The Jim Henson Firm Responds to The Muppets Journey Closing at Disney World

As we discovered late final week, the beloved Muppet*Vision 3D attraction at Walt Disney World has been confirmed to be part of the closures to make manner for Pixar’s Monsters Inc. land slated for the Disney Parks’ super-charged expansion within the works.

Then, over the weekend, it was formally introduced that Muppets Courtyard, the house of the Muppet*Imaginative and prescient 3D, will probably be demolished with none third-act efforts from the Muppets to avoid wasting their theater—although Henson nerds have expressed how very similar to a Muppet film it will be to make a final stand. However as issues are sometimes topic to huge modifications at Walt Disney World, it’s the tip of an period for the cherished cinematic 3D chaos of Muppet*Imaginative and prescient. 

What makes it all of the extra bittersweet is that it was the final Muppets challenge to be helmed by their creator Jim Henson. It options timeless animatronic work (Statler and Waldorf heckling alongside on the balcony, a walk-around Sweetums) as a part of the present.

In a press release on Instagram, the Jim Henson firm shared the next: “Jim Henson’s closing challenge was Muppet*Imaginative and prescient 3D, now considered a real theme park traditional. Innovation was at all times Jim Henson’s north star, and his trailblazing profession led him to a singular problem: a very immersive Muppet expertise the place audiences are a part of the blissful chaos of the long-lasting Muppet Present. Initially debuting in 1991, Muppet*Imaginative and prescient 3D mixed 3D expertise with real-world sensible results, alongside animatronic and reside Muppet characters. The end result was a one-of-a-kind Jim Henson expertise, and an unforgettable capstone to Jim’s magnificent profession. As we study of the present’s upcoming closure in its present kind at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, we sit up for Muppet*Imaginative and prescient 3D’s subsequent act.”

Muppets Courtyard featured the whimsy and marvel of strolling across the set of a Muppet manufacturing backlot, with statues of Miss Piggy abounding—just like the Ms. Liberty fountain, which we hope simply will get re-homed on the Muppets’ new place of residence (extra on that under). A minimum of we gained’t miss the actually atrocious (but in some way cult-beloved) slice home PizzeRizzo.

Whereas the Monsters Inc. Monstropolis will take up the area because it’s at the moment occupied, the Muppets gained’t be going far at the very least. The truth is, they are going to play the starring position within the re-imagining of the Rock ‘n’ Curler Coaster (at the moment headlined by Aerosmith) at Hollywood Studios. This information got here together with the announcement of Muppet*Imaginative and prescient 3D‘s closure.

It’s a little bit regarding, provided that pairing the long-lasting household franchise with one of many park’s most hardcore coasters might alienate introducing the Muppets to kids; that was simpler when it was baked into Muppet*Imaginative and prescient as a gateway to get them enthusiastic about The Muppet Present and spin-off motion pictures on Disney+.

Right here’s hoping that maybe Rock ‘n’ Curler Coaster will get new trip monitor akin to the interactive stage of Epcot’s Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind however possibly only a tad bit extra household pleasant—and that would certainly be what Disney Imagineering has in thoughts, and never simply giving it a brand new coat of paint. Let’s see them go all in Muppet-ifying it with a variety of Electrical Mayhem.

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