Disney World would go too far if it removed the Muppets from the parks | Orlando
The Muppets Land in Hollywood Studios is being demolished to make way for Monsters Inc.and fans are once again outraged and confused about what exactly Disney is planning to do with its park, which was once themed around the magic of filmmaking.
Shortly after Disney’s park news at D23, TheWrap reported a tip that Imagineering “has just weeks to decide whether to keep Muppet*Vision 3D and the Muppets-filled courtyard on the Orlando park’s Grand Avenue. TheWrap’s source told them the attraction’s closure was originally supposed to be announced during the D23 panel.
The Horizons presentation on August 10 revealed all the new lands and attractions that will be added to Disney’s parks worldwide. For Disney World, each of the four parks will receive at least one new attraction – Cars and Disney villains in the Magic Kingdom, Indiana Jones And Magical in the animal kingdom, Monsters Inc. in Hollywood Studios and a newly designed test track in Epcot.
The concern about the Muppets arose from reporting by TheWrap and an artistic representation of the Monsters Inc. Land. It wasn’t revealed where in Hollywood Studios Monstropolis would be located, but fans spotted a familiar water tower in the background of one of the images. It was the signal the Muppets fanbase needed to express their dismay that Disney would even consider doing away with the Muppet*Vision 3D show and the courtyard filled with Jim Henson characters.
Muppet Vision 3D is not only a great attraction, it was also the last Muppet project that Jim Henson was involved in before his death.
It’s an important piece of Muppet history and losing it would be losing a significant part of Jim’s legacy and the joy he brought to our world. pic.twitter.com/BrIDzllf2d
— Muppet History (@HistoryMuppet) 13 August 2024
Media outlets such as Nerdist, Paste Magazine and USA Today also condemned the possibility of removing the Muppets, calling the move a “colossal mistake” if Disney went through with it. A month before D23, Vulture writer Rebecca Alter raved that “the greatest moviegoing experience you can have in America” could be found at Muppet*Vision 3D. She also called for the 33-year-old attraction to be listed as a heritage site on the National Register of Historic Places.
If the Muppets were removed, Disney would cross the line from “typical fan discourse surrounding the removal of an attraction” and further damage the reputation of Hollywood studios by continuing to indiscriminately dump intellectual property that has no place elsewhere.
I say all this as a huge fan of Star Wars Galaxy’s Edge and the nearby Toy history land. Both lands – and the upcoming Monstropolis – belong in a Disney park. But at what cost? What is Disney doing at Hollywood Studios anyway?
There is no longer a cohesive “movie ride” theme to compete with Universal Studios Florida. The old Hollywood theme park, which once featured “The Great Movie Ride” in a recreated Chinese theater, a Studio Backlot Tour and real Walt Disney Animation satellite studios, now has problems with crowd control at a few rides along parts of the park that remain largely empty each day.
Looking at you, Animation Courtyard, Star Wars Launch Bay and Pixar Plaza.
Back to the Muppets. They are part of a timeless franchise that perfectly balances silly children’s pranks and puppetry with subtle adult humor. The Muppets are one of the few franchises that really appeals to all age groups. The absurd ensemble of lovable felt puppets is just as relevant today as it was 70 years ago when Jim Henson created it.
Speaking of Henson, Muppet*Vision 3D was the last project the creative legend directed before his death in 1990. It was also one of the last times Henson appeared as Kermit, Waldorf and Swedish Chef, and veteran Muppet artist Richard Hunt played Scooter, Statler, Beaker and Sweetums.
With this status, Muppet*Vision 3D is a cultural landmark and a place of remembrance.
It’s no secret that Disney has struggled to ensure a sustainable future for the Muppets. Their comedic storytelling style doesn’t need to change, but they need to be included in more Disney projects to remain relevant. Still, there are few franchises and stories from seven decades ago that are still as funny, entertaining, and appropriate for all ages as the Muppets.
Besides, everything is better with the Muppets. Let them host the Oscars. Invent short stories from another universe like “What if Kermit the Frog was Iron Man?” Put Swedish Chef in an episode of The bear. Let Miss Piggy be a guest star Drag racing (not a Disney property, but can you imagine it?).
Critics will scream that the Muppets are no longer relevant to today’s kids. That families are more interested in immersive lands based on blockbuster IPs that are no more than several decades old (I remind you that Monsters Inc. came out in 2001). That older kids want thrills and escapism – not reminders of the past or anything that might educate them about the history of the entertainment.
Bringing Monstropolis to a Disney park is a great idea. Monsters Inc. Movies are fun, cute, and loved by multiple generations of Disney fans. And this Door Vault Coaster is going to be epic.
But sacrificing the only small area of the park dedicated to the Muppets is too high a price to pay. The Muppets – and Henson’s masterful puppetry – deserve better than to be forgotten just because they’re not “trending” in today’s screen-obsessed world.
Removing The Muppets and Muppet*Vision 3D would further tarnish not only the legacy of Hollywood Studios, but the legacy of the Disney parks as a whole. One of the cornerstones of the Disney parks has always been haunting, relatable nostalgia. In every park, there are attractions that allow fans to experience a touch of childlike whimsy. In a Disney park, time moves slower, you can stop and smell the flowers (and churros) and experience a little taste of historic days gone by.
Few things embody this lighthearted, comedic mentality like the Muppets. Closing Muppet*Vision 3D and the surrounding courtyard would deprive the world of a priceless and irreplaceable piece of cultural magic.
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