Muppets Theater seating replaced in the latest of several upgrades to the classic MuppetVision 3D at Disney's Hollywood Studios

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Jim Henson's MuppetVision 3-D upgrades November 2023

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Posted: Tuesday November 7, 2023 9:34am ET by WDWMAGIC Staff

The upgrades keep coming at Muppet*Vision 3D, with completely refurbished seating now installed in the Muppets Theater.

New seats at MuppetVIsion 3D

The old cloth-covered seats have been replaced with a new leatherette type of material, which may be more wear-resistant than the predecessor.

Refurbished seating at MuppetVision 3D

The refreshed seating is the latest of several updates suggesting that Muppet*Vision 3D is here to stay.

Recently, the Miss Piggy statue in front of the attraction has been refurbished, the fog blast from the side of the screen has returned, a new projection effect of Waldo has been added, and the attraction posters on the outside of the theater have been replaced.

Refurbished Miss Piggy statue at MuppetVision 3D

New Waldo projection effect during MuppetVision 3D

Working fog blast at screen edge in MuppetVision 3D

Replacement signage installed at MuppetVision 3D

The attraction seems to be busier than ever, with full shows now much more common than before.

Full show at MuppetVision 3D

Muppet*Vision 3D, which opened in 1991, was a unique collaboration between Jim Henson Productions and Walt Disney Imagineering. It was the final film directed by Jim Henson and the last to feature his voice as Kermit the Frog.

MuppetVision 3D theater with refurbished seating

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Smiley/OCDNov 09, 2023

And head lice don’t live on vinyl seating…just sayin’…

AndyS2992Nov 09, 2023

With a show constantly squirting water, bubbles and having sweaty backs on them, with all that moisture, no wonder the cloth was moldy. They should have been vinyl from the start.

gerararNov 09, 2023

Back in April 2010, after a month-long refurbishment, @wdwmagic reported that new seating material were installed and replaced. If so, it's been at least a decade until the recent seat refreshments. The theatre has brand new seat fabric and what feels (and smells) like new carpet. https://www.wdwmagic.com/attractions/jim-hensons-muppetvision-3d/news/15may2010-muppetvision-reopening-report.htm

GhostHost1000Nov 09, 2023

wow were those really the original seats in there? I don't recall if/when they were replaced before but that seems like a long time.

WondersOfLifeNov 09, 2023

But they didn't. The cloth ones were in bad shape for a very long time.

ppete1975Nov 09, 2023

Just not sure if vinyl will last the 32 years the cloth ones did... those were the originals werent they? Regardless love it getting the TLC and it means it should have a few more years in it and I wont need to be as scared as I usually am about it closing.

Smiley/OCDNov 09, 2023

Mmm…you’re right! I’m having flashbacks about sitting in my first car with vinyl seats in July with shorts on…third degree burns and skin sticking to the seat…

Cmdr_CrimsonNov 09, 2023

They worked well at MK during their stint in Liberty Square which could have been a potential idea to shift the idea out to Grand Ave..Who would want Statler and Waldorf heckle guests or hear a few jokes from Fozzie.

GhostHost1000Nov 09, 2023

I love this. Muppets deserve some TLC from Disney. They can never figure out how to use them elsewhere though. Bring back the muppet show

WondersOfLifeNov 08, 2023

There's probably perks and minuses to both sides. In the end, maintenance will still have to exist. Crazy concept I know.

LilofanNov 08, 2023

I've seen when we see the show that some seats are covered. One CM said one guest threw up on the cloth seat. Now vinyl its easier to clean.

JoeCamelNov 08, 2023

People cut them too, bored and destructive I guess

ppete1975Nov 08, 2023

I wonder how the plastic (sorry leatherette) will wear compared to the cloth. Usually it cracks and if anyone has anything sharp on their pants or shirt it can cut the material. Cloth usually wears better even if it looks dirty after a point.