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Credit: DisneyIf you, like us, are already missing Muppet*Vision 3D, then we have some good news.
This year has been rough for fans of The Muppets. While yes, we technically have Disney’s Electric Mayhem version of Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster to look forward to in 2026, this summer has seen the permanent closure of both Muppet*Vision 3D and PizzeRizzo, not to mention other Muppet-themed features, such as the iconic Miss Piggy fountain.
The show first debuted at Disney’s Hollywood Studios in 1991, created in collaboration with Jim Henson and the original Muppet performers. It was one of the last projects Henson worked on before his death in 1990, making it a deeply personal tribute and a charming blend of live-action, 3D effects, and classic Muppet humor.
During its decades at the park, the attraction took guests on a tour of the fictional Muppet Labs, where the Muppets have achieved a massive breakthrough in 3D film technology, but chaos unfolded thanks to Dr. Bunsen Honeydew’s experimental 3D sprite, Waldo. Combining animatronics, in-theater effects, and a film starring Kermit, Miss Piggy, and friends, Muppet*Vision 3D had generated a passionate fanbase over the years – one that was devastated when Disney confirmed plans to axe the show and surrounding area to make way for its new Monsters, Inc. area.
Could Muppet*Vision 3D Return to Disney?
Upon the announcement of Muppet*Vision 3D’s closure, Disney confirmed that it had plans to preserve the film and experience “for generations to come.”
This followed a previous statement in which it said: “As we move forward with these changes, we are having creative conversations and exploring ways to preserve the film and other parts of the experience for fans to enjoy in the future.”
Before the attraction closed, Disney did indeed preserve the show in one way. On May 14, an event called “Archiving Muppet*Vision 3D” took place for cast members in the early hours of the morning. As the event’s name suggests, this saw the entire show filmed for archival purposes.
It’s since been rumored that Disney has plans to do everything from putting the film on Disney+ to relocating it elsewhere on Disney property. Some have thrown out Disney California Adventure Park – where guests could once find another version of the attraction from 2001 to 2014 – as a potential location. According to Jim Henson Company CEO Lisa Henson, there has also been talk about a virtual reality take on the show.
Henson Family Provides New Hope
For now, Disney’s plans for Muppet*Vision 3D aren’t clear. However, a recent TheaterMania interview with Brian Henson, son of Jim Henson, has provided fresh hope.
When asked about the show’s fate, Henson revealed that The Walt Disney Company has preserved the key elements of the attraction in such a way that it could return at any moment.
“They wrapped it up in the way Disney does, where everything is recorded for historical purposes and all the animatronics are packed away perfectly,” Henson said. “So, theoretically, they could bring it back out if they wanted to at some point.”
Henson went on to praise the attraction’s efficiency throughout the years. “From the get-go, they designed it so that 500 people could go through every 25 minutes,” he said. “It was one of the most highly experienced attractions, I think, that Disney ever made. And I was very sad to see it getting wrapped up.”
Disney’s New Plans For The Area
While there’s a ray of hope that fans could enjoy Muppet*Vision 3D again in the future, the odds of that ever happening in Grand Avenue are, well, impossible.
Disney has already started work on its new Monsters, Inc. area, with the Miss Piggy fountain already long gone. However, judging by recent documents, it’ll be a while until we see the land up and running.
New documents from the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District reveal that the upcoming Monsters, Inc. Door Coaster will be built farther back in the newly planned land at Hollywood Studios, occupying about 10 acres of the current cast member parking area.
The attraction is set to be massive. The building for the door coaster will span around 100,000 square feet, making it the largest structure at Hollywood Studios and surpassing Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance. On a resort-wide scale, it will be the second-largest attraction building at Walt Disney World, behind only Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind at EPCOT. The coaster will also mark a first for Disney: a suspended roller coaster.
An opening is expected in 2027 or 2028. Alongside the new ride, the land will also feature a restaurant, retail spaces, and a theater show. The status of Monsters, Inc. Laugh Floor at Magic Kingdom remains uncertain. It’s possible the show could be relocated to Hollywood Studios or continue operating in its current location.
Do you think Disney should bring back Muppet*Vision 3D?