Monsters replace Muppets replace Aerosmith

[1goofymom]

Muppet vision and the courtyard is still a wonderful experience for kids and adults. Still enjoy stopping at the fountain and letting the kids relax.

 

[Missy29]

Probably start once Test Track 3.0 is up and running. So sometime in 2025 but when? Who knows.

This is what I was thinking too, we go in May and I would hate for them both to be down.

 

[Debbie Jean]

We thought so too. The 3D idea was fun and the movie was enjoyable, but I don't think it has ever changed in the time that show existed. While I understand the dedicated theatre made some type of changes difficult it seemed that over the years Disney could have at least changed the movie so it wasn't the same thing for 25 yrs (or however long it has been there). They seem more focused on glitzy new big budget rides instead of keeping these from getting stale.

Actually, not true. In the past couple of years significant $$ was invested in upgrading MuppetVision…. the complete digitization of the attraction, the addition of special effects, e.g. Waldo scene with his own baseball team, the redoing of the worn seat coverings throughout the theatre. This appeared to indicate Disney was invested in maintaining the attraction.

Whether you consider it worn and stale is a matter of perspective. Jim Henson was a genius on a par with only Walt Disney and some will argue this attraction which he designed is a classic formulation of who he and the Muppets represent.

Why keep Tiki Room? Why rework Country Bear Jamboree? Because these are classic Walt Disney and represents his genius in its purest form.

Whatever they do with the area moving forward, I hope they find a place for this attraction. Tom Corliss of WDWNT did a passionate rant and plea for how Disney can move forward… he’s actually a fan of bringing Doctor Teeth and crew to RRC. Worth a look, if only for the detailed discussion of the detailed Monster, Inc land.

 

[mgaeta09]

Not a big fan of the RNRC retheme. I for one am a little disappointed being a big Aerosmith fan but understand they’re no longer relevant. With Steven Tyler’s issues and the band retiring, I understand it was time to move on… I just wish the had chosen another rock band, or even Powerline.

 

[crazy4wdw]

Jim Henson Company releases statement about closure of MuppetVision:
https://blogmickey.com/2024/11/the-...s-statement-about-closure-of-muppetvision-3d/

 

[Sheryl2059]

Pardon Captain Obvious here.

If you were to look at the age brackets... say 0-10, teenagers, young parents, and grandparents... the first group has likely never seen the Muppets attraction. So to them its brand new. Little reason to change it too much or replace it unless they need the room. Of course its the same with Tiana. Kids know her but dont at all identify with the SotS theme. As a great many have already said, for the rest of us its nostalgia. Like an old leather jacket... assuming it still fits. Mine doesnt.

I am part of that older crowd (SW '77 kid) that will always see Leia as the original SW princess. But I must disclose that if I had to choose a m&g between her and Rey, knowing any relf-respecting OT fan would kick my ***, it would be Rey. The NT is bad but Rey I like and the Karen's complaining about her character can bite me.

OT, have they ever done a m&g with Jyn Erso or considered it? I suppose she doesnt fit into their NT era focus so falls outside of that realm for m&g. I would be fun to see how a CM, in-character, portrays her and interacts. Will have to google it later.

 

[Kailunkat]

Still wonder what they will do with animation courtyard. That is a large space with not a lot there.

I am not surprised to see the Muppets go but they're really going to keep the massive waste of space that is Animation Courtyard over Muppets? This company man LOL

What seems to be a lot of unused space (maybe more appropriately called guest facing space) in Animation Courtyard is office and staging space. They would need to move a lot of employees to new offices in order to make this happen. So my guess is that had a significant impact on the decision.

From the announcement, the biggest loss for my family is Pizzarizzo's. Not just because my picky kid approved, but the party room upstairs was a hidden gem. We appreciated the attention to detail, like how the event sign announcing a wedding reception has the faded letters in the background, indicating that Pa Otter's memorial service was previously held there (Pa Otter, the father of Emmett Otter, from "Emmett Otter's Jug Band Christmas.") But most of all, it was a place my kids could get their wiggles out on the dance floor while also decompressing from the crowds.

The party room at Pizzarizzo's is an absolute hidden gem. My kids (and adults) have danced on that old parquet floor quite a few times too. It's one of those "so bad its good" type spaces.

I can't believe that in all this conversation no one has mentioned the most important question: WHAT ABOUT THE DUCKS!?!?! Maybe they will move the fountain over to RRC for them

 

[only hope]

No, we’re losing Muppets… how many of those who see the show now will want to… or be able to ride RNRC? I don’t/can’t ride it now… will never ride in the future. So it is a loss for me.

This. Many people can’t ride RNR. I’m indifferent about the theme being changed because I can’t ride it. I really hope they reopen Muppets 3D somewhere else in a few years. Maybe the Villains show will be temporary and they can make that entire area the new Muppets land and put the fountain there too.

 

[TheDailyMoo]

Disney keeps ripping our hearts out from time to time, makes decisions based solely on financial reasons, doesn't listen to the fanbase, and removes nostalgic elements which are the core of why so many return year after year. Yet we can't wait to throw all our money at them...maybe we're the one's with the problem.

 

[Joanna71985]

This is the worst news ever! MuppetVision is one of my favorite shows, and I can't picture Studios without it

 

[Sheryl2059]

There is a difference between fanbase and target audience. Often they are not the same thing and hindsight is always 20/20 when it comes to which choice to focus on that will be the most successful.

Parents: For your vacation do you want to go visit Yellowstone National Park and the Grand Canyon? They are beautiful and really cool. Or, do you want to go to WDW again for the third time?
Kids: Disney!!!! I want to see Mickey and Minnie!!!!

That is also why so many return year after year. Besides, a great many adults want to see Monsters Inc land even if it means Muppets will change. Nostalgia is great but this is entertainment and an amusement park not a museum.

 

[gharter]

What seems to be a lot of unused space (maybe more appropriately called guest facing space) in Animation Courtyard is office and staging space. They would need to move a lot of employees to new offices in order to make this happen. So my guess is that had a significant impact on the decision.

i know that area is a lot of office space and I suspect you are correct as ti why they didn't put it there. However, it seems like that would have been much less disruptive to guests. However, it looks like they are going to just change some of the buildings there to Monsters and add a new building. Just hoping they do it well.

 

[gharter]

just hoping that when they retheme RnRC from Aerosmith to the Muppets, they do it well. Shouldn't be a huge change, modify the walk through, the movie pre-show, change a few cardboard cutouts and the end store. Doesn't seem like a long process.

 

[DodgerGirl]

Why I think Disney's Hollywood Studios is losing MuppetVision 4D is simply because I think Disney sees The Muppets as their second biggest franchise deal and I think ever since Disney bought The Muppets they had this dream to someday have a land devoted to The Muppets in Disney's Hollywood Studios but the only thing that existed of that dream was MuppetVision 4D and they hoped that show alone would be the basis for the Muppets themed land. It is surprising that Muppet Vision 4D is closing because it is a show that got a lot of visitors and my theory is Disney Hollywood Studios is gonna put the new The Little Mermaid show in that theater and they decided to close MuppetVision4D so they could work on that theater. Now as far as Rockin Rollercoaster closing for a new Monsters Inc. show I never figured out Aerosmith decided to create a music based roller coaster in the first place? But I think that ride was made just for the teenage market and to attract the over 18 crowd. But I think Disney has a huge plan to put more attractions based on The Muppets because ever since the successes of The Muppets and Muppets Most Wanted movies this was the ticket to bring The Muppets back to Disney's Hollywood Studios and I can easily view the future of a The Muppets themed land added to the park in a Mickey's Toontown like format for younger kids as well as older The Muppets fans

 

[Suger Mag]

Coincidently enough... we had an Muppets Electric Mayhem show streaming not too long ago on DIsney+ that ended with the Band about to take a "road trip to go on tour"...

 

[tinkandonaldfans]

I can appreciate the need for change and certainly have liked some of the huge changes they done over the years eg. Rise of the resistance, seven dwarfs mine train etc. Do I miss lights, motors, action, Mickey and Minnie’s houses, yep I certainly do. I hope they just do a brilliant job and keep the reasons we like the originals so much!

My main concern is when is this all starting???? We have a big family trip booked for Aug 2025 and I will be really annoyed if I find that Big Thunder, Bugs Life, the entire Dinoland, muppets and Rock and roller coaster are all out of action!!!!! I hope they spread the closures out so it’s not too impactful!!!!

 

[CynBeth]

Not happy we do not go on roller coasters and love The Muppets. We did this attraction every trip.

 

[Spoisal]

My main concern is when is this all starting???? We have a big family trip booked for Aug 2025 and I will be really annoyed if I find that Big Thunder, Bugs Life, the entire Dinoland, muppets and Rock and roller coaster are all out of action!!!!! I hope they spread the closures out so it’s not too impactful!!!!

I also want to know when this is starting ....also let's throw in the annual Skyliner refurb - I would like to know when that is starting too. oh and Test Track! My family is going to revolt if we hear about 1 more thing during our Feb trip LOL

 

[Dave006]

I also want to know when this is starting ....also let's throw in the annual Skyliner refurb - I would like to know when that is starting too.

Best guess is some time in 2025 for RnR / Muppets to begin the transition process. They don't need to close both attractions at the same time. The Skyliner annual maintenance window still looks like a 3rd week of January but Disney has still not announced a time-frame.

Dave

 

[MamaMermaid]

I think this will be a positive change. I LOVE the Muppets and the Monsters but Muppets area has been pretty dead for a while...