Disney World Royalty: Muppet*Vision 3D
The joy I felt as Josh D’Amaro announced everything new coming to Disney parks seems like a lifetime ago. Yes, I’m excited about the parade and Cars and Mando. But I’m nervous about the future of Muppet*Vision 3D. The show (and all of Grand Avenue) could be shuttered to make way for a Monsters, Inc.-themed land. I’m all for Monstropolis in Hollywood Studios. Just not in Grand Avenue. The Muppets Courtyard, with its rat-infested pizza parlor and brilliant show, needs to be preserved at all costs.
And yes, I’m a hypocrite. I don’t feel this way about Tom Sawyer Island and the Liberty Belle. So why am I adamant that the Muppets stay?
“Because. They. Are. Awesome.”
Me
The Muppet Show was appointment viewing in my house in the 70s and 80s. Its alternating dry and silly humor had an appeal to both kids and adults. It still does. Unlike many television shows from that area, it’s infinitely rewatchable. Here are a few of my favorite moments.
The theme song with that bari sax:
Floyd Pepper saying “Hey, baby” to Florence Henderson, aka Carol Brady:
Animal and Harry Belafonte’s epic drum battle:
It’s obvious Jim Henson was a comedic genius. Unfortunately, Muppet*Vision 3D was his last production. He died in 1990, one year before the show debuted in Disney-MGM Studios. Aside from some dated animations, it still feels fresh 33 years later. Not many theme park attractions can say that. But the movie is only part of the draw. The queue and preshow are brilliant, as well.
The Muppet*Vision 3D queue
The show building houses Muppet Labs and their latest creation, Muppet*Vision. You’ll find some Muppet gags outside the building, notably Sweetums playing paddleball and Statler and Waldorf grousing about the show. But the magic begins when you enter the lobby. This area needs to be explored, from the security window’s welcome mat to the various Muppet Labs doors.
After walking down the hall, you’ll enter a storage facility filled to the rafters with crates, clothing, and props. While most people watch the preshow (on ancient monitors from the 90s), I walk around and check out the props. Some of the more memorable items are a net full of Jell-O (say it out loud), a board painted with “2D Fruities” (again, say it out loud), and one of Gonzo’s crates filled with mold, fungus, and helmets. What?!
The pre-show is great, too. Definitely watch it…
Sam the Eagle: Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, it is my honor to present to you… Mr. Mickey Mouse!
Rizzo the Rat: [singing the Mickey Mouse Club song] Hi there, welcome to my park, how’ya doin’?
Sam the Eagle: Wait a minute! You are not Mickey Mouse! You are a rat!
Rizzo the Rat: Rat, schmat! Besides, they’re tourists. What do they know?
Also from Sam…
Sam the Eagle: Upon entering the theater, please move as far to the end of the row as possible. Stopping in the middle is distinctly unpatriotic.
After you’ve seen it 30+ times, it’s okay to explore. On my last trip, Cast Members saw me taking pics and brought me over to an area near the entrance. One shined a flashlight into a vent that is home to a Muppet character. I couldn’t make out who it was. They weren’t sure, either. Do you know?
Muppet*Vision 3D
As I said, Muppet*Vision is greatness. I rarely take photos in the theater, so I’ll just share my favorite lines from the movie.
Kermit the Frog: We will also see a rousing finale from Sam the Eagle. What’s it called, Sam?
Sam the Eagle: It’s called A Salute to All Nations, But Mostly America.
Statler: Oh, no, it’s that bear again.
Waldorf: Hey, bear, you’re not even funny in 3D!
Fozzie Bear: Oh, no, not you guys. How’d you get here?
Statler: We entered a contest.
Waldorf: Yeah. We lost!
Beaker: Meep meep! Meep meep meep!
Kermit the Frog: Sam, are you ready with that finale?
Sam the Eagle: It’s a glorious three-hour finale!
Kermit the Frog: You got a minute and a half!
Statler: Well, what do you think?
Waldorf: Do we have time to go to the bathroom before the next show?
Statler: We can’t. We’re bolted to the seats!
So good, right? Let’s hope Disney Imagineers make the correct decision and leave Grand Avenue alone.
A Muppets photo gallery
I realized too late that I just missed framing a perfect hidden Mickey.
