Disney confirms Muppet*Vision 3D closure at Hollywood Studios, but it's not all bad news
There's "Muppet Mayhem" at Disney's Hollywood Studios.
The crowd erupted in cheers when Disney Experiences Chairman Josh D'Amaro took the stage at this summer's D23, the Ultimate Disney Fan Event, to announce a new land themed to Disney and Pixar's "Monsters, Inc." was coming to Hollywood Studios.
As soon as the cheers subsided, however, the questions started rolling in. Sure, it was exciting to find out Mike, Sulley and their Monstropolis friends are getting their own land, but where would the land go? And what would we lose to make way for such a land?
One attraction that longtime Disney fans were immediately worried might be on the chopping block is Muppet*Vision 3D, a 3D movie featuring favorite Muppet characters. It's the only attraction in the park's Muppet Courtyard area, a spot that, while popular among Muppets fans, hasn't received much love in recent years.
On Friday, Disney confirmed that the Muppets are, in fact, moving out of their home in Hollywood Studios' Muppets Courtyard to make way for the recently announced "Monsters, Inc." land.
In a Disney Parks Blog, Disney shared that the "Monsters, Inc." land is being added to the "south side of Disney's Hollywood Studios" and that they are having "creative conversations and exploring ways to preserve the film and other parts of the experience for fans to enjoy in the future."
This is basically the nicest way they could say that Muppet Courtyard, and Muppet*Vision 3D, is shutting down to make way for Monstropolis. It's a tough blow for fans of both the attraction and the visionary creator of the Muppets, Jim Henson. Muppet*Vision 3D was one of the final projects Henson worked on, though he died in 1990 before the attraction made its official debut on May 16, 1991, the first anniversary of Henson's death.
There aren't many details yet on the new land, but Disney did reveal at D23 that it will be home to the first-ever suspended coaster in a Disney park. The coaster will take riders through the door warehouse, just like in the original "Monsters, Inc." film. Guests will also be able to visit the laugh factory that powers the city and meet their favorite cuddly characters.
Work on the "Monsters, Inc."-themed land is slated to begin in 2025.
But it's not all bad news for Muppet lovers.
As part of the announcement, Disney also shared that "Kermit the Frog, Miss Piggy, and more of their friends will be moving right along to Sunset Boulevard" and taking over Rock 'n' Roller Coaster.
The ride's current theme features music and a storyline based on Aerosmith, a band that was popular among older generations but that my children have never heard of. They are quite familiar with the Muppets, and I, for one, think this is a change for the better.
With the Muppets on board, the ride will now feature the Muppets "teaming up with some of music’s biggest stars for a rockin’ music festival!" (Maybe we can't count Aerosmith out just yet!) Disney assured guests that there is still time to experience Muppet*Vision 3D and Rock 'n' Roller Coaster before they close.
Regardless, this re-theme will breathe new life into Rock 'n' Roller Coaster as well as Muppet Courtyard (may she rest in peace). Losing Muppet*Vision 3D is hard. It's one of the park's longest-running attractions and has meaning beyond just being a silly 3D movie.
But this change also means Hollywood Studios will be home to the first ever Muppets-themed roller coaster and the first suspended coaster in a Disney park. We aren't losing the Muppets, they are just getting a new – more thrilling – home.
Stay tuned for future updates as we learn more about when these new attractions will open.
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There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.