Plans for the Muppet Studios

[101disneyfan]

Hi everyone.
I didn't know exactly where this thread would fit, so I just threw it in the rumor department.

I found an episode of Dateline from the 1990s outlining the expansion of the Disney-MGM Studios with Dick Tracy's Crime Stoppers, the Baby Herman attraction, and the Muppet Studios.

Just thought I'd share!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7GiDIPEnSsg

Enjoy!

 

[Fantaluminishes]

Since Jim Henson died in May of 1990, the clip is probably 24 years old, or older. This is hardly rumors or news. Dick Tracy was a flop, MGM/ DHS and DCA got Muppet Vision, and Disneyland got Mickey's Toontown AND a Roger Rabbit ride.

And NO, I don't think the new Muppet film is going to lead to any new Muppet attractions or DHS expansions.

 

[101disneyfan]

Sorry if I misspoke. I just wanted to share this video that I found, and didn't know where I should post it.

 

[Yellowstonetim]

That is interesting! Thanks for sharing, I think this is as appropriate a place as there is, at this point.

 

[OldsDr]

Sorry if I misspoke. I just wanted to share this video that I found, and didn't know where I should post it.

You should have posted it in the historical news clips and yesteryear propaganda section. I mean how dare you share something inetreseting with the rest of us.


In reality thank you and if you run across similar items i would be very interesteed in seeing them posted. right here.

 

[Horace Horsecollar]

Hi everyone.
I didn't know exactly where this thread would fit, so I just threw it in the rumor department.

I found an episode of Dateline from the 1990s outlining the expansion of the Disney-MGM Studios with Dick Tracy's Crime Stoppers, the Baby Herman attraction, and the Muppet Studios.

Just thought I'd share!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7GiDIPEnSsg

Enjoy!

Thank you! The short promo is well worth watching, and this was the perfect forum to post it on.

To people who treat rumors of unannounced attractions as fait accompli, this a reminder that even after Disney announces something, plans can still change.

Since Jim Henson died in May of 1990, the clip is probably 24 years old, or older. This is hardly rumors or news. Dick Tracy was a flop, MGM/ DHS and DCA got Muppet Vision, and Disneyland got Mickey's Toontown AND a Roger Rabbit ride.

And NO, I don't think the new Muppet film is going to lead to any new Muppet attractions or DHS expansions.

101disneyfan clearly called it an "episode of Dateline from the 1990s," not current "rumors or news."

The proposed Mickey's Movieland and the proposed Roger Rabbit's Hollywood were both completely different than the Mickey's Toontown built at Disneyland.

The proposed "wild ride on a Toontown trolly" was a completely different than Roger Rabbit's Car Toon Spin built at Disneyland.

 

[thorp8]

Sorry if I misspoke. I just wanted to share this video that I found, and didn't know where I should post it.

How exciting, my first post.
I realize that this is extremely old footage, but when DHS gets an overhaul (as we all expect) why not take advantage of this? I like the MuppetVision attraction, it's fun, but could use an update like many other things. Why not incorporate a small "land" for the Muppets, maybe copy it after the "Muppet Studios" in The Muppet Movie? Maybe still do a show type attraction and then add another small attraction or ride?

Also, on a side note? Am I the only one that doesn't understand why there isn't a modern day Muppet Show on ABC? Could be 30 or 60 minutes on a Friday night. I assume the show could be produced on a pretty low budget, just like SNL or all of the late night talk shows. Just seems like a no brainer to me.

 

[glvsav37]

How exciting, my first post.
I realize that this is extremely old footage, but when DHS gets an overall (as we all expect) why not take advantage of this? I like the MuppetVision attraction, it's fun, but could use an update like many other things. Why not incorporate a small "land" for the Muppets, maybe copy it after the "Muppet Studios" in The Muppet Movie? Maybe still do a show type attraction and then add another small attraction or ride?

Also, on a side note? Am I the only one that doesn't understand why there isn't a modern day Muppet Show on ABC? Could be 30 or 60 minutes on a Friday night. I assume the show could be produced on a pretty low budget, just like SNL or all of the late night talk shows. Just seems like a no brainer to me.

seconded!! I show my kids youtube clips of the MS all the time and they love it. I wish there was a way to bring them back....prime time needs good, clean family shows (and i'm not a prude), bc i have fond memories from my childhood of watching that show as a family...it had enough humor in it for everyone.

As for presence in the parks, I'm happy to see the muppets making a strong movie comeback push. Hopefully there is enough there to expand on what DHS already has. There is already talk about needed to take over the area where MupStudios already is to expand Star wars (should that ever happen). So hopefully, keeping and adding to the Muppet presence is a possibility.

 

[thorp8]

seconded!! I show my kids youtube clips of the MS all the time and they love it. I wish there was a way to bring them back....prime time needs good, clean family shows (and i'm not a prude), bc i have fond memories from my childhood of watching that show as a family...it had enough humor in it for everyone.

As for presence in the parks, I'm happy to see the muppets making a strong movie comeback push. Hopefully there is enough there to expand on what DHS already has. There is already talk about needed to take over the area where MupStudios already is to expand Star wars (should that ever happen). So hopefully, keeping and adding to the Muppet presence is a possibility.

It does seem extremely likely that the MuppetVision attraction will either die, or at least move if and when StarWars Land is built. It seems like most people agree that it will focus around StarTours, which makes sense. I personally hope it will be expanded into the closest parking lot to make the park larger (seems very doable).

I could easily see the Muppet Studio fitting in elsewhere in the park. Maybe in an expanded "Old Hollywood" area, I am hoping that DHS receives a makeover to the front of the park similar to DCA. In that case, a small "land" could be developed for the Muppets... I wouldn't go crazy on it, but like I mentioned before, maybe adding 1 or 2 attractions (dark ride or arcade like game area) in addition to a "show" and obviously we would see a themed dining area and shops.

I also think this would fit well with a Toon Town area too. I know this seems not that popular anymore, but if they add Red Car trolleys like DCA (which I'd like), wouldn't the ACME building and other notable sights from Roger Rabbit be fairly easy to fit in. There wouldn't even have to be a real attraction, I think it could just fit into the Hollywood decor?

 

[Horace Horsecollar]

Although I like the the concepts of Mickey's Movieland and Roger Rabbit's Hollywood, the mission of Disney's Hollywood Studios seems to have changed, following the lead of Universal Studios Florida.

At one time, it was all about Hollywood and how movies are made. Now, it's about putting guests "into" highly popular movies.

Consider the London part of Harry Potter's movie universe being built at Universal Studios Florida. Consider the rumors of an immersive Star Wars environment at Disney's Hollywood Studios.

There are still remnants of Hollywood and "how movies are made" at DHS and USF, but the future seems to be headed in a different direction.

 

[101disneyfan]

Although I like the the concepts of Mickey's Movieland and Roger Rabbit's Hollywood, the mission of Disney's Hollywood Studios seems to have changed, following the lead of Universal Studios Florida.

At one time, it was all about Hollywood and how movies are made. Now, it's about putting guests "into" highly popular movies.

Consider the London part of Harry Potter's movie universe being built at Universal Studios Florida. Consider the rumors of an immersive Star Wars environment at Disney's Hollywood Studios.

There are still remnants of Hollywood and "how movies are made" at DHS and USF, but the future seems to be headed in a different direction.

Well it seems that whether or not they change the name, the new theme is either Disney Studios= The Walt Disney Company's studio acquisitions or Disney's Hollywood Studios, the studios in Hollywood owned by Disney.

 

[disslot]

I think PREVIOUS to the success of the recent movies, the Muppets are was doomed to die. However, the movies may have revived the situation enough where part of it will be kept once they expand there.

 

[Courage12]

I would LOVE to see the Muppet's get an expanded area in DHS. I feel that with the new success of the movies, they could really do a lot with it. I'd even be in favor of a Muppet expansion over Avatar Land. Unfortunately, I think it's a little late for that. Sigh.

 

[Magic Fanatic]

Since Jim Henson died in May of 1990, the clip is probably 24 years old, or older. This is hardly rumors or news. Dick Tracy was a flop, MGM/ DHS and DCA got Muppet Vision, and Disneyland got Mickey's Toontown AND a Roger Rabbit ride. And NO, I don't think the new Muppet film is going to lead to any new Muppet attractions or DHS expansions.

A perfect example of how to make friends and influence people. Well played!

 

[cel_disney]

Add us to the list of families that wish we still had a muppet show! Our family has recently been watching episodes of CD a few times a week - between the movie and the muppet show app, my kids are very into the muppets right now! (Finally!)

 

[littleorangebird]

Still praying that one day, some day, Disney builds a Muppet expansion at DHS! With the huge success of "The Muppets" and the upcoming "Muppets Most Wanted", I don't see why a Muppets project has not been brought back by Disney already.

 

[old lady]

Dick Tracy didn't do good at the Box office so I doubt it would be included.

 

[Horace Horsecollar]

Dick Tracy didn't do good at the Box office so I doubt it would be included.

The 1990 Touchstone Pictures (Disney) movie Dick Tracy, starring and directed by Warren Beatty, is "ancient history" by now. In recent years, Warren Beatty has talked about doing a sequel, but that doesn't seem likely to happen.

In contrast, the Muppets have a new movie this year, and their 2011 movie was well-received. (The 2011 movie was not a mega-hit, but it did well.) More importantly, all generations seem to know and enjoy the Muppets. Their appeal is timeless. They are perfectly suited for Disney theme parks.

 

[Yellowstonetim]

...More importantly, all generations seem to know and enjoy the Muppets. Their appeal is timeless. They are perfectly suited for Disney theme parks.

I agree. The Muppets was a perfect acquisition for Disney. It may not turn out blockbuster movies or Star Wars like merchandise profits, but it is broad in appeal and will probably live forever giving consistent returns. People of all ages and walks of life love the Muppets!

 

[rccllap]

I was "home" in June and October last year (going back in four weeks but who's counting...) and I spoke at length with a MuppetVision CM, who broke my heart into about a million pieces with the news that the Studios are in development to make a lot of big changes...including taking out the Muppets. And Indy. The expansion is for Cars and Star Wars.