There’s “Muppet Mayhem” at Disney’s Hollywood Studios.
The crowd erupted in cheers when Disney Experiences President Josh D’Amaro took the stage at this summer’s D23. the ultimate event for Disney fansto announce a new land themed “Monsters, Inc.” from Disney and Pixar. He was arriving at the Hollywood studios.
However, as soon as the cheers subsided, questions began to arise. Sure, it was exciting to know that Mike, Sulley, and their friends from Monstropolis are getting their own land, but where would the land go? And what would we lose if we made way for a land like this?
One attraction that longtime Disney fans were immediately concerned could be on the chopping block is Muppet*Vision 3D, a 3D movie featuring favorite Muppet characters. It’s the only attraction in the Muppet Courtyard area of the park, a place that, while popular with Muppet fans, hasn’t gotten much love in recent years.
On Friday, Disney confirmed that the Muppets are, in fact, moving from their home in Hollywood Studios’ Muppets Courtyard to make way for the recently announced “Monsters, Inc.” land.
On a Disney Parks blog, Disney shared that “Monsters, Inc.” Land is being added to the “south side of Disney’s Hollywood Studios” and 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.”
This is basically the nicest way they could say that Muppet Courtyard and Muppet*Vision 3D are closing to make way for Monstropolis. It is a hard blow for fans of both the attraction and the visionary creator of the Muppets, Jim Henson. Muppet*Vision 3D was one of the final projects Henson worked on, although he died in 1990 before the attraction made its official debut on May 16, 1991, the one-year anniversary of Henson’s death.
There aren’t many details about the new land yet, but Disney revealed at D23 that it will be home to the first suspended roller coaster at a Disney park. The roller coaster will take passengers through the warehouse door, just like in the original “Monsters, Inc.” movie. Visitors will also be able to visit the laugh factory that powers the city and meet their favorite stuffed characters.
Work on the thematic terrain of “Monsters, Inc.” It is scheduled to begin in 2025.
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But it’s not all bad news for Muppet lovers.
As part of the announcement, Disney also shared that “Kermit the Frog, Miss Piggy and more of their friends are moving to Sunset Boulevard” and taking over the Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster.
The current theme of the trip features music and a story based on Aerosmith, a band that was popular with older generations but that my kids have never heard of. They are quite familiar with the Muppets and I, for one, think this is a change for the better.
With the Muppets on board, the ride will now feature the Muppets “teaming up with some of music’s biggest stars for a rocking music festival.” (Maybe we can’t count out Aerosmith just yet!) Disney assured guests that there’s still time to experience Muppet*Vision 3D and Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster before they close.
Anyway, this change of theme will breathe new life into Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster and Muppet Courtyard (may he rest in peace). Losing Muppet*Vision 3D is difficult. It’s one of the park’s oldest attractions and has a meaning beyond just being a silly 3D movie.
But this change also means that Hollywood Studios will be home to the first Muppet-themed roller coaster. and the first suspended roller coaster in a Disney park. We’re not losing the Muppets, they’re just getting a new, more exciting home.
Stay tuned for future updates as we learn more about when these new attractions will open.
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