Credit: D23It’s the end of an era at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. The once-vibrant entrance marquee to Muppet*Vision 3D has officially been torn down, marking a major turning point for this corner of the park. What was once a lively tribute to Jim Henson’s legendary creations is now on its way to becoming something entirely new—and fans are feeling that emotional shift deeply.
A Familiar Sight Disappears
Just days ago, guests noticed the standby and Lightning Lane signs disappearing from the Muppet*Vision building. The black tarp covering the marquee made it clear that something was coming, but many held out hope it might just be routine maintenance. That hope faded quickly when construction crews fully removed the marquee from the brick façade, leaving behind an empty, bare exterior where the bold letters once proudly hung.
The removal of the sign isn’t just cosmetic—it’s symbolic. This marquee has welcomed millions of parkgoers since the show debuted in 1991. For many, walking through those archways meant stepping into a whimsical world of puns, pratfalls, and Muppet mayhem. To see it gone is a gut punch for longtime fans.
From Muppets to Monsters
The change isn’t happening in isolation. This demolition is the first visible step in transforming the area into a new Monstropolis land inspired by Monsters, Inc. Disney officially announced the expansion earlier this year after years of rumors. The project will bring new attractions, shopping, and dining experiences themed to Pixar’s beloved franchise.
Plans include a suspended coaster inspired by the door transport system seen in the movie and a new theater experience expected to take over the current Muppet*Vision space. Concept art also shows that Harryhausen’s, the monster restaurant from the film, will replace Mama Melrose’s Ristorante Italiano, further cementing the land’s transformation into Monstropolis.
For Muppet fans, that’s a tough pill to swallow. Muppet*Vision 3D was one of the last projects Jim Henson personally worked on before his passing, and its humor and charm have remained largely untouched for decades.
Early Signs of the Shift
This wasn’t a surprise to anyone watching closely. Earlier this fall, the attraction’s sign was quietly covered, and the hanging Gonzo—perched above the courtyard clock for years—was removed. That whimsical touch had been a popular photo spot and a subtle reminder that this area was built with a sense of fun. Its absence made it clear: Disney wasn’t just refurbishing. They were erasing an identity to make room for something new.
The surrounding Muppets Courtyard also closed earlier in the year. The space that once housed themed shops, PizzaRizzo, and Muppet-centric decorations has been stripped down bit by bit. While PizzaRizzo remains for now, even its future looks uncertain as the new land takes shape around it.
The Muppets Aren’t Completely Gone
While Muppet*Vision 3D may be disappearing, the Muppets aren’t leaving Hollywood Studios entirely. In a surprising twist, Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith will soon get a Muppet-themed retheme. Disney plans to reimagine the coaster into a music festival headlined by Kermit the Frog, Miss Piggy, and Dr. Teeth and the Electric Mayhem. This comes as the band Aerosmith has retired, and their contract with Disney quietly ended.
The attraction’s exit shop will become a Muppets-themed merchandise hub, filling a gap left when the original Stage 1 Company Store closed in 2020. So while one Muppet presence is fading, another is rising elsewhere in the park.
A Legacy That Runs Deep
Muppet*Vision 3D isn’t just another 3D show. It’s a piece of theme park history. It debuted at Disney’s Hollywood Studios on May 16, 1991, and was the last project Jim Henson ever worked on. For over 30 years, it offered the same zany humor, beloved characters, and classic gags that made the Muppets household names.
The show outlasted multiple park transformations, weathering everything from Sunset Boulevard expansions to the rise of Star Wars. It was a rare constant in a park that has changed drastically over the years. Many families made it part of their tradition—a place to cool off, laugh together, and remember what made Disney’s Hollywood Studios so unique.
Why This Change Matters
The removal of the marquee is just one small piece of a much larger puzzle. It signals Disney’s current direction: leaning heavily on Pixar and major IP expansions to draw crowds. It’s a smart business move—Monsters Inc. is still hugely popular—but it’s also bittersweet. Muppet*Vision 3D represented something that was more than a franchise tie-in; it was a love letter to classic puppetry and character comedy.
For many fans, the loss of this attraction isn’t just about losing a show. It’s about losing the sense of variety and texture that made the park special. It’s a reminder that nostalgia often has an expiration date in a constantly evolving theme park.
What Comes Next
While Disney hasn’t announced an official timeline for the new Monstropolis expansion, the speed of the teardown makes it clear that big construction is on the horizon. With the marquee gone, walls are expected to go up around the area soon, signaling the start of heavy work. The suspended coaster is one of the most anticipated additions to the park in years, and once complete, Monstropolis will dramatically reshape this section of Hollywood Studios.
In the meantime, Muppet fans are already sharing their goodbyes online. Social media is filled with old family photos in front of the marquee, memories of Statler and Waldorf heckling from the balcony, and jokes about missing Sam Eagle’s overly patriotic moments. It’s a fandom saying farewell to something that mattered.
A Bittersweet Farewell
For more than three decades, Muppet*Vision 3D stood as a colorful corner of Disney’s Hollywood Studios, a quirky holdout from a different era of theme park design. Its disappearance signals not just the end of a beloved attraction, but the closing of a chapter in Disney’s storytelling legacy.
While Monstropolis promises new thrills and immersive experiences, for many guests, nothing will quite match the charm of walking into that brick theater and hearing Kermit the Frog welcome them to “a show that’s a little bit of a disaster.”
One thing is clear: the marquee might be gone, but the Muppets’ impact on this park will never be forgotten. And who knows—maybe someday, they’ll get another curtain call.