MuppetVision 3D, PizzeRizzo, and the remainder of Muppets Courtyard have completely closed at Walt Disney World. This provides the most recent updates on the Hollywood Studios development tasks, and what’s subsequent because the Muppets are opening a door for Monsters and transferring proper alongside to Rock ‘n’ Curler Coaster.
To begin with the constructive, it appears to be like like MuppetVision 3D acquired a wonderful 13-hour finale, with Walt Disney World sending off the attraction totally on a excessive observe. Sadly, we couldn’t be at Disney’s Hollywood Studios for the ultimate day of MuppetVision 3D, and needed to say our farewells earlier.
We nonetheless adopted alongside enviously on social media, from last present wristband distribution throughout Early Entry to daytime meet-ups for one final meal of rat pizza to watching as none aside from Heather Henson was the final visitor to enter the final public demonstration of MuppetVision 3D. I stored it collectively up till that time, however that final video broke me a bit.
All in all, it looks as if Disney did proper by MuppetVision on its final day of operations. Nicely, minus the entire closing it within the first place half. However that call was made at the next stage than the Solid Members on the bottom who made the day particular. I’ve been to many closing days at Walt Disney World and Disneyland, they usually’re all the time emotional for each the followers and the Solid Members, previous and current, who’ve labored the sights.
It’s like saying goodbye to a childhood residence. There are few attraction closures throughout my maturity which were extra ‘childhood residence’ to me than MuppetVision 3D. The Osborne Household Spectacle of Dancing Lights, Nice Film Experience, Universe of Power, and IllumiNations all “acquired to me” over the past improvement cycle, however no single a kind of closures hit the guts fairly as laborious as MuppetVision.
I nonetheless suppose it’s a mistake not simply to have some ‘story excuse’ for retaining MuppetVision in Monstropolis and saying the Muppets have been invited into the Monster world to make you giggle or no matter. It wouldn’t be Disney’s worst narrative contrivance. (Sorry, simply really feel like I must ‘register’ this grievance with every publish on this matter.)
As for the MuppetVision farewell tour, my one criticism is the shortage of merchandise. Even once I mentioned my goodbye to MuppetVision, it was taking part in to comparatively packed homes. The Muppets have a passionate fanbase, and ‘last demonstration of MuppetVision 3D’ merchandise would have flown off the cabinets. It will’ve been an ideal alternative to reopen Stage 1 Firm Retailer to additionally say goodbye to that, and I’m stunned/disenchanted Walt Disney World didn’t do that.
Again when Ellen’s Power Journey closed, there was an important line of hats and shirts, however I don’t recall any farewell merchandise for something since then. In my opinion, this can be a mistake. One factor Tokyo Disneyland does rather well is farewell seasons for its beloved sights, and there’s all the time an “[attraction name] Endlessly!’ product line that sells rather well, together with picture ops and particular meals.
I’m solely mentioning this as a result of Walt Disney World goes to have a few extra alternatives for this within the close to future, and it’d be good in the event that they availed themselves of these. I’m not an enormous merchandise man or DINOSAUR fan, however I’d completely scoop up a ‘Countdown to Extinction’ hat with a cheeky line from Dr. Seeker on it!
If somebody from Disney occurs to be studying this, it’s nonetheless not too late for MuppetVision merchandise! It’s not like this fanbase goes to evaporate in a single day now that the demonstrations are performed. Launch a product line and many people will purchase each single merchandise in it. However we’re vacationers, what do we all know?!
Suffice to say, each MuppetVision 3D and PizzeRizzo at the moment are formally closed at Disney’s Hollywood Studios as of June 8, 2025. The Muppets Courtyard space is about to get replaced by the Monsters Inc. Door Coaster and Monstropolis miniland, with an unannounced present taking on the MuppetVision 3D theater and new eating places changing the present ones.
With MuppetVision 3D, PizzeRizzo and all the things else within the space closed, Muppets Courtyard has been wiped from all park maps of Disney’s Hollywood Studios. These areas plus Mama Melrose’s Ristorante Italiano have additionally been faraway from the My Disney Expertise app and all different on-line maps.
Likewise, the pages for PizzeRizzo and MuppetVision 3D have now been fully scrubbed from the Walt Disney World web site. When clicking any previous hyperlinks that led to the previous URLs of any defunct Muppets Courtyard providing, you’ll both see the tried and true Sew “Somebody Ate the Web page!” error message or be redirected to a generalized DHS touchdown web page.
Grand Avenue remains to be on the map, however proven as a single road between Commissary Lane and Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge. Remaining open are Ice Chilly Hydraulics and BaseLine Faucet Home, each of that are on the opposite facet of the courtyard. Though the entire space was/is Grand Ave, Muppets Courtyard was a definite subsection of that. A miniland of a miniland, if you’ll. On the maps, it seems as if Disney planted a forest in a single day, with thick greenery changing Muppets Courtyard:
That is kind of the case. As of June 8, the entire space to the left facet of the visitor walkway is now blocked by rolling planters. So not fairly a thick forest, however in the identical universe.
These principally block what could be the gateway into the mini-miniland, if it had a gate within the first place. A Solid Member is stationed by the planters to maintain visitors from passing them, with trash cans additionally performing some heavy lifting as access-obstacles. No seen work is going down within the courtyard simply but, nor will it for at the least the subsequent few days.
There are a few potential causes for these rolling planters. First, as a result of Muppets Courtyard simply closed and visitors mentioned a protracted goodbye even after the revealed park closing time final evening. There may’ve been inadequate turnaround time for a correct development wall to go up in a single day.
Second, there’s nonetheless a Solid Member send-off to Muppets Courtyard arising. Walt Disney World confirmed that Solid Members would be the last individuals who get to expertise MuppetVision 3D throughout a celebration on June 10, 2025. That’s proper: Gonzo nonetheless will get one final royal flush!
Throughout that last farewell to Muppet Courtyard, Solid Members can have entry to showings of MuppetVision 3D, PizzeRizzo, and even the long-shuttered Stage 1 Firm Retailer. As a part of the particular CM occasion, there will likely be enjoyable, meals & video games, and different actions. Consider it as a salute to all issues on this courtyard, however principally MuppetVision 3D.
That is nice to listen to. We respect that Solid Members at Disney’s Hollywood Studios would be the final folks to expertise MuppetVision–it’s good to see Disney honoring the individuals who make the magic with any such providing. And this explains why a correct ‘progress wall’ won’t be up but–as a result of there’s going to be that occasion on Tuesday, so it’s not like several demolition is beginning till June 11, 2025 on the absolute earliest.
What we’re prone to see occur in Muppets Courtyard first is the demolition of Stage 1 Firm Retailer. The allow was already filed for that, and it was beforehand scheduled to happen earlier than MuppetVision even closed. That is very clearly step one of the venture, as its the one venue that’s not within the Monstropolis idea artwork.
After that, we’d count on to see transformation of the exteriors. As a reminder, we’re getting one-for-one replacements of those eating places and a brand new present within the MuppetVision theater. There’s no cause to consider they’re being essentially reworked–these are refurbishments and reimaginings.
Though unconfirmed, it’s seemingly that the desk service Mama Melrose will grow to be the desk service Harryhausen’s. It’s seemingly that PizzeRizzo goes to reimagined right into a counter service restaurant with an an identical footprint. Walt Disney World has already formally introduced that MuppetVision will likely be changed by a brand new present. There’s nothing within the latest Monstropolis idea artwork (beneath) to recommend any main structure modifications to Muppet Courtyard/Grand Avenue.
For reference, the reimagining of Toy Story Pizza Planet into PizzeRizzo began in January 2016 and was completed in November 2016. Whereas the top consequence was an improve, it was a reasonably low dough venture that didn’t change that a lot. We’d count on a extra significant replace for each of the Monstropolis eating places, however there’s each cause to consider they may very well be open by late 2026 given the lead time.
Then there’s the transformation of MuppetVision 3D into a unique stage present. For this venture, we are able to use the Lightning McQueen Racing Academy to Villains Unfairly Ever After transformation as comparability. That reimagining took lower than 8 months, and fully repurposed that house.
Monstropolis is a extra everlasting land, so all the additions ought to be extra formidable than what they’re changing. As such, let’s give Imagineering 18 months for the entrance half of this miniland to reopen. As demonstrated above, that’s greater than sufficient turnaround time given comparable tasks at DHS. Meaning the primary part of Monstropolis ought to be open by December 2026. Simply in time for Christmas. Perhaps it misses that focus on given demolition and exterior work wanted on Harryhausen’s, however absolutely it may be prepared by Spring 2027.
I’m extremely skeptical it will really occur. My largest concern is that we received’t see a lot work in Muppets Courtyard for some time, apart from the aforementioned Stage 1 Firm Retailer demolition. That’ll undoubtedly start earlier than the top of summer time. Hopefully we additionally see work on the Monsters, Inc. Doorways Coaster backstage, however that’s actually its personal separate factor because it’s being constructed on the car parking zone.
Though there aren’t any rumors to help this, my suspicion is that Muppets Courtyard is being closed early. That Walt Disney World administration feels that Disney’s Hollywood Studios doesn’t want the capability provided by the eating places and MuppetVision over the course of the subsequent couple of years and is choosing the longer closure to avoid wasting working bills. RizzeRizzo routinely closed early and Mama Melrose was by no means all that standard. On prime of that, two stage exhibits simply opened at DHS on Could 27. (By no means thoughts that each venues plus MV3D all operated concurrently as of February 2020.)
It’s widespread apply for Walt Disney World to seek out methods to avoid wasting on working bills at occasions when capital expenditures are rising. On prime of that, it’s unlikely that there will likely be any natural progress this 12 months at Walt Disney World, so the corporate will resort to cost-cutting to attain no matter targets it may need.
Regardless of the absence of rumors to corroborate this, there’s additionally the absence of development–and that speaks volumes. Probably the most concerned side of this venture goes to be constructing the gravity constructing and laying observe for the Monsters, Inc. Doorways Coaster. Floor has but to be damaged on that attraction. It’s going to be situated totally backstage, so work on that might happen with out regard for the entrance half of the miniland. Nothing wanted to shut for work to start out on the curler coaster.
That is considerably much like Tropical Americas at Animal Kingdom, and exactly why Dino-Rama closed first–as a result of it’s being changed by the recent construct of the Encanto experience. In the meantime, DINOSAUR and all the things else is “solely” being reimagined, permitting it to remain open longer because it received’t take as lengthy to finish. (To not dismiss the work wanted to remodel DINOSAUR into Indiana Jones Journey–it’s going to be a herculean process of a lot better issue than something in Muppets Courtyard.)
If the entrance half of Monstropolis opens in late 2026 and even in 2027 earlier than the Monsters, Inc. Doorways Coaster, I’ll gleefully admit I used to be incorrect, and this was all about turning across the venture as shortly as potential. But when all of it debuts directly in 2028, it is going to be patently apparent that the closure of Muppets Courtyard occurred prematurely out of cheapness on Disney’s half. I suppose we will see.
Lastly, there’s the Muppets movin’ proper alongside to Sundown Boulevard. The constructive a part of this! Walt Disney World has now introduced that Rock ‘n’ Curler Coaster Starring Aerosmith is formally set to shut in 2026 for its experience reimagining. On the identical time, they’ve revealed that the reimagined Rock ‘n’ Curler Coaster Starring the Muppets will open in 2026. Our full publish provides speculative closing & reopening date ranges, however the backside line is that we count on that venture to take 6 months or much less. (I’d like to be incorrect and it take a full 11 months!)
Every time this nook of the park comes up, followers inevitably specific optimism about it will definitely changing into the brand new Muppets Courtyard as soon as Villains Unfairly Ever After ends its run. I’ve been a debbie downer about this, saying it’s extra seemingly that each that present and the Muppets takeover of Rock ‘n’ Curler Coaster are stopgaps for Marvel or one thing else. I’ve mentioned that as a result of I’ve believed it’s the most probably final result–and nonetheless do.
Nonetheless, the top of this story nonetheless isn’t written. The saving grace of all of that is that Imagineering has inventive management of the Muppets, and there are hardcore Muppets followers at WDI. That’s how PizzeRizzo ended up punching above its weight in 2016 and it’s in all probability how the RnRC reimagining–a reasonably sudden overlay and olive department–acquired greenlit within the first place. I might be completely shocked if Imagineering didn’t pitch Sundown Showcase as a brand new Muppets Courtyard together with MuppetVision 3D, and misplaced that bureaucratic battle–with the Villains present profitable out.
Shedding the battle doesn’t imply they will’t win the struggle. Fights like this are consistently being fought inside Disney, and each little bit of ammunition helps. So slightly than feeling dejected that your letter or suggestions or no matter “failed,” take coronary heart–perhaps it didn’t. Perhaps it will. Perhaps Disney has already taken discover of the fan response to MuppetVision 3D, and there’s extra to come back.
The most effective we are able to do within the subsequent ~5 to 7 years is giving all issues the Muppets as a lot love as potential. And perhaps if Rock ‘n’ Curler Coaster Starring the Muppets has greater visitor satisfaction scores than its predecessor and the Monsters, Inc. present yields decrease numbers than its predecessor, we’ll get a brand new Muppets Courtyard. It’s unlikely and far-fetched, however isn’t that dogged dedication and dare to dream perspective precisely what the Muppets are all about?!
Planning a Walt Disney World journey? Find out about inns on our Walt Disney World Resorts Opinions web page. For the place to eat, learn our Walt Disney World Restaurant Opinions. To save cash on tickets or decide which sort to purchase, learn our Suggestions for Saving Cash on Walt Disney World Tickets publish. Our What to Pack for Disney Journeys publish takes a novel take a look at intelligent objects to take. For what to do and when to do it, our Walt Disney World Experience Guides will assist. For complete recommendation, the most effective place to start out is our Walt Disney World Journey Planning Information for all the things you might want to know!
YOUR THOUGHTS
Ideas on the closure of MuppetVision 3D and all the things else in Muppet Courtyard? Count on the primary part of Monstropolis to debut by late 2026 or 2027, or suppose it’s all being slow-rolled into 2028? Do you agree or disagree with our assessments? Any questions we may also help you reply? Listening to your suggestions–even if you disagree with us–is each fascinating to us and useful to different readers, so please share your ideas beneath within the feedback!