Muppet Fans Are Terrified Disney World Is Gonna Destroy This Part of Jim Henson’s Legacy

At Disney’s D23 fan event last weekend, the House of Mouse announced — along with its usual flurry of sequels and remakes — a handful of updates coming to various Disney Parks, one of which has scared the hell out of Muppet fans. 

A new Monsters, Inc. ride at Disney’s Hollywood Studios in Orlando will take visitors on a tour of the franchise’s laugh factory via a suspended roller coaster. All of which is well and good, except for the fact that said Muppet fans fear it may replace Muppet Vision 3D, widely regarded as the final project Jim Henson ever worked on.

Muppet Vision 3D is a 15-minute 3D show that opened on May 16, 1991, a year to the day after Henson’s death. While Henson suddenly died of pneumonia during the construction of the attraction, he did direct the show, as well as perform as Kermit and a few other Muppets in it. Thus, for the past 33 years, Muppet Vision 3D has stood as a testament to Henson’s legacy (as well as being a fun, entertaining show).

But the attraction’s historical importance isn’t the only reason Muppet fans are spooked — Disney has a long history of mishandling the Muppets. First off, Muppet Vision 3D wasn’t meant to be just another show in the park, it was meant to coincide with a deal Henson was making with Disney to acquire the Muppets. After Henson died, though, Disney backed out, fearing the Muppets couldn't survive without him (pretty ironic stuff since Walt Disney himself died in 1966). Disney finally bought the Muppets in 2004, but its dedication to the brand has been inconsistent at best. The last Muppets film was a decade ago, and Disney has launched two different Muppets TV shows only to cancel them after just a single season. 

The Muppets have also struggled to gain respect within the Disney parks. Disney opened a second location for Muppet Vision 3D at California Adventure Park in 2001, but removed it in 2014. At Disney Hollywood Studios, although Muppet Vision 3D still stands, Muppet merchandise is scarce, and the gift shop alongside the attraction has been closed since 2020. Fortunately, Rizzo the Rat’s nearby restaurant PizzeRizzo still stands, but you have to wonder how long a rat-themed pizzeria will last (I mean, come on, why not give the Swedish Chef a restaurant?).

Given this fraught history, Muppet fans can’t help but feel threatened by the announcement of the new Monsters, Inc. ride.

In fairness, all of these fears could be unfounded as Disney hasn’t specified exactly where the new Monsters, Inc. ride will go, and there are a handful of other possible options, including the Animation Courtyard. 

Still, until Disney confirms that Henson’s final project is safe and sound, expect Muppet fans to be as nervous as Beaker during any of Bunsen Honeydew’s experiments.