Disney Pushes The Muppets Back Into the Spotlight Following Hollywood Studios Closure

When Disney closed Muppet*Vision 3D at Hollywood Studios in Disney World earlier this year, fans were understandably crushed. The long-running 3D spectacle had become a fixture at the park, delivering the perfect blend of chaos and charm that only Jim Henson’s creations can pull off. And its removal to make space for a Monsters, Inc. land sparked fears that the Muppets might finally be winding down at Disney.

Kermit the Frog stands in the foreground of an ornate theater with a black-and-white Muppet*Vision scene playing on the big screen behind him. He appears thoughtful with his hand to his chin. The theater is empty and elaborately decorated. — Credit: Disney

The Muppets’ Spoof Legacy Lives On

But if history proves anything, it’s that the Muppets never truly go away — especially when they’re spoofing other properties. In fact, that’s always been their greatest strength.

From Muppet Treasure Island to The Muppet Christmas Carol, and countless sketches lampooning everything from Star Wars to Shakespeare, Kermit and his felt-covered friends thrive by reinterpreting beloved stories in their own chaotic style.

It’s a formula that keeps them relevant no matter how much pop culture shifts. And next year, Rock ’n’ Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith will reopen with a full Muppets makeover, injecting the group’s signature slapstick into one of Disney’s most high-octane attractions.

And this fall, Marvel Comics will celebrate the Muppets’ 70th anniversary with 10 variant covers, placing characters like Miss Piggy, Gonzo, and Fozzie into legendary comic-book moments. Whether it’s replacing Aerosmith or Spider-Man, the Muppets prove again and again that no franchise is safe from their antics — and fans wouldn’t have it any other way.

The Muppets and Jim Henson on the set of Muppet*Vision 3D — Credit: Jim Henson Company

Related: Disney World Breaks the Internet With Shocking Muppets Announcement

A Muppet Holiday Tradition Also Endures

Even on the big screen, their staying power shows no cracks. The Muppet Christmas Carol continues to draw crowds even decades later, returning for a fifth year of live-orchestra screenings in the U.K. this winter. This isn’t just nostalgia; it’s proof that audiences still want to see the Muppets reimagine classics in their uniquely chaotic voice.

So, while losing Muppet*Vision 3D stings, the bigger picture is clear: the Muppets will never be irrelevant. Their ability to spoof, satirize, and poke fun at the most sacred corners of entertainment guarantees they’ll always have a place in Disney’s lineup — and in our hearts.

Are you glad that the Muppets aren’t going anywhere? Let us know your thoughts!