The Jim Henson Firm has launched its personal assertion about the way forward for MuppetVision 3D in response to Walt Disney World’s announcement of its closure and substitute at Hollywood Studios. This shares a brand new improvement post-closing, plus the complete official assertion together with background in regards to the rocky relationship with Disney in addition to different commentary. (Up to date June 14, 2025.)
MuppetVision 3D acquired a wonderful 13-hour finale on June 8, with Walt Disney World sending off the attraction totally on a excessive notice. It was a becoming send-off to the long-lasting attraction, and none apart from Heather Henson was the final visitor to enter the final public demonstration of MuppetVision 3D.
Solid Members have been the ultimate friends to say goodbye to Muppets Courtyard, with the farewell celebration being held on June 10. Building partitions are actually up alongside the sting of Grand Avenue in addition to backstage in anticipation of starting work on the Monsters, Inc. Doorways Coaster within the parking zone, demolition of Stage 1 Firm Retailer within the former Muppets Courtyard, and reimagining the theater and eating places into new venues for Monstropolis.
The most recent improvement got here on June 14, 2025. Throughout a Walt Disney Household Museum occasion celebrating the Jim Henson Firm’s seventieth Anniversary, the subject of MuppetVision 3D got here up. Present CEO Lisa Henson said the Henson Firm is “in discussions” with Disney about bringing the beloved movie to VR in accordance with LaughingPlace, which was in attendance on the WDFM panel.
Henson added that MuppetVision was documented utilizing VR cameras earlier than the attraction closed completely, suggesting that preservation efforts are effectively underway and {that a} public launch may very well be on the horizon. This additional fuels optimism that the fan-favorite attraction might dwell on in digital actuality through units like Apple Imaginative and prescient Professional.
That is hardly shocking, but it surely’s however reassuring to listen to from Lisa Henson herself. Again in mid-Could, a filming occasion was held by Imagineering to archive MuppetVision 3D. Critically, the occasion invited choose Solid Members to register for the occasion, the place they served because the in-theater viewers throughout the recording of the combined media present.
On the time, Walt Disney World would solely affirm that Imagineering was digitally recording the complete present of MuppetVision 3D. No preservation plans have been confirmed at the moment–solely that the recorded footage would make sure the attraction is documented for any potential future makes use of. It might now appear the Jim Henson Firm has confirmed a kind of future makes use of–a digital actuality adaptation! (We mentioned that replace on the time in The place Will MuppetVision 3D Be Relocated?)
What follows is the unique official assertion on the closure of MuppetVision 3D from the Jim Henson Firm that was made in late 2024:
Jim Henson’s ultimate mission was Muppet*Imaginative and prescient 3D, now considered a real theme park basic. Innovation was at all times Jim Henson’s north star, and his trailblazing profession led him to a singular problem: a very immersive Muppet expertise the place audiences are a part of the comfortable chaos of the long-lasting Muppet Present.
Initially debuting in 1991, Muppet*Imaginative and prescient 3D mixed 3D know-how with real-world sensible results, alongside animatronic and dwell Muppet characters. The outcome was a one-of-a-kind Jim Henson expertise, and an unforgettable capstone to Jim’s magnificent profession. As we study of the present’s upcoming closure in its present kind at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, we sit up for Muppet*Imaginative and prescient 3D’s subsequent act.
And now, our unique commentary in regards to the Henson Firm’s involvement and the “subsequent act” of MuppetVision 3D…
A few of you could be confused as to why the Jim Henson Firm is placing out a press release about MuppetVision 3D. In any case, doesn’t Disney personal the Muppets? So isn’t this no totally different than a subsidiary of the Walt Disney Firm releasing a press release, like if LucasFilm have been to touch upon the standard of the newest Disney+ present? Not likely.
That is extra just like the Walt Disney Household Museum–or actually, Walt’s grandkids and different family members–commenting on one thing being executed by the present firm. Should you take a look at the Jim Henson Firm Board of Administrators, you’ll discover a typical final title. Spoiler alert, it’s Henson. The corporate is (as soon as once more) managed by Jim Henson’s household, together with his grownup youngsters: Brian, Lisa, Cheryl, and Heather Henson.
The Jim Henson Firm will not be owned by Disney in entire or partly. However it nearly was! Again within the late Eighties, Jim Henson began to barter a deal wherein the Muppets can be bought to Disney. (That is in all probability a narrative many diehard Walt Disney World and Muppets followers have heard earlier than, however in case not…)
Michael Eisner was seeking to broaden Disney’s attain by buying different franchises, in a pre-cursor to the various strikes made by his successor, Bob Iger. Disney and the Muppets have been an ideal match. Each have been extremely profitable corporations with characters beloved by generations.
Walt Disney had Mickey Mouse and Jim Henson had Kermit. They have been two inventive titans, and for my part, about the one acquisitions that will’ve ‘match’ in addition to the Muppets would’ve been Pixar and Studio Ghibli, the latter headed by Hayao Miyazaki, generally known as the “Walt Disney of Japan.”
By all accounts, Jim Henson agreed with this evaluation that the Muppets and Disney have been an ideal match for each other. Henson had grown bored with the enterprise facet of the Muppets and wished to get again to creating. His studio was in debt, the Muppets weren’t as scorching as they have been a decade earlier, and the Walt Disney Firm had confirmed itself succesful brand-managers. Henson felt Disney may revitalize the Muppets in a very win-win deal. And Eisner actually wished to make the deal occur.
Negotiations bought actually far alongside, with the 2 studios partnering to supply a 60-minute particular referred to as The Muppets at Walt Disney World, one in all our all-time favourite Disney TV specials.
Earlier than the acquisition was finalized, Imagineering and Henson set to work on creating points of interest for the Disney-MGM Studios, each side figuring it was a executed deal. This resulted in stage reveals and leisure choices: Right here Come the Muppets and Muppets on Location: Days of Swine and Rose. It additionally delivered to life MuppetVision 3D, and was supposed to incorporate a complete land themed to the Muppets.
Tragically, MuppetVision 3D was final mission that Jim Henson personally labored on, as he handed away on Could 16, 1990. The present was completed after his passing by Henson’s longtime collaborators, however bears his fingerprints and trademark humor and coronary heart throughout it. Disney’s plans to create a complete Muppet land have been placed on the again burner, and the deal to amass the studio fell aside.
There are a selection of causes for the deal not coming to fruition, all revolving round Henson’s passing. The sordid saga has change into the stuff of legends in fan circles, and it’s believed that Disney’s acquisition of the Jim Henson Firm was solely days away from taking place.
Years later, the Jim Henson Firm did promote the rights to sure characters and properties away to different corporations, together with the Muppets to Disney and Sesame Avenue to Sesame Workshop. That’s why these characters are in two totally different theme parks.
The Jim Henson Firm additionally maintains the rights to sure titles within the again catalogue, which is why Emmet Otter’s Jug-Band Christmas isn’t a part of Disney, and why there have been reboots of the Darkish Crystal and Fraggle Rock (some excellent!) on different streaming providers in the previous few years.
All of that ought to clarify the excellence between the Disney and Henson corporations in a nutshell (roughly). As you’ve in all probability gathered, there’s much more to the story in regards to the early Nineties fallout, rocky relationship between the businesses for a interval earlier than making amends (in typical Eisner style), and in addition to the morass of rights to Henson characters. However that’s the fundamental gist of it.
As for why this assertion from the Jim Henson Firm issues, for a similar cause that it issues when Walt Disney’s grandkids and household come out in favor of or towards one thing the present firm is doing. Jim Henson might not have the identical stature as Walt Disney, however for a big swath of Individuals of a sure age, they’re regarded equally. Each ‘American Originals’ who broke the mould, with few extra impactful inventive individuals in our nation’s historical past.
MuppetVision 3D is actually the final legacy of Jim Henson, and when individuals (like me) say it’s culturally important and must be handled as such, we aren’t kidding. MuppetVision 3D is a primary instance of theme parks as artwork and nationwide heritage. This assertion by the Jim Henson Firm shines a lightweight on that, and will deliver it to the eye and concern of individuals–past simply theme park followers–who might have been beforehand unaware of Jim Henson’s private involvement.
All of it will assist add to the strain marketing campaign for the Walt Disney Firm to do the proper factor with regard to MuppetVision 3D. I’m not suggesting meaning Walt Disney World strolling again the choice and relocating Monstropolis–that isn’t taking place. There’s a cause they took so lengthy to make this announcement, and it’s as a result of there had been inner deliberations and debate about all of this. What was introduced, not less than by way of the place the Monsters, Inc. Doorways Coaster and miniland will go, is a executed deal.
What isn’t essentially settled is the destiny of MuppetVision 3D. Provided that, we’d encourage you so as to add to the strain marketing campaign by contacting Walt Disney World to respectfully specific your opinion, you probably have a powerful one on this matter (and I assume you do in the event you’ve learn this far) as quickly as potential.
The easiest way to try this is by emailing [email protected]. Belief me–it’s not too late to make your voice heard on this topic. (We’re at the moment touring, however have extra Muppets posts deliberate within the subsequent couple of weeks to assist unfold the phrase and battle the great battle–apologies for the shortage of responses to your many considerate feedback on the sooner Muppets posts.)
In the end, there are a selection of potentialities and outcomes relating to the way forward for MuppetVision 3D. It may dwell on as one thing lame like a multi-angle tribute put up on Disney+ or YouTube. On the different finish of the spectrum, it may very well be one thing bold like relocating the stage present utterly–both inside Walt Disney World or to someplace else completely. Or one thing in between the 2 extremes. The Jim Henson Firm’s assertion was intelligent within the sense that it pushes the notion that MuppetVision 3D may have a “subsequent act,” and subtly makes an attempt to drive Disney’s hand to make that hand. Right here’s hoping it really works and the gang is ready to save the theater (or reasonably, the present inside it) as soon as once more!
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YOUR THOUGHTS
What are your ideas on the Jim Henson Firm’s assertion? Assume there’s any probability of MuppetVision 3D being “saved” in any significant sense of the phrase? Do you imagine it’ll find yourself being relocated inside Walt Disney World, outdoors the parks, or simply on Disney Plus? What do you consider Monstropolis changing MuppetVision? Is that this addition nonetheless “price it” to you now that it’s changing Grand Avenue and MuppetVision 3D? Do you agree or disagree with our assessments? Any questions we can assist 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!
