Disney is starting to replace the crusty, old Muppet*Vision 3D seats in Disney’s Hollywood Studios, which we reported on earlier this year. They have also replaced the once faded and dirty banners outside the attraction.
Muppet*Vision 3D Seats
Guests visiting the theater may notice fresh, new, bright red pleather upholstery. Compare to the following photo of the seats from earlier this year.
The armrests between the seats also appear to have been replaced or polished up.
Muppet*Vision 3D Banners
The banners frame the entrance to the Muppet*Vision 3D theater. The left banner has a Kermit-inspired “M” on it, while the right banner has “3D” on it.
Dr. Bunsen, Beaker, Kermit, and Gonzo are on the right banner.
The colors pop more than they once did.
Animal, Fozzie Bear, and Miss Piggy are on the righthand banner.
These aren’t the only recent updates to Muppet*Vision 3D. An effect in the attraction was updated with projection mapping in October. Watch our video of the updated effect below.
Muppet*Vision 3D
Muppet*Vision 3D opened in 1991 as one of the first representations of the Muppets in Disney Parks, and the only permanent Muppets attraction since then. As production began on Muppet*Vision 3D, there was a tentative agreement for Disney to purchase the Jim Henson Company. However, Henson’s death in 1990 ended that agreement and delayed the attraction.
Directed by Henson, it was one of his and puppeteer Richard Hunt’s final Muppets projects. It was the last time Henson performed as Kermit the Frog, as well as Waldorf and The Swedish Chef, and the last time Hunt performed as Scooter, Statler, Beaker, and Sweetums. Hunt passed away in 1992 after the attraction premiered.
Other performers who participated in Muppet*Vision 3D included Frank Oz, Dave Goelz, Steve Whitmire, Jerry Nelson, John Henson, David Rudman, Kathryn Mullen, and Wayne Allwine (as Waldo’s Mickey impression). A live actor also portrays Sweetums, who walks through the theater during a section of the show. Audio-animatronics of Statler and Waldorf are in a box seat above the audience.
Disney never did acquire the Jim Henson Company in full, but purchased theme park rights to the Muppets, and eventually purchased the property entirely in 2004.
Muppet*Vision 3D has run for 32 years, even as other Muppet attractions have been closed and canceled, and as Disney’s Hollywood Studios changed around it. Until 2016, it was part of Streets of America. The area then became known as Muppets Courtyard, before becoming Grand Avenue in 2017. The Muppets section of Grand Avenue is still often unofficially referred to as Muppets Courtyard. It’s also home to PizzeRizzo and the Miss Piggy fountain, which is currently being refurbished.
Currently, guests can also enjoy Bunsen and Beaker at the Muppets-themed Brew-Wing Lab as part of the 2023 EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival. Beginning in November, during Disney Jollywood Nights at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, Miss Piggy and Kermit will host a musical holiday special.
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