Disney Filming MuppetVision 3D Ahead of Closure!

Disney Parks sent cast members an invite for a "Filming Event – Archiving MuppetVision 3D!" that will take place in the next few weeks. 

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As Disney prepares to close MuppetVision 3D, signs suggest that the company is taking steps to preserve the experience — at least behind the scenes.

Sources indicate that Disney recently conducted a filming session of the attraction, though the company has not officially confirmed the purpose or future use of the footage. However, the project’s working title strongly hints that the filming is intended for archival preservation.

This effort aligns with an earlier statement from Disney in which the company said it is “having creative conversations and exploring ways to preserve the film and other parts of the experience for fans to enjoy in the future.”

What remains unclear is whether the recorded version of MuppetVision 3D will ever be released to the public. The company has not announced any plans for a future screening, release, or digital availability, leaving fans to speculate whether this is purely an internal initiative or a prelude to something more.

The filming appears to be part of a broader documentation effort as Disney readies the attraction for its final performance on June 7, 2025. Located in Disney’s Hollywood Studios at Walt Disney World Resort, MuppetVision 3D has been a staple of the park since its debut in 1991. It was one of the last projects personally overseen by Jim Henson before his passing, making it a sentimental favorite for many Disney and Muppet fans alike.

As the countdown to the final curtain continues, many are hoping that Disney will eventually make the preserved version available — either as part of a future digital offering, special event, or museum exhibit celebrating the legacy of the Muppets.

Until then, the future of MuppetVision 3D remains uncertain — but its legacy appears to be in safe hands.

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.

Massive Amount Muppet Exclusives Released at Destination D23!

Disney released a plethora of jaw dropping items featuring The Muppets at their exclusive Destination D23 event. 

The Muppet area included a few new Muppets Haunted Mansion items including a new shirt and print:

A section of Muppet*Vision 3D items, including black and white shirts, sweatshirts, and coffee mugs:

The Muppets Studio had a whole selection of shirts, hats, bags, and more featuring the newest Muppet logo:

They also had a Muppets Studio box (?)

And directors chair! 

UPDATE: the chair is a prop and not for sale

That's not all, after years teasing park visitors with PizzeRizzo merch you couldn't buy, they had a ton of PizzeRizzo items including shirts, smocks, hats, jackets, and mugs. 

No word yet on if this items are truly exclusive to the event, or are test items Disney plans to release openly in the parks. These are stuff Muppet fans have been asking Disney to release for years and I hope Disney makes them available to as many fans as possible. 

New Exclusive D23 Pin Set with Rizzo!

Disney has a new pin set featuring Rizzo exclusively for D23 members.

The D23 "Vacation Kingdom of The World" pin set includes:

• Goofy (River Country Water Park)
• Poly Tiki (Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort)
• Dreamfinder (Journey Into Imagination)
• Rizzo the Rat (Jim Henson’s Muppet★Vision 3D)
• Triceratops (Triceratop Spin)

in vintage inspired Walt Disney World packaging. 

As you can see Rizzo is dressed up as Mickey Mouse from Jim Henson’s Muppet★Vision 3D preshow.

The set is a limited edition of 2,500 and is exclusively available to D23 Gold and Gold Family Members for $49.99 at shopDisney.com!

New Muppet*Vision 3D Ornament!

A new Muppet*Vision 3D ear ornament has been spotted at Walt Disney World. 

Kermit (sans correct eyes) is on the front with the logo (sans Jim Henson's name) flanked by Miss Piggy and Fozzie. 

The back features Gonzo and Waldo in the ears with Bunsen & Beaker popping out through a back door. 

The Muppet*Vision 3D ear ornament is available exclusively at Disney Parks. 

D23 (Tries to) Highlight The Muppets!

The latest issue of D23, Disney's fan club newsletter, was sent to fans this week and contains a few surprises for Muppet fans.

The focus seems to be introducing a few of the major characters including Summer from the new Muppet Babies, where you can see them in the parks, and encouraging people to become gold members of D23 to get an exclusive Muppet Movie pin. 

That's all well and good, but a closer look at the article makes this showcase a mishmash of info that's either completely wrong or at times misleading.

Let's take the opening to the article for example:

Notice anything odd? 

First, "The Muppets burst onto the small screen in 1976" that's a bit misleading. The Muppet Show introduced many of "The Muppets" we know today- and it's this family of characters that Disney owns - but The Muppets excited on TV screens for 20 years prior including Sam & Friends, Sesame Street, Saturday Night Live, appearances on talk shows, and commercials - more on that in a minute. 

Then they go into The Muppet Movie "which features everything from a 1951 Studebaker and The Happiness Hotel to Doc Hopper's Frog Leg Fast Food Franchise."  ugh. 

Anyone who's seen The Great Muppet Caper knows The Happiness Hotel is from The Muppets second feature, and not The Muppet Movie. 

Doc Hopper's Frog Legs as seen in The Muppet Movie and It's a Very Merry Muppet Christmas Movie

They didn't even get the name of Doc Hopper's Frog Legs restaurant correct, calling it "Doc Hopper's Frog Leg Fast Food Franchise" instead of simply "Doc Hopper's Frog Legs."

Remember how I mentioned The Muppets appeared in commercials prior to being on TV in 1976? Rowlf's write up mentions his start doing Canadian Purina Dog Chow commercials in 1962!

It's great that they are hyping the Muppets at the parks including Muppet Vision 3D, PizzeRizzo's, and Great Moments in American History. However, readers who've never been to park might be a bit surprised to find a Muppet Vision 3D that hasn't looked like the picture in the article for a couple years now. 

Muppet Vision 3D as it appears in the article vs today

The issue also features an image commemorating 10 years of D23.

if you look closely you can see....the swinetrek!

It's great to see Disney acknowledging, promoting, and even re-introducing The Muppets, but I'd wish they'd get their facts straight. It doesn't give the impression that they're truly invested in the characters when they can't get their history - even their modern history - correct.

On a related note, the issue also highlights Disney+, Disney's upcoming streaming service. There was no word about The Muppets in either the Disney+ article or the one featuring The Muppets.

The Disney+ article makes a point to note that both the original and recent reboot of DuckTales will be available on the service. They make a point to mention that having both versions will help parents relate and share the original with their kids who may be more familiar with the reboot. 

What a great idea! If only there were another set of characters Disney owned that they could apply the same idea too.....

The latest issue of D23 featuring a cover story about the upcoming "live action" Lady and The Tramp remake should be arrive to D23 members soon. If you're not already a member, you can sign up using this link.