Preserving Muppet*Vision 3D’s historic significance – DePaoli on DeParks
Disney fans recently learned of the upcoming closure of the beloved Muppet*Vision 3D attraction at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Although Disney tried to soften the blow by announcing a Muppets-themed Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster update alongside the closure announcement, Disney and Muppet fans are still taking the news hard. Although 33 years is an admirable run for an attraction, something with the historic significance of Muppet*Vision 3D deserves to be preserved beyond its closure. Here are some ways I would like to see its legacy preserved.
The original Muppet*Vision 3D opened at Disney’s Hollywood Studios (then Disney-MGM Studios) on May 16, 1991. This date is exactly one year after the unexpected passing of Muppets creator Jim Henson. This theme park project would become the last film directed by Jim Henson and the last time we would see Henson perform the role of his alter ego, Kermit the Frog. For that reason alone, this makes Muppet*Vision 3D one for the history books and worthy or preservation.
But alas, what fans have feared for years became official with the recent Disney announcement of the closure of Muppet*Vision 3D. Interestingly though, The Walt Disney Company made a statement that we don’t always see when an attraction closes. They stated, “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.”
It’s a fairly open-ended statement that could mean a myriad of different things. Nonetheless, it’s nice to hear there’s some recognition of the attraction’s importance. Additionally, The Jim Henson Company (birthplace of The Muppets) stated on an Instagram post, “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.”
That may have simply been in response to the previous Disney quote. Or perhaps The Jim Henson Company knows something that most don’t, even though they sold ownership of The Muppets to Disney in 2004. I’m obviously hoping for a preservation of this attraction on a grand scale, but I’m also not getting my hopes up. Here are a few ideas.
Put Muppet*Vision 3D on Disney+
The easiest and most obvious choice is to make the Muppet*Vision 3D film available on Disney+. It’s not unprecedented for a theme park film to be officially released outside of the theme park. Universal Studios released Shrek 4D under the new name “The Ghost of Lord Farquaad” for home viewing. Universal also released film elements from Back to the Future: The Ride, preserving the attraction on DVD alongside the iconic film.
Although these home consumption options will never compare to the original theme park experiences, it’s great to have these parts of theme park history officially documented and available to the public.
The focus of Muppet*Vision 3D is very much about the fact that it’s a 3D movie. There’s no hiding that fact as it’s a plot point within the film. But frankly, I’m fine with an official 2D at-home release if it means preserving the film in high quality. And let’s not forget the pre-show, which doesn’t require 3D, is worthy of preservation, as well. Plus, in the 21st century, 3D televisions exist, and the world of augmented reality and virtual reality could possibly put a new spin on the Muppet*Vision 3D experience.
Preservation with The Walt Disney Archives
Then there are the practical elements of Muppet*Vision 3D. I imagine The Walt Disney Archives are carefully considering what elements of the attraction to save. If I had my way, the answer would be all of it. I’m sure Disney fans will see the Audio-Animatronics figures alongside some of the unique Muppet Theatre architecture in future museums and D23 displays from The Walt Disney Archives. But I would love to see a more permanent display.
Perhaps these physical elements could end up on display at the Center for Puppetry Arts in Atlanta, Ga. Or if I could really have a dream come true, perhaps we’ll someday get a permanent Walt Disney Archives Museum at Downtown Disney in Disneyland and Disney Springs in Walt Disney World, where this and much more theme park history could be on display year-round.
Defunct 3D films at Downtown Disney and Disney Springs
If you’ll allow me to dream even bigger now, why not have a Downtown Disney or Disney Springs offering that preserves former Disney parks 3D attractions on rotation? I would love an option to step into a cinema and see Muppet*Vision 3D; Honey, I Shrunk the Audience; Captain EO; the soon-to-be-extinct It’s Tough to be a Bug!; and the many other retired 3D films on the big screen.
Granted, it could never be the full experience and perhaps that’s why we’ll never see anything like that exist. The company may feel having an option like that is bad for quality optics. But I believe there are enough Disney parks history fans that would appreciate an offering such as this. And I imagine future Disney fans who never got to experience the attractions would appreciate it, as well.
At the very least, it would be better use of the Tomorrowland Theater in Disneyland, which has now been sitting unused for years. Granted, putting old attraction films in Tomorrowland may not thematically make sense, but many would argue that currently Disneyland’s Tomorrowland lost the battle for the future years ago.
Grand farewell for Muppet*Vision 3D
I’m hoping for a grand farewell for Muppet*Vision 3D whenever the official closing date approaches. I want to see specialty merchandise and celebrations. In a best-case scenario, I would love for the closure of Muppet*Vision 3D to overlap with the opening of The Muppets Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster for a short time. If there were a couple of weeks or a month where both existed, that would be the perfect opportunity for an after-hours Muppetational party to say farewell to a beloved classic and welcome a new Muppets offering.
Just imagine an after-hours event that celebrates The Muppets’ history at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Bring out the walk-around character costumes from the 1990s. Pay tribute to the “Here Come The Muppets” and “Muppets on Location: Days of Swine and Roses” live shows that were once part of the park. Let’s see a display from the Imagineering archives of The Great Muppet Movie Ride concept art alongside the rest of The Muppet offerings that never came to fruition in the park. I know it’s a lot to ask for. But one can dream.
Overall, I’m very sad to know it’s now official that the last existing and original Muppet*Vision 3D will soon no longer exist. But it is nice to hear that supposedly some sort of preservation plan is being considered.
How would you like to see Muppet*Vision 3D preserved for the future after the attraction’s closure. Leave a comment and let me know.
Jeff DePaoli is an event producer and voiceover artist living in Los Angeles. He can be heard as the voice of Disney Trivia on Alexa as well as the host of “Dizney Coast to Coast” podcast, where he and his special guests share honest opinions on all things Disney at DizneyCoastToCoast.com. DePaoli’s opinions are his own and do not necessarily represent Attractions Magazine.
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Since the Meta quest series is inherently 3d, Muppet 3D experience should be preserved with an interactive app and or 3D video for the device.
That would be great! Thanks for reading.
Good idea!
Frankly, since Lightning McQueen’s Racing Academy is getting the axe anyway, and as it’s RIGHT NEXT to the Rock N Roller Coaster…the solution is simple: Rebuild the Muppet Theater in full, right there! Put the planned Villains show somewhere else. Make the area New Muppets Plaza, with a better restaurant and a souvenir shop that includes a Build Your Own Muppet!
That would certainly be a dream scenario. It still makes me sad that the Muppet Whatnot Workshop never came to Downtown Disney as originally planned.