It’s almost time to *shut* the lights…
©Disney
Last year, Disney dropped a metaphorical bombshell on the theme park community when they announced that a Monsters, Inc. land – – including the long-awaited door coaster – – was coming to Hollywood Studios. After months of speculation, they confirmed what many Disney adults had feared: This new land would be replacing the former Muppet Courtyard area now known as Grand Avenue, including the legendary Muppet*Vision 3D.
The highly-regarded 3D film first opened in 1991, and was initially planned to be the first in a series of Muppet-themed attractions that would have eventually comprised an entire Muppet Studios land. However Muppet creator Jim Henson passed away in 1990 (during the production of Muppet*Vision 3D, making it the final Muppet project he would work on in his lifetime), which eventually put the kibosh on the land. Despite that, the film became quite popular amongst Disney fans and Muppet aficionados alike thanks to its humor, theatrical presentation, and a litany of easter eggs.
Muppet*Vision 3D
This popularity is why many fans are flocking to Hollywood Studios — and using Lightning Lanes — to make sure they catch the ride before its final day of operations, June 7th. The same day will also see the closure of the ride’s companion restaurant, PizzeRizzo. The nearby Mama Melrose restaurant, which at one point in its development was itself planned to be Muppet-based, will close approximately a month earlier, with its last day of operation being May 10th.
Kermit in Muppet*Vision
While many Muppet fans are sad to see the attraction go, the characters are still going to be a major part of Hollywood Studios. As Disney announced last year, the Muppets will be moving across the park to take over the Rock ’n’ Roller Coaster, “teaming up with some of music’s biggest stars for a rockin’ music festival!” According to Disney, the ride will include “laughter, screams and new tunes for this attraction for fans to enjoy throughout the adventure and plenty of Muppets-themed merchandise on Sunset Boulevard!”
©Disney
Muppet*Vision 3D, along with PizzeRizzo and the whole of Grand Avenue, will be closing for good in June to make way for the construction of the new Monsters, Inc. land. However, the characters will live on at Hollywood Studios as the stars of the Rock ’n’ Roller Coaster! Stay tuned to DFB for more on the evolution of Hollywood Studios.
Hollywood Studios’ 4 Most Unexpected Rules
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Shuttering Muppet 4-D (it’s more than just 3D glasses) is a major disappointment for us. We enjoyed the show every visit, and we don’t do roller coasters.
Yeah, we’re old! Disney needs to be reminded, from time-to-time, that it’s the old people who have the financial resources to keep coming. We like to eat, we like to drink and we like the older Disney stuff.
We don’t do Guardians and we don’t do Tron, and we won’t do Monsters Door Coaster.
Get off my lawn!!