Disney Shares New Muppets Message After Dropping Bombshell on Theme Park Fans

Disney has released a message specifically for Muppet fans.

A vintage theater with red seats and ornate decorative walls at the Walt Disney World Resort features a large screen showing three Muppet characters: Kermit the Frog, Fozzie Bear, and Gonzo. The theater is empty, allowing a clear view of the vibrant screen and elegant surroundings. — Credit: Disney

Disney has shared a new Muppets-themed message ahead of their eviction from their original home in Walt Disney World. The message is geared toward members of Disney Vacation Club (DVC), the company’s in-house vacation and timeshare program.

The message was posted on the official DVC Instagram account on December 24, making for a fun yet peculiar holiday surprise. Fozzy Bear can be seen and heard cracking a few jokes and delivering a message to DVC members.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Disney Vacation Club® (@disneyvacationclub)

“Hiya, hiya, hiya, Fozzie Bear here,” says the puppet.

“Wishing all our friends at DVC a very safe and happy holiday season, and a hilarious start to 2025! Hey! Which reminds me, have I told you about the dizzy reindeer with the lightbulb in his nose? Yeah, it made him light-headed. Ah, get it? Light-headed? Ahaha, oh! Or how about this one? Why did no one let the snowman plan the New Year’s Eve party? Because he always drops the ball at midnight! Ah, wocka wocka wocka! Anyway, happy holidays, DVC, from all of us at The Muppets.”

This post made for quite a cozy and fun message for fans of The Muppets just in time for Christmas, which is by far one of the busiest and most crowded times of the year for both the Disneyland and Walt Disney World Resorts.

However, the message comes at an interesting and perplexing time, with Disney set to close The Muppets’ sole attraction at its Florida theme park soon.

Muppet*Vision 3D, an immersive 3D show, has been operating at Disney’s Hollywood Studios since 1991, making it one of the oldest attractions at the theme park. Blending comedy, action, and music, Muppet*Vision 3D is anything but a typical theme park 3D attraction, instead taking guests on a thrilling sensory journey accompanied by Jim Henson’s crew of adorable puppet creations.

Almost all the major players make an appearance in the show, including Kermit the Frog, Miss Pggy, Fozzy Bear, Rizzo the Rat, Bean, and plenty more.

However, Disney announced earlier in 2024 that Muppet*Vision3D would be closing to make way for new experiences at Disney’s Hollywood Studios theme park. Muppet*Vision 3D, along with Muppets Courtyard, the land the attraction is currently located in, will completely shut down to make way for a new area inspired by Pixar’s Monsters Inc.

Colorful poster of cartoon characters, reminiscent of The Muppets, riding a vibrant, graffiti-covered car. They appear energetic with instruments and microphones, set against a lively, multicolored background featuring silhouettes of palm trees and spotlights. — Credit: Disney

This news came as quite a shock, though the writing has likely been on the wall for some time regarding Disney World and The Muppets. Regardless, fans joined together in person and on social media to voice their disappointment that such an iconic part of the Walt Disney World Resort, as well as the Jim Henson estate, would be closing forever.

The Jim Henson Company released its own statement following the news, saying, “Innovation was always Jim Henson’s north star, and his trailblazing career led him to a unique challenge: a truly immersive Muppet experience where audiences are part of the happy chaos of the iconic Muppet Show. 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.”

Muppet*Vision 3D was the final project Jim Henson worked on before his death in 1990, solidifying the 3D show as not just a goofy and quirky theme park attraction but a time capsule highlighting one of Hollywood’s’ most creative and electric storytellers.

However, it’s not all bad news, with Disney giving The Muppets a lifeline in the form of Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster. This rock ‘n roll-themed roller coaster has also been operating for decades, though it packs noticeably more thrills than Muppet*Vision 3D.

Aerosmith has been the ride’s headliner since it opened, but with the band’s contract with Disney reportedly ending and Muppet*Vision 3D’s closure already planned, Disney had the crazy idea of replacing Steven Tyler and the rest of his bandmates with Kermit, Fozzy, and Miss Piggy.

While dates for this new Muppets roller coaster, nor the previously mentioned Monsters Inc. expansion, are yet to be revealed, guests can likely expect to see changes take place in the near future at Disney’s Hollywood Studios.

How do you feel about Disney closing Muppet*Vision3D?