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

Nov 22, 2024 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

Discuss on the Forums

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CJR7 days ago

I think short of building a new theater in DHS, possible short of them being willing to pay for it, Magic Eye would be the only option for a physical relocation. It has pretty much nothing in it right now, I believe a close capacity (both are 550ish seats, I believe), would be well received next to JIIWF and stop most of our complaining (probably the top reason). The problem is that I believe another project may get the space, even though nothing has been committed yet. Just a gut feeling. I also don't see them spending the money. They only want to invest in stuff today's Imagineers created. I'll be surprised if they actually go with a virtual format, even Disney+. Hope I'm being too pessimistic, I'd love a surprise.

Nobody nobody10 days ago

Yknow all this closure drama and the “preserve” movement recently has given me time to think. And I think I’ve come to the conclusion that many more attractions are gonna be on the chopping block soon. It’s the way things go, but it is a bit more than in the past. It’s been nearly ten years since frozen ever after, and it hasn’t shown down, and shows no signs of stopping. I hate to say it, but this isn’t going away with any new administration. Putting in IP and Destroying and replacing is unfortunately probably gonna the new normal. More changes are coming, And a lot will probably be more of our fan favorites or stuff that we appreciate but the GP doesn’t. We won’t be able to save them all, if anything which is sucky to admit. We are going to lose more things to time, and we have to accept it at this point. And as cynical, shill-y, or any other thing it makes me sound, I’m starting to think that if we want to save ANYTHING, we gotta pick our battles for which things atttactions, concepts, or general “the spirit/soul of” things to fight for/are still worth fighting for, and which ones are to unfortunately just a lost cause/time for us to just let die. Not everything is gonna make it. More IP is gonna leak into ALL FOUR parks and beyond. It’s time to face the music and accept the reality that management has put imagineering and the parks themselves in.

The Leader of the Club11 days ago

As much as I love "weird 90s," I think Disney is trying to distance itself from that. Dinosaur is weird 90s, its being replaced. Rockin is very 90s, its being replaced. I don't think that whatever moves into Magic Eye will be keeping the "weird 90s" aesthetic.

Zak and Wheezie12 days ago

I could see Muppet-Vision 3D being at EPCOT in the space where Pixar's Short Film Festival is. You can just watch those same 3 shorts on Disney+. It isn't the best fit or anything, but it kind of makes sense. It does give off the "weird 90s" vibe like Honey I Skunk The Audience did.

Tha Realest18 days ago

Looks like he’s past the bargaining and depression stages and has arrived at acceptance.

Figments Friend18 days ago

Nobody nobody20 days ago

If the “great moments in history” project is in development still like LenTesta said a while ago, or if the muppets get any other show-like attraction anywhere at wdw or anywhere else at the parks have a proposal: with the verbiage of “preserve other parts of the experience”, what if Disney hypothetically pulls an “America sings” and re-use whatever animatronics and other stuff they can? (In my mind the Penguin orchestra/statler and Waldorf. Maybe even find a way to work sweetums in!). That’d be cool, and better than nothing

ᗩLᘿᑕ ֊ᗩζᗩᗰ20 days ago

Unfortunately the Villains show ruins the dream. But you're right in that it wouldn't be terribly difficult for Disney to execute such a land and "on the cheap" if they deemed it worthwhile. Or with a little more effort a better land, if they really saw the potential. A Muppet's land shouldn't be out of the realm of possibility. Adding back MV3D would be an easy win! I guess they could always explore the idea once Villains makes the jump to Magic Kingdom? And that may well be the plan, though I'd hate to get my hopes up. In theory, We'd probably be looking at 10+ year out plan. Long enough for Villains Show to have a solid run (in its current locale) and with RnRC losing some of it's newness. Hypothetical of course. Now for the unsolicited armchair.* Muppet Studios -Muppet Studios arch facade entry into the land. Muppet Coaster - Headliner E-Ticket. Muppet Vision 3D: Encore Performance Runtime: 10-12 min. C-Ticket - LMRA/Villains flex space theatre - Retains Sweetums performer - Penguin Orchestra donated to Center For Puppetry Arts (a means of preservation) - Bean and Statler & Waldorf AAs are now screenz (runtime reduced) - Some practical 4D effects are not included in revival show Muppet Babies Storytime Adventure B-Ticket - Turtle Talk-esque experience for toddlers with a format similar to that of a Choose Your Own Adventure book combined with the interactivity and structure of a Dora the Explorer episode. Stories revolve around the Muppet Babies imagining themselves as the characters of well-known Disney movies and books. (for IP synergy) Kermit as Indiana Jones type stuff. Pre-scripted Meet and Greet show. Flatride options: (0ne or both if space allows) B-Ticket Gonzo the Great Aerobatic Stunt Flyer (Zamperla Air Race) - Lightly-themed Flat ride. Includes photo-op statue of Gonzo on a biplane Electric Mayhem's Road Tripp'n (Zamperla Crazy Bus) - Lightly-themed Jr Flat Ride. Those are like exhaust fumes, man! Food Trucks and Carnival Games (Animal/Swedish Chef/Sam Eagle/Miss Piggy) -Themed to resemble Food Services and Movie Star Trailers. Budget solution with "pay-per-play" games [/SPOILER] [SIZE=5] *Just for musings. Bean-counter, budget conscious by default. Slightly unhinged and cynical but not unrealistic when you consider the likes of PIXAR Pier. The idea being this land would probably only come about if LL sales were on decline and/or Disney needed to prop up the park with something NEW while also catering to the fandom. Don't hate the player hate the game.

Nobody nobody23 days ago

While looking into muppet movie ride on a sad about muppet vision, I accidentally found a somewhat hidden jackpot: this video. It interviews the concept artist behind all the famous muppet studios art. In it, he shows multiple peices of never before seen concept art, including new movie scenes and a clarified design for a unique omnimover concept. he also does a full description of the scenes, and clarifies the full idea behind the ride, what the story would be like, and how the scene connect. He also has descriptions of other stuff about the proposed land. If you haven’t, PLEASE check this video out. TLDR from the video: the general story of the ride was that you were on the muppet studios seeing them make movies. You would first see the final product scene on a video screen, Hollywood quality, and then you would pass through the wackiness from the famous concept arts, showing the imperfect chaos of how the “film” was made.

mattpeto23 days ago

Search your feelings, you know them to be true. I hope I’m wrong but MV3D isn’t coming back.

Nobody nobody23 days ago

I say this as a massive muppetvision fan. I think we all need to stop coping. As much as it sucks to finally say, muppetivison is 99% not coming back in any physical form. If it was, they would’ve said announced it with the closing date of mv3d and pizzerizzo. They very distinctly say CLOSING multiple times and do not seem to word it with any way of. We are probably going to get a pro shot on Disney+, and maybe VR, and that’s it. We need to look towards the future. Rnrc is probably gonna happen. Ipersonally think that the muppets could Show up in other places too in the future too. Maybe we will Eventually get that long rumored muppets HOP replacement! maybe there will be a muppets show replacing villains in the future! But it won’t be muppetvision 3D. Its unfortunately over WaldoBros. If we want to see the muppets continue at the Disney parks, we need to, as shilly as this sounds, buy the crap out of that muppets Merch they keep bringing up in the article when rnrc opens. Because as we have seen with figment, that seems to be one of the only ways they genuinely listen to us and Move towards what we want. We all need to SHOW them, instead of just saying we want it and then not showing up. This is just me though.

Pirates Life for Me23 days ago

If I had the chance to talk to the powers that be (and if anyone of importance at Disney is reading this)...can I propose this as a last ditch effort? I get that you want to have a Villian's show to give you at least some Villians at the parks until the new land gets built. I get that this will be a money maker for now through merchandise sales..etc. However, once the new Villians land opens - do we need this show anymore? What if you store all the Muppets stuff so that it can be preserved. And I mean store it well - not like Spectro. Then - when RNR is converted to the Muppets, take out the Villians show. Then you can convert the Villians theater back into the Muppets and add a Muppets spinner ride. If there is anyone from accounting reading - this is perfect. You get a new attraction that opens in time for Epic, you get to sell merchandise for Villians before the Villians land is ready, and you even get to gauge what may or may not work in Villians land with the show. Then....you can take out the show with lots of performers and put back in a show with only a few performers - thus cost cutting in a future budget. You won't even have to spend as much money - because if you have preserved everything well - the fandom will be happy if you put the show back together the way it was. Thus, making a huge win for the fandom who will be beyond excited to go back to the Muppets theater in droves! And you - as Disney - get a "brand new" mini land that you can advertise and gives you a win with the fans.