Monsters Inc. Land

[belloq87]

I do think it's notable that this announcement has yet to be made on any of Disney's social media (despite them apparently sending a press release with the concept art to a variety of media outlets). They know the reaction would be bad. It's cowardly (just like not announcing where the Cars project at Magic Kingdom was going at D23, and waiting until the Monday after instead).

If you believe this is the right decision, stand behind it and take the criticism.

I'm not the only one who thought this was conspicuous:

Disney Avoids Posting About MuppetVision 3D, Rock 'n' Roller Coaster Changes on Social Media

Walt Disney World avoided fan backlash over the MuppetVision 3D changes by simply not posting about them on social media

blogmickey.com

 

[Sneakman]

Some interesting tidbits about muppetvision and monsters inc from Jim Hill and Len Testa during the Disney dish released yesterday:

• Even as far back as multiple months before d23, muppets to RNRC and monsters to Grand Park has ALWAYS been the plan, and. BOTH were supposed to be at d23 august
• Disney P.R. were the ones who said “lets not do it live because of fears of live streamers recording protest walkouts and calling out Disney”
• After D23, Disney quietly let a group of Imagineers do a study about how much it would cost to put Monsters in Animation Courtyard as an alternative, but it would set the project back a full year due to demolition costs. They want to be fast due to wanting to be ready by Epic's Phase 2
• for muppets RNRC, Jim and Len are expecting a mix of re-recorded Muppets music and famous rock songs
• The last thing they talk about is hearing that Imagineering is having conversations about bringing back MuppetVision into the Disney Parks and how he hopes it's true. (I was consfused, because despite the official word from Disney saying (creative conversations about preserving MuppetVision, i want to clarify Jim specifically says Bringing back muppetvision into the Disney parks) Len then counters with "well, I know what you know so that's all I'll say". Convo ends there.

I am only the messenger. Take this as you will.

 

[belloq87]

• Disney P.R. were the ones who said “lets not do it live because of fears of live streamers recording protest walkouts and calling out Disney”

Cowardice.

 

[Sneakman]

Cowardice.

Honestly: here’s my view. They seem to be doing SO MUCH to try and avoid backlash and justify it to people. Waiting this long, moving the coaster building back so a new show can be added, putting muppets in RNRC, potentially putting it on d+, they KNOW why people are angry but refuse to do the ONE THING that will end this: keep muppetvision open somewhere. Maybe they are afraid of costs, lightning lane, or maybe its pride, but i wish Disney would see the answer staring them in the face, because this has been, and will continue to, overshadow everything about the monsters inc ride and land.

 

[GA-MBIT]

Honestly: here’s my view. They seem to be doing SO MUCH to try and avoid backlash and justify it to people. Waiting this long, moving the coaster building back so a new show can be added, putting muppets in RNRC, potentially putting it on d+, they KNOW why people are angry but refuse to do the ONE THING that will end this: keep muppetvision open somewhere. Maybe they are afraid of costs, lightning lane, or maybe its pride, but i wish Disney would see the answer staring them in the face, because this has been, and will continue to, overshadow everything about the monsters inc ride and land.

A relocation would honestly solve all of this drama, yeah. Best case scenario is turning the area beyond the RNRC gates into Muppets Courtyard 2.0, but with the Villains show already planned, I guess we'll see what happens.

Despite thinking the move to relocate would be a simple band-aid, my gut reaction is surprise that they might be considering that option honestly. I think a lot of this negative backlash is long-standing resentment from Muppet fans towards Disney, and that specitic view of mine is just a symptom of that. I think there's also some history of fan backlash never really being enough to save iconic attractions. Time ticks forwards, and we seldom see things return.

 

[HandsomePete]

Cowardice.

I think that’s a bit harsh.

Honestly: here’s my view. They seem to be doing SO MUCH to try and avoid backlash and justify it to people. Waiting this long, moving the coaster building back so a new show can be added, putting muppets in RNRC, potentially putting it on d+, they KNOW why people are angry but refuse to do the ONE THING that will end this: keep muppetvision open somewhere. Maybe they are afraid of costs, lightning lane, or maybe its pride, but i wish Disney would see the answer staring them in the face, because this has been, and will continue to, overshadow everything about the monsters inc ride and land.

While I’d like to see it moved to Epcot, the things probably staring them in the face are not-that-great satisfaction scores and tepid viewership.

 

[GA-MBIT]

Muppet-Vision is a much harder show to rebuild than something like FoLK was. FoLK was already a temp show with old puppets, costumes, and parade floats in a rushed structure. MV3D is a huge multi-media show with a pre-show, a number of animatronics, balconies, live costume performers, fog, bubbles, wind, water effects, facade walls and their lighting systems, and a 360 performance space. It is a substantial rebuild/move, and I understand why they wouldn't want to go through with it for a 33 year old show with mild viewership.

 

[belloq87]

I think that’s a bit harsh.

I don't think it is!

But even if I were being excessively harsh... I think they're making a big mistake (assuming Muppet*Vision isn't relocated). So why should I be charitable to their decision-making here?

 

[Sneakman]

Muppet-Vision is a much harder show to rebuild than something like FoLK was. FoLK was already a temp show with old puppets, costumes, and parade floats in a rushed structure. MV3D is a huge multi-media show with a pre-show, a number of animatronics, balconies, live costume performers, fog, bubbles, wind, water effects, facade walls and their lighting systems, and a 360 performance space. It is a substantial rebuild/move, and I understand why they wouldn't want to go through with it for a 33 year old show with mild viewership.

Well apparently it was considered before. DSNY newscast has said that apparently moving MV3D to Epcot and making figment a muppet labs ride was being considered in like 2020.

 

[Cup_Of_Coffee]

I don't think it is!

But even if I were being excessively harsh... I think they're making a big mistake (assuming Muppet*Vision isn't relocated). So why should I be charitable to their decision-making here?

I don’t disagree it’s cowardly, only argument is no company ever would announce something to crowds of fans that will cause a disruption. Pure business. For that alone I don’t blame them.

Now, if they knew they were going to do this, they need a clear plan. I know it is not a simple show in terms of moving to any vacant venue, however it is not that difficult. The lighting, animatronics, live actor, and film can all be moved elsewhere. It fits the current theatre but wasn’t made for this space, so move it elsewhere and tell us the plan. That’s my problem, it doesn’t seem that hard.

 

[fryoj]

Were the muppets this popular before the rumors of the axe came up, or is this another Great Movie Ride freakout?

 

[HandsomePete]

Were the muppets this popular before the rumors of the axe came up, or is this another Great Movie Ride freakout?

If you were to run a knockout-style bracket pitting all of the closed WDW attractions against each other, I'd say Muppetvision would be a good bet to make the Final Four.

 

[belloq87]

Were the muppets this popular before the rumors of the axe came up, or is this another Great Movie Ride freakout?

They are very comparable... in the sense that they're two of the best attractions ever created.

 

[Brian G.]

Were the muppets this popular before the rumors of the axe came up, or is this another Great Movie Ride freakout?

GMR? That deserves its flowers

Muppets definitely has its fans, but also - the hook of it being Henson's last project adds another layer to it.

 

[Alicia]

As I’ve said before the theater has been pretty full every showing of Muppet*Vision I’ve been to all year. But that may also speak to a lack of no height limit rides in that park so families have little choice but to do some of the shows to pass the time.

 

[BigHouseFootball]

I feel like this is a case of a very loud minority making all this noise. The Muppets haven’t been relevant in decades. How many kids know of them? Teenagers?

But I understand it’s got its fans and it’s always hard when something you love gets taken out of the parks-I think a part of me died when Illiminations left-so I get it. But ultimately I don’t think the majority of Disney theme park goers are asking, “where are the muppets?” when they attend.

 

[Mad Dog]

Been to Disney for three long vacations in the past three years (April/June/November). Muppet theater crowds were all large. We probably did it well over six times.

 

[Sneakman]

Some interesting tidbits about muppetvision and monsters inc from Jim Hill and Len Testa during the Disney dish released yesterday:

• Even as far back as multiple months before d23, muppets to RNRC and monsters to Grand Park has ALWAYS been the plan, and. BOTH were supposed to be at d23 august
• Disney P.R. were the ones who said “lets not do it live because of fears of live streamers recording protest walkouts and calling out Disney”
• After D23, Disney quietly let a group of Imagineers do a study about how much it would cost to put Monsters in Animation Courtyard as an alternative, but it would set the project back a full year due to demolition costs. They want to be fast due to wanting to be ready by Epic's Phase 2
• for muppets RNRC, Jim and Len are expecting a mix of re-recorded Muppets music and famous rock songs
• The last thing they talk about is hearing that Imagineering is having conversations about bringing back MuppetVision into the Disney Parks and how he hopes it's true. (I was consfused, because despite the official word from Disney saying (creative conversations about preserving MuppetVision, i want to clarify Jim specifically says Bringing back muppetvision into the Disney parks) Len then counters with "well, I know what you know so that's all I'll say". Convo ends there.

I am only the messenger. Take this as you will.

A quote on that last part from Len Testa on the wdwmagic forums “I’ll ask Jim. My understanding was Disney+ as the easiest, fastest way to satisfy what the blog says about MV3D.
There are other Muppets concepts, such as Great Moments, being developed.”
That last part is the one that is intriguing. It seems to imply that the hall of presidents replacement idea isn’t dead, and that there are more muppet attraction concepts being developed and considered right now. Interesting.

 

[TheUniC6]

Mark your calendars. Grand Avenue will begin its phased closing in May with MuppetVisions last day of operation June 7th 2025.

MuppetVision 3D Closing Date Announced

Walt Disney World has announced the MuppetVision 3D closing date at Disney’s Hollywood Studios to make way for Monsters Inc.

blogmickey.com

 

[belloq87]

Another dark day for WDW.