Breaking: Muppet Vision 3D Closing - Muppets Taking Over Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster!

Sad news as the rumors circulating around the fate of Muppet Vision 3D were confirmed today as the long running attraction is set to close and be replaced by Monsters Inc. land. 

However, in the same announcement Disney Parks announced that The Muppets would be taking over "Rock N Roller Coaster" currently headlined by classic rock band Aerosmith.  

The official announcement from Disney Parks Blog:

Get ready to open the door because Mike and Sulley are coming to town!

That’s right, humans will be able to enter the world of Monsters, Inc. when it is added to the south side of Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Building off the exciting announcements from last summer’s D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event, the new land will include the coaster we’ve all dreamed of – a suspended ride recreating the door vault scene – plus dining and shopping and a whole new theater show.

To make way for the monsters, Kermit the Frog, Miss Piggy and more of their friends will be moving right along to Sunset Boulevard! But there’s more to the story: The Muppets will be taking over Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster, teaming up with some of music’s biggest stars for a rockin’ music festival!

We know so many of you share our love for The Muppets and know their energy will be a perfect fit for this coaster. Plus, as the first Disney ride ever to feature The Muppets, there’s sure to be laughter, screams and new tunes for this attraction for fans to enjoy throughout the adventure and plenty of Muppets-themed merchandise on Sunset Boulevard!

In the meantime, there’s still enough time to catch a super-stretch limo to the Forum to enjoy Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith and catch Muppet*Vision 3D again before their final curtain calls.

As we move forward with these changes, we are having creative conversations and exploring ways to preserve the film and other parts of the experience for fans to enjoy in the future.

No doubt there are a lot of new adventures planned for Disney’s Hollywood Studios, and we’ll have more details to share next year. For now, stay tuned to the Disney Parks Blog for more rockin’ updates!

As you can see in the artist's rendition, the entire area that was once known as Muppets Courtyard is going to be rethemed. 

That means that not only is Muppet Vision 3D going away, but the ever shrinking Muppet fountain, PizzaRizzo, Gonzo's Royal Flush, and the Stage One Company store (which has been closed since 2020) will be gone as well. 

Original Muppet Vision Fountain

How the fountain looks today

If your not familiar with this area of Hollywood Studios, you can see more photos at Muppet Wiki. 

Looking ahead, it's great to know there will still a major Muppet presence in the park, but is definitely sad that Muppet Vision, Jim Henson's final film, will be closing for good in the coming months.

The following bits from the press release does give us fans some comfort:

"As we move forward with these changes, we are having creative conversations and exploring ways to preserve the film and other parts of the experience for fans to enjoy in the future."

Not sure how you can experience Muppet Vision 3D without being in the theater as it explodes around you, but I'd love for an official home video version to be released. 

What we can look forward to is more Muppets being featured in the new ride.

"We know so many of you share our love for The Muppets and know their energy will be a perfect fit for this coaster. Plus, as the first Disney ride ever to feature The Muppets, there’s sure to be laughter, screams and new tunes for this attraction for fans to enjoy throughout the adventure .."

Dr. Teeth and the Electric Mayhem weren't featured in Muppet Vision at all, while characters like Waldo and Bean Bunny, haven't been utilized much, or at all, since. This is a good opportunity to showcase many new fan favorites. 

And then there's this little tidbit...

"and plenty of Muppets-themed merchandise on Sunset Boulevard!"

Muppet Vision 3D is one of the ONLY Disney Park attractions that doesn't exit directly into a gift shop. 

I'm hoping  the Imagineers move some of the interiors from the Stage One Company Store, like The Muppets Take Manhattan lockers, and Happiness Hotel motifs, and add new elements from Muppet Vision, and other Muppet easter eggs. 

No date for the closings have been announced, but Muppet fans NOW is the time to not just go see Muppet Vision 3D, but the entire "Muppets Courtyard" area before it's gone.... FOREVER.