MuppetVision 3-D's Future: Potential Disney Park Venues and Apple Vision Pro Immersive Experience

9 days ago in "Jim Henson's MuppetVision 3-D"

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MuppetVision 3-D Overview

Posted: Friday November 22, 2024 12:05pm ET by WDWMAGIC Staff

With Disney's recent decision to replace MuppetVision 3-D in its current home at Disney's Hollywood Studios to make way for the new Monsters, Inc. land and its marquee flying door coaster attraction, fans are eager to know where, if anywhere, the beloved Muppet experience could find a new home.

Disney stated during the closure announcement, "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." The iconic show, featuring the zany antics of Kermit, Miss Piggy, and the rest of the gang, has long been a staple for park visitors, and many hope it won't disappear forever. Here are some leading contenders for where MuppetVision 3-D could be preserved.

MuppetVision 3-D

Sunset Showcase Flex Space

One potential home for MuppetVision 3-D is the flex space previously occupied by Lightning McQueen's Racing Academy. This location, which sits next to Rock' n' Roller Coaster on Sunset Blvd., offers a lot of space and could easily host the MuppetVision 3-D show. Notably, this area is also slated for a major transformation, with the Muppets set to take over Rock 'n' Roller Coaster from Aerosmith. A new Villains show is planned for Sunset Showcase in Summer 2025, though it may not be a permanent addition.

Muppets will be taking over Rock 'n' Roller Coaster

The proximity of this space to the upcoming Muppets-themed reimagining of Rock' n' Roller Coaster could establish a new mini Muppets-themed area within Hollywood Studios. Fans would be able to experience the rethemed coaster, followed by a dose of classic Muppets comedy at MuppetVision 3-D, keeping the spirit of the characters alive while delivering a cohesive, entertaining experience.

Sunset Showcase

Mickey Shorts Theater at Disney's Hollywood Studios

Another potential new home for MuppetVision 3-D could be the Mickey Shorts Theater at Disney's Hollywood Studios. Currently home to "Vacation Fun," an animated short celebrating Mickey and Minnie's cartoon legacy, the theater has proven itself to be a flexible space that could accommodate a revamped version of MuppetVision 3D.

The Mickey Shorts Theater already features a lighthearted, playful atmosphere that would be a natural fit for the Muppets' humor. Given the modular nature of the theater's programming, incorporating MuppetVision 3D as either a permanent feature or a rotating attraction could make good use of the space and maintain guest interest.

Mickey Shorts Theater overview

Pixar Short Film Festival at EPCOT

Another possible venue for MuppetVision 3-D could be the Pixar Short Film Festival at EPCOT. Located in the Imagination Pavilion, this theater has hosted a variety of 3-D content over the years. The fun, whimsical environment aligns well with the humor and charm of the Muppets. Adding MuppetVision 3D here would not only bring an iconic attraction to EPCOT but also diversify the entertainment offerings in the park's World Celebration area.

Disney+ on Apple Vision Pro

A more futuristic option, and perhaps most likely, for keeping MuppetVision 3D alive lies not in a physical location but rather in the digital realm. With the advent of Apple Vision Pro, Disney has a new opportunity to bring MuppetVision 3-D into guests' homes through an immersive 3D experience on the cutting-edge platform.

Disney and Apple Vision Pro

Disney and Apple have been working closely together, with Disney already producing immersive environments on Vision Pro, such as the Disney+ Theater, which is inspired by the historic El Capitan Theatre in Hollywood—a setting that shares striking similarities with the Muppets Theater at Hollywood Studios. Disney has been an early backer of Vision Pro, and during the unveiling of Disney+ on Apple Vision Pro, CEO Bob Iger expressed enthusiasm for this new era of immersive entertainment: "At Disney, we're constantly searching for new ways to entertain, inform, and inspire by combining exceptional creativity with groundbreaking technology to create truly remarkable experiences. Apple Vision Pro is a revolutionary platform that will bring our fans closer to the characters and stories they love while immersing them more deeply in all that Disney has to offer. We're proud to once again be partnering with Apple to bring extraordinary new Disney experiences to people around the world."

Disney has previously demonstrated brining theme park experiences to Apple Vision Pro

With Vision Pro, MuppetVision 3-D could be preserved in a digital space, providing an unprecedented in-home 3-D experience that allows viewers to immerse themselves in the show. Disney has already demonstrated the potential of Vision Pro by allowing users to transform their environments into immersive Disney landscapes, such as the Disney+ Theater and other iconic scenes from Pixar, Marvel, and Star Wars. Bringing MuppetVision 3D to Vision Pro would not only ensure that the beloved attraction lives on but also introduce it to an entirely new audience in a way that enhances the show's humor and creativity with modern technology.

What's Next for MuppetVision 3-D?

As MuppetVision 3-D faces its final curtain call in its current location, Disney has several viable options to keep the show alive. Whether it finds a new home in Mickey Shorts Theater, moves to the Sunset Showcase space next to the Muppets' Rock 'n' Roller Coaster, relocates to the Pixar Short Film Festival at EPCOT, or enters the digital frontier on Apple Vision Pro, it's clear that Disney has plenty of opportunities to preserve the iconic Muppets experience.

Fans of the Muppets can take some comfort in knowing that there is still hope for MuppetVision 3-D to live on, either as a physical attraction or as a cutting-edge digital experience that can be enjoyed anywhere. As Disney continues to blend creativity with technology, the Muppets may soon find themselves with a new stage that's even bigger and more immersive than ever before.

MuppetVision 3-D at Disney's Hollywood Studios

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Cmdr_Crimson3 days ago

Yes...Sesame Place, Busch Gardens and Sea World are owned by United Parks and Resorts.

muddyrivers4 days ago

I think it also needs to be made available in both 3D and 2D. Because if they just release the 2D footage, that would be a huge disservice to the attraction and its fans. Also, how do you incorporate the interaction with the animatronics in the film?

rd8054 days ago

I'm pretty sure all of those are actually the same parent company (could be mistaken).

The Leader of the Club4 days ago

So, I’ve been thinking about the idea of MuppetVision on Disney+. I think if that happens we need an introduction from The Henson Kids, Frank Oz, or Dave Goelz to explain the significance of this attraction. Putting it on D+ should be done with love and admiration for the attraction’s history instead of just slapping it on there to appease fanboys.

Jrb19795 days ago

I don't think it would end up at Sesame Place. They are owned by the SeaWorld parks. I can see it going to Busch Gardens or SeaWorld over Sesame Place

Blobbles5 days ago

Real question though: has ANYONE actually HEARD about what this preservation could mean? NO personal opinions on what you personally THINK could happen.

Cmdr_Crimson5 days ago

Well.......you could....ah heck with it..Hit it boys!

Blobbles5 days ago

MUPPETVISION 3D’S FUTURE: THE STORY SO FAR Since there has been a lot of discussion about the closure and hypothetical future of MV*3D as a result of disneys open ended claims, I wanted to make a master post with everything that is currently out there about the future of MV3D, both official word and rumors OFFICIAL WORD: DISNEY: "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." JIM HENSON COMPANY: “As we learn of the show's upcoming closure in its current form at Disney's Hollywood Studios, we look forward to Muppet*Vision 3D's next act." FAN SITE RUMORS: TOUGHPIGS: “Our contacts at Disney have told us that they are investigating options to keep the attraction alive in another format. If it’s possible, this may not be the last we see of Muppet*Vision 3D.” & “The surrounding displays, including the iconic Miss Piggy fountain, will be removed as well, though we have been told that Disney is investigating options for a new location for the statue.” DISNEY DISH: Jim Hill: “Imagineering is having conversations about bringing back MuppetVision into the Disney Parks in some form” Len Testa: "well, I know what you know so that's all I'll say". WDWMAGIC: “While the closure of MuppetVision 3D in its current form at Disney's Hollywood Studios is blow for fans, The Jim Henson Company's statement hints at a promising future. The phrase "we look forward to MuppetVision 3D's next act" suggests that this beloved attraction is not gone forever, but rather poised for an evolution—perhaps in a new format, location, or even as part of a digital experience.” (If you want me to change your quote Steve, just lmk and i will) Use this as you will. Hope this is helpful

SteamboatJoe5 days ago

Well said. They are just different philosophical approaches to the conveyance of theme.

WDWFREAK536 days ago

Let's turn the back of Sunset into a Muppet Studios. Rock n Rollercoaster starring the Electric Mayhem Theater behind Tower could house a revised MuppetVision 3D with different in-house effects. Bring out the Muppet Mobile Labs in the RnR courtyard Tower of Terror could have Gonzo and Rizzo running the elevators and each floor has a different skit being shot. (Swedish Chef, Pigs in Space, etc.) (Yes, the Tower of Terror line was sarcasm)

TheMaxRebo6 days ago

The studios used to be much more about the making of movies and TV - it is now about putting you into the worlds that film and television have created and enabling you to have your own adventures in those worlds. So instead of the making of Star Wars, it is putting you in the world of Star Wars. Instead of about making Toy Story and Pixar movies, it is about putting you in Andy's backyard and how it feels to be a toy there And Monstropolis will do that too - make you feel like a part of that work and go on adventures like Mike and Sully The front of the park is still more like the studios, though Sunset Bvld could be putting you in the world of old Hollywood. Really, just Echo lake doesn't fit the rest of the park much Not saying this is all a good thing or a bad thing, but the change of direction and why it is IP lands vs MK which is lands with an overarching theme and various attractions/multiple IP that fit that theme

SteamboatJoe6 days ago

They are exactly places the movies take us. I mean if you're saying the whole park isn't themed to LA or a studio backlot anymore, of course, but the evolution of how movies are created (green screens and computers) made that change a necessity. The mystique and glamour of movie making no longer exists and an entire park devoted to the "the old ways of doing things" is way too niche. Hollywood, Sunset, and Grand Avenue are the roads of Hollywood that take us to places in a way that only Hollywood can. It doesn't have to be your cup of tea or design preference but it doesn't mean the theme doesn't exist. There is absolutely zero thematic transition in MK between Fantasyland and Tomorrowland (Tea Cups to Speedway and Cosmic Rays) or Main Street and Tomorrowland (Plaza Inn to Tomorrowland Terrace).

celluloid6 days ago

Yes. That is what a large part of it started as with the studio. What it has become... But Monstropolis is not that. Andy's Backyard is not that. Galaxy's Edge is not that. It does not really match and there is no transition to the entrance and exit. About half of the park are now animated movie-based lands. Not amalgamations. No comaprison to MK Only one and a Half Land is that anymore. Sunset Blvd and Hollywood Blvd. They have been butchered. And one was always technically the entrance plaza.