Disney News, Discussion & an Element of Fun - 2024 Edition

[BrianL]

When I first saw this I had to check the date and make sure it wasn't April 1st.

Well, it's been coming for a while. I had just hoped it would take over Launch Bay.

Honestly, I am fine with it IF they announce something for the Launch Bay area. If not, then I just think it's lazy - just my opinion.

 

[HokieRaven5]

I would put MuppetVision (or upgraded Muppet Show) in Sunset Showcase, which creates a Muppet Land off in the Rock'n Rollercoaster Area. The Launch Bay area does have a theater - just do SOMETHING with it!

It’s possible that MuppetVision ends up there down the road. The Villains Show I view as a limited run to just see the interactions guests have with certain Villains as far as including them with Villains land. Once that’s closer to being up and running they’ll possibly announce a change to the show there.

 

[disneychrista]

Well, it';s been coming for a while. I had just hoped it would take over Launch Bay.

Honestly, I am fine with it IF they announce something for the Launch Bay area. If not, then I just think it's lazy - just my opinion.

It is just the taking of Rockin' Rollercoaster. I just assumed that Muppets would close and that would be that.

Rockin' Rollercoaster needed a refresh I am just not sure the Muppets are the way to go.

 

[BrianL]

It is just the taking of Rockin' Rollercoaster. I just assumed that Muppets would close and that would be that.

Rockin' Rollercoaster needed a refresh I am just not sure the Muppets are the way to go.

The question was where would Monstropolis go? There were two different peices of concept art shown - one that looked like Grand Avenue, and one that fit Animation Courtyard. Grand Avenue seemed to be the more likely, but fans had hoped it might not take Muppets. RNRC rethemes have been rumored for a while, ever since they re-did it to Avengers in Paris. There was talk of it being Electric Mayhem, but that always seemed like a longshot. I am pretty sure they are giving it to The Muppets to keep people from rioting over the loss of MuppetVision! One thing to notice is that RNRC is not going to Electric Mayhem specifically, but to "The Muppets" as a whole and "musics biggest stars" so there may be guests.

Muppets is a property that SHOULD be popular. I don't know why they can't crack what to do with them. Here I thought they were going to take over Hall of Presidents!

 

[Suger Mag]

LOVE LOVE LOVE the retheme of RnR to the Muppets... hoping for a giant Dr Teeth animatronic

 

[disneychrista]

Muppets is a property that SHOULD be popular. I don't know why they can't crack what to do with them. Here I thought they were going to take over Hall of Presidents!

Us Gen X'ers will always love the Muppets.

 

[Naomeri]

I’m sad about Muppet Vision, but I am totally in favor of the RNR retheme.

I am glad they’re going to keep a theatre on that side of the park though, I need my AC breaks.

 

[Frank4202]

I dont understand why they didn't destroy the dead Animation Courtyard for this.

 

[Gary Stocker]

From the article- "Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster has been under scrutiny for a while after assault accusations were made against Aerosmith frontman Steven Tyler in 2022. The rumors began again in summer 2024 when the band announced its immediate retirement."

You can't tell me this guy has no skeletons in his closet from the 70's-

 

[bbeagle]

At some point in the future, Mickey and Minnie will be relative unknowns to children. I’d guess they are likely already on a steep popularity decline based on kids in my children’s age group, replaced by Elsa and the new crew. Do you get rid of them at that point, or do realize that nostalgia and history isn’t worthless?

I felt that exact same way in around 1980 when I first visited the parks as a kid. The newest Mickey Mouse cartoon at that time was 20 years old. All the characters were old. Everyone knew who Bugs Bunny, Coyote & Road Runner, Yogi Bear, Woody Woodpecker, etc. were, but nobody really knew Mickey. He was as old as Popeye, Little Lulu, Felix the Cat. Old timey stuff.

I marveled at how amazing the park was, but that there was no IP that anyone cared about anymore. I thought Disney Parks were going to die by 1990.

And then the great new cartoons in the 1980s and 1990s happened. Now, all sorts of Mickey cartoons are new and out there. My kids loved Mickey Mouse Clubhouse. There was nothing for me like that.

My kids know Mickey and his friends very well now. They hardly know anything about Yogi Bear, Woody Woodpecker or Bugs Bunny. They know Road Runner & Coyote because their goofy dad loves them and makes them watch it.

As long as Disney doesn't let Mickey die, he won't.

 

[Smugpugmug]

Me, just waking up as I'm in Japan, and checking Twitter to see this announcement of Muppetvision closing and the Disney parks fan's reaction

 

[Tom_E_D]

I dont understand why they didn't destroy the dead Animation Courtyard for this.

Here's Tom Bricker's comment on that:

"However, Monstropolis replacing Animation Courtyard would’ve been the costlier and more time-consuming project. Since this is one of the D23 announcements intended to have a faster turnaround time (obviously everything is subject to change and this is just rumor, but my understanding is that the Monsters, Inc. Doors Coaster is what’s in the pipeline to follow Tropical Americas), they want it done quickly. Well, “quickly” by Disney standards. I’m sure someone else could build a ~90 second coaster in under 3 years.

Most significantly, it’s also my understanding that another (larger) project is slated for Disney’s Hollywood Studios as part of the 10-year plan, and that’s better suited for Animation Courtyard. The general thinking here is that this plot of land has the potential to be significantly larger and accommodate a much bigger and more ambitious project.

If Animation Courtyard were to end up being used for Monstropolis–a smaller project in the grand scheme of things–it would handcuff Imagineering since there isn’t space on Grand Avenue or anywhere else in the park for the next project."

For the full article, see here: https://www.disneytouristblog.com/m...place-muppetvision-disneys-hollywood-studios/

 

[Elijah Abrams]

Here's Tom Bricker's comment on that:

"However, Monstropolis replacing Animation Courtyard would’ve been the costlier and more time-consuming project. Since this is one of the D23 announcements intended to have a faster turnaround time (obviously everything is subject to change and this is just rumor, but my understanding is that the Monsters, Inc. Doors Coaster is what’s in the pipeline to follow Tropical Americas), they want it done quickly. Well, “quickly” by Disney standards. I’m sure someone else could build a ~90 second coaster in under 3 years.

Most significantly, it’s also my understanding that another (larger) project is slated for Disney’s Hollywood Studios as part of the 10-year plan, and that’s better suited for Animation Courtyard. The general thinking here is that this plot of land has the potential to be significantly larger and accommodate a much bigger and more ambitious project.

If Animation Courtyard were to end up being used for Monstropolis–a smaller project in the grand scheme of things–it would handcuff Imagineering since there isn’t space on Grand Avenue or anywhere else in the park for the next project."

For the full article, see here: https://www.disneytouristblog.com/m...place-muppetvision-disneys-hollywood-studios/

I would love for a new animation-related experience, either similar to the Disney Animation building at DCA or something different, to replace the Launch Bay. If not, maybe a version of Toontown with a "cartoon studio tour" dark ride.

Speaking of DCA, I have a solution for that park’s Red Car Trolley, since it’s going away soon: Why not move it to Disney’s Hollywood Studios? Think about it: a Red Car Trolley that goes from the front entrance of DHS to the Hollywood Tower Hotel (Twilight Zone Tower of Terror).

 

[wabbott]

I sometimes wonder, I truly do, if any, ANY, of the current Imagineer staff have ever read a history book about Walt Disney or what the heart of the company really is.

 

[Suger Mag]

I sometimes wonder, I truly do, if any, ANY, of the current Imagineer staff have ever read a history book about Walt Disney or what the heart of the company really is.

The heart of the company is making money in family entertainment, seems to me they do a pretty good job at it

 

[Duckbug.Ducktales]

Me, just waking up as I'm in Japan, and checking Twitter to see this announcement of Muppetvision closing and the Disney parks fan's reaction

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Same! Just finished 4 days at Tokyo Disney.

I'm encouraged by the fact that WDI is exploring how to keep the Vision 3D film for future fans to enjoy. If they find a new spot for it and it takes a few years, the closure will also give it a temporary popularity boost upon reopening.

 

[bookgirl2632]

So is there a timeline for when this is happening? I have a trip in late April and I would love to do both again for be last time.

 

[fatmanatee]

So is there a timeline for when this is happening? I have a trip in late April and I would love to do both again for be last time.

Nope, more details next year.

 

[bookgirl2632]

I wish they’d just give a timeline. Already in April when I go, Big Thunder is down. Now, I have the possibility of not having Dinoland open, Muppets might be closed, and one of my favorite coasters might be as well. I’d really like to know just how much I’m missing out on while paying the same amount of money.

 

[HokieRaven5]

So is there a timeline for when this is happening? I have a trip in late April and I would love to do both again for be last time.

Only future work that has a definitive date at the moment is the beginning of the phased closure of Triceratops Spin and the Hester and Chester area on January 13, 2025. Everything else that’s been proposed including today’s announcements is TBD.