many times and miss piggy n the fountain we r so tired of the stupid things that Disney is doing we have annuals for over 35 years and yes there r a lot of people that still love the muppets
I think long-term that the Cars/Villains show location WILL be re-themed to Muppets, if the Muppets transformation on RnRC is successful. If it’s not, I think the whole area will get yet another re-theme to something else. We like the Muppets well enough, and we’ll be sad to see Mama Melrose’s go. We also like Monsters well enough, and hope Disney does a good job with the new area. However, the choices Disney is making to tear down rather than genuinely expand in all these changes are baffling. There must be some ‘good’ reason, but Disney might be well served to let it ‘leak,’ if there is one. Disney is alienating a lot of loyal fans, and I’m not sure that these decisions are going to bring them the new ones that Disney is counting on. I know plenty of young people (and I’m not that old myself) who either don’t care about what Disney is bringing in, or they are upset about what Disney is taking away, or both. None of them care about visitng Disney as much as the older generations because they can see that Disney has no respect for THEIR 5- 10- or 15-years’ worth of memories already. Some marketing and analysis genius has led Disney seriously astray. They will never sell all that DVC property to generations of people who don’t care about coming back regularly. Some change and some new (genuinely new) are necessary. Disney is working overtime at throwing the baby out with the bathwater.
As a good friend of The Muppets, it’s heartbreaking for me to see Muppet Vision 3D go and nobody ever crashes down at Miss Piggy’s big production number and gets away with it. Maybe in 2025 during their 70th anniversary, how about a big Muppet Fest. They will have Muppets themed merchandise, treats, and a possible chance of meet and greets.
Not everybody likes roller coasters. It is becoming harder and harder to justify spending the money to go to parks that only have a few rides people are interested in.
Swapping a family friendly show for a rollercoaster is a thoroughly ridiculous idea. Do they really think Muppets fans are burning for just another vomit comet? All so they can build another rollercoaster. I’m getting really tired of starting to get exited about a new ride, only to go, “Oh. Another thrill ride. Never mind.”
Disney is becoming a very expensive 6 Flags park. Not everybody likes roller coasters. Young children can’t go on them as well as seniors & people with medical consitions.
Muppets was a very pleasant attraction & a way to get out of the elements.
Do whatever you want with roller coaster .I understand it’s a licensing issue but it’s JUST a roller coaster!
BUT, DON’T TAKE AWAY OUR MUOOET VISION! Don’t become a muppet yourself
My oldest (19 year old son) and youngest (3 year old daughter) loved the Muppets show! They even bonded (I have the pictures to prove it) in the courtyard! Makes me sad that they won’t be able to go back and recreate the pictures and feelings in the future!
I agree Disney is becoming a 6 flags park and not everyone likes roller coasters they have lost sight of why Walt Disney created and that is a disgrace shame on them we r annual Passholders and have been for o er 30 years and will come to Disney world again started coming to Disney world when it was only the magic kingdom and now the powers that b have ruined it and uses park guest like cash cows and now so many people can never go there b cause of the horrible price gouging and that’s not what Walt Disney created that for those idiots that r the powers that b have disgraced Walt Disneys wonderful dream that he created they should n ashamed of them selves and I’m sure it doesn’t bother them as they look at money that they created for theirselves nothing but greed that’s what is so wrong with this world anymore
I meant to say we WILL NOT go to Disney world againEVER