@DisneyPrincess1993 is dropping out of the competition due to personal issues. Thusly, Challenge 1 will be single elimination.
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The Sorcerer's Apprentice - Season 3
- Thread starter jdmdisney99
- Start date
And so everyone knows, @IDInstitute will now be acting as Team Donald's Project Manager.
TheOriginalTiki
Well-Known Member
Really hope everything's okay, @DisneyPrincess1993....
16 years ago today, Discovery (née Treasure) Island closed.
JokersWild
Well-Known Member
TEAM MICKEY PRESENTS...
THE GREAT MUPPET RIDE
PREMISE
The Muppets have built a Great Muppet Ride, but they’ve lost it in the process! While you frantically help Kermit search for the ride, the other Muppets have run amok trying to create their own attractions to make up for its absence. Will you find the missing ride? Will the Muppets be kept under control? Find out in this madcap adventure coming soon to Disney’s Hollywood Studios!
SESAME STREET
Note: As JDM clarified in our PM that we can purchase IPs, we have decided to purchase limited theme park rights to the Sesame Street property from Sesame Workshop.
Though we focused mainly on creating an attraction, we decided to expand the Henson-themed area with the addition of Sesame Street to replace San Francisco Street. It seems that DHS is moving in the direction of creating large lands based on studios or IPs, and our new Sesame Street will give Henson’s creations the scope and detail necessary to fit in with the new lands moving in on either side.
Just like in the Streets of America, the buildings on Sesame Street will mainly be empty facades, but they will be filled with a high level of detail and interactive elements to create a well-themed environment.
The biggest addition will be a meet-and-greet like no other, featuring characters from the Muppet cast and Sesame Street. Highly trained performers will be present to puppeteer the characters, of course while hidden behind the scenes. As well as smaller puppets, walkaround characters like Big Bird and Sweetums will be featured.
AREA MAP AND RIDE LAYOUT
RIDE SYSTEM
Since much of this attraction consists of “parody” Disney ride scenes, we needed a ride system that would be fluid in order to fit the style of each of the original Disney attractions. For that reason, we chose to make this a trackless dark ride. The ride vehicles can arrange themselves in infinite ways. For example, they could be configured in Omnimover fashion, in a roller coaster car pattern, or even in a theater seating formation.
The ride vehicles will consist of two rows that can each seat up to 4 people. They will have a red and gold color scheme, with decorative patterns and fleur de lis on both flanks. The ride will board in groups of 5 vehicles at a time, which will also travel together throughout the experience. Animatronic versions of Statler and Waldorf will occupy the front row of one of the vehicles from each group, riding with the guests and occasionally commenting on the action. Thus, the maximum total capacity of each group of vehicles will be 36 people.
Two of the scenes in the attraction will be "elevators" that bring a group of ride vehicles up and down from a second level. This is mainly to conserve space, but also provides a neat effect when combined with the ride elements.
FACADE
The ride’s main facade will be the Muppet Theater. Guests will enter in the main lobby doors, and exit through the “stage door” on the side.
QUEUE
As we walk down Sesame Street, we come to the focal point at the end: The Muppet Theater. As we walk in, it is clear that this is no ordinary theater. A ticket booth sits in the entrance. We see a sleeping rat in the chair with tickets in his hand. As we continue to move through the queue, we see a number of movie posters on the wall. The floor is a floral pattern, as can be found in old theaters, and the walls are red and gold. A ledge about 20 feet above the floor runs the length of the walls.
Spaced out evenly around the lobby are golden statues. Each has a mirror image of itself so that they appear to be touching one another. We see Kermit standing magnificently and flexing. Another is Gonzo staring at the sky with his nose up, touching the nose of the mirror. Miss Piggy lays on a chaise lounge with her hair blowing in the wind. Around the top of the room are lights shining towards the ceiling inside gold shells. An elaborate chandelier hangs at the center of the room, made of ornate crystal with gold accents. High above is a small balcony. Every so often we see Kermit appear on the balcony. He speaks to the crowds below.
Kermit: Oh gosh, that’s a lot of people. (Clears throat) Hello everybody. Thank you all for coming to the world premiere of The Great Muppet Ride! We’ve been so excited to bring you a one of a kind attraction and we hope you all enjoy it very much. You know, we’ve done so many performances in this theater, and it feels really good to put it to use again. We feel right at home and we hope you do too.
Scooter (interrupting): Kermit, we need you backstage.
Kermit: Now?
Scooter: Yeah.
Kermit: Oh, well, all right. Sorry folks, it looks like I’m needed backstage. Well I hope you all enjoy the ride. On behalf of all the Muppets, we thank you for coming to the Great Muppet Ride!
We pass doors at the front of the room and move down the hallway toward the backstage area. The halls are lined with posters from Disney and Muppet Films, records, and signatures of the guests and performers that have played this beautiful theater throughout the years. As we reach the end of the short hall, we come to the backstage area-- a small room with cream-painted brick walls and green accents on the doors. Up a small set of stairs, we pass two dressing rooms from which we can hear indiscernible voices, chickens, Cows, Bike Horns, a trombone practicing, and other random noises occasionally. At the end is one last door that says “loading bays.” This is where trucks usually pull up to unload equipment for shows, but it has been transformed into the loading platform for The Great Muppet Ride. The loading platform has the ride vehicles lined up in single file, and Statler and Waldorf occupy the front row of the last ride vehicle.
SCENE 1: INTRO
As we enter our ride vehicle, we hear a short Sousa-esque fanfare as Sam the Eagle can be heard through the vehicles’ speakers.
Sam: Ahem. Welcome, gentlemen and ladies to the Great Muppet Ride. Before you ride, I must notify you of all safety concerns. Please keep all arms, and legs inside the ride vehicles, with all of your personal belongings in the net...thing below your seat. Ehem. Yes. Not complying is not only uncivilized, but is also extremely unpatriotic.
Suddenly, Waldorf chimes in.
Waldorf: You’d think this ride is dangerous.
Statler: No. He’s right. We’d all be running to the end, otherwise.”
The pair laugh their iconic laugh.
Sam: Yes. Hmm. Finally, no flash photography or video while riding.
Statler and Waldorf again pipe in.
Statler: Why not?
Waldorf: That's a good thing. It’ll keep us from seeing the ride.
Both: Ohohohoho!
With a quick thanks, Sam’s fanfare fades as we pull out of the loading platform.
Rounding a corner, with each car following single file, we begin making our way down a beautifully decorated hall. The walls are adorned with deep red curtains and large marble arches. In between each arch stand marble statues, each depicting a different Muppet. As we make our way down the hall, a fanfare very reminiscent of the Muppet Show theme begins. Suddenly, we hear another voice.
Kermit: Hi ho. Kermit the Frog here, and welcome to the Great Muppet Ride! We’ve spent countless hours into making the best ride we could, and are now ready to show it off to you.
Making a slight turn, we notice that the statues and arches have disappeared, and we are now in a hall only adorned with red curtains. Towards the end of the hall, we can make out a large canvas sign bearing the Great Muppet Ride logo blocking the ride path. Continuing down closer to this sign, the fanfare builds and builds, eventually becoming a full blown-out rendition of the end of the Muppet Show theme with lyrics about the Great Muppet Ride. The wall curtains raise to reveal a whole chorus of Muppets on each side, very enthusiastically singing their song. Finally the line of vehicles stop right in front of the large canvas sign as the song climaxes with “Here we go, it’s the Great Muppet Ride.” As the last note holds, the canvas sign very quickly and unceremoniously rolls up, revealing a completely empty and drab-looking warehouse. The last note of the song collapses.
Waldorf: "Well that was a surprise."
Statler: "You're telling me. This is much better than I expected."
SCENE 2: THE GONE MUPPET RIDE
We emerge into a warehouse-like soundstage. Bare and dilapidated, one thing is certain—despite what we were lead to believe, this is NOT the Great Muppet Ride. Our ride vehicles move toward the other side of the room and stop in a circle formation around a table, where animatronic versions of Kermit, Scooter, Rizzo, and Walter are gathered in deep discussion.
Kermit: You’re telling me we LOST the whole RIDE?
Scooter: Er, sorry Boss, but it looks like it. See, I can’t figure out how it happened. We had it here ready to install yesterday, but—
Walter: We have to try to find it! Look, (motions toward ride vehicles), the guests are already here!
Rizzo: Oh, come on. Kermit, this is great! Listen, how are we supposed to make money on rides anyway? Now we can use the land for merchandise sales! Oh, and while we’re at it, let’s take out some benches. People can’t buy anything when they’re sitting down!
Kermit: No, Walter’s right. We have to try to find the ride. (To guests) Hey, why don’t you help us look? It won’t take too long.
Scooter: I have a bad feeling about this…
Our ride vehicles regroup and exit the soundstage.
SCENE 3: TIKI ROOM
We find ourself in a beautiful tropical-themed room, with birds of all sorts hanging from the rafters. The birds from the "Birds In the Trees" sketch, the chickens, the penguins, and even a reluctant Sam Eagle all make an appearance. A miniature Big Bird also makes a cameo. One notable group are birds from one of Jim Henson's early sketches for the Muppet Show:
The birds break into a chorus of the Tiki Room song. Several of them sing off-key, and Sam the Eagle rolls his eyes in displeasure.
Sam: Bah! This is undignified!
Nevertheless, the singing goes on, and our ride vehicle moves through the maze of birds as their perches are drawn up into the rafters to allow us to move through.
We hear the voice of Kermit, who seems aghast at the spectacle.
Kermit: What's going on here?
Bird: We heard you couldn't find your ride. So we decided to make our own! Oh, and guess what, the others are doing the same thing!
Kermit: Oh boy... (to audience) We'd better find that ride quickly.
SCENE 4: MUPPET LABS
As we enter the next room, we see Dr. Bunsen Honeydew appear on a screen.
Honeydew: Welcome to Muppet Labs. I am Dr. Bunsen Honeydew, and this is my faithful assistant, Beaker.
As we make our way further into the room, we notice that the room is really just one giant screen. There are no props, no theme; only a giant floor to ceiling screen that gently curves at the room’s corner. Suddenly, Kermit pipes in.
Kermit: Dr. Honeydew, what exactly is this?
Honeydew: Ah, Mr. Kermit, I’m glad you asked. This is the future of themed attractions. Welcome, ladies and gentlemen, to the Muppet Labs Virtual Ride. With this system, there are endless possibilities.
Kermit: But Dr. Honeydew, where’s the excitement? Where’s the adventure?
Statler: Where's the exit?
Honeydew: But, Mr. Kermit, you don’t understand. With the right technology, we can create an exciting attraction for millions of people to enjoy. Just take a look at Beaker. Can’t you see him tittering with delight?
We hear Beaker scream as the screen pans to show Beaker, in a vehicle similar to our own, shooting back and forth, and spinning all around an empty warehouse. Dr. Honeydew continues.
Honeydew: See, it’s perfectly safe. Allow me to further demonstrate.
Suddenly, the vehicles come to life as they begin madly spinning and zigzagging through the empty room.
Statler: They’re trying to shake us.
Waldorf: Good. Anything to get us out of here quicker.
Suddenly, Beaker’s car crashes into a large machine with a bang and a flash. The screen quickly swipes back to Dr. Honeydew.
Honeydew: Oh no, Beaker. You’ve gotten into the Clone-O-Matic again.
Kermit: C-clone-O-Matic?
Honeydew: Yes. It was a failed experiment. It makes hundreds of smaller copies of whatever is put into it.
We hear thousands of meeps off in the distance, apparently all running off together.
Honeydew: Wait. Beakers! Where are you going? I need to corral the Beakers. Thank you.
Kermit: ...well thanks, Doctor Honeydew. Now, how do we get out of here?
Suddenly, our cars once again come to life and form a single file line. Turning to the left, we quickly make our way towards the screen. Without any hesitation, we “crash” through the large screen leading into the next scene.
Kermit: Well that’s one way to get out. And we’ve found the Beakers.”
SCENE 5: IT'S A MEEP WORLD
Passing through the now broken screen, we find ourselves in a very bright room. The room is decorated with abstract pastel shapes and mobiles. As we wind our way through the room, we notice that something’s a bit...off. It seems as though all the Beakers have gotten together to perform a rounding, piercing rendition of “It’s A Small World.”
Statler: -hums It’s A Small World-
Waldorf: Wh-what are you doing?
Statler: This song. It...gets to me.
Waldorf: Oh no. It’s getting to us!
Statler: Ah!
Waldorf: (screaming) Let us out of here! It’s starting to get to us.
We continue through the room, passing the multitude of Beakers as they wreak havoc through the ride. One Beaker has gotten himself stuck in a large, Mary Blair-esque hippopotamus. Another has fallen backwards through the set, revealing part of the backstage area behind the ride. A few Beakers fly about in brightly colored airplanes. Of course, one has fallen out, hanging on for dear life. One Beaker has soared even higher than the aviator Beakers; right into the set lighting hanging from the tall ceilings. Despite their accident-prone nature, the Beakers still meep along to the song in perfect harmony.
Finally after passing all of the Beakers, we see Dr. Honeydew off slightly backstage. He’s holding a very large net, probably to capture the Beakers. Behind him stands a very large machine. It’s the Clone-o-Matic, with the word “Un” taped to the side, right before the word “Clone.”
SCENE 6: GONZO (ELEVATOR/RAMP)
Leaving the beautiful sounds of Beaker behind, we begin to enter a more circus-looking area, passing by a gigantic, vintage looking poster advertising “The Great Gonzo” and his Human Cannonball act.
Statler: The Great Gonzo.
Waldorf: Heh. The only thing great about him is his health insurance.
Both: Ohohoho!
Turning a corner, we see a gigantic red and yellow cannon pointed off in the distance (it’s a matte.) As we make our way closer to the cannon, a short trumpet fanfare flares up as we hear the voice of Gonzo.
Gonzo: Welcome, ladies and gentlemen. Tonight, you will witness my most incredible act yet. The first interactive stunt to be performed EVER. Perfect for a theme park ride! Now, please, if you will step into the cannon.”
Statler: Wha-- You want us to go into the cannon?
Gonzo: Please, I'm running on a schedule.
With that, we are ushered into the back of the cannon. It’s dark inside. We can see a small bit of light above, obviously looking out of the cannon.
Gonzo: Now. Get ready in 5...4…
Camilla: Bwak.
Gonzo: Not now, darling.
Amid the clucks, we feel a short bounce. Gonzo yells.
Gonzo: No! Don’t adjust the cannon. It’s already been lit.”
The elevator begins sending us up as we are shot from the cannon and sent through the clouds. We stop with a thud. The doors open to a bright light.
Statler: Are we dead?
Waldorf: Oh I hope so.
SCENE 7: SWEDISH CHEF
In an open area that appears to be somewhere on Main Street USA, we come to a snack cart. The vehicles form a line side by side in front of a large countertop covered with food. On the right is a popcorn kettle. On the left is a large pot with steam coming from the top. The smell of baked bread fills the air as we see Pops the doorman run from behind the cart with a huge basket of baguettes. All of a sudden a Muppet with a red mustache and a chef's hat much too big for his head pops up behind the counter.
Swedish Chef: Halooo. Her da shmerda floopy dor?
Waldorf: What did he say?
Statler: No clue, was that English?
Chef: Bork a florda da bork, ba doo. Floopy Dor?
Waldorf: I think he’s asking if we’d like anything to eat?
Statler: I think everyone here would love a cheeseburger.
At this request the chef stops moving about and slowly looks at Statler. A small tomato on the table begins to speak.
Tomato: Oh, now you did it. Take cover everyone.
All of a sudden, the chef goes crazy. He begins to grab popcorn, candy apples, and turkey legs and throws them everywhere. He’s yelling and banging on the table. During this time a small lobster begins to move across the table as if to try and get away. The Chef seems him, grabs him and throws him back into the pot on his left that splashes. Small squirts of water fly at us along with more items in the chef’s rampage.
Tomato: You guys had better get out of here.
Waldorf: You don’t have to tell me twice.
Statler: Lets blow this chicken coop.
The Vehicles begin to move again into a single line. The table moves to the right and out of our way while the chef pushes his cart away, still ranting in understandable Swedish and throwing food everywhere.
SCENE 8: MUPPETS OF THE CARIBBEAN
The vehicle rotates 45 degrees to the right but keeps moving slowly in the same direction. We see a grand pirate ship, two-masted, with sails tattered and ripped. The ramparts are scuffed and charred from battles past. We see cannons sticking out and firing across our path. As we move past, bursts of air blow as red light flashes from the cannons of the ship. At the helm is Dr. Teeth. Instead of his normal hat he is sporting a wide brimmed black hat with holes in the brim and a long green feather sticking straight back. He’s dressed in a black floor length coat with a white shirt, a cutlass in one hand and the helm in the other. He laughs and waves his sword. In the center of the main deck, we see 4 cannons fanning outward. As we move even with them, a scraggly pink and orange figure pops up behind them wearing an eye patch and sporting a bandanna and gold hoop earrings. He begins to bang on the cannons vigorously with drum sticks as he begins to shout.
Animal: YO HO!! YO HO!!…PIRATE…PIRATE!!!!!
A loud BOOM and a huge puff of smoke and red light flashes from each of the barrels. The smoke blocks our view of everything and all we hear is the music from Pirates of the Caribbean and distant cannon fire. The smoke clears as we pass the figurehead on the bow of the ship. Where there is usually a woman or animal of some kind we see Miss Piggy carved beautifully but chipped, scratched and showing signs of years at sea.
We move through to a dark room and hear spooky sounds in the dark as the vehicle turns back.
SCENE 9: MUPPET MANSION
We find ourselves entering a room very reminiscent of the classic ballroom scene from The Haunted Mansion. Looking up a bit, we notice Wayne and Wanda as they dance on a balcony in front of a large set of windows. Completely wrapped in each other, they sing “Here I’ll Stay” from the musical “Love Life.” As Wanda sings the lyric “Here I’ll stay,” there is a sudden crash of thunder and lightning. The pair are startled by it, lose their balance and crash through the window they were dancing in front of.
Leaving that disaster behind, we find ourselves in the middle of the ballroom, surrounded by pairs of dancers perpetually waltzing. In the distance, we hear an organ playing the iconic “At The Dance” theme from the Muppet Show. Here, the vehicles separate and twist and turn through the ballroom, stopping at two sets of dancers each. For simplicity’s sake, here’s a list of what these dancers will say
Pair of Ghosts
Ghost 1: I’m getting into the moving business
Ghost 2: Local?
Ghost 1: No. Ghost to ghost.
The Man and His Bat
Bat: You drive me absolutely batty.
Another Pair of Ghosts
Ghost 1: Why don’t we stop and have a drink
Ghost 2: We can’t. They don’t serve spirits here.
The Mummy and his Date
Date: Can you keep a secret?
Mummy: Of course. I’m great at keeping things under wraps.
Even More Ghosts
Ghost 1: I’ve started collecting rocks.
Ghost 2: Oh yeah? What kind?
Ghost 1: Tombstones.
Two Monsters
Monster 1: I’ve been reading a lot of Shakespeare.
Monster 2: Oh yeah? What’s your favorite?
Monster 1: Romeo and Ghouliet.
We reconvene at the other end of the ballroom, and see that the organ is being played by none other than Rowlf. As we pass, Rowlf turns his head and says:
Rowlf: Heh. How’s that for a sprited dance routine?
SCENE 10: FOZZIE BEAR JAMBOREE
We enter a theater that looks much like the Muppet Theater, but much smaller. The vehicles line up side-by-side and the lights go dark. A Dixie style piano kicks in and a small curtain to the left of the main stage opens, and there stands a rather shabby looking bear with a pink and white bow tie and brown hat, holding a guitar.
Fozzie: Howdy everyone, and welcome to the Fozzie Bear Jamboree. You know we always start the show with a joke, and I’ve got a great one for you tonight. In our house we use paper plates. At the end of the meal my wife erases the dishes…Wocka Wocka!
Waldorf: Hey you remind me of Edger Allen Poe.
Fozzie: Edger Allen Poe wasn’t funny.
Waldorf: Yeah and neither are you!
Both laugh.
Fozzie: Hm…Tough ride. Now folks, we have a real treat for you. A beauty beyond anything you could possibly imagine. She comes from a small town in upstate New York, but she’s as country as a coyote on a moon lit night. A voice with angelic qualities…
Miss Piggy’s Voice Shrieking: Hurry it up, will ya!
Fozzie: Okay, okay…The Beautiful Miss Piggy!
Our vehicles move into the next room, an almost identical theater. The tune of “Many Happy Hangovers to You” begins as Fozzie begins to strum. From the ceiling, a swing slowly lowers with Miss Piggy sitting on it. Wearing a pink dress and matching hat with flowers, she begins to sing. Come the chorus, she begins to swing faster and faster. In her excitement she falls off the swing and out of sight, screaming into the orchestra pit at the front of the stage. The music awkwardly stops.
Statler: Encore, Encore!
Waldorf: Not so loud. They may hear you and start it all over again.
Fozzie: Sorry folks it looks like we need a few more rehearsals.
Waldorf: A few? I wouldn’t quit your day jobs.
Both Laugh
SCENE 11: PENGUIN SPINNER
In the style of Dumbo the Flying Elephant, we see a spinner ride before us. But instead of ride vehicles; the penguins are strapped to the arms of the spinner. They are going crazy, controlling the arms of the ride to go up and down. We hear Kermit’s voice:
Kermit: Looks like they can finally fly!
Our ride vehicles arrange themselves into a circular formation around the spinner ride, each of them lining up with and facing one of the penguins. We begin to rotate at the same speed as the penguins, which eventually gets even faster, until we break off and keep spinning into the next scene.
Waldorf: Penguins flying? Now I've seen everything.
Statler: No you haven't.
Waldorf: I haven't?
Statler: You can't see 3 feet in front of you without your glasses!
SCENE 12: MUPPET TORNADO (ELEVATOR)
We move into a new room, which is an elevator with combined physical sets and screens. It is clear to see that the Muppets have gone a little overboard. It seems that they all are trying so hard to impress that they are falling over each other: Pigs on our left with a cotton candy stand, rats to the right running a variety of midway games (basketball shot, a dunk tank, and ring toss, among others). At the end of the row we see a rather small rat attempting to carry a giant stuffed Mickey, rather unsuccessfully as she is struggling to lift it.
The final game we see is Break a Plate. Seemingly from nowhere, a fish is launched from across the room. Looking back where it came from, we see Lew Zealand celebrating as he has successfully broken a plate. We move foreword and we see 4 singing cacti dressed as the Dapper Dans ,singing “You are my sunshine”. Muppets begin to move so fast in a giant whirlwind, that we can barely make out who they are anymore. Baskerville the hound takes pictures with Goofy, Annie Sue and Milred Huxetter run past as they jump in line for bumper cars; even Robin the Frog, Kermits little nephew, seems to be running amok. A loud bang is heard and the Flying Zucchini Brothers go flying overhead. Beauregard and George the Janitor try desperately to clean up after them. Dropping popcorn on the ground behind them is Waldo C. Graphic. He stops just in front of us and winks before moving on behind George.
Statler: You think they’ve gone a bit overboard?
Waldorf: Nah, this is just the medium part of the ride.
Statler: The medium part?
Waldorf: Well, it's certainly not well done.
Both laugh.
SCENE 13: FINALE
In the midst of all the chaos, we hear Walter’s voice yelling.
Walter: Wait, everybody!
Suddenly, the hubbub stops. Our ride vehicles begin to turn around and proceed out of the elevator room, as dramatic music begins to play in the background. Walter gets our attention again, standing before us as an animatronic.
Walter: Guys! The ride is just around the corner. It was here the whole time!
Turning the corner, we once again see an entrance with a large canvas over it that reads The Great Muppet Ride. This time, Kermit is sitting on top of the entrance. The rest of the Muppets all flock to the ride, as our vehicle moves steadily toward it. Fiber-optic fireworks shaped and colored like Muppets characters are set off in the background, framing the ride entrance beautifully. As the dramatic music builds up even further, the Muppets start another chorus of their theme song with lyrics having to do with the ride.
As soon as the canvas covering the entrance is lifted... a giant explosion lights up the entire scene, destroying everything. The lights go completely dark for a few seconds.
Statler: That’s what they call a “brilliant” finale!
When the dust clears, we see Crazy Harry before us in the entrance of the ride, laughing maniacally. The Great Muppet Ride has been completely destroyed. Our vehicles move into what was the ride entrance, where we see the other Muppets turn to Kermit, covered in ash and soot from the explosion.
Fozzie: Kermit, we didn’t mean to go completely crazy coming up with new rides.
Pepe: Yah, we were just trying to help, okay.
Kermit: (sighs) I know. (turns in our direction) And even though you all didn’t get to experience the Great Muppet Ride… well, I think the search for it was a pretty good ride in itself!
The other Muppets nod their heads, murmuring in agreement. They break into song, singing one last musical number in the ruins of the Great Muppet Ride. This song, Rainbow Connection, won't be identical to it's former versions, but more of an adaptation that combines nostalgia with new energy. The song begins normally but as the song progresses, the tune and tone of the piece becomes more upbeat. This conveys the emotions of the Muppets as they realize that despite the fact that the ride has been destroyed, them being together is all that matters.
Why are there so many songs about rainbows
And what's on the other side...
Then the speed begins to pick up.
Rainbows are visions (visions)
But only illusions (illusions)
And rainbows have nothing to...
hide!
What's so amazing
That keeps us stargazing
And what do we think we might see
Someday we'll find it
The rainbow connection
The lovers, the dreamers, and me
All of us under its spell, we know that it's probably magic
Have you been half asleep?
And have you heard voices?
I've heard them calling my name
Is this the sweet sound
That called the young sailors?
The voice might be one in the same
I've heard it too many times to ignore it
It's something that I'm supposed to be
Someday we'll find it
The rainbow connection
The lovers, the dreamers and me
La da da di da da dum da duh da da dum di da ohhh
Our ride vehicle turns to look back at them as it moves into the unloading platform.
Statler: That was terrible!
Waldorf: Absolutely awful!
Statler: Let’s ride it again!
THE GREAT MUPPET RIDE
PREMISE
The Muppets have built a Great Muppet Ride, but they’ve lost it in the process! While you frantically help Kermit search for the ride, the other Muppets have run amok trying to create their own attractions to make up for its absence. Will you find the missing ride? Will the Muppets be kept under control? Find out in this madcap adventure coming soon to Disney’s Hollywood Studios!
SESAME STREET
Note: As JDM clarified in our PM that we can purchase IPs, we have decided to purchase limited theme park rights to the Sesame Street property from Sesame Workshop.
Though we focused mainly on creating an attraction, we decided to expand the Henson-themed area with the addition of Sesame Street to replace San Francisco Street. It seems that DHS is moving in the direction of creating large lands based on studios or IPs, and our new Sesame Street will give Henson’s creations the scope and detail necessary to fit in with the new lands moving in on either side.
Just like in the Streets of America, the buildings on Sesame Street will mainly be empty facades, but they will be filled with a high level of detail and interactive elements to create a well-themed environment.
The biggest addition will be a meet-and-greet like no other, featuring characters from the Muppet cast and Sesame Street. Highly trained performers will be present to puppeteer the characters, of course while hidden behind the scenes. As well as smaller puppets, walkaround characters like Big Bird and Sweetums will be featured.
AREA MAP AND RIDE LAYOUT
RIDE SYSTEM
Since much of this attraction consists of “parody” Disney ride scenes, we needed a ride system that would be fluid in order to fit the style of each of the original Disney attractions. For that reason, we chose to make this a trackless dark ride. The ride vehicles can arrange themselves in infinite ways. For example, they could be configured in Omnimover fashion, in a roller coaster car pattern, or even in a theater seating formation.
The ride vehicles will consist of two rows that can each seat up to 4 people. They will have a red and gold color scheme, with decorative patterns and fleur de lis on both flanks. The ride will board in groups of 5 vehicles at a time, which will also travel together throughout the experience. Animatronic versions of Statler and Waldorf will occupy the front row of one of the vehicles from each group, riding with the guests and occasionally commenting on the action. Thus, the maximum total capacity of each group of vehicles will be 36 people.
Two of the scenes in the attraction will be "elevators" that bring a group of ride vehicles up and down from a second level. This is mainly to conserve space, but also provides a neat effect when combined with the ride elements.
FACADE
The ride’s main facade will be the Muppet Theater. Guests will enter in the main lobby doors, and exit through the “stage door” on the side.
QUEUE
As we walk down Sesame Street, we come to the focal point at the end: The Muppet Theater. As we walk in, it is clear that this is no ordinary theater. A ticket booth sits in the entrance. We see a sleeping rat in the chair with tickets in his hand. As we continue to move through the queue, we see a number of movie posters on the wall. The floor is a floral pattern, as can be found in old theaters, and the walls are red and gold. A ledge about 20 feet above the floor runs the length of the walls.
Spaced out evenly around the lobby are golden statues. Each has a mirror image of itself so that they appear to be touching one another. We see Kermit standing magnificently and flexing. Another is Gonzo staring at the sky with his nose up, touching the nose of the mirror. Miss Piggy lays on a chaise lounge with her hair blowing in the wind. Around the top of the room are lights shining towards the ceiling inside gold shells. An elaborate chandelier hangs at the center of the room, made of ornate crystal with gold accents. High above is a small balcony. Every so often we see Kermit appear on the balcony. He speaks to the crowds below.
Kermit: Oh gosh, that’s a lot of people. (Clears throat) Hello everybody. Thank you all for coming to the world premiere of The Great Muppet Ride! We’ve been so excited to bring you a one of a kind attraction and we hope you all enjoy it very much. You know, we’ve done so many performances in this theater, and it feels really good to put it to use again. We feel right at home and we hope you do too.
Scooter (interrupting): Kermit, we need you backstage.
Kermit: Now?
Scooter: Yeah.
Kermit: Oh, well, all right. Sorry folks, it looks like I’m needed backstage. Well I hope you all enjoy the ride. On behalf of all the Muppets, we thank you for coming to the Great Muppet Ride!
We pass doors at the front of the room and move down the hallway toward the backstage area. The halls are lined with posters from Disney and Muppet Films, records, and signatures of the guests and performers that have played this beautiful theater throughout the years. As we reach the end of the short hall, we come to the backstage area-- a small room with cream-painted brick walls and green accents on the doors. Up a small set of stairs, we pass two dressing rooms from which we can hear indiscernible voices, chickens, Cows, Bike Horns, a trombone practicing, and other random noises occasionally. At the end is one last door that says “loading bays.” This is where trucks usually pull up to unload equipment for shows, but it has been transformed into the loading platform for The Great Muppet Ride. The loading platform has the ride vehicles lined up in single file, and Statler and Waldorf occupy the front row of the last ride vehicle.
SCENE 1: INTRO
As we enter our ride vehicle, we hear a short Sousa-esque fanfare as Sam the Eagle can be heard through the vehicles’ speakers.
Sam: Ahem. Welcome, gentlemen and ladies to the Great Muppet Ride. Before you ride, I must notify you of all safety concerns. Please keep all arms, and legs inside the ride vehicles, with all of your personal belongings in the net...thing below your seat. Ehem. Yes. Not complying is not only uncivilized, but is also extremely unpatriotic.
Suddenly, Waldorf chimes in.
Waldorf: You’d think this ride is dangerous.
Statler: No. He’s right. We’d all be running to the end, otherwise.”
The pair laugh their iconic laugh.
Sam: Yes. Hmm. Finally, no flash photography or video while riding.
Statler and Waldorf again pipe in.
Statler: Why not?
Waldorf: That's a good thing. It’ll keep us from seeing the ride.
Both: Ohohohoho!
With a quick thanks, Sam’s fanfare fades as we pull out of the loading platform.
Rounding a corner, with each car following single file, we begin making our way down a beautifully decorated hall. The walls are adorned with deep red curtains and large marble arches. In between each arch stand marble statues, each depicting a different Muppet. As we make our way down the hall, a fanfare very reminiscent of the Muppet Show theme begins. Suddenly, we hear another voice.
Kermit: Hi ho. Kermit the Frog here, and welcome to the Great Muppet Ride! We’ve spent countless hours into making the best ride we could, and are now ready to show it off to you.
Making a slight turn, we notice that the statues and arches have disappeared, and we are now in a hall only adorned with red curtains. Towards the end of the hall, we can make out a large canvas sign bearing the Great Muppet Ride logo blocking the ride path. Continuing down closer to this sign, the fanfare builds and builds, eventually becoming a full blown-out rendition of the end of the Muppet Show theme with lyrics about the Great Muppet Ride. The wall curtains raise to reveal a whole chorus of Muppets on each side, very enthusiastically singing their song. Finally the line of vehicles stop right in front of the large canvas sign as the song climaxes with “Here we go, it’s the Great Muppet Ride.” As the last note holds, the canvas sign very quickly and unceremoniously rolls up, revealing a completely empty and drab-looking warehouse. The last note of the song collapses.
Waldorf: "Well that was a surprise."
Statler: "You're telling me. This is much better than I expected."
SCENE 2: THE GONE MUPPET RIDE
We emerge into a warehouse-like soundstage. Bare and dilapidated, one thing is certain—despite what we were lead to believe, this is NOT the Great Muppet Ride. Our ride vehicles move toward the other side of the room and stop in a circle formation around a table, where animatronic versions of Kermit, Scooter, Rizzo, and Walter are gathered in deep discussion.
Kermit: You’re telling me we LOST the whole RIDE?
Scooter: Er, sorry Boss, but it looks like it. See, I can’t figure out how it happened. We had it here ready to install yesterday, but—
Walter: We have to try to find it! Look, (motions toward ride vehicles), the guests are already here!
Rizzo: Oh, come on. Kermit, this is great! Listen, how are we supposed to make money on rides anyway? Now we can use the land for merchandise sales! Oh, and while we’re at it, let’s take out some benches. People can’t buy anything when they’re sitting down!
Kermit: No, Walter’s right. We have to try to find the ride. (To guests) Hey, why don’t you help us look? It won’t take too long.
Scooter: I have a bad feeling about this…
Our ride vehicles regroup and exit the soundstage.
SCENE 3: TIKI ROOM
We find ourself in a beautiful tropical-themed room, with birds of all sorts hanging from the rafters. The birds from the "Birds In the Trees" sketch, the chickens, the penguins, and even a reluctant Sam Eagle all make an appearance. A miniature Big Bird also makes a cameo. One notable group are birds from one of Jim Henson's early sketches for the Muppet Show:
The birds break into a chorus of the Tiki Room song. Several of them sing off-key, and Sam the Eagle rolls his eyes in displeasure.
Sam: Bah! This is undignified!
Nevertheless, the singing goes on, and our ride vehicle moves through the maze of birds as their perches are drawn up into the rafters to allow us to move through.
We hear the voice of Kermit, who seems aghast at the spectacle.
Kermit: What's going on here?
Bird: We heard you couldn't find your ride. So we decided to make our own! Oh, and guess what, the others are doing the same thing!
Kermit: Oh boy... (to audience) We'd better find that ride quickly.
SCENE 4: MUPPET LABS
As we enter the next room, we see Dr. Bunsen Honeydew appear on a screen.
Honeydew: Welcome to Muppet Labs. I am Dr. Bunsen Honeydew, and this is my faithful assistant, Beaker.
As we make our way further into the room, we notice that the room is really just one giant screen. There are no props, no theme; only a giant floor to ceiling screen that gently curves at the room’s corner. Suddenly, Kermit pipes in.
Kermit: Dr. Honeydew, what exactly is this?
Honeydew: Ah, Mr. Kermit, I’m glad you asked. This is the future of themed attractions. Welcome, ladies and gentlemen, to the Muppet Labs Virtual Ride. With this system, there are endless possibilities.
Kermit: But Dr. Honeydew, where’s the excitement? Where’s the adventure?
Statler: Where's the exit?
Honeydew: But, Mr. Kermit, you don’t understand. With the right technology, we can create an exciting attraction for millions of people to enjoy. Just take a look at Beaker. Can’t you see him tittering with delight?
We hear Beaker scream as the screen pans to show Beaker, in a vehicle similar to our own, shooting back and forth, and spinning all around an empty warehouse. Dr. Honeydew continues.
Honeydew: See, it’s perfectly safe. Allow me to further demonstrate.
Suddenly, the vehicles come to life as they begin madly spinning and zigzagging through the empty room.
Statler: They’re trying to shake us.
Waldorf: Good. Anything to get us out of here quicker.
Suddenly, Beaker’s car crashes into a large machine with a bang and a flash. The screen quickly swipes back to Dr. Honeydew.
Honeydew: Oh no, Beaker. You’ve gotten into the Clone-O-Matic again.
Kermit: C-clone-O-Matic?
Honeydew: Yes. It was a failed experiment. It makes hundreds of smaller copies of whatever is put into it.
We hear thousands of meeps off in the distance, apparently all running off together.
Honeydew: Wait. Beakers! Where are you going? I need to corral the Beakers. Thank you.
Kermit: ...well thanks, Doctor Honeydew. Now, how do we get out of here?
Suddenly, our cars once again come to life and form a single file line. Turning to the left, we quickly make our way towards the screen. Without any hesitation, we “crash” through the large screen leading into the next scene.
Kermit: Well that’s one way to get out. And we’ve found the Beakers.”
SCENE 5: IT'S A MEEP WORLD
Passing through the now broken screen, we find ourselves in a very bright room. The room is decorated with abstract pastel shapes and mobiles. As we wind our way through the room, we notice that something’s a bit...off. It seems as though all the Beakers have gotten together to perform a rounding, piercing rendition of “It’s A Small World.”
Statler: -hums It’s A Small World-
Waldorf: Wh-what are you doing?
Statler: This song. It...gets to me.
Waldorf: Oh no. It’s getting to us!
Statler: Ah!
Waldorf: (screaming) Let us out of here! It’s starting to get to us.
We continue through the room, passing the multitude of Beakers as they wreak havoc through the ride. One Beaker has gotten himself stuck in a large, Mary Blair-esque hippopotamus. Another has fallen backwards through the set, revealing part of the backstage area behind the ride. A few Beakers fly about in brightly colored airplanes. Of course, one has fallen out, hanging on for dear life. One Beaker has soared even higher than the aviator Beakers; right into the set lighting hanging from the tall ceilings. Despite their accident-prone nature, the Beakers still meep along to the song in perfect harmony.
Finally after passing all of the Beakers, we see Dr. Honeydew off slightly backstage. He’s holding a very large net, probably to capture the Beakers. Behind him stands a very large machine. It’s the Clone-o-Matic, with the word “Un” taped to the side, right before the word “Clone.”
SCENE 6: GONZO (ELEVATOR/RAMP)
Leaving the beautiful sounds of Beaker behind, we begin to enter a more circus-looking area, passing by a gigantic, vintage looking poster advertising “The Great Gonzo” and his Human Cannonball act.
Statler: The Great Gonzo.
Waldorf: Heh. The only thing great about him is his health insurance.
Both: Ohohoho!
Turning a corner, we see a gigantic red and yellow cannon pointed off in the distance (it’s a matte.) As we make our way closer to the cannon, a short trumpet fanfare flares up as we hear the voice of Gonzo.
Gonzo: Welcome, ladies and gentlemen. Tonight, you will witness my most incredible act yet. The first interactive stunt to be performed EVER. Perfect for a theme park ride! Now, please, if you will step into the cannon.”
Statler: Wha-- You want us to go into the cannon?
Gonzo: Please, I'm running on a schedule.
With that, we are ushered into the back of the cannon. It’s dark inside. We can see a small bit of light above, obviously looking out of the cannon.
Gonzo: Now. Get ready in 5...4…
Camilla: Bwak.
Gonzo: Not now, darling.
Amid the clucks, we feel a short bounce. Gonzo yells.
Gonzo: No! Don’t adjust the cannon. It’s already been lit.”
The elevator begins sending us up as we are shot from the cannon and sent through the clouds. We stop with a thud. The doors open to a bright light.
Statler: Are we dead?
Waldorf: Oh I hope so.
SCENE 7: SWEDISH CHEF
In an open area that appears to be somewhere on Main Street USA, we come to a snack cart. The vehicles form a line side by side in front of a large countertop covered with food. On the right is a popcorn kettle. On the left is a large pot with steam coming from the top. The smell of baked bread fills the air as we see Pops the doorman run from behind the cart with a huge basket of baguettes. All of a sudden a Muppet with a red mustache and a chef's hat much too big for his head pops up behind the counter.
Swedish Chef: Halooo. Her da shmerda floopy dor?
Waldorf: What did he say?
Statler: No clue, was that English?
Chef: Bork a florda da bork, ba doo. Floopy Dor?
Waldorf: I think he’s asking if we’d like anything to eat?
Statler: I think everyone here would love a cheeseburger.
At this request the chef stops moving about and slowly looks at Statler. A small tomato on the table begins to speak.
Tomato: Oh, now you did it. Take cover everyone.
All of a sudden, the chef goes crazy. He begins to grab popcorn, candy apples, and turkey legs and throws them everywhere. He’s yelling and banging on the table. During this time a small lobster begins to move across the table as if to try and get away. The Chef seems him, grabs him and throws him back into the pot on his left that splashes. Small squirts of water fly at us along with more items in the chef’s rampage.
Tomato: You guys had better get out of here.
Waldorf: You don’t have to tell me twice.
Statler: Lets blow this chicken coop.
The Vehicles begin to move again into a single line. The table moves to the right and out of our way while the chef pushes his cart away, still ranting in understandable Swedish and throwing food everywhere.
SCENE 8: MUPPETS OF THE CARIBBEAN
The vehicle rotates 45 degrees to the right but keeps moving slowly in the same direction. We see a grand pirate ship, two-masted, with sails tattered and ripped. The ramparts are scuffed and charred from battles past. We see cannons sticking out and firing across our path. As we move past, bursts of air blow as red light flashes from the cannons of the ship. At the helm is Dr. Teeth. Instead of his normal hat he is sporting a wide brimmed black hat with holes in the brim and a long green feather sticking straight back. He’s dressed in a black floor length coat with a white shirt, a cutlass in one hand and the helm in the other. He laughs and waves his sword. In the center of the main deck, we see 4 cannons fanning outward. As we move even with them, a scraggly pink and orange figure pops up behind them wearing an eye patch and sporting a bandanna and gold hoop earrings. He begins to bang on the cannons vigorously with drum sticks as he begins to shout.
Animal: YO HO!! YO HO!!…PIRATE…PIRATE!!!!!
A loud BOOM and a huge puff of smoke and red light flashes from each of the barrels. The smoke blocks our view of everything and all we hear is the music from Pirates of the Caribbean and distant cannon fire. The smoke clears as we pass the figurehead on the bow of the ship. Where there is usually a woman or animal of some kind we see Miss Piggy carved beautifully but chipped, scratched and showing signs of years at sea.
We move through to a dark room and hear spooky sounds in the dark as the vehicle turns back.
SCENE 9: MUPPET MANSION
We find ourselves entering a room very reminiscent of the classic ballroom scene from The Haunted Mansion. Looking up a bit, we notice Wayne and Wanda as they dance on a balcony in front of a large set of windows. Completely wrapped in each other, they sing “Here I’ll Stay” from the musical “Love Life.” As Wanda sings the lyric “Here I’ll stay,” there is a sudden crash of thunder and lightning. The pair are startled by it, lose their balance and crash through the window they were dancing in front of.
Leaving that disaster behind, we find ourselves in the middle of the ballroom, surrounded by pairs of dancers perpetually waltzing. In the distance, we hear an organ playing the iconic “At The Dance” theme from the Muppet Show. Here, the vehicles separate and twist and turn through the ballroom, stopping at two sets of dancers each. For simplicity’s sake, here’s a list of what these dancers will say
Pair of Ghosts
Ghost 1: I’m getting into the moving business
Ghost 2: Local?
Ghost 1: No. Ghost to ghost.
The Man and His Bat
Bat: You drive me absolutely batty.
Another Pair of Ghosts
Ghost 1: Why don’t we stop and have a drink
Ghost 2: We can’t. They don’t serve spirits here.
The Mummy and his Date
Date: Can you keep a secret?
Mummy: Of course. I’m great at keeping things under wraps.
Even More Ghosts
Ghost 1: I’ve started collecting rocks.
Ghost 2: Oh yeah? What kind?
Ghost 1: Tombstones.
Two Monsters
Monster 1: I’ve been reading a lot of Shakespeare.
Monster 2: Oh yeah? What’s your favorite?
Monster 1: Romeo and Ghouliet.
We reconvene at the other end of the ballroom, and see that the organ is being played by none other than Rowlf. As we pass, Rowlf turns his head and says:
Rowlf: Heh. How’s that for a sprited dance routine?
SCENE 10: FOZZIE BEAR JAMBOREE
We enter a theater that looks much like the Muppet Theater, but much smaller. The vehicles line up side-by-side and the lights go dark. A Dixie style piano kicks in and a small curtain to the left of the main stage opens, and there stands a rather shabby looking bear with a pink and white bow tie and brown hat, holding a guitar.
Fozzie: Howdy everyone, and welcome to the Fozzie Bear Jamboree. You know we always start the show with a joke, and I’ve got a great one for you tonight. In our house we use paper plates. At the end of the meal my wife erases the dishes…Wocka Wocka!
Waldorf: Hey you remind me of Edger Allen Poe.
Fozzie: Edger Allen Poe wasn’t funny.
Waldorf: Yeah and neither are you!
Both laugh.
Fozzie: Hm…Tough ride. Now folks, we have a real treat for you. A beauty beyond anything you could possibly imagine. She comes from a small town in upstate New York, but she’s as country as a coyote on a moon lit night. A voice with angelic qualities…
Miss Piggy’s Voice Shrieking: Hurry it up, will ya!
Fozzie: Okay, okay…The Beautiful Miss Piggy!
Our vehicles move into the next room, an almost identical theater. The tune of “Many Happy Hangovers to You” begins as Fozzie begins to strum. From the ceiling, a swing slowly lowers with Miss Piggy sitting on it. Wearing a pink dress and matching hat with flowers, she begins to sing. Come the chorus, she begins to swing faster and faster. In her excitement she falls off the swing and out of sight, screaming into the orchestra pit at the front of the stage. The music awkwardly stops.
Statler: Encore, Encore!
Waldorf: Not so loud. They may hear you and start it all over again.
Fozzie: Sorry folks it looks like we need a few more rehearsals.
Waldorf: A few? I wouldn’t quit your day jobs.
Both Laugh
SCENE 11: PENGUIN SPINNER
In the style of Dumbo the Flying Elephant, we see a spinner ride before us. But instead of ride vehicles; the penguins are strapped to the arms of the spinner. They are going crazy, controlling the arms of the ride to go up and down. We hear Kermit’s voice:
Kermit: Looks like they can finally fly!
Our ride vehicles arrange themselves into a circular formation around the spinner ride, each of them lining up with and facing one of the penguins. We begin to rotate at the same speed as the penguins, which eventually gets even faster, until we break off and keep spinning into the next scene.
Waldorf: Penguins flying? Now I've seen everything.
Statler: No you haven't.
Waldorf: I haven't?
Statler: You can't see 3 feet in front of you without your glasses!
SCENE 12: MUPPET TORNADO (ELEVATOR)
We move into a new room, which is an elevator with combined physical sets and screens. It is clear to see that the Muppets have gone a little overboard. It seems that they all are trying so hard to impress that they are falling over each other: Pigs on our left with a cotton candy stand, rats to the right running a variety of midway games (basketball shot, a dunk tank, and ring toss, among others). At the end of the row we see a rather small rat attempting to carry a giant stuffed Mickey, rather unsuccessfully as she is struggling to lift it.
The final game we see is Break a Plate. Seemingly from nowhere, a fish is launched from across the room. Looking back where it came from, we see Lew Zealand celebrating as he has successfully broken a plate. We move foreword and we see 4 singing cacti dressed as the Dapper Dans ,singing “You are my sunshine”. Muppets begin to move so fast in a giant whirlwind, that we can barely make out who they are anymore. Baskerville the hound takes pictures with Goofy, Annie Sue and Milred Huxetter run past as they jump in line for bumper cars; even Robin the Frog, Kermits little nephew, seems to be running amok. A loud bang is heard and the Flying Zucchini Brothers go flying overhead. Beauregard and George the Janitor try desperately to clean up after them. Dropping popcorn on the ground behind them is Waldo C. Graphic. He stops just in front of us and winks before moving on behind George.
Statler: You think they’ve gone a bit overboard?
Waldorf: Nah, this is just the medium part of the ride.
Statler: The medium part?
Waldorf: Well, it's certainly not well done.
Both laugh.
SCENE 13: FINALE
In the midst of all the chaos, we hear Walter’s voice yelling.
Walter: Wait, everybody!
Suddenly, the hubbub stops. Our ride vehicles begin to turn around and proceed out of the elevator room, as dramatic music begins to play in the background. Walter gets our attention again, standing before us as an animatronic.
Walter: Guys! The ride is just around the corner. It was here the whole time!
Turning the corner, we once again see an entrance with a large canvas over it that reads The Great Muppet Ride. This time, Kermit is sitting on top of the entrance. The rest of the Muppets all flock to the ride, as our vehicle moves steadily toward it. Fiber-optic fireworks shaped and colored like Muppets characters are set off in the background, framing the ride entrance beautifully. As the dramatic music builds up even further, the Muppets start another chorus of their theme song with lyrics having to do with the ride.
As soon as the canvas covering the entrance is lifted... a giant explosion lights up the entire scene, destroying everything. The lights go completely dark for a few seconds.
Statler: That’s what they call a “brilliant” finale!
When the dust clears, we see Crazy Harry before us in the entrance of the ride, laughing maniacally. The Great Muppet Ride has been completely destroyed. Our vehicles move into what was the ride entrance, where we see the other Muppets turn to Kermit, covered in ash and soot from the explosion.
Fozzie: Kermit, we didn’t mean to go completely crazy coming up with new rides.
Pepe: Yah, we were just trying to help, okay.
Kermit: (sighs) I know. (turns in our direction) And even though you all didn’t get to experience the Great Muppet Ride… well, I think the search for it was a pretty good ride in itself!
The other Muppets nod their heads, murmuring in agreement. They break into song, singing one last musical number in the ruins of the Great Muppet Ride. This song, Rainbow Connection, won't be identical to it's former versions, but more of an adaptation that combines nostalgia with new energy. The song begins normally but as the song progresses, the tune and tone of the piece becomes more upbeat. This conveys the emotions of the Muppets as they realize that despite the fact that the ride has been destroyed, them being together is all that matters.
Why are there so many songs about rainbows
And what's on the other side...
Then the speed begins to pick up.
Rainbows are visions (visions)
But only illusions (illusions)
And rainbows have nothing to...
hide!
What's so amazing
That keeps us stargazing
And what do we think we might see
Someday we'll find it
The rainbow connection
The lovers, the dreamers, and me
All of us under its spell, we know that it's probably magic
Have you been half asleep?
And have you heard voices?
I've heard them calling my name
Is this the sweet sound
That called the young sailors?
The voice might be one in the same
I've heard it too many times to ignore it
It's something that I'm supposed to be
Someday we'll find it
The rainbow connection
The lovers, the dreamers and me
La da da di da da dum da duh da da dum di da ohhh
Our ride vehicle turns to look back at them as it moves into the unloading platform.
Statler: That was terrible!
Waldorf: Absolutely awful!
Statler: Let’s ride it again!
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spacemt354
Chili's
Posting on behalf of Project Manager @Matt7187 who had some technical issues:
Challenge 1 - Somewhere Over the Rainbow Connection
Introduction
At the inception of the competition, the first challenge asks the Imagineering teams to design a new attraction based on the Muppets for Disney’s Hollywood Studios. The prompt also asked the teams to ensure that the project reflects the core of the Muppets. For Team Goofy, the core of the Muppets is their comedy, which is included but not limited to burlesque and self-referential humor. Furthermore, the creator of the Muppets, Jim Henson, should also be considered the core of the Muppets. Honored posthumously in the Hollywood Walk-of-Fame in 1991, and as a Disney Legend in 2011, Henson’s comedic talents will be given a special spot in Disney’s Hollywood Studios, which will include one of his last works, Muppet*Vision 3D. Our attraction and our project as a whole attempts to enshrine these two essential components of the Muppets into a unique and family-friendly environment.
Coming to Disney's Hollywood Studios in 2017…
Jim Henson’s Muppet Land
Photo 1 - Jim Henson's Muppet Land Concept Art
An area once occupied by The Magic of Disney Animation, this themed land will energize the Muppet franchise as a whole, and give it the spotlight it justly deserves. Within the land, there will be a D-zone for relaxation, a table-service restaurant called Pete's Luncheonette, and a Fraggle Rock Water Play Area for small children. Since there's a slated Fraggle Rock movie to come in the next few years, the Jim Henson Company has now given theme park rights to the Fraggles to The Walt Disney Company, hence why we utlized them in the water play area.
The land will also include a new home for the nostalgic Muppet*Vision 3D. To honor Jim Henson and to cherish one of his final works (he passed away before the show was finished) we decided to relocate the theater show, along with a dedicated plaque to Jim Henson in honor of his memory. Details on its location can be seen in Photo 3. Furthermore, the land will include some much needed greenery and aquatic features, such as trees and fountains respectively.
We chose this area specifically due to the rumored Pixar and Star Wars expansions set to occur at Disney's Hollywood Studios. Since Muppet*Vision 3D was situated within the area of potential expansion, we decided to uproot and travel to a different part of Disney's Hollywood Studios in order to not impede those expansion plans. You can see our planned location and overall blueprint below:
Photo 2 - Location of Jim Henson's Muppet Land
Photo 3 - Blueprint of Jim Henson's Muppet Land Layout
While these additions will add depth and character to the environment, the main event is our high capacity, trackless dark ride. We chose to create a family dark ride for three reasons. One was due to the lack of rides in Disney's Hollywood Studios (with the Backlot Tour closing, there are now only 5 "rides". The second was due to the lack of family rides in the park as well. The third reason was because if theoretically this opened in 2017, Disney's Hollywood Studios would be a construction zone on the south side if things go as planned. In order to keep people in the park, you need to give them something to ride as a family, and something that has a high hourly capacity. We figured a family dark ride with high capacity would be in the best interest of the park as a whole. With that said, we are pleased to present our new Muppet attraction for Disney's Hollywood Studios...
"The Muppeteers"
The Muppeteers Theme Song - An original score composed by Team Goofy
Synopsis: When the Muppets decide to design a theme park attraction themselves, they must first have it approved by a Walt Disney Imagineering board member. Join Kermit, Fozzie, and the rest of the Muppets to experience the hilarity that ensues when the Muppets are the "imagineers," or better yet, the "Muppeteers."
Photo 4 - The Muppeteers Attraction Blueprint
We illustrate the infrastructure of our attraction and the metric distances it encompasses. By entering the Stand-by line, guests can enter an interactive queue environment (described in detail below). If they enter via the FastPass+ line, they enter a series of switchbacks and up a set of stairs before meshing with the Stand-By before entering the Pre-Show. Once the Pre-Show is complete, guests board their ride vehicles and proceed through 12 eclectic scenes. Multiple emergency exits are depicted throughout the blueprint as well as a maintenance spur for the ride vehicles seen in the bottom left hand corner.
Photo 5 - The Muppeteers Facade Concept Art
A sketch of the outside aesthetic of the attraction building. The facade was inspired the architecture of the Jim Henson Company Lot in Hollywood, California.
Photo 6 - The Muppeteers Ride Vehicle Concept Art
The animated concept art for our ride vehicle inspired by the Muppet Mobile Lab. It seats 5 comfortably. As seen in the image, the ride vehicle will be designed to sway through turns and sudden movements (not as drastically or quickly as in the image) but enough to give an added visceral experience to the attraction. As mentioned before, The Muppeteers will be a trackless dark ride utilizing a ride system complete with 32 AGVs (Automated Guided Vehicles) which will rely on Local Positioning Systems to navigate around the scenes.
Because the attraction is on two levels, an emergency magnetic breaking system between the vehicles and the track will be installed at the base of the descent from Level 2 (L2) to (L1). Commonly knows as an Eddy Current magnetic breaking system, we organize this through the installation and interaction between a non-magnetic metal, and a magnetic field.
The bottom portion of our ride vehicle is made of aluminum, a non-magnetic (non-ferrous) metal. When it reacts with the magnetic field at the base of the decline, electromagnetic induction occurs, which causes a force opposing the motion of the vehicle, initiating the breaking phenomenon. The kinetic energy of the vehicle is converted to thermal energy and thus decreases the speed before entering the upcoming scene.
Photo 7 - The Muppeteers Load/Unload Blueprint
This image elicits more detail regarding the Load/Unload procedures. The attraction is on 2 levels (L1 and L2) Guests Load and Unload on L2. Once they are unloaded, they can proceed to an exit ramp which will take them to L1 and the gift shop. Or for handicapped needs there is an elevator to take guests down to L1.
Interactive "Queue"
Photo 8 - Muppeteer Buzzer Concept Art
For guests entering the Stand-By line for The Muppeteers, there are a variety of options to choose from to make the wait more enjoyable. Guests are given a pager and an approximate wait-time before entering the pre-show. While waiting, guests are free to explore the rest of Jim Henson's Muppet Land. Among the options will be the Muppeteers D-Zone (located as soon as guests walk through the Stand-By entrance. This area will provide air conditioning, charging ports for the adults, and an opportunity to gaze at the history of the Muppets, as all Muppet movie posters and shows are described on the walls. Kids can also explore the Fraggle Rock water play area for hot days. Roaming throughout Muppets Land, guests can enjoy Dr. Honeydew and Beaker at the Muppet Mobile Labs (at selected times). Additionally, the guests can shop at the "Most Wanted" Gift Shop, or time-permitting, watch the 3D spectacle, starring the Muppets themselves, Muppet*Vision3D.
Pre-Show
(As guests walk in to the Pre-Show area, they enter a smaller holding area with a large projection screen in front of the guests. They stand and watch the screen in front of them. )
Kermit: Welcome to the Muppeteers Lab! Today we will present what we’ve been working on for you folks. We’ve done TV shows and movies, but we’ve never done a theme park ride, so we decided to switch focus and land a spot with the best and brightest theme park out there. But…um...unfortunately, we had to settle for here. Nevertheless, today you will all be the first to experience the first Muppet-made theme park attraction in history.
*Camera pans to the other Muppets working*
Kermit: We have worked countless hours to ensure that this incorporates the best a theme park attraction has to offer, but in order for to open, we need a Walt Disney Imagineer board member to come and approve it. You may recognize him from an old hit TV show-
Gonzo: *behind the curtain* “Heh basically like us...”
Kermit: Please welcome Jerry Seinfeld!
*Jerry is pushed out on stage by Animal*
Animal - “Ha ha ha No soup for you! No soup for you! ha ha ha”
*to the right of the audience*
Statler: Who’s this guy?
Waldorf: “Is that Matthew Perry?”
Statler: “Can’t be, that guy doesn’t look like he has any ‘Friends’” *both laugh*
Jerry: “That’s great, I’m being insulted by old puppets”
Waldorf: “You look familiar, what job did you have?”
Jerry: I was a comedian...
Statler: That's not so funny
Jerry: I didn't tell a joke yet
Waldorf: No you're the joke *both laugh*
Jerry *to Kermit* Gosh are they always this cruel?
*Fozzie enters stage left*
Fozzie: “Tweet for Jerry Seinfeld! Tweet for Jerry Seinfeld! Are you Jerry Seinfeld?”
Jerry: Yes, I am
Fozzie: “Tweet for you…*hands him a tweeting bird*
Jerry: “Very nice, nice joke, alright”
*Gonzo approaches stage left*
Gonzo: “...Hello, Jerry”
Jerry: “…Hello…Gonzo”
Gonzo: So Mr. Seinfeld are you going to green light our attraction?
Jerry: How can I? I have not seen it yet
Fozzie: Did you hear we built levels?
Jerry: Levels?
Fozzie: That's right we built levels! Levels, Jerry levels!
Miss Piggy: And of course I am the star of the show, I came up with a whole scene myself
Jerry: You didn’t run it past anyone?
Miss Piggy: Excuse me, but as the star, people run things past me!
*Kermit enter stage left*
Kermit: *pushing Jerry out* “Alright thanks again to Mr. Seinfeld thanks for introducing yourself and for keeping us all entertained while we finished up our surprise. Okay first order of business is to…
Gonzo: “Show you your ride vehicles! Dr. Bunsen Honeydew and Beaker have spent a lot of time creating the Muppet-Mover 9000“
Kermit: Wait, why is it called 9000?
Dr. Honeydew - “Well, it’s our 9000th try…so this one has to work”
Beaker: “Meep moop meep meep!”
Gonzo: “Well I think these people trust us…everyone hands in the air…now flap them…now turn left…now right…
Kermit: Um, Gonzo, is this a protocol?
Gonzo: Haha no…I just like watching people do silly stuff”
Kermit: *under his breath* Hmm…I can see that trust meter dwindling really fast…”
Dr. Honeydew - Well yes the Muppet-Mover 9000 is quite state of the art if I do say so myself, from the Muppet Control Center we can basically move your vehicles anywhere we want.
Statler: Heh can you move ours towards the exit? *both laugh*
Kermit: And how have the trials gone so far?
Dr. Honeydew - Very successful Kermit, we have 32 vehicles still functioning.
Kermit: Well how many were there to start?
Beaker: Meep Meep
Dr. Honeydew - Well, what he said, around 100.
Kermit: 100?! What the heck happened to them?
Dr. Honeydew - It seems that there is sometimes a glitch around the curve, but it will be fine.
Kermit - "Okay well hopefully they have that sorted out so you can now embark on our attraction - our take on a classic, slow paced, well-thought out ride"
Fozzie - "Wait - I thought we were creating a show?"
Gonzo -"I thought we were making a boat ride?"
Sam -"I thought we were making a tribute to every country named America!?"
Swedish Chef: Flundy on fundy oh erg a dersh a dern?
Miss Piggy - "We are still doing my solo scene correct?"
Kermit - "Wait, no you guys were supposed to come up with a nice and relaxing ride for these folks, what did you do?
Miss Piggy - Well my scene will surely do that!
Fozzie - "Don't worry Kermit, this will be fine-"
Kermit - "No it won't did you all even finish your ideas? You were supposed to be a team. There is no 'i" in team"
Statler - "Well there is an 'i' in fail." *laughs*
Fozzie - "There is an 'i' in "nice" and I think this will be great. I mean look how excited everyone is!"
*Camera pans to the Muppeteer round table with all the Muppets smiling at their varied projects*
Waldorf - "By the looks of it this attraction may bring down the building"
Statler - "Well at least my expectations *both laugh*
Kermit - “Okay everyone, I guess we are ready to proceed…I hope... In a few moments, the doors to your left will open and you will enter your ride vehicles. As you wait, Swedish Chef… can you go over what you “cooked” up for the safety procedures?”
*Kermit exits stage left*
Swedish Chef - “Yinga dern she der sheah der. Ying flude lude en ergerded vedered. Boafordy verdered, pefluby waf for de safidy ber to doford. Reforuber to keef ur hends aerms, feefs, and lergs insider the verdered.Ard noo flesf photoforphy.Ferf you ard fenjoy.
Translation:
“When you exit the door to your left, you will proceed to your ride vehicle. Once you are on board your ride vehicle, please wait for the safety bar to come down. Remember to keep your hands, arms, feet, and legs inside of the vehicle. And no flash photography. Thank you and enjoy!”
Ride-Through
*Note - All scenes are performed with physical sets and Audio-Animatronics*
(Upon entering the ride vehicle, guests are seated and notice a small 15” screen implanted in the middle of the front and rear rows of the vehicle. From this screen, guests can observe the Muppet mission control center for the attraction – where Kermit and Jerry and a few other Muppets observe Dr. Bunsen Honeydew and Beaker managing the vehicles. They check in with your car to see if everyone is okay. The control center also checks in with Statler and Waldorf in their ride vehicle. You see them on the screen seated in their vehicle.)
Waldorf - This ride reminds me of blue cheese.
Statler - Why do you say that?
Waldorf - Because it’s cheap and it stinks.
Dr. Honeydew - Everybody ready to go?
Statler - I’m ready to go.
Waldorf - Yeah, go home! *both laugh*
Scene 1
*Dr. Honeydew pulls the restraint bar down onto the guests’ laps and the vehicle presses forward through two opening doors in front of them. The guests then enter a pitch black dark room.*
Kermit – Guys what is going on?
Fozzie – Kermit, you said you wanted a dark ride – well here you go!
Kermit – That’s not what a dark ride means – ugh somebody turn on the lights. Dr Bunsen will crash the vehicle and it will make a loud bang
Crazy Harry – Did someone say …bang?!
*As a Muppet turns on the lights, Crazy Harry sets off a blast that pushes the ride vehicle and over a small drop that takes them down to level 1. There is an impromptu homage in this scene to Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride, as the blast creates a red aura and a bright light around the vehicle as it plunges down.*
Scene 2
(Once the ride vehicles are back under control after dropping down, the riders approach some very small sets that are almost difficult to see.)
Kermit – Why is everything so small?
Gonzo – This is it’s a small world - I thought that’s what you wanted?
Jerry – You know this isn’t really looking too great right now
Kermit – Dr. Honeydew can you get these people out of here, hopefully this ride gets better.
Dr. Honeydew – Um...there seems to be a problem with the controls, they are going haywire.
Beaker – Meep moop! Meep Meep moop moop.
Jerry – What language is that?
Dr. Honeydew – Erm…I’m losing control!
*At this point your vehicle starts to swing left and right as Dr. Bunsen jiggles the controls*
Statler – Hey, what’s going on here?
Waldorf – What did we do to deserve this?
Statler – We trusted the Muppets…*both laugh*
Kermit – Dr. Honeydew aim for that door, just go to the next scene!
Waldorf – How about just go for the exit? *laughs*
Scene 3
(After your vehicle settles down and gains control, you pass into a jungle setting filled with exotic plant-life, and you see three Muppets along the way.)
Photo 9 - Exotic Jungle Muppets
Kermit - Ok, Mr. Seinfeld, look out for some exotic animals on our cruise through the jungle.
*On your right, you see Gonzo, Camilla, and Rizzo behind exotic plants*
Jerry - Exotic? All I've seen is a mouse, a chicken, and a, uh, turkey?
Gonzo - A TURKEY? How dare you! For your information, I am a 'whatever.'
Rizzo - Hey pal, you better watch the way you talk to me, or I'm gonna...
Kermit - Ok, that's enough. He's a riot, isnt he Jerry?
Waldorf - He wouldn't know funny if it smacked him in the face! *laughs*
Kermit - Hey, Dr. Honeydew, where are all of the aminals I asked you to get?
Dr. Honeydew - Oh, I almost forgot! Thank you Kermit! Unleash the Animals!
*A mad rush of Animals, not animals, race out and are screaming*
Kermit - What is Animal doing here?
Dr. Honeydew - You asked for me to get lots of Animals, so I cloned him 20 times.
Kermit - You did what!? I asked for animals, like elephants and tigers, not Animals! Get them out of there now!
*The car jerks around as you start to leave the jungle. The 'Animals' are still causing a ruckus.*
Scene 4
(After leaving the jungle, we crash through the wall of a house and encounter some "dinosaurs", or Pepe and Rowlf acting as the Sinclair family from the Henson ABC sitcom Dinosaurs.)
Kermit - Now what is going on?
Pepe - It's Dinosaur, Kermit!
Kermit - What? Why would you recreate the 90's sitcom!? We were supposed to make a ride!
Rowlf - Gee, sorry boss.
Kermit - Let's just get out of here. Honeydew, get us out of this house. I'm very sorry Mr. Seinfeld about this. I promise that we wil get back on track with our intended ride!
*During Kermit's lines, the car starts to back up until it exits the house, and then you turn left to go to another scene*
Scene 5
(In front of the vehicles there is an open door and your vehicles stop shaking and thrust forward into the opening – the next room is dark with dimly lit stars and a cardboard cutout of a spaceship dangling from the ceiling by ropes – poorly tuned Star Tunnel music can be heard faintly in the background)
Photo 10 - Pig in Space
Kermit – Ugh not another “dark” ride…
Statler – Will this ride ever get better?
Waldorf – Ha when pigs fly…*both laugh*
*Inside the dangling spaceship you see Miss Piggy*
Statler and Waldorf – Oh!
Miss Piggy – *singing* here we are, here we are, pigs in space. We’re here to put a smile back, on your face. We’re all in space and we found our place and we wanted to invite the human rac-
*All of a sudden Miss Piggy is interrupted by a large figure crashing into things below the ship. As the lights switch to the figure, it’s Sweetums*
Sweetums – Ahh oh no! I was late. I’m in the next scene! Don’t look at me!
*As he runs away he accidentally crashes into more stuff, which causes the ropes to move and the spaceship to sway and knock into some stars*
Miss Piggy – No ah, what did you do?! Get out of here!
Sweetums – Ahh sorry!
Kermit – Um, just move along Dr. Bunsen.
*As you’re moving to the next scene you can hear Miss Piggy*
Miss Piggy – Wait no there’s more to the scene! Wait! Ugh, maybe later…
Scene 6
(You will enter a rather spacious cave, with torn up train tracks around you. You suddenly hear giant foot steps from your left and right, and your Yeti's show up, Bobo the Bear on the right, and Sweetums on the left)
Photo 11 - *Yaking Yetis*
Bobo & Sweetums - Rawr!
Kermit - Now what in the world is going on here! Why are there TWO yeti's!?
Sweetums - Hey I'm supposed to be the Yeti!
*Bobo and Sweetums argue back and forth*
Kermit - Enough! Neither of you are supposed to be yetis anyways! We need to get back on track.
Statler - Track? What track? The one all ripped up? *Old Man Laughter*
Waldorf - Nah, this whole ride is off the rails *both laugh*
Kermit - Oh boy. Let's just keep moving, it can't get any worse, right Dr. Honeydew?
Dr. Honeydew - Well, I wouldn't say that, there are very high chances that it will get much worse.
*The cars start to move to the next scene*
Scene 7
(As you ride in, you see Sam Eagle writing on a scroll, between cardboard cutouts of Abraham Lincoln and George Washington. Fozzie also leaves Muppet control as he prepares to go do his scene next)
Photo 12 - Sam's Speech
Kermit - Okay Sam, you’re on.
Sam – But my speech isn’t finished yet!
Kermit - Well we’re here now, just wing it.
Sam - *Throwing down his scroll* One day, many, many years ago, George Washington fought hard to create this fine nation we-*loud crash as Gonzo accidentally breaks Lincoln in half *
Kermit – What was that?!
Jerry – This really isn’t going well Kermit, at this rate your ride will never get approved.
Gonzo – Sorry Sam, you can continue your speech now.
Sam – But you destroyed Abe! An Abe divided against himself cannot stand.
Gonzo - Well maybe if you placed in him against the wall it would look kinda like he's standing?
Kermit – What are you doing Gonzo?
Gonzo – I was practicing my patriotism!
Kermit – You already did your scene, let's just move on...
Sam – *From behind you* Kermit, where are you going? I’m not done!
Scene 8
(As the vehicles turn into the next room, the guests see a poorly designed staged with several stuffed animals and instruments in their hands – Sweetums crashes into the scene via stage right)
Photo 13 - Swingin' Fozzie Barra
Sweetums – Oh I’m late...you guys didn’t wait for me!
*Fozzie comes down from the ceiling in a wooden swing and sings – referencing Sweetums as he stumbles around*
Fozzie - Well there he goes, he hardly knows, the stuff he’s breaking. I talked to him, but I don’t think, he understood. Oh just forget, about the cost, of all your damage. Kermit, we did all that we could
Kermit - Ugh…looks like I’m going to have to take over for the finale…
*Song ends and Fozzie ascends back up*
Fozzie – Y’all come up and visit sometime, ya hear?
Statler – My hearing aid fell out, what did that bear say?
Waldorf – Not much. “Bare”ly anything. *laughs*
Scene 9
(Entering the next scene, guests notice the Swedish Chef on a stage with a bunch of talking fruits and vegetables in a shopping cart all singing a song)
Photo 14 - Swedish Chef and his Veggie Fruits
Swedish Chef - *singing* Veegee Veegee Fruit Fruit Veegee Veegee Fruit!
Statler - I simply have to tell you that this scene is making me hungry...
Waldorf - I don't understand what that man is saying
Statler - That's probably for the best *both laugh*
*Your vehicle starts swaying again and the music stops*
Kermit - Please tell me you have this under control...
Dr. Honeydew - You have this under control
Kermit - No! I'm not in control...
Dr. Honeydew - Well neither am I! Oh no!
*You vehicle slides into a small transition room containing two different tracks in front of you*
Scene 10
(Beaker pulls a level and stops the cars from losing control, but they end up going in two different directions, left or right, to reveal two different finales. The left side is designated Scenes 11-1/12-1 and the right side is designated Scenes 11-2/12-2)
Scene 11-1
(After the Muppets regain control of the vehicle, the guests take a turn to the left, and enter an incline. Their vehicle then does a 180 degree turn to face the way they came. Kermit starts talking as we slowly ascend to L2)
Photo 15 - Rod Beaker
Scene 12-1
Kermit - Alright folks, this is the elevator that's gonna take you back to the station. We thank you for coming, and feel free to return any time. So, how did you like the ride, Mr. Seinfeld?
Jerry - *Shoots a disgusted look at Kermit*
Waldorf - I would take that as a no, frog. *laughs*
*Guests make it to floor 2, the exit floor, but they keep going, until they stop at an "unknown" floor, shocking the Muppets*
Kermit - Wait, where are they going?! They just passed the exit! Honeydew, what's going on?
Dr. Honeydew - Well Kermit, this is our scene.
Kermit - What? You didn't have a scene. Wait where's Beaker?
*A projection of a long, ominous hallway is seen above, with Beaker standing front and center in a Rod Sterling suit and wig.*
Beaker - Meep mood moo moop, meep meep...
Jerry - Now what the heck is he saying?
Dr. Honeydew - It is extremely rude to interrupt someone they are talking...
Statler - Almost as rude as double dipping!
Waldorf - Or discriminating against dentists! *laughs*
Jerry - Ok, Jerry's getting upset now! *Jerry tries to shut the ride down, Dr Honeydew holds him back.*
Beaker - Boop bop... Beep Boop Boop. Bwa ha boop!
*You see lightning effects behind Beaker, and you anticipate a drop. You feel a shaking behind you, and hear a loud explosion with a flash of light.*
Dr Honeydew - Oh dear! I can't control anything everyone brace for the drop I don't know what will happen ahh!.
*lighting flashes around you and you feel the vehicle shake a tad, but you end up back at the unload dock*
Dr. Honeydew - Oh...well I always knew that would happen..haha!
Kermit - Ugh...So, Mr. Seinfeld did we get the green light?
*All of the Muppets from the ride cram the control center, asking if they got the green light*
Jerry - Quiet! Well, Kermit, to be totally honest, no. There is no way I can right now, or ever, give you guys a green light.
Fozzie - Well actually the board said you didn't sign-in at the studio today, so in order to properly give a review, you have to come back again! Waka Waka!
Jerry - *stares in disgust*
Kermit - Well folks, thanks again! See you real soon!
Statler - Ah, best part of the whole ride...
Waldorf - Yeah, it's over! *both laugh*
Scene 11 – 2
(Uncle Deadly is seen sitting on a ledge above the riders as they begin to slowly ascend upward.)
Uncle Deadly – Hmm yes, yes, I’m supposed to say something menacing here, but I think it’s more menacing if you all find out for yourselves mmm yes…
Scene 12 – 2
(As guests ascend slowly up from L1, "Rainbow Connection" is heard being sung by Kermit, who is seated on the left hand side of the vehicle – the tunnel glows like a rainbow as the song plays)
Kermit - Someday we’ll find it, the rainbow connection, the lovers, the dreamers, and ---
*Suddenly Fozzie stumbles in and stops the music*
Fozzie – Kermit, um, slight problem, apparently Beaker was assigned the final scene and never finished it
*looking at the guests* Kermit - okay so where are these people going?
Fozzie – To uh…nowhere?
*Panic ensues and all of the Muppets converge to try and stop the vehicle from ascending. Dr. Bunsen presses a bunch of buttons but nothing works and he accidentally causes a device to blow up in smoke*
Gonzo – Boy I’ve never seen an attraction be this much of a bomb…
Crazy Harry – Did someone say bomb?!
*Crazy Harry sets off another explosive, a loud band occurs and thrusts the vehicle over the edge – everyone screams expecting catastrophe!*
Fozzie – Wait, what?
*The guests arrive back at the drop off point*
Fozzie – Well, I guess we did finish the ride *Fozzie laugh* – Folks, I hope you enjoyed the ride, and clearly we are still in testing mode – so Mr. Seinfeld, with a few little tweaks, would this get approved?
*Camera pans to Jerry Seinfeld who is covered in smoke and dust from the exploded control room device just stares at the camera*
Fozzie – Eh I’ll take that as a yes. Thanks everyone, have a great day!
Kermit – Well that’s just another day at Muppet Headquarters, come back and visit any time, so long everyone.
Statler - Ah best part of the whole ride...
Waldorf - Yeah, it's over! *both laugh*
*Guests disembark on the left side of the vehicle and proceed from L2 down the exit ramp to L1 where they proceed out to the exit and enter the "Most Wanted" Gift Shop, where you can find a variety of Muppet items including clothing, accessories, and novelty items from smaller derivativeproperties such as Fraggle Rock and Dinosaurs. This will act as the new Stage One Company Store and will solve the issue that a Cast Member we spoke to had noticed while working in Disney's Hollywood Studios, which was that guests did not know where the gift shop was when they exited Muppet*Vision 3D. This problem will be resolved as the main attraction exit will lead straight into the gift shop.
Attraction Statistics
Ride System – Trackless Dark Ride
Cost – Approx $110,000,000 USD
Ride Length – 3 minutes and 45 seconds
# of Audio-Animatronics - 30
# of Emergency Exits - 3
# of Vehicles – 32
# of Guests per Vehicle – 5
Hourly Capacity – Approx 2,560 guests
Height-Restriction – None
Handicapped-Accessible - Yes
FastPass+ - Yes
Other Easter Eggs and Hidden Mickeys
Pre-Show - As guests are watching the show, Sam the Eagle can be seen in the background with a Mickey Mouse hat on for a brief moment.
Pre-Show - The inspiration behind having Jerry Seinfeld as a WDI Board member came from a Muppet skit called "Seinfeld Babies" on Muppets Tonight Episode 107.
Pre-Show - Gonzo says "Hello, Jerry" a famous quote from Jerry's arch enemy on Seinfeld, Newman.
Pre-Show - A gag throughout the Muppets has been when Fozzie comes up to someone and says that he has a "letter" for them or something of that nature. When the person expects a note, he gives them an actual "letter" (A) and laughs - which is why he hands Jerry a "tweeting" bird.
Pre-Show - Gonzo says "Levels, Jerry levels!" referencing the "levels bet" from Seinfeld Season 2 Episode 2, "The Pony Remark"
Scene 3 – Gonzo refers to himself as a “whatever,” which he was classified as in The Great Muppet Caper (1981)
Scene 5 - The Star Tunnel music is from WDW's Space Mountain Queue
Scene 5 - Pigs in Space was a popular skit on The Muppet Show (1976-1981)
Scene 8 - Swingin' Teddi Barra is a character who drops in a swing from the ceiling of the classic Disney attraction, Country Bear Jamboree. She sings Ned Miller's song, "Heart, We Did All That We Could", which Fozzie ad libs.
Scene 9 - Statler says "I simply have to tell you" which is an opening lyric to the song from Epcot's Kitchen Kabaret, 'Veggie Veggie Fruit Fruit'
Scene 9 - The talking fruits and vegetables made a cameo in The Muppet Christmas Carol (1992)
Scenes 1 and 12-2 - Another running gag on the Muppets is Crazy Harry exploding pyrotechnics whenever he hears the word "bang", or anything related to explosions.
The Gift Shop is named after the film, Muppets Most Wanted (2014)
The restaurant, Pete's Luncheonette, has ties to not only the Muppets, but Seinfeld as well. Pete's Luncheonette was the only set left over from the Muppets Take Manhattan (1984), and was also where Jerry and George ate in the pilot episode of Seinfeld.
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References
- Eddy current brake US 6659237 B1
https://www.google.com/patents/US6659237
- Sciretta, Peter., Disney's Hollywood Studios could Undergo $3 Billion Overhaul to Add More Star Wars, Pixar, and Indiana Jones,Slash Films,2 July 2015.
http://www.slashfilm.com/disney-hollywood-studios-changes/
- Trackless dark ride vehicle, system, and method, US 20130144468A1
http://www.google.com/patents/US20130144468
Challenge 1 - Somewhere Over the Rainbow Connection
Introduction
At the inception of the competition, the first challenge asks the Imagineering teams to design a new attraction based on the Muppets for Disney’s Hollywood Studios. The prompt also asked the teams to ensure that the project reflects the core of the Muppets. For Team Goofy, the core of the Muppets is their comedy, which is included but not limited to burlesque and self-referential humor. Furthermore, the creator of the Muppets, Jim Henson, should also be considered the core of the Muppets. Honored posthumously in the Hollywood Walk-of-Fame in 1991, and as a Disney Legend in 2011, Henson’s comedic talents will be given a special spot in Disney’s Hollywood Studios, which will include one of his last works, Muppet*Vision 3D. Our attraction and our project as a whole attempts to enshrine these two essential components of the Muppets into a unique and family-friendly environment.
Coming to Disney's Hollywood Studios in 2017…
Jim Henson’s Muppet Land
Photo 1 - Jim Henson's Muppet Land Concept Art
An area once occupied by The Magic of Disney Animation, this themed land will energize the Muppet franchise as a whole, and give it the spotlight it justly deserves. Within the land, there will be a D-zone for relaxation, a table-service restaurant called Pete's Luncheonette, and a Fraggle Rock Water Play Area for small children. Since there's a slated Fraggle Rock movie to come in the next few years, the Jim Henson Company has now given theme park rights to the Fraggles to The Walt Disney Company, hence why we utlized them in the water play area.
The land will also include a new home for the nostalgic Muppet*Vision 3D. To honor Jim Henson and to cherish one of his final works (he passed away before the show was finished) we decided to relocate the theater show, along with a dedicated plaque to Jim Henson in honor of his memory. Details on its location can be seen in Photo 3. Furthermore, the land will include some much needed greenery and aquatic features, such as trees and fountains respectively.
We chose this area specifically due to the rumored Pixar and Star Wars expansions set to occur at Disney's Hollywood Studios. Since Muppet*Vision 3D was situated within the area of potential expansion, we decided to uproot and travel to a different part of Disney's Hollywood Studios in order to not impede those expansion plans. You can see our planned location and overall blueprint below:
Photo 2 - Location of Jim Henson's Muppet Land
Photo 3 - Blueprint of Jim Henson's Muppet Land Layout
While these additions will add depth and character to the environment, the main event is our high capacity, trackless dark ride. We chose to create a family dark ride for three reasons. One was due to the lack of rides in Disney's Hollywood Studios (with the Backlot Tour closing, there are now only 5 "rides". The second was due to the lack of family rides in the park as well. The third reason was because if theoretically this opened in 2017, Disney's Hollywood Studios would be a construction zone on the south side if things go as planned. In order to keep people in the park, you need to give them something to ride as a family, and something that has a high hourly capacity. We figured a family dark ride with high capacity would be in the best interest of the park as a whole. With that said, we are pleased to present our new Muppet attraction for Disney's Hollywood Studios...
"The Muppeteers"
The Muppeteers Theme Song - An original score composed by Team Goofy
Synopsis: When the Muppets decide to design a theme park attraction themselves, they must first have it approved by a Walt Disney Imagineering board member. Join Kermit, Fozzie, and the rest of the Muppets to experience the hilarity that ensues when the Muppets are the "imagineers," or better yet, the "Muppeteers."
Photo 4 - The Muppeteers Attraction Blueprint
We illustrate the infrastructure of our attraction and the metric distances it encompasses. By entering the Stand-by line, guests can enter an interactive queue environment (described in detail below). If they enter via the FastPass+ line, they enter a series of switchbacks and up a set of stairs before meshing with the Stand-By before entering the Pre-Show. Once the Pre-Show is complete, guests board their ride vehicles and proceed through 12 eclectic scenes. Multiple emergency exits are depicted throughout the blueprint as well as a maintenance spur for the ride vehicles seen in the bottom left hand corner.
Photo 5 - The Muppeteers Facade Concept Art
A sketch of the outside aesthetic of the attraction building. The facade was inspired the architecture of the Jim Henson Company Lot in Hollywood, California.
Photo 6 - The Muppeteers Ride Vehicle Concept Art
The animated concept art for our ride vehicle inspired by the Muppet Mobile Lab. It seats 5 comfortably. As seen in the image, the ride vehicle will be designed to sway through turns and sudden movements (not as drastically or quickly as in the image) but enough to give an added visceral experience to the attraction. As mentioned before, The Muppeteers will be a trackless dark ride utilizing a ride system complete with 32 AGVs (Automated Guided Vehicles) which will rely on Local Positioning Systems to navigate around the scenes.
Because the attraction is on two levels, an emergency magnetic breaking system between the vehicles and the track will be installed at the base of the descent from Level 2 (L2) to (L1). Commonly knows as an Eddy Current magnetic breaking system, we organize this through the installation and interaction between a non-magnetic metal, and a magnetic field.
The bottom portion of our ride vehicle is made of aluminum, a non-magnetic (non-ferrous) metal. When it reacts with the magnetic field at the base of the decline, electromagnetic induction occurs, which causes a force opposing the motion of the vehicle, initiating the breaking phenomenon. The kinetic energy of the vehicle is converted to thermal energy and thus decreases the speed before entering the upcoming scene.
Photo 7 - The Muppeteers Load/Unload Blueprint
This image elicits more detail regarding the Load/Unload procedures. The attraction is on 2 levels (L1 and L2) Guests Load and Unload on L2. Once they are unloaded, they can proceed to an exit ramp which will take them to L1 and the gift shop. Or for handicapped needs there is an elevator to take guests down to L1.
Interactive "Queue"
Photo 8 - Muppeteer Buzzer Concept Art
For guests entering the Stand-By line for The Muppeteers, there are a variety of options to choose from to make the wait more enjoyable. Guests are given a pager and an approximate wait-time before entering the pre-show. While waiting, guests are free to explore the rest of Jim Henson's Muppet Land. Among the options will be the Muppeteers D-Zone (located as soon as guests walk through the Stand-By entrance. This area will provide air conditioning, charging ports for the adults, and an opportunity to gaze at the history of the Muppets, as all Muppet movie posters and shows are described on the walls. Kids can also explore the Fraggle Rock water play area for hot days. Roaming throughout Muppets Land, guests can enjoy Dr. Honeydew and Beaker at the Muppet Mobile Labs (at selected times). Additionally, the guests can shop at the "Most Wanted" Gift Shop, or time-permitting, watch the 3D spectacle, starring the Muppets themselves, Muppet*Vision3D.
Pre-Show
(As guests walk in to the Pre-Show area, they enter a smaller holding area with a large projection screen in front of the guests. They stand and watch the screen in front of them. )
Kermit: Welcome to the Muppeteers Lab! Today we will present what we’ve been working on for you folks. We’ve done TV shows and movies, but we’ve never done a theme park ride, so we decided to switch focus and land a spot with the best and brightest theme park out there. But…um...unfortunately, we had to settle for here. Nevertheless, today you will all be the first to experience the first Muppet-made theme park attraction in history.
*Camera pans to the other Muppets working*
Kermit: We have worked countless hours to ensure that this incorporates the best a theme park attraction has to offer, but in order for to open, we need a Walt Disney Imagineer board member to come and approve it. You may recognize him from an old hit TV show-
Gonzo: *behind the curtain* “Heh basically like us...”
Kermit: Please welcome Jerry Seinfeld!
*Jerry is pushed out on stage by Animal*
Animal - “Ha ha ha No soup for you! No soup for you! ha ha ha”
*to the right of the audience*
Statler: Who’s this guy?
Waldorf: “Is that Matthew Perry?”
Statler: “Can’t be, that guy doesn’t look like he has any ‘Friends’” *both laugh*
Jerry: “That’s great, I’m being insulted by old puppets”
Waldorf: “You look familiar, what job did you have?”
Jerry: I was a comedian...
Statler: That's not so funny
Jerry: I didn't tell a joke yet
Waldorf: No you're the joke *both laugh*
Jerry *to Kermit* Gosh are they always this cruel?
*Fozzie enters stage left*
Fozzie: “Tweet for Jerry Seinfeld! Tweet for Jerry Seinfeld! Are you Jerry Seinfeld?”
Jerry: Yes, I am
Fozzie: “Tweet for you…*hands him a tweeting bird*
Jerry: “Very nice, nice joke, alright”
*Gonzo approaches stage left*
Gonzo: “...Hello, Jerry”
Jerry: “…Hello…Gonzo”
Gonzo: So Mr. Seinfeld are you going to green light our attraction?
Jerry: How can I? I have not seen it yet
Fozzie: Did you hear we built levels?
Jerry: Levels?
Fozzie: That's right we built levels! Levels, Jerry levels!
Miss Piggy: And of course I am the star of the show, I came up with a whole scene myself
Jerry: You didn’t run it past anyone?
Miss Piggy: Excuse me, but as the star, people run things past me!
*Kermit enter stage left*
Kermit: *pushing Jerry out* “Alright thanks again to Mr. Seinfeld thanks for introducing yourself and for keeping us all entertained while we finished up our surprise. Okay first order of business is to…
Gonzo: “Show you your ride vehicles! Dr. Bunsen Honeydew and Beaker have spent a lot of time creating the Muppet-Mover 9000“
Kermit: Wait, why is it called 9000?
Dr. Honeydew - “Well, it’s our 9000th try…so this one has to work”
Beaker: “Meep moop meep meep!”
Gonzo: “Well I think these people trust us…everyone hands in the air…now flap them…now turn left…now right…
Kermit: Um, Gonzo, is this a protocol?
Gonzo: Haha no…I just like watching people do silly stuff”
Kermit: *under his breath* Hmm…I can see that trust meter dwindling really fast…”
Dr. Honeydew - Well yes the Muppet-Mover 9000 is quite state of the art if I do say so myself, from the Muppet Control Center we can basically move your vehicles anywhere we want.
Statler: Heh can you move ours towards the exit? *both laugh*
Kermit: And how have the trials gone so far?
Dr. Honeydew - Very successful Kermit, we have 32 vehicles still functioning.
Kermit: Well how many were there to start?
Beaker: Meep Meep
Dr. Honeydew - Well, what he said, around 100.
Kermit: 100?! What the heck happened to them?
Dr. Honeydew - It seems that there is sometimes a glitch around the curve, but it will be fine.
Kermit - "Okay well hopefully they have that sorted out so you can now embark on our attraction - our take on a classic, slow paced, well-thought out ride"
Fozzie - "Wait - I thought we were creating a show?"
Gonzo -"I thought we were making a boat ride?"
Sam -"I thought we were making a tribute to every country named America!?"
Swedish Chef: Flundy on fundy oh erg a dersh a dern?
Miss Piggy - "We are still doing my solo scene correct?"
Kermit - "Wait, no you guys were supposed to come up with a nice and relaxing ride for these folks, what did you do?
Miss Piggy - Well my scene will surely do that!
Fozzie - "Don't worry Kermit, this will be fine-"
Kermit - "No it won't did you all even finish your ideas? You were supposed to be a team. There is no 'i" in team"
Statler - "Well there is an 'i' in fail." *laughs*
Fozzie - "There is an 'i' in "nice" and I think this will be great. I mean look how excited everyone is!"
*Camera pans to the Muppeteer round table with all the Muppets smiling at their varied projects*
Waldorf - "By the looks of it this attraction may bring down the building"
Statler - "Well at least my expectations *both laugh*
Kermit - “Okay everyone, I guess we are ready to proceed…I hope... In a few moments, the doors to your left will open and you will enter your ride vehicles. As you wait, Swedish Chef… can you go over what you “cooked” up for the safety procedures?”
*Kermit exits stage left*
Swedish Chef - “Yinga dern she der sheah der. Ying flude lude en ergerded vedered. Boafordy verdered, pefluby waf for de safidy ber to doford. Reforuber to keef ur hends aerms, feefs, and lergs insider the verdered.Ard noo flesf photoforphy.Ferf you ard fenjoy.
Translation:
“When you exit the door to your left, you will proceed to your ride vehicle. Once you are on board your ride vehicle, please wait for the safety bar to come down. Remember to keep your hands, arms, feet, and legs inside of the vehicle. And no flash photography. Thank you and enjoy!”
Ride-Through
*Note - All scenes are performed with physical sets and Audio-Animatronics*
(Upon entering the ride vehicle, guests are seated and notice a small 15” screen implanted in the middle of the front and rear rows of the vehicle. From this screen, guests can observe the Muppet mission control center for the attraction – where Kermit and Jerry and a few other Muppets observe Dr. Bunsen Honeydew and Beaker managing the vehicles. They check in with your car to see if everyone is okay. The control center also checks in with Statler and Waldorf in their ride vehicle. You see them on the screen seated in their vehicle.)
Waldorf - This ride reminds me of blue cheese.
Statler - Why do you say that?
Waldorf - Because it’s cheap and it stinks.
Dr. Honeydew - Everybody ready to go?
Statler - I’m ready to go.
Waldorf - Yeah, go home! *both laugh*
Scene 1
*Dr. Honeydew pulls the restraint bar down onto the guests’ laps and the vehicle presses forward through two opening doors in front of them. The guests then enter a pitch black dark room.*
Kermit – Guys what is going on?
Fozzie – Kermit, you said you wanted a dark ride – well here you go!
Kermit – That’s not what a dark ride means – ugh somebody turn on the lights. Dr Bunsen will crash the vehicle and it will make a loud bang
Crazy Harry – Did someone say …bang?!
*As a Muppet turns on the lights, Crazy Harry sets off a blast that pushes the ride vehicle and over a small drop that takes them down to level 1. There is an impromptu homage in this scene to Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride, as the blast creates a red aura and a bright light around the vehicle as it plunges down.*
Scene 2
(Once the ride vehicles are back under control after dropping down, the riders approach some very small sets that are almost difficult to see.)
Kermit – Why is everything so small?
Gonzo – This is it’s a small world - I thought that’s what you wanted?
Jerry – You know this isn’t really looking too great right now
Kermit – Dr. Honeydew can you get these people out of here, hopefully this ride gets better.
Dr. Honeydew – Um...there seems to be a problem with the controls, they are going haywire.
Beaker – Meep moop! Meep Meep moop moop.
Jerry – What language is that?
Dr. Honeydew – Erm…I’m losing control!
*At this point your vehicle starts to swing left and right as Dr. Bunsen jiggles the controls*
Statler – Hey, what’s going on here?
Waldorf – What did we do to deserve this?
Statler – We trusted the Muppets…*both laugh*
Kermit – Dr. Honeydew aim for that door, just go to the next scene!
Waldorf – How about just go for the exit? *laughs*
Scene 3
(After your vehicle settles down and gains control, you pass into a jungle setting filled with exotic plant-life, and you see three Muppets along the way.)
Photo 9 - Exotic Jungle Muppets
Kermit - Ok, Mr. Seinfeld, look out for some exotic animals on our cruise through the jungle.
*On your right, you see Gonzo, Camilla, and Rizzo behind exotic plants*
Jerry - Exotic? All I've seen is a mouse, a chicken, and a, uh, turkey?
Gonzo - A TURKEY? How dare you! For your information, I am a 'whatever.'
Rizzo - Hey pal, you better watch the way you talk to me, or I'm gonna...
Kermit - Ok, that's enough. He's a riot, isnt he Jerry?
Waldorf - He wouldn't know funny if it smacked him in the face! *laughs*
Kermit - Hey, Dr. Honeydew, where are all of the aminals I asked you to get?
Dr. Honeydew - Oh, I almost forgot! Thank you Kermit! Unleash the Animals!
*A mad rush of Animals, not animals, race out and are screaming*
Kermit - What is Animal doing here?
Dr. Honeydew - You asked for me to get lots of Animals, so I cloned him 20 times.
Kermit - You did what!? I asked for animals, like elephants and tigers, not Animals! Get them out of there now!
*The car jerks around as you start to leave the jungle. The 'Animals' are still causing a ruckus.*
Scene 4
(After leaving the jungle, we crash through the wall of a house and encounter some "dinosaurs", or Pepe and Rowlf acting as the Sinclair family from the Henson ABC sitcom Dinosaurs.)
Kermit - Now what is going on?
Pepe - It's Dinosaur, Kermit!
Kermit - What? Why would you recreate the 90's sitcom!? We were supposed to make a ride!
Rowlf - Gee, sorry boss.
Kermit - Let's just get out of here. Honeydew, get us out of this house. I'm very sorry Mr. Seinfeld about this. I promise that we wil get back on track with our intended ride!
*During Kermit's lines, the car starts to back up until it exits the house, and then you turn left to go to another scene*
Scene 5
(In front of the vehicles there is an open door and your vehicles stop shaking and thrust forward into the opening – the next room is dark with dimly lit stars and a cardboard cutout of a spaceship dangling from the ceiling by ropes – poorly tuned Star Tunnel music can be heard faintly in the background)
Photo 10 - Pig in Space
Kermit – Ugh not another “dark” ride…
Statler – Will this ride ever get better?
Waldorf – Ha when pigs fly…*both laugh*
*Inside the dangling spaceship you see Miss Piggy*
Statler and Waldorf – Oh!
Miss Piggy – *singing* here we are, here we are, pigs in space. We’re here to put a smile back, on your face. We’re all in space and we found our place and we wanted to invite the human rac-
*All of a sudden Miss Piggy is interrupted by a large figure crashing into things below the ship. As the lights switch to the figure, it’s Sweetums*
Sweetums – Ahh oh no! I was late. I’m in the next scene! Don’t look at me!
*As he runs away he accidentally crashes into more stuff, which causes the ropes to move and the spaceship to sway and knock into some stars*
Miss Piggy – No ah, what did you do?! Get out of here!
Sweetums – Ahh sorry!
Kermit – Um, just move along Dr. Bunsen.
*As you’re moving to the next scene you can hear Miss Piggy*
Miss Piggy – Wait no there’s more to the scene! Wait! Ugh, maybe later…
Scene 6
(You will enter a rather spacious cave, with torn up train tracks around you. You suddenly hear giant foot steps from your left and right, and your Yeti's show up, Bobo the Bear on the right, and Sweetums on the left)
Photo 11 - *Yaking Yetis*
Bobo & Sweetums - Rawr!
Kermit - Now what in the world is going on here! Why are there TWO yeti's!?
Sweetums - Hey I'm supposed to be the Yeti!
*Bobo and Sweetums argue back and forth*
Kermit - Enough! Neither of you are supposed to be yetis anyways! We need to get back on track.
Statler - Track? What track? The one all ripped up? *Old Man Laughter*
Waldorf - Nah, this whole ride is off the rails *both laugh*
Kermit - Oh boy. Let's just keep moving, it can't get any worse, right Dr. Honeydew?
Dr. Honeydew - Well, I wouldn't say that, there are very high chances that it will get much worse.
*The cars start to move to the next scene*
Scene 7
(As you ride in, you see Sam Eagle writing on a scroll, between cardboard cutouts of Abraham Lincoln and George Washington. Fozzie also leaves Muppet control as he prepares to go do his scene next)
Photo 12 - Sam's Speech
Kermit - Okay Sam, you’re on.
Sam – But my speech isn’t finished yet!
Kermit - Well we’re here now, just wing it.
Sam - *Throwing down his scroll* One day, many, many years ago, George Washington fought hard to create this fine nation we-*loud crash as Gonzo accidentally breaks Lincoln in half *
Kermit – What was that?!
Jerry – This really isn’t going well Kermit, at this rate your ride will never get approved.
Gonzo – Sorry Sam, you can continue your speech now.
Sam – But you destroyed Abe! An Abe divided against himself cannot stand.
Gonzo - Well maybe if you placed in him against the wall it would look kinda like he's standing?
Kermit – What are you doing Gonzo?
Gonzo – I was practicing my patriotism!
Kermit – You already did your scene, let's just move on...
Sam – *From behind you* Kermit, where are you going? I’m not done!
Scene 8
(As the vehicles turn into the next room, the guests see a poorly designed staged with several stuffed animals and instruments in their hands – Sweetums crashes into the scene via stage right)
Photo 13 - Swingin' Fozzie Barra
Sweetums – Oh I’m late...you guys didn’t wait for me!
*Fozzie comes down from the ceiling in a wooden swing and sings – referencing Sweetums as he stumbles around*
Fozzie - Well there he goes, he hardly knows, the stuff he’s breaking. I talked to him, but I don’t think, he understood. Oh just forget, about the cost, of all your damage. Kermit, we did all that we could
Kermit - Ugh…looks like I’m going to have to take over for the finale…
*Song ends and Fozzie ascends back up*
Fozzie – Y’all come up and visit sometime, ya hear?
Statler – My hearing aid fell out, what did that bear say?
Waldorf – Not much. “Bare”ly anything. *laughs*
Scene 9
(Entering the next scene, guests notice the Swedish Chef on a stage with a bunch of talking fruits and vegetables in a shopping cart all singing a song)
Photo 14 - Swedish Chef and his Veggie Fruits
Swedish Chef - *singing* Veegee Veegee Fruit Fruit Veegee Veegee Fruit!
Statler - I simply have to tell you that this scene is making me hungry...
Waldorf - I don't understand what that man is saying
Statler - That's probably for the best *both laugh*
*Your vehicle starts swaying again and the music stops*
Kermit - Please tell me you have this under control...
Dr. Honeydew - You have this under control
Kermit - No! I'm not in control...
Dr. Honeydew - Well neither am I! Oh no!
*You vehicle slides into a small transition room containing two different tracks in front of you*
Scene 10
(Beaker pulls a level and stops the cars from losing control, but they end up going in two different directions, left or right, to reveal two different finales. The left side is designated Scenes 11-1/12-1 and the right side is designated Scenes 11-2/12-2)
Scene 11-1
(After the Muppets regain control of the vehicle, the guests take a turn to the left, and enter an incline. Their vehicle then does a 180 degree turn to face the way they came. Kermit starts talking as we slowly ascend to L2)
Photo 15 - Rod Beaker
Scene 12-1
Kermit - Alright folks, this is the elevator that's gonna take you back to the station. We thank you for coming, and feel free to return any time. So, how did you like the ride, Mr. Seinfeld?
Jerry - *Shoots a disgusted look at Kermit*
Waldorf - I would take that as a no, frog. *laughs*
*Guests make it to floor 2, the exit floor, but they keep going, until they stop at an "unknown" floor, shocking the Muppets*
Kermit - Wait, where are they going?! They just passed the exit! Honeydew, what's going on?
Dr. Honeydew - Well Kermit, this is our scene.
Kermit - What? You didn't have a scene. Wait where's Beaker?
*A projection of a long, ominous hallway is seen above, with Beaker standing front and center in a Rod Sterling suit and wig.*
Beaker - Meep mood moo moop, meep meep...
Jerry - Now what the heck is he saying?
Dr. Honeydew - It is extremely rude to interrupt someone they are talking...
Statler - Almost as rude as double dipping!
Waldorf - Or discriminating against dentists! *laughs*
Jerry - Ok, Jerry's getting upset now! *Jerry tries to shut the ride down, Dr Honeydew holds him back.*
Beaker - Boop bop... Beep Boop Boop. Bwa ha boop!
*You see lightning effects behind Beaker, and you anticipate a drop. You feel a shaking behind you, and hear a loud explosion with a flash of light.*
Dr Honeydew - Oh dear! I can't control anything everyone brace for the drop I don't know what will happen ahh!.
*lighting flashes around you and you feel the vehicle shake a tad, but you end up back at the unload dock*
Dr. Honeydew - Oh...well I always knew that would happen..haha!
Kermit - Ugh...So, Mr. Seinfeld did we get the green light?
*All of the Muppets from the ride cram the control center, asking if they got the green light*
Jerry - Quiet! Well, Kermit, to be totally honest, no. There is no way I can right now, or ever, give you guys a green light.
Fozzie - Well actually the board said you didn't sign-in at the studio today, so in order to properly give a review, you have to come back again! Waka Waka!
Jerry - *stares in disgust*
Kermit - Well folks, thanks again! See you real soon!
Statler - Ah, best part of the whole ride...
Waldorf - Yeah, it's over! *both laugh*
Scene 11 – 2
(Uncle Deadly is seen sitting on a ledge above the riders as they begin to slowly ascend upward.)
Uncle Deadly – Hmm yes, yes, I’m supposed to say something menacing here, but I think it’s more menacing if you all find out for yourselves mmm yes…
Scene 12 – 2
(As guests ascend slowly up from L1, "Rainbow Connection" is heard being sung by Kermit, who is seated on the left hand side of the vehicle – the tunnel glows like a rainbow as the song plays)
Kermit - Someday we’ll find it, the rainbow connection, the lovers, the dreamers, and ---
*Suddenly Fozzie stumbles in and stops the music*
Fozzie – Kermit, um, slight problem, apparently Beaker was assigned the final scene and never finished it
*looking at the guests* Kermit - okay so where are these people going?
Fozzie – To uh…nowhere?
*Panic ensues and all of the Muppets converge to try and stop the vehicle from ascending. Dr. Bunsen presses a bunch of buttons but nothing works and he accidentally causes a device to blow up in smoke*
Gonzo – Boy I’ve never seen an attraction be this much of a bomb…
Crazy Harry – Did someone say bomb?!
*Crazy Harry sets off another explosive, a loud band occurs and thrusts the vehicle over the edge – everyone screams expecting catastrophe!*
Fozzie – Wait, what?
*The guests arrive back at the drop off point*
Fozzie – Well, I guess we did finish the ride *Fozzie laugh* – Folks, I hope you enjoyed the ride, and clearly we are still in testing mode – so Mr. Seinfeld, with a few little tweaks, would this get approved?
*Camera pans to Jerry Seinfeld who is covered in smoke and dust from the exploded control room device just stares at the camera*
Fozzie – Eh I’ll take that as a yes. Thanks everyone, have a great day!
Kermit – Well that’s just another day at Muppet Headquarters, come back and visit any time, so long everyone.
Statler - Ah best part of the whole ride...
Waldorf - Yeah, it's over! *both laugh*
*Guests disembark on the left side of the vehicle and proceed from L2 down the exit ramp to L1 where they proceed out to the exit and enter the "Most Wanted" Gift Shop, where you can find a variety of Muppet items including clothing, accessories, and novelty items from smaller derivativeproperties such as Fraggle Rock and Dinosaurs. This will act as the new Stage One Company Store and will solve the issue that a Cast Member we spoke to had noticed while working in Disney's Hollywood Studios, which was that guests did not know where the gift shop was when they exited Muppet*Vision 3D. This problem will be resolved as the main attraction exit will lead straight into the gift shop.
Attraction Statistics
Ride System – Trackless Dark Ride
Cost – Approx $110,000,000 USD
Ride Length – 3 minutes and 45 seconds
# of Audio-Animatronics - 30
# of Emergency Exits - 3
# of Vehicles – 32
# of Guests per Vehicle – 5
Hourly Capacity – Approx 2,560 guests
Height-Restriction – None
Handicapped-Accessible - Yes
FastPass+ - Yes
Other Easter Eggs and Hidden Mickeys
Pre-Show - As guests are watching the show, Sam the Eagle can be seen in the background with a Mickey Mouse hat on for a brief moment.
Pre-Show - The inspiration behind having Jerry Seinfeld as a WDI Board member came from a Muppet skit called "Seinfeld Babies" on Muppets Tonight Episode 107.
Pre-Show - Gonzo says "Hello, Jerry" a famous quote from Jerry's arch enemy on Seinfeld, Newman.
Pre-Show - A gag throughout the Muppets has been when Fozzie comes up to someone and says that he has a "letter" for them or something of that nature. When the person expects a note, he gives them an actual "letter" (A) and laughs - which is why he hands Jerry a "tweeting" bird.
Pre-Show - Gonzo says "Levels, Jerry levels!" referencing the "levels bet" from Seinfeld Season 2 Episode 2, "The Pony Remark"
Scene 3 – Gonzo refers to himself as a “whatever,” which he was classified as in The Great Muppet Caper (1981)
Scene 5 - The Star Tunnel music is from WDW's Space Mountain Queue
Scene 5 - Pigs in Space was a popular skit on The Muppet Show (1976-1981)
Scene 8 - Swingin' Teddi Barra is a character who drops in a swing from the ceiling of the classic Disney attraction, Country Bear Jamboree. She sings Ned Miller's song, "Heart, We Did All That We Could", which Fozzie ad libs.
Scene 9 - Statler says "I simply have to tell you" which is an opening lyric to the song from Epcot's Kitchen Kabaret, 'Veggie Veggie Fruit Fruit'
Scene 9 - The talking fruits and vegetables made a cameo in The Muppet Christmas Carol (1992)
Scenes 1 and 12-2 - Another running gag on the Muppets is Crazy Harry exploding pyrotechnics whenever he hears the word "bang", or anything related to explosions.
The Gift Shop is named after the film, Muppets Most Wanted (2014)
The restaurant, Pete's Luncheonette, has ties to not only the Muppets, but Seinfeld as well. Pete's Luncheonette was the only set left over from the Muppets Take Manhattan (1984), and was also where Jerry and George ate in the pilot episode of Seinfeld.
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References
- Eddy current brake US 6659237 B1
https://www.google.com/patents/US6659237
- Sciretta, Peter., Disney's Hollywood Studios could Undergo $3 Billion Overhaul to Add More Star Wars, Pixar, and Indiana Jones,Slash Films,2 July 2015.
http://www.slashfilm.com/disney-hollywood-studios-changes/
- Trackless dark ride vehicle, system, and method, US 20130144468A1
http://www.google.com/patents/US20130144468
DinoInstitute
Well-Known Member
Team Donald Presents
Phase 3 - Henson Studios Expansion Executive Update - July 2017
The current Muppets area of the park lacks immersive themes. Phase 1 saw the removal of San Francisco Street from Streets of America, and the celebrated addition through our partnership with Sesame Productions, of attractions and experiences that specifically cater to family and younger guests.
Phase 2 involves improvements to the existing infrastructure, and an expansion of experiences involving the traditional Muppet Show cast of characters.
But, the rest of the area is still a muddle of concepts, with conflicting IPs such as Pizza Planet (Pixar) and Mama Melrose (Unrelated) taking up valuable real estate. Phase 3, completed in 2019, will finish this transformation, and will breathe new life into this area of the park.
Note- Phase 1 is all in green
Phase 2 is all in black
Phase 3 is blue
As noted in the Pre-Proposal submitted through WDI and presented to the Board of Directors in June of 2015, the Walt Disney Company approved the capital and leveraged relationships required for an expanded Henson universe of characters. This offers a greater range of experiences to explore for the Guests, as well as merchandise opportunities.
____________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
By the end of the following year, TWDC completed the acquisition of Henson Studios and a partnership with the Sesame Workshop as part of this expansion, allowing IP's such as the Fraggles and Sesame Street to enter the Disney Family of characters.
As you recall, the project had been divided into 3 phases, in order to keep the maximum amount of experiences available to the Guests of Disney's Hollywood Studios at one time. The overarching goal was that no major attraction would be taken down until a new one was completed.
These Phases are:
Phase 1 - Sesame Streets of America - Opening 2017
Phase 2 - Muppets Enhancements - Opening 2018
Phase 3 - Opening 2019
Immediately work began on Phase 1 of the Project, as outlined with a short summary below.
____________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________
Phase 2 began immediately after the opening of the Elmo dark ride. Details below.
____________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________
Phase 3 specifically opens in 2019 as it is enough time to complete construction with a little bit of wiggle room, though soon enough to bring attractions to the park while the rest is still undergoing many refurbishments/new projects. In addition, this year will also hold the opening of the Fraggle Rock movie in theater, helping with advertising & hype.
Several advertising posters will be released, including:
Disney will develop new Fraggle Rock inspired apps and online games for guests, as something unique and fun for kids to play as they build up anticipation for their trip. In addition, a new specially designed commercial showcasing the entire completed land will air across the nation.
Now, we are proud to present:
Phase 3 - Fraggle Rock
Coming with Phase 3 is a whole new experience. A unique ride system, and a new ride that celebrates some of Jim Henson's best work. You and your family will be able to experience Fraggle Rock, from a first hand experience!
This is a family thrill ride/dark ride with a new and unique ride system that allows it to function both as a classic omnimover style presentation with music and audio-animatronic based scenes, as well as a limited coaster.
Ride Summary
After Gobo goes missing Fraggles Red, Mokey, Wembley, and Boober go looking for him. They pass through Doozer City into the Fraggle Caves. The dark and eerie caves discourage them, but a postcard from Traveler Matt cheers them up. After asking the Trash Heap, they learn the Gorgs have Gobo. When they arrive, Junior Gorg is having a kind conversation with a scared Gobo. Junior lets them escape when his parents become worried, and the Fraggles learn that maybe the Gorgs aren't that bad after all.
Ride System
The ride system is based on a tracked rotating coaster. While the immediate response is that this is a "mad mouse" sort of experience, the reality is that the cars are controlled through the majority of the experience through a unique, but simple, mechanism.
They have a guiding tire.
This is how older systems would work, and as a nod, it works extremely well.
Once upon the ride, the vehicle can be put into two modes.
1) Controlled output, where it functions as a tracked ride, and you can only focus on the scene in front of you.
2) The latter mode allows the operator to lock the ride vehicle, or unlock it, as they see fit. For our ride, we will use this feature a lot.
Queue/Facade
The queue/facade will be based on Doc's Workshop. The winding queue begins just outside of Oscar's Workshop. It leads you through a series of rooms with various scenes, to include Animatronics in the queue.
Guests may experience an interaction with Uncle Travelling Matt, done with a similar tactic as Crush.
In addition, you'll see Sprocket eyeballing a very famous hole, while Doc is distracted and chides him for his obsession.
Subtle nods to the UK version of the show will be placed throughout the queue as well, so keep a sharp eye out and you may spot them!
The queue is craftily designed to make you "shrink" to the size of a Fraggle to enter the ride. Of course, park goers won't actually shrink, but each scene will gradually increase in scale, creating this illusion, whether you only notice it subconsciously or not.
Once you are "small enough", you will make it to a hole in the wall (Fraggle Hole). This is where guests will board their vehicles. There are pipes everywhere and the walls are brick and rock.
Track Layout
Virtual Ridethrough
Text Version & Scene Description:
Scene 1:
Ride into the intro sequence from the show, explore the main part of the rock, and approaches a hole with a Gorg eye looking in. Gobo is notably missing.
Scene 2:
The Fraggles continue to sing as you and Red go looking for Gobo in his Fraggle home.
Red: Gobo! Goboooo! Oh no, Gobo's missing!
Scene 3:
Red announces Gobo is missing in the main room.
Red: Hey everybody, Gobo's missing! We have to find him!
Mokey: Oh no. I sure hope the Gorgs didnt get him. We have to rescue him.
Wembley: He's probably here somewhere. Anyways, we cant go find him. It could be dangerous!
Scene 4:
As the Fraggles sing in the main room, Convincing John gets Red, Mokey, Boober, and Wembley to go after Gobo
Convincing John: Why don't you go look for your friend?[Convincing John song here]
Boober: Fine. I guess we could look for him.
Wembley: Well... OK
Red: Alright then, lets go everybody!
Scene 5:
As the Fraggles venture off on your left and right through a tunnel, they enter the grand Doozer city. As the ride ascends, you pass by the Dozzers at work
Mokey: Look everybody, its Doozer City
[Doozer song]
Scene 6:
You and the Fraggles go through another tunnel and enter a dark cave with little light, and a few easter eggs from Labyrinth, Dark Crystal, and Muppets in the form of creatures. You also hear howls and echoes.
Wembley: Guys, its dark. I'm scared.
Boober: Oh. Come on, it's not that scary! [Animal jumps at him] Ahhh!!!
Scene 7:
The 4 gather along a cave wall. They all think that they'll never find Gobo. Mokey reminds them they need to find him and have to be brave like Traveling Matt as he pulls out a postcard from Matt. This cheers everyone up. The ride vehicle moves into a thick fog and lights now above the restaurant.
Wembley: Guys, we'll never find Gobo.
Red: Maybe you're right Wembley
Mokey: No. We have to find Gobo and we have to be brave...[pulls out card]...Like Uncle Traveler Matt.
Scene 8:
The Uncle Matt inspiration keeps the journey going, but Wembley continues to be scared.
Wembley: [Sings "I'm not scared'']
Scene 9:
The Fraggles inquire about where Gobo could possibly be.
Red: Ok, we need to keep looking! But how do we know where Gobo is?
Boober: Why not just ask the Trash Heap? She seems to know a lot.
Mokey: That's it! We can ask the Trash Heap
Scene 10:
Another tunnel to floor 1 as the rats introduce the Trash Heap.
Rats: Introducing... the Trash Heap
Scene 11:
The All-Knowing Trash Heap tells the Fraggles that the Gorgs are always looking for Fraggles, and they should check with him. Wembley is scared, but is comforted by the Fraggles.
Trash Heap: Gobo... hmmm... Oh! He's with the Gorgs.
Fraggles: The Gorgs!
Boober: We have to save him!
Mokey: Let's go!
Red: Yeah!
Wembley: Uhhh... OK.
Scene 12:
Junior Gorg is heard talking to someone outside the house and Gorg Garden. A small "Ms Piggy" easter egg is hidden in the yard as a lawn gnome. When you turn the corner, you see Junior Gorg is holding Gobo who is shaking with fear. Junior is asking him general questions like favorite color and Gobo is scarily answering. Gobo sees the Fraggles and tells them to run, after Junior's mother hears him talking and asks who else is there.
Junior Gorg: Later, I'll let you meet my friend. She's made of radishes, so don't eat her Gobo.
That wouldn't be nice. Maybe you could be our friend?
Gobo: Uh...uh... purple.
Red: Gobo! Come quick!
Mother Gorg (not seen): Junior, is someone there?
Scene 13:
Junior denies he's seen any Fraggles and keeps telling his parents he's ok and no one else is there, until the Fraggles escape.
Junior (whispering): Run Fraggles, before my parents see you.
Mother Gorg (not seen): Junior, is everything OK?
Junior: Yeah Mom, leave me alone.
Father Gorg: Junior, you be nice to your mother.
Junior (whisper): Bye Fraggles.
Scene 14:
A hill climb and small drop in a cave tunnel as the Fraggles escape.
(There's enough space between each Omnimover vehicle so it can speed up here using wheels and brakes)
Scene 15:
The main Rock room has everyone celebrating. A Fraggle is swinging from a vine and some are swimming.
The main theme plays once more.
Scene 16:
In a Fraggle home, the 5 all talk about the Gorgs. Gobo says how Junior Gorg isn't really bad and the others talk about how he helped them escape. They all realize that the Gorgs aren't really that bad and they all say goodnight. The lights go dark until the exit area.
Gobo: You know, it was scary to be captured, but Junior isn't really a bad guy.
Red: Yeah, that was nice of him to help us escape.
Red: Goodnight
Fraggles: Goodnight
[Follow Me plays]
Exit
Guests exit the attraction into a small gift shop (Similar to the size of Splash Mountain's Briar Patch shop). It is themed again to Doc's shop (as that is the entrance/exit to the Fraggle Rock). While guests will love being able to take home attraction-specific memorabilia of their adventure, perhaps the most notable aspect of this shop is the Traveling Uncle Matt animatronic, who interactions with guests. He comments on many things like odd circles on the Silly Creature's heads, utensils, and a large yellow creature with wings walking around (Big Bird). He always refers to people as Silly Creatures.
Thank you for reading!
Phase 3 - Henson Studios Expansion Executive Update - July 2017
The current Muppets area of the park lacks immersive themes. Phase 1 saw the removal of San Francisco Street from Streets of America, and the celebrated addition through our partnership with Sesame Productions, of attractions and experiences that specifically cater to family and younger guests.
Phase 2 involves improvements to the existing infrastructure, and an expansion of experiences involving the traditional Muppet Show cast of characters.
But, the rest of the area is still a muddle of concepts, with conflicting IPs such as Pizza Planet (Pixar) and Mama Melrose (Unrelated) taking up valuable real estate. Phase 3, completed in 2019, will finish this transformation, and will breathe new life into this area of the park.
Note- Phase 1 is all in green
Phase 2 is all in black
Phase 3 is blue
As noted in the Pre-Proposal submitted through WDI and presented to the Board of Directors in June of 2015, the Walt Disney Company approved the capital and leveraged relationships required for an expanded Henson universe of characters. This offers a greater range of experiences to explore for the Guests, as well as merchandise opportunities.
____________________________________________________________________
In accordance with current licenses held by the Sesame Workshop and Sea World, all Sea World domestic parks (including Sesame Place in Pennsylvania) will continue to operate with Sesame Street Characters, with Sea World Orlando being the only exception. They will be required to discontinue their Sesame Street Live Shows on December 31, 2019.
With respect to the Sesame Place park, or any other domestic park, Sea World may continue to invest and expand their parks and entertainment with this IP. Additionally, this deal does not effect any foreign license rights. So, the Pan-Asian rights will still remain with Universal Studios.
The Walt Disney Company will not purchase Sesame Workshop. Rather they have a cooperative partnership for the use of the Sesame Street brand and characters, not have a controlling interest. The provisions of this deal is limited to the Florida and European Parks only (for a possible inclusion at Disney Studios Paris in the future).
As a further provision, Disney will not be allowed to "blend" their characters with the Sesame Street IP. Meaning, no "Donald in a trash can as Oscar the Grouch" merchandise, for example. Sesame Street characters and merchandise must remain true to their brand, and their brand only. All merchandise will be approved by Sesame Workshop. However, any merchandise approved must be park exclusive (a provision added by Disney). Proceeds from the Oscar's Alley shop will belong entirely to Sesame Studios, after operational and rent related expenses have been deducted by Disney.
While Disney has merely an operating partnership with Sesame Workshop, they will completely purchase Jim Henson Studios. As with Pixar, while there will be some oversight and cross promotion, the division will largely fall under the leadership of Brian Henson. The only modification that will be made is that creative developments will be overseen by John Lasseter for future productions for a short period of time, to assist with the transition into the larger culture. Mr. Lasseter has dealt with this situation before through Pixar, and can help set Jim Henson Studios up to fully take advantage of the capital and marketing enterprise capacity of the Disney organization while maintaining their own creative track.
This deal, however, will mean that Disney fully controls prior IPs which, historically, belong directly to Jim Henson Studios (Labyrinth, Fraggles, Dark Crystal, et al),
With respect to the Sesame Place park, or any other domestic park, Sea World may continue to invest and expand their parks and entertainment with this IP. Additionally, this deal does not effect any foreign license rights. So, the Pan-Asian rights will still remain with Universal Studios.
The Walt Disney Company will not purchase Sesame Workshop. Rather they have a cooperative partnership for the use of the Sesame Street brand and characters, not have a controlling interest. The provisions of this deal is limited to the Florida and European Parks only (for a possible inclusion at Disney Studios Paris in the future).
As a further provision, Disney will not be allowed to "blend" their characters with the Sesame Street IP. Meaning, no "Donald in a trash can as Oscar the Grouch" merchandise, for example. Sesame Street characters and merchandise must remain true to their brand, and their brand only. All merchandise will be approved by Sesame Workshop. However, any merchandise approved must be park exclusive (a provision added by Disney). Proceeds from the Oscar's Alley shop will belong entirely to Sesame Studios, after operational and rent related expenses have been deducted by Disney.
While Disney has merely an operating partnership with Sesame Workshop, they will completely purchase Jim Henson Studios. As with Pixar, while there will be some oversight and cross promotion, the division will largely fall under the leadership of Brian Henson. The only modification that will be made is that creative developments will be overseen by John Lasseter for future productions for a short period of time, to assist with the transition into the larger culture. Mr. Lasseter has dealt with this situation before through Pixar, and can help set Jim Henson Studios up to fully take advantage of the capital and marketing enterprise capacity of the Disney organization while maintaining their own creative track.
This deal, however, will mean that Disney fully controls prior IPs which, historically, belong directly to Jim Henson Studios (Labyrinth, Fraggles, Dark Crystal, et al),
By the end of the following year, TWDC completed the acquisition of Henson Studios and a partnership with the Sesame Workshop as part of this expansion, allowing IP's such as the Fraggles and Sesame Street to enter the Disney Family of characters.
As you recall, the project had been divided into 3 phases, in order to keep the maximum amount of experiences available to the Guests of Disney's Hollywood Studios at one time. The overarching goal was that no major attraction would be taken down until a new one was completed.
These Phases are:
Phase 1 - Sesame Streets of America - Opening 2017
Phase 2 - Muppets Enhancements - Opening 2018
Phase 3 - Opening 2019
Immediately work began on Phase 1 of the Project, as outlined with a short summary below.
____________________________________________________________________
Phase 1 included the addition of a variety of rides and experiences. To recap:
New "Henson Studios" Gates - Completed September 2016
Your journey into the world and wonder of Henson begins as you enter from one of three places.
The most obvious is the new Henson Studios arches. One has been built between the entrance to New York Street and the Tatooine Traders building. The second between the newly opened Elmo ride and the Muppets 3D building.
They are designed to mimic the epic gates in California, at the real studios, and made famous by the 2011 movie. The brick theme matches the existing area, so the decision was made to continue it here. These gates provide a distinct transition for Guests as they move into this broad new series of experiences.
Sesame Streets of America - Opening August 2017
Located where the previous Streets of San Francisco was, this area has been remodelled with a more colorful New York theme to replicate Sesame Street!
This is an interactive area for children of all ages to explore. During the warmer months, the hydrants will be allowed to "leak" as a water splash attraction for children. Also, if you approach the doors and knock, you may be surprised when your favorite Sesame Street friends respond to you! On the second stories, you may even spy your favorite characters peering out their windows, or even waving! In addition, the Sesame Street "Count and Play" game maybe found here.
An interactive game which draws upon the technology utilized on the Disney Cruise Line for the Detective Agency. Guests may experience a simple educational game done mostly through interactive LCD displays cleverly hidden throughout the area. Using their magic bands and a free collectors card which may be picked up from Oscar's Alley, this innovative game challenges children to solve simple logical puzzles as they help the Count through a variety of daily quandaries. For example, one day, he can't find his cape. There are a total of 7 screens, and 3 adventures for a total of 21 interactive experiences that may be found here, with future expansions possible.
Sesame Smiles - Meet and Greet - Opening August 2017
This is a meet and greet where children of all ages can interact with their favorite Sesame Street Pals! Regular appearances will be made by Elmo, Oscar the Grouch in his trash can (using an interactive puppet, not an animatronic), Big Bird and Snuffleupagus (the latter will be an interactive animatronic, similar to Donkey at the Shrek Meet and Greet at Universal, where only the head and main body are visible to the Guests). Rotating characters will include Cookie Monster, Bert, Ernie, Grover and Telly.
Elmo's Magic Journey - Opening December 2017
Elmo's Magic Journey is a dark ride with a trackless omnimover system which is an updated version of the bouncing cars used in The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh in Hong Kong Disneyland. The ride takes you on an imaginative tour of the world as Elmo sees it. Meet his friends, and help Elmo find his favorite things throughout the ride! While this ride is strictly targeted for children under the age of 8, it will be done in a way that is amusing and fun for all ages,
(just making sure you guys are reading along...wink)
Oscar's Alley - Opening August 2017
A small shop called Oscar's Alley, with a unique "junk" style theme, mimicking the canon interior seen in Elmo's Adventures in Grouchland, and will host a variety of Park Exclusive Sesame Street Merchandise.
New "Henson Studios" Gates - Completed September 2016
Your journey into the world and wonder of Henson begins as you enter from one of three places.
The most obvious is the new Henson Studios arches. One has been built between the entrance to New York Street and the Tatooine Traders building. The second between the newly opened Elmo ride and the Muppets 3D building.
They are designed to mimic the epic gates in California, at the real studios, and made famous by the 2011 movie. The brick theme matches the existing area, so the decision was made to continue it here. These gates provide a distinct transition for Guests as they move into this broad new series of experiences.
Sesame Streets of America - Opening August 2017
Located where the previous Streets of San Francisco was, this area has been remodelled with a more colorful New York theme to replicate Sesame Street!
This is an interactive area for children of all ages to explore. During the warmer months, the hydrants will be allowed to "leak" as a water splash attraction for children. Also, if you approach the doors and knock, you may be surprised when your favorite Sesame Street friends respond to you! On the second stories, you may even spy your favorite characters peering out their windows, or even waving! In addition, the Sesame Street "Count and Play" game maybe found here.
An interactive game which draws upon the technology utilized on the Disney Cruise Line for the Detective Agency. Guests may experience a simple educational game done mostly through interactive LCD displays cleverly hidden throughout the area. Using their magic bands and a free collectors card which may be picked up from Oscar's Alley, this innovative game challenges children to solve simple logical puzzles as they help the Count through a variety of daily quandaries. For example, one day, he can't find his cape. There are a total of 7 screens, and 3 adventures for a total of 21 interactive experiences that may be found here, with future expansions possible.
Sesame Smiles - Meet and Greet - Opening August 2017
This is a meet and greet where children of all ages can interact with their favorite Sesame Street Pals! Regular appearances will be made by Elmo, Oscar the Grouch in his trash can (using an interactive puppet, not an animatronic), Big Bird and Snuffleupagus (the latter will be an interactive animatronic, similar to Donkey at the Shrek Meet and Greet at Universal, where only the head and main body are visible to the Guests). Rotating characters will include Cookie Monster, Bert, Ernie, Grover and Telly.
Elmo's Magic Journey - Opening December 2017
Elmo's Magic Journey is a dark ride with a trackless omnimover system which is an updated version of the bouncing cars used in The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh in Hong Kong Disneyland. The ride takes you on an imaginative tour of the world as Elmo sees it. Meet his friends, and help Elmo find his favorite things throughout the ride! While this ride is strictly targeted for children under the age of 8, it will be done in a way that is amusing and fun for all ages,
(just making sure you guys are reading along...wink)
Oscar's Alley - Opening August 2017
A small shop called Oscar's Alley, with a unique "junk" style theme, mimicking the canon interior seen in Elmo's Adventures in Grouchland, and will host a variety of Park Exclusive Sesame Street Merchandise.
Phase 2 began immediately after the opening of the Elmo dark ride. Details below.
____________________________________________________________________
Muppets 4D - Enhanced and Improved - Closing December 2017, Re-Opening May 2018
The current Muppet Vision 3D attraction will remain largely unchanged except for a 4D upgrade. Animatronics (such as Statler and Waldorf) will be updated, some pyrotechnic effects added. Rumblers will be added under the seats to emphasize certain effects (such as out of control fireworks during the Salute to All Nations but Specifically America) giving the attraction a new sense of realism and a new 4D interactivity. The film itself will be cleaned up, remastered and converted to a Digital 3D format to give it a fresh and clean look.
Likewise, the Muppet Studio Store will remain largely unchanged aside from renovations (even with the Muppet Labs addition) in part to preserve the classic Muppets theme and tone still beloved today.
Muppet Labs - Opening February 2018
A new snack restaurant, Muppet Labs, offers dippin' dots ice cream that you may mix as you see fit! Interactive screens allow you to choose your concoction, guided by Bunsen and Beaker, who may suggest recipes during your interactive experience. Imagine, a Dippin' Dot banana split, made with 2 parts banana dots, 1 part strawberry dots, 1 part chocolate dots, 1 part vanilla dots, and one tiny burst of cherry dots on top!
After your choices are made, your ice cream will be constructed before you using pneumatic tubes to dispense your selected choices. Over 50 flavours are available, with near limitless combinations, so be creative!
In addition, the Mobile Muppet Labs will be returning to Florida and make regular appearances near the main water fountain and on New York Street!
Yorsh Desh Born - Restaurant - Opening June 2018
A new blended Quick / Full Service Dining Experience. Similar to Be Our Guest, this restaurant will offer Quick Service with interactive Full Service dinner experience. Every table will house an interactive panel where you may place your dining requests, all while interacting with your host, the Swedish Chef himself! The menu will be an odd blend of offerings, and will change seasonally, however the house special are "De Sveedish Meetballza". As you wait for your food, you may witness the antics in the kitchen, specific to your meal choices!
Or, you may be visited by one of the other members of the Muppet family during your wait, and throughout your meal (for example, you should expect Ms. Piggy and Gonzo to weigh in on the dessert options!)
This restaurant will take up the footprint of most of the lower level of the current Pizza Planet / Mama Melrose building.
The current Muppet Vision 3D attraction will remain largely unchanged except for a 4D upgrade. Animatronics (such as Statler and Waldorf) will be updated, some pyrotechnic effects added. Rumblers will be added under the seats to emphasize certain effects (such as out of control fireworks during the Salute to All Nations but Specifically America) giving the attraction a new sense of realism and a new 4D interactivity. The film itself will be cleaned up, remastered and converted to a Digital 3D format to give it a fresh and clean look.
Likewise, the Muppet Studio Store will remain largely unchanged aside from renovations (even with the Muppet Labs addition) in part to preserve the classic Muppets theme and tone still beloved today.
Muppet Labs - Opening February 2018
A new snack restaurant, Muppet Labs, offers dippin' dots ice cream that you may mix as you see fit! Interactive screens allow you to choose your concoction, guided by Bunsen and Beaker, who may suggest recipes during your interactive experience. Imagine, a Dippin' Dot banana split, made with 2 parts banana dots, 1 part strawberry dots, 1 part chocolate dots, 1 part vanilla dots, and one tiny burst of cherry dots on top!
After your choices are made, your ice cream will be constructed before you using pneumatic tubes to dispense your selected choices. Over 50 flavours are available, with near limitless combinations, so be creative!
In addition, the Mobile Muppet Labs will be returning to Florida and make regular appearances near the main water fountain and on New York Street!
Yorsh Desh Born - Restaurant - Opening June 2018
A new blended Quick / Full Service Dining Experience. Similar to Be Our Guest, this restaurant will offer Quick Service with interactive Full Service dinner experience. Every table will house an interactive panel where you may place your dining requests, all while interacting with your host, the Swedish Chef himself! The menu will be an odd blend of offerings, and will change seasonally, however the house special are "De Sveedish Meetballza". As you wait for your food, you may witness the antics in the kitchen, specific to your meal choices!
Or, you may be visited by one of the other members of the Muppet family during your wait, and throughout your meal (for example, you should expect Ms. Piggy and Gonzo to weigh in on the dessert options!)
This restaurant will take up the footprint of most of the lower level of the current Pizza Planet / Mama Melrose building.
Phase 3 specifically opens in 2019 as it is enough time to complete construction with a little bit of wiggle room, though soon enough to bring attractions to the park while the rest is still undergoing many refurbishments/new projects. In addition, this year will also hold the opening of the Fraggle Rock movie in theater, helping with advertising & hype.
Several advertising posters will be released, including:
Disney will develop new Fraggle Rock inspired apps and online games for guests, as something unique and fun for kids to play as they build up anticipation for their trip. In addition, a new specially designed commercial showcasing the entire completed land will air across the nation.
Now, we are proud to present:
Phase 3 - Fraggle Rock
Coming with Phase 3 is a whole new experience. A unique ride system, and a new ride that celebrates some of Jim Henson's best work. You and your family will be able to experience Fraggle Rock, from a first hand experience!
This is a family thrill ride/dark ride with a new and unique ride system that allows it to function both as a classic omnimover style presentation with music and audio-animatronic based scenes, as well as a limited coaster.
Ride Summary
After Gobo goes missing Fraggles Red, Mokey, Wembley, and Boober go looking for him. They pass through Doozer City into the Fraggle Caves. The dark and eerie caves discourage them, but a postcard from Traveler Matt cheers them up. After asking the Trash Heap, they learn the Gorgs have Gobo. When they arrive, Junior Gorg is having a kind conversation with a scared Gobo. Junior lets them escape when his parents become worried, and the Fraggles learn that maybe the Gorgs aren't that bad after all.
Ride System
The ride system is based on a tracked rotating coaster. While the immediate response is that this is a "mad mouse" sort of experience, the reality is that the cars are controlled through the majority of the experience through a unique, but simple, mechanism.
They have a guiding tire.
This is how older systems would work, and as a nod, it works extremely well.
Once upon the ride, the vehicle can be put into two modes.
1) Controlled output, where it functions as a tracked ride, and you can only focus on the scene in front of you.
2) The latter mode allows the operator to lock the ride vehicle, or unlock it, as they see fit. For our ride, we will use this feature a lot.
Queue/Facade
The queue/facade will be based on Doc's Workshop. The winding queue begins just outside of Oscar's Workshop. It leads you through a series of rooms with various scenes, to include Animatronics in the queue.
Guests may experience an interaction with Uncle Travelling Matt, done with a similar tactic as Crush.
In addition, you'll see Sprocket eyeballing a very famous hole, while Doc is distracted and chides him for his obsession.
Subtle nods to the UK version of the show will be placed throughout the queue as well, so keep a sharp eye out and you may spot them!
The queue is craftily designed to make you "shrink" to the size of a Fraggle to enter the ride. Of course, park goers won't actually shrink, but each scene will gradually increase in scale, creating this illusion, whether you only notice it subconsciously or not.
Once you are "small enough", you will make it to a hole in the wall (Fraggle Hole). This is where guests will board their vehicles. There are pipes everywhere and the walls are brick and rock.
Track Layout
Virtual Ridethrough
Text Version & Scene Description:
Scene 1:
Ride into the intro sequence from the show, explore the main part of the rock, and approaches a hole with a Gorg eye looking in. Gobo is notably missing.
Scene 2:
The Fraggles continue to sing as you and Red go looking for Gobo in his Fraggle home.
Red: Gobo! Goboooo! Oh no, Gobo's missing!
Scene 3:
Red announces Gobo is missing in the main room.
Red: Hey everybody, Gobo's missing! We have to find him!
Mokey: Oh no. I sure hope the Gorgs didnt get him. We have to rescue him.
Wembley: He's probably here somewhere. Anyways, we cant go find him. It could be dangerous!
Scene 4:
As the Fraggles sing in the main room, Convincing John gets Red, Mokey, Boober, and Wembley to go after Gobo
Convincing John: Why don't you go look for your friend?[Convincing John song here]
Boober: Fine. I guess we could look for him.
Wembley: Well... OK
Red: Alright then, lets go everybody!
Scene 5:
As the Fraggles venture off on your left and right through a tunnel, they enter the grand Doozer city. As the ride ascends, you pass by the Dozzers at work
Mokey: Look everybody, its Doozer City
[Doozer song]
Scene 6:
You and the Fraggles go through another tunnel and enter a dark cave with little light, and a few easter eggs from Labyrinth, Dark Crystal, and Muppets in the form of creatures. You also hear howls and echoes.
Wembley: Guys, its dark. I'm scared.
Boober: Oh. Come on, it's not that scary! [Animal jumps at him] Ahhh!!!
Scene 7:
The 4 gather along a cave wall. They all think that they'll never find Gobo. Mokey reminds them they need to find him and have to be brave like Traveling Matt as he pulls out a postcard from Matt. This cheers everyone up. The ride vehicle moves into a thick fog and lights now above the restaurant.
Wembley: Guys, we'll never find Gobo.
Red: Maybe you're right Wembley
Mokey: No. We have to find Gobo and we have to be brave...[pulls out card]...Like Uncle Traveler Matt.
Scene 8:
The Uncle Matt inspiration keeps the journey going, but Wembley continues to be scared.
Wembley: [Sings "I'm not scared'']
Scene 9:
The Fraggles inquire about where Gobo could possibly be.
Red: Ok, we need to keep looking! But how do we know where Gobo is?
Boober: Why not just ask the Trash Heap? She seems to know a lot.
Mokey: That's it! We can ask the Trash Heap
Scene 10:
Another tunnel to floor 1 as the rats introduce the Trash Heap.
Rats: Introducing... the Trash Heap
Scene 11:
The All-Knowing Trash Heap tells the Fraggles that the Gorgs are always looking for Fraggles, and they should check with him. Wembley is scared, but is comforted by the Fraggles.
Trash Heap: Gobo... hmmm... Oh! He's with the Gorgs.
Fraggles: The Gorgs!
Boober: We have to save him!
Mokey: Let's go!
Red: Yeah!
Wembley: Uhhh... OK.
Scene 12:
Junior Gorg is heard talking to someone outside the house and Gorg Garden. A small "Ms Piggy" easter egg is hidden in the yard as a lawn gnome. When you turn the corner, you see Junior Gorg is holding Gobo who is shaking with fear. Junior is asking him general questions like favorite color and Gobo is scarily answering. Gobo sees the Fraggles and tells them to run, after Junior's mother hears him talking and asks who else is there.
Junior Gorg: Later, I'll let you meet my friend. She's made of radishes, so don't eat her Gobo.
That wouldn't be nice. Maybe you could be our friend?
Gobo: Uh...uh... purple.
Red: Gobo! Come quick!
Mother Gorg (not seen): Junior, is someone there?
Scene 13:
Junior denies he's seen any Fraggles and keeps telling his parents he's ok and no one else is there, until the Fraggles escape.
Junior (whispering): Run Fraggles, before my parents see you.
Mother Gorg (not seen): Junior, is everything OK?
Junior: Yeah Mom, leave me alone.
Father Gorg: Junior, you be nice to your mother.
Junior (whisper): Bye Fraggles.
Scene 14:
A hill climb and small drop in a cave tunnel as the Fraggles escape.
(There's enough space between each Omnimover vehicle so it can speed up here using wheels and brakes)
Scene 15:
The main Rock room has everyone celebrating. A Fraggle is swinging from a vine and some are swimming.
The main theme plays once more.
Scene 16:
In a Fraggle home, the 5 all talk about the Gorgs. Gobo says how Junior Gorg isn't really bad and the others talk about how he helped them escape. They all realize that the Gorgs aren't really that bad and they all say goodnight. The lights go dark until the exit area.
Gobo: You know, it was scary to be captured, but Junior isn't really a bad guy.
Red: Yeah, that was nice of him to help us escape.
Red: Goodnight
Fraggles: Goodnight
[Follow Me plays]
Exit
Guests exit the attraction into a small gift shop (Similar to the size of Splash Mountain's Briar Patch shop). It is themed again to Doc's shop (as that is the entrance/exit to the Fraggle Rock). While guests will love being able to take home attraction-specific memorabilia of their adventure, perhaps the most notable aspect of this shop is the Traveling Uncle Matt animatronic, who interactions with guests. He comments on many things like odd circles on the Silly Creature's heads, utensils, and a large yellow creature with wings walking around (Big Bird). He always refers to people as Silly Creatures.
Thank you for reading!
Voxel
President of Progress City
Because are PM is MIA:
Guest enter into the Studio and shortly after passing the entrance to Stage 1 Company Store they will spot the brick laid entrance to The Muppet Studio Tour with big letters welcoming guest.
Queue and Pre-Show:
As guest enter they queue they will noticed the Authentic Muppet Red Bricking lining the walls, however they won’t be aware how authentic the Muppet bricks are until they pass a sign posted by Rizzo himself. “Bring home an Authentic Muppet Studio Brick for the meager price of all your money.” Passing they oddly placed advertisements, guest will continue passing stacks of red bricks stamped with the faces of various Muppet Faces. Guest will then enter a hallway passing the file brick sign leaving behind the opportunity to purchase an Authentic Muppet Studio Brick.
Through this narrow hallway guest will pass through the History of Muppet Studio Films such as Plump Fiction, Star Warts, Frog Man, Lawrence of Amphibia, the Dogfather, The Sow of Music, and many other. Passing by these Original posters, guest will eventually reach the Studio Commissary.
In the Studio Commissary, guest will pass through a large collection of Tables and Chairs very similar in set up to a High School cafeteria. Sitting in the Commissary will be various Muppet enjoying their lunch break such as Pepe the King Prawn, Bobo the Bear, Robin, Argyle Gargoyle, Link Hogthrob, and Dr. Juluis Strange Pork. Cleaning up a table is George the Janitor. As Guest finally stop weaving through the tables and chairs of the Commissary, Rizzo will approach guest with high hopes that they’ll take in account his offer to purchase an Authentic Muppet Studio Brick, mentioning that if they order today he’ll through in a Napkin used by Kermit the Fog.
Finally, guest will reach the final part of the queue, the Kitchen. Entering the Kitchen, guest will see Rats scatters about cleaning the kitchen, some riding eggbeaters while other will be skating along the counters on Soapy sponges. On their right, guess will see the Muppet Fridge left open by the Swedish Chef. Various talking fruits and vegetables will socialize with the guest, occasionally singing a melody of their favorite song or two. As the line of guest moves forward, they will eventually pass by the Swedish Chef cooking up a storm. Of course everything is going wrong with his recipe causing interesting smells and noise to occur. Finally Quest will pass by an oven which seems forgotten about by the Swedish Chef as the cake left inside is now charcoal black and the smell of burned cake seems to be coming form the Oven.
From here the guest will finally enter the Studio Tour Lobby, monitor will be place through the facility showing guest about the attraction, along with the dos and don’ts. Eventually Scoot will appear on the monitors and welcome the guest to The Muppet Studio Tour. He introduces himself as Scooter and tells the guest that he will be their tour guide, he will promptly proceed to show guest their High-Tech vehicles, the old Red Backlot Tour vehicles. Suddenly a Muppet News Flash appears as the Muppets Newsman tell his audience that the vehicles for the Muppet Studio Tour have gone missing, a clip showing an empty parking lot is shown. The Muppet Newsman comes back on screen and says that is all before the televisions return to Scooter. Scooter, looking slightly nervous, informs the guest that everything will be okay and that they have a back up vehicle. The Studebaker, an image of the original Muppet Movie Studebaker shows up on the screen.
Following this, guest will be brought to the loading docks, as guest board the ride vehicle Sam the Eagle will begin giving the Safety Spiel. Telling guest it will be Un-America to do things like taking flash photography, having any body parts outside of the vehicle. Same will continue on telling them that its very American to keep a careful watch of their objects and children, finally finished by telling them to follow all the rules. With that the Studebaker leaves and enters the first scene.
Ride Vehicle
The ride vehicle is a super stretch variant of the Rainbow Studebaker from the original Muppets Movie. Each row fits 3 to 4 individuals, enough room for most families to sit together in the ride. In the middle of the row, there is a small television screen in front of the guest that will be used by Scooter to communicate during the course of the tour. On either side of the screen are two levers, one labeled Lights and the other labeled Sound. These levers interactive nature will be used later in the ride. Each row also contains their own speakers to allow clear audio for all of the riders.
1) Going up the stairs
Scooter thanks Sam for giving out the safety spiel as the vehicles leave the loading area. Scooter proceeds to welcome everyone to The Muppet's Studio Tour, and introduces himself as the tour guide. Gonzo proceeds to interrupt Scooter, and greet the guests. Gonzo tells Scooter that the tour isn't exciting enough, and not giving everyone the big picture!
Gonzo turns his attention to the guest via the screen and rips off his suit showing casing the Great Gonzo suit underneath. He tells the guest to hold on why they try out his newest stunt, placing the petal to the medal he floors the vehicle forward towards the staircase. The vehicle bumps up and down with every step as it goes up the stairs towards the second floor. As it goes up, various Muppets jump out the way of flooring vehicle whiling yelling loudly at the guest. Guest will pass by Big Mean Carl who is now pinned to the wall as he attempts to eat his lunch. Bean Bunny jumps off the stairs, and as the vehicle approaches the top guest see Wayne, Wanda, Walter, and Bobo the Bear. A sudden creaking noise is hear as the banister breaks and all four fall of the stairs and old on to the edge. Scooter quickly appears on the screen and chases off Gonzo as he gets the vehicle to slow down finally.
2) Sky view
Scooter finally regains control of the ride vehicle as he apologizes to the geust for the “minor” interruption from the tour. The vehicle will turn towards the right as Scoot begins reciting the History of Muppet Studios, when he begin discussion the expansion of Muppet Studios the doors in front of the ride vehicle open up and the Studebaker drive upon the sky way. Scooter will explain the various sites and sounds as the ride passes by Madame Camilla’s Ristorante Italiano, Stage 1 Company Store and the other structure founds within Muppets Studio. Scooter will continue and give a brief history of when/why Muppets Studios will built.
3) Film Vault
Entering backing into the main Studio building, Scooter guides the guest into the history Muppet Film Vault where shelves upon shelves filled with great Muppet films can been seen for what looks like miles and miles. As you pass by a shelf guest find that Gonzo, in an attempt to take back control of the tour, has set loose the chickens who begin causing chaos in the vault.
As Scooter and Gonzo both try to calm the chickens down, a massive explosion goes off, rocking the car as it speeds off and destroys the films. As the car leaves the room a very angry Scoot takes control of the car and quickly leads the guest to the next part of the ride.
4) Whistle while you work
After witnessing the destruction of Muppet Film history, guests are brought into the Make-Up and Costume offices. As they enter the facility, guest will see the rats toiling away sewing clothes and mixing up make-up concoctions in a run down sweat shop environment with a flickering light overhead. Scooter reappears on screen and begins teaching guest how the costumes are made. He promises the guest that the costume shop is a perfectly safe operation in line with the UN Human Right Standards, after all this is America!
Leading the whole operation is Rizzo in a fashion very similar to famous Dictators looking down from a balcony barking orders to his worker rats below, As guest begin to leave the scene, a group of unsatisfied workers can been scene gathering behind Rizzo, knocking him down to the loud sound cheers by all the rats.
5) Changing Rooms
In the chaos of the factory revolt, Scooter leaves the car un-attended while trying to to deal with the chaos of the Rats. Seeing an opportunity, Gonzo sneaks in and resumes control over the tour. In an effort to escape Scooter, Gonzo once again puts the pedal to the metal and brings guest inside a few of the dressing rooms where actors are changing, this scene will quickly pass with the loud screams of Muppets Change and cloths being thrown at them.
6) High Notes
As guests enter the sound booth they hear Sam the Eagle reciting his lines. As Sam the Eagle becomes visible guests will see that he is less than enthusiastic to be interrupted. Sam begins on a huge rant how UN-AMERICAN it is to violate the sound booth for the upcoming cinema masterpiece! Sam threatens to come out, and personally remove Gonzo, and the guests from the Muppet Studios! As Gonzo panics Scooter reappears, and apologizes to Sam and kicks out Gonzo.
Guests then approach a sound board area. Here Scooter tells the guests that they'll play a new song from The Electric Mayhem. Guests can use the Sound Lever to control the volume of this new song.
7) Typewriters
As guests enter this next scene Scooter tells guests to keep quiet to not disturb Fozzie the Script Writer, and his assistant Mr. Bimbo the man who lives in his finger. Guests will clearly see Fozzie hard at work at an old typewriter. Large rolls of paper goes throughout the room if guests would read them there'll be plenty of bearly funny jokes followed by a Waka! Waka! typed onto them. Occasionally Fozzie would read a joke aloud to Mr.Bimbo to get his opinion usually Mr.Bimbo will like them, but sometimes he and Fozzie would get into a comedic argument. As guests approach the exit of the scene Scooter says that he still thinks that Fozzie is crazy thinking there is a man living in his finger.
8) Hammers! Nails! Drills!
As guest leaves Fozzie’s Writing Room, they enter the construction site for the sets for Muppet use. Scooter pops on screen and explains how all the sets from the Muppet movies are made right in that location, looking around guest will begin to notice that the new set looks somewhat similar to Catastrophe Canyon. However the water tower is marked as Muppets Lab, the truck is roughly 1/3 the size of the original truck, and the majority of the set is incomplete with wooden beams still showing.
It is revealed to the guest that Muppet Labs are working on special effects. Professor Honeydew appears, revealing that the headquarters is in the water tower. Scooter ask if they are willing to give the guest a demonstration, Honeydew sadly says no as Beaker is currently working on the wires and that would be too dangerous to him and the guest. At this wording, Beaker pops up and waves hi from behind one of the rocks.
Beaker is seen with a broken cable in his hands, guest watch as he connects the two only to be electrocuted. His eyes light up as smoke covers him, the truck suddenly turns on and begins driving forward. It crashes into the water tower/headquarter and dents it support. The water tower begins leaning towards the truck as Beaker files into the air from the injection of electricity. Guest see sunlight pouring through a Beaker shaped hole formed in the ceiling. Another Beaker shaped hole appears as he suddenly comes out holding onto a metal rod to stay up, appearing charred and frayed.
Honeydew tells Scooter he’ll get Beaker down as soon as possible, as the vehicle leaves Beaker is heard falling into a bunch of cans. Honeydew chuckles at Beaker’s misfortune. Scooter can be heard complaining that they don’t have the budget to fix the damages and hopes that duct tape can fix it
9) Light Show
Scooter slowly guides the guest into the light booth, where they can see a giant, brightly lit light board sitting empty in the corner of the room. Scooter comes up on the screen, and tells the guest that this is a perfect learning opportunity for guest to see how a light board works. Scooter tells the guest that the lever labels Lights will give them direct control of the lights above their row. Guest will take this time to play with the lever dimming and brightening the lights over top of them.
While the guests are playing with the lights there is a loud crash and all of the lights turn off. Guest will hear what sounds like someone being tied up and the screams of Scooter. After a couple of seconds, the light turn back on at full power and Gonzo appears on the screen again telling guest that he is going to show them to more exciting aspect of film lighting. The car begins moving forwards through a set of tours label “Authorized Personal Only”.
10) Cut
Gonzo drives the car into a poorly lite room, the surface seems rough and unsteady as the car rocks back and forth. Gonzo appears on the screen and begins telling guest that they are currently on the lightly grid. As he says this the lights pick up a little bit and around the guest are various Gobo’s and Pars hanging around the guest. From below, guest can hear the sound of Miss Piggy and Kermit the Frog singing Rainbow Connection form below. Gonzo begins telling guest that there is nothing is nothing to worry about and that these are designed to handle more weight then this car.
As soon as he says this, the sounds a cracking cables can be heard as the platform and car begin to list and move downwards. Finally, there is a large snap and the light grid and the car begins to fall straight down onto the stage below, ruining Miss Piggy’s show with a large commotion.
11) The Pig Chases
After interrupting Miss Piggy’s Show Stopping dues, Scooter and Gonzo realize that they need to get away as quick as possible. Scooter floors the car in reverse to turn it around before flooring it out of the Theatre as Miss Piggy’s screams echo through the hall. Guest hear Scooter and Gonzo screaming in fear about Miss Piggy chasing them as the image of Miss Piggy can be seeing giving a karate kick towards the car. With every Karate chop the whole vehicle shakes. Guest can hear Gonzo telling Scooter that the only way they can go faster if they through somebody out of the vehicle then Gonzo appears on scream asking for any volunteers.
Scooter panics when he hears Gonzo say this and yells at the guest to not jump out of the car because then they will be sued, and there isn’t enough money to cover the court cost. Right before Scooter and Gonzo can come to an agreement of what to do, Miss Piggy kicks the vehicle through a wall and into the Prop Room. With a violent shake the vehicle stops and lands in the Prop Room.
12) The Prop Vault
After a few seconds of peace and calm, Scooter reappears on screen and looks around the environment. Turning to the guest, he welcomes guests to the Prop Room and proceeds to tell the guest that they need to be very careful, the props in this room are worth more then Muppets Studios itself. The lights of the Prop room come on and guest can see props from the Muppets many movies and TV shows. Among the props around the guest are Gonzo’s Motorcyle, a joke book (clearly Fozzies’s) written by a “Jerry J.”, Kermit’s Banjo, some of the Cardboard cutouts from the finale of The Muppet Movie. The car moves forwards as the rough sound of clucking can be heard in the distance. Guest continue looking around seeing Gonzo’s camera from The Great Muppet Caper and above them the SwineTrek starship. With a large Cluck guest hear the Scooter yell at Gonzo, Did you let the chickens loose again! With a nervous laugh Gonzo backs off the screen, while a crashing noise is heard. Scooter floors the car towards the exit as items start moving around. Guest quickly passed some of the props form the now-closed Disneyland version of Muppet*Vision 3D, including the cannon used by the Swedish Chef. Before the guest The Hispaniola is slowly crashing towards the exit, with a short burst of speed guest make it past The Hispaniola and through the exit before a loud crash of the ship being destroyed behind them.
13) The Credits
Scooter apologizes for the Tour going wrong and is sorry to say that it looks like Muppet Studios will be closed until the damages can be repaired. As Guest are kicked out of the main production facilities, they find themselves in a wide hallway where Statle and Waldorf sit in their balcony seats, heckling the generally critiquing the guest as they walk buy. These will be fairly intelligent animatronic that will notice things about guest and point them out in an attempt to mock them.
The Electric Mayhem Lounge
The Electric Mayhem Lounge has long been known where all the Muppets wind down and where the Electric Mayhem preform between gigs. The layout for everything hasn’t changed expect for the fact that a new stage has been built with an animatronic Electric Mayhem playing all of their greatest hits to the diners. This stage will be made in a location which would be visible to both floors. The seating that was once located in that area would be moved into the arcade portion of the building. In place of the Pizza Planet Mural would be a new mural with all the Muppets. Lastly the menu for the restaurant will remain the same other than the fact that the items will be renamed with a Muppet fan.
Madame Camilla’s Ristorante Italiano
Welcome to Mama Camilla's Ristorante Italiano. However, there is one thing to note is has new owners those being the Muppets! Overall the restaurant will remain the same however all the current Celebrity photos will be revamped to have a Muppet in the same photograph. The menu will remain the same the except for the fact that the items have gotten Muppet Inspired names.
Meet and Greet and other Atmosphere
Going just outside the Electric Mayhem Lounge will be a new Meet and Greet with Kermit and Miss Piggy. Going around Muppet Studios is the much beloved Muppet Mobile Labs. Throughout the day guests will be able to Honeydew and Beaker on the move throughout the day!
Team Oswald proudly presents the newest mini-land for Disney’s Hollywood Studios:
Muppets Studios
Muppets Studios
Walking away from Tatooine Traders towards the Southwest, guest will be treated by the arching entrance of Muppet Studios. Passing underneath the new Entrance guest will find themselves looking at Miss Piggy’s Liberty Statues with Muppet*Vision 3D attraction standing on the other side. Looking towards the south, guest will see the new elevated pathway following the outline of the old Pizza Planet heading into the Muppet*Vision 3D attraction. Occasionally they will see the rainbow painted Studebaker from the first Muppets Movie pass across the pathway. Behind the pathway guest will noticed that the open space has been covered over making Muppet Studios larger then ever before.
In this new Mini-land friends and family will find the following this to do:
Attractions
Muppet*Vision 3D
The Muppets StudioTour
Meet ’n Greet
Dinning
Madame Camilla’s Ristorante Italiano
The Electric Mayhem Lounge
Shopping
Studio 1 Company Store
It’s a Wonderful Shop
Muppet*Vision 3D
This is the same Muppet*Vision 3D that Guest have grown to love over the last last two decades at Hollywood Studios. The only change made to the facility is the an exterior changes that allows the new Attraction to pass through part of the Muppet*Visions facility as part of it’s tour.
The Muppets Studio Tour
The Muppets welcome you the Hollywood Studios latest attraction that takes guest deep inside Muppet Studios to discover how the Magic happens. The Muppets Studio Tour will take families into the wild journey that is Film making.
This brand new attraction replaces the old Meet and Greet areas and the Premiere Theatre with a brand new super structure representing Muppets Studio. The new structure continues Southwest towards Lights, Motor, Action Stunt Show by building over the access roads. This new area in between the Muppet Studio and the Stunt Show will be themed to matched the Stunt Show with a Speedway look with circular tunnels for guest pathways and access roads. The new structure/attraction will be a two story structure with the ride using both floors of the structure.
In this new Mini-land friends and family will find the following this to do:
Attractions
Muppet*Vision 3D
The Muppets StudioTour
Meet ’n Greet
Dinning
Madame Camilla’s Ristorante Italiano
The Electric Mayhem Lounge
Shopping
Studio 1 Company Store
It’s a Wonderful Shop
Muppet*Vision 3D
This is the same Muppet*Vision 3D that Guest have grown to love over the last last two decades at Hollywood Studios. The only change made to the facility is the an exterior changes that allows the new Attraction to pass through part of the Muppet*Visions facility as part of it’s tour.
The Muppets Studio Tour
The Muppets welcome you the Hollywood Studios latest attraction that takes guest deep inside Muppet Studios to discover how the Magic happens. The Muppets Studio Tour will take families into the wild journey that is Film making.
This brand new attraction replaces the old Meet and Greet areas and the Premiere Theatre with a brand new super structure representing Muppets Studio. The new structure continues Southwest towards Lights, Motor, Action Stunt Show by building over the access roads. This new area in between the Muppet Studio and the Stunt Show will be themed to matched the Stunt Show with a Speedway look with circular tunnels for guest pathways and access roads. The new structure/attraction will be a two story structure with the ride using both floors of the structure.
Guest enter into the Studio and shortly after passing the entrance to Stage 1 Company Store they will spot the brick laid entrance to The Muppet Studio Tour with big letters welcoming guest.
Queue and Pre-Show:
As guest enter they queue they will noticed the Authentic Muppet Red Bricking lining the walls, however they won’t be aware how authentic the Muppet bricks are until they pass a sign posted by Rizzo himself. “Bring home an Authentic Muppet Studio Brick for the meager price of all your money.” Passing they oddly placed advertisements, guest will continue passing stacks of red bricks stamped with the faces of various Muppet Faces. Guest will then enter a hallway passing the file brick sign leaving behind the opportunity to purchase an Authentic Muppet Studio Brick.
Through this narrow hallway guest will pass through the History of Muppet Studio Films such as Plump Fiction, Star Warts, Frog Man, Lawrence of Amphibia, the Dogfather, The Sow of Music, and many other. Passing by these Original posters, guest will eventually reach the Studio Commissary.
In the Studio Commissary, guest will pass through a large collection of Tables and Chairs very similar in set up to a High School cafeteria. Sitting in the Commissary will be various Muppet enjoying their lunch break such as Pepe the King Prawn, Bobo the Bear, Robin, Argyle Gargoyle, Link Hogthrob, and Dr. Juluis Strange Pork. Cleaning up a table is George the Janitor. As Guest finally stop weaving through the tables and chairs of the Commissary, Rizzo will approach guest with high hopes that they’ll take in account his offer to purchase an Authentic Muppet Studio Brick, mentioning that if they order today he’ll through in a Napkin used by Kermit the Fog.
Finally, guest will reach the final part of the queue, the Kitchen. Entering the Kitchen, guest will see Rats scatters about cleaning the kitchen, some riding eggbeaters while other will be skating along the counters on Soapy sponges. On their right, guess will see the Muppet Fridge left open by the Swedish Chef. Various talking fruits and vegetables will socialize with the guest, occasionally singing a melody of their favorite song or two. As the line of guest moves forward, they will eventually pass by the Swedish Chef cooking up a storm. Of course everything is going wrong with his recipe causing interesting smells and noise to occur. Finally Quest will pass by an oven which seems forgotten about by the Swedish Chef as the cake left inside is now charcoal black and the smell of burned cake seems to be coming form the Oven.
From here the guest will finally enter the Studio Tour Lobby, monitor will be place through the facility showing guest about the attraction, along with the dos and don’ts. Eventually Scoot will appear on the monitors and welcome the guest to The Muppet Studio Tour. He introduces himself as Scooter and tells the guest that he will be their tour guide, he will promptly proceed to show guest their High-Tech vehicles, the old Red Backlot Tour vehicles. Suddenly a Muppet News Flash appears as the Muppets Newsman tell his audience that the vehicles for the Muppet Studio Tour have gone missing, a clip showing an empty parking lot is shown. The Muppet Newsman comes back on screen and says that is all before the televisions return to Scooter. Scooter, looking slightly nervous, informs the guest that everything will be okay and that they have a back up vehicle. The Studebaker, an image of the original Muppet Movie Studebaker shows up on the screen.
Following this, guest will be brought to the loading docks, as guest board the ride vehicle Sam the Eagle will begin giving the Safety Spiel. Telling guest it will be Un-America to do things like taking flash photography, having any body parts outside of the vehicle. Same will continue on telling them that its very American to keep a careful watch of their objects and children, finally finished by telling them to follow all the rules. With that the Studebaker leaves and enters the first scene.
Ride Vehicle
The ride vehicle is a super stretch variant of the Rainbow Studebaker from the original Muppets Movie. Each row fits 3 to 4 individuals, enough room for most families to sit together in the ride. In the middle of the row, there is a small television screen in front of the guest that will be used by Scooter to communicate during the course of the tour. On either side of the screen are two levers, one labeled Lights and the other labeled Sound. These levers interactive nature will be used later in the ride. Each row also contains their own speakers to allow clear audio for all of the riders.
1) Going up the stairs
Scooter thanks Sam for giving out the safety spiel as the vehicles leave the loading area. Scooter proceeds to welcome everyone to The Muppet's Studio Tour, and introduces himself as the tour guide. Gonzo proceeds to interrupt Scooter, and greet the guests. Gonzo tells Scooter that the tour isn't exciting enough, and not giving everyone the big picture!
Gonzo turns his attention to the guest via the screen and rips off his suit showing casing the Great Gonzo suit underneath. He tells the guest to hold on why they try out his newest stunt, placing the petal to the medal he floors the vehicle forward towards the staircase. The vehicle bumps up and down with every step as it goes up the stairs towards the second floor. As it goes up, various Muppets jump out the way of flooring vehicle whiling yelling loudly at the guest. Guest will pass by Big Mean Carl who is now pinned to the wall as he attempts to eat his lunch. Bean Bunny jumps off the stairs, and as the vehicle approaches the top guest see Wayne, Wanda, Walter, and Bobo the Bear. A sudden creaking noise is hear as the banister breaks and all four fall of the stairs and old on to the edge. Scooter quickly appears on the screen and chases off Gonzo as he gets the vehicle to slow down finally.
2) Sky view
Scooter finally regains control of the ride vehicle as he apologizes to the geust for the “minor” interruption from the tour. The vehicle will turn towards the right as Scoot begins reciting the History of Muppet Studios, when he begin discussion the expansion of Muppet Studios the doors in front of the ride vehicle open up and the Studebaker drive upon the sky way. Scooter will explain the various sites and sounds as the ride passes by Madame Camilla’s Ristorante Italiano, Stage 1 Company Store and the other structure founds within Muppets Studio. Scooter will continue and give a brief history of when/why Muppets Studios will built.
3) Film Vault
Entering backing into the main Studio building, Scooter guides the guest into the history Muppet Film Vault where shelves upon shelves filled with great Muppet films can been seen for what looks like miles and miles. As you pass by a shelf guest find that Gonzo, in an attempt to take back control of the tour, has set loose the chickens who begin causing chaos in the vault.
As Scooter and Gonzo both try to calm the chickens down, a massive explosion goes off, rocking the car as it speeds off and destroys the films. As the car leaves the room a very angry Scoot takes control of the car and quickly leads the guest to the next part of the ride.
4) Whistle while you work
After witnessing the destruction of Muppet Film history, guests are brought into the Make-Up and Costume offices. As they enter the facility, guest will see the rats toiling away sewing clothes and mixing up make-up concoctions in a run down sweat shop environment with a flickering light overhead. Scooter reappears on screen and begins teaching guest how the costumes are made. He promises the guest that the costume shop is a perfectly safe operation in line with the UN Human Right Standards, after all this is America!
Leading the whole operation is Rizzo in a fashion very similar to famous Dictators looking down from a balcony barking orders to his worker rats below, As guest begin to leave the scene, a group of unsatisfied workers can been scene gathering behind Rizzo, knocking him down to the loud sound cheers by all the rats.
5) Changing Rooms
In the chaos of the factory revolt, Scooter leaves the car un-attended while trying to to deal with the chaos of the Rats. Seeing an opportunity, Gonzo sneaks in and resumes control over the tour. In an effort to escape Scooter, Gonzo once again puts the pedal to the metal and brings guest inside a few of the dressing rooms where actors are changing, this scene will quickly pass with the loud screams of Muppets Change and cloths being thrown at them.
6) High Notes
As guests enter the sound booth they hear Sam the Eagle reciting his lines. As Sam the Eagle becomes visible guests will see that he is less than enthusiastic to be interrupted. Sam begins on a huge rant how UN-AMERICAN it is to violate the sound booth for the upcoming cinema masterpiece! Sam threatens to come out, and personally remove Gonzo, and the guests from the Muppet Studios! As Gonzo panics Scooter reappears, and apologizes to Sam and kicks out Gonzo.
Guests then approach a sound board area. Here Scooter tells the guests that they'll play a new song from The Electric Mayhem. Guests can use the Sound Lever to control the volume of this new song.
7) Typewriters
As guests enter this next scene Scooter tells guests to keep quiet to not disturb Fozzie the Script Writer, and his assistant Mr. Bimbo the man who lives in his finger. Guests will clearly see Fozzie hard at work at an old typewriter. Large rolls of paper goes throughout the room if guests would read them there'll be plenty of bearly funny jokes followed by a Waka! Waka! typed onto them. Occasionally Fozzie would read a joke aloud to Mr.Bimbo to get his opinion usually Mr.Bimbo will like them, but sometimes he and Fozzie would get into a comedic argument. As guests approach the exit of the scene Scooter says that he still thinks that Fozzie is crazy thinking there is a man living in his finger.
8) Hammers! Nails! Drills!
As guest leaves Fozzie’s Writing Room, they enter the construction site for the sets for Muppet use. Scooter pops on screen and explains how all the sets from the Muppet movies are made right in that location, looking around guest will begin to notice that the new set looks somewhat similar to Catastrophe Canyon. However the water tower is marked as Muppets Lab, the truck is roughly 1/3 the size of the original truck, and the majority of the set is incomplete with wooden beams still showing.
It is revealed to the guest that Muppet Labs are working on special effects. Professor Honeydew appears, revealing that the headquarters is in the water tower. Scooter ask if they are willing to give the guest a demonstration, Honeydew sadly says no as Beaker is currently working on the wires and that would be too dangerous to him and the guest. At this wording, Beaker pops up and waves hi from behind one of the rocks.
Beaker is seen with a broken cable in his hands, guest watch as he connects the two only to be electrocuted. His eyes light up as smoke covers him, the truck suddenly turns on and begins driving forward. It crashes into the water tower/headquarter and dents it support. The water tower begins leaning towards the truck as Beaker files into the air from the injection of electricity. Guest see sunlight pouring through a Beaker shaped hole formed in the ceiling. Another Beaker shaped hole appears as he suddenly comes out holding onto a metal rod to stay up, appearing charred and frayed.
Honeydew tells Scooter he’ll get Beaker down as soon as possible, as the vehicle leaves Beaker is heard falling into a bunch of cans. Honeydew chuckles at Beaker’s misfortune. Scooter can be heard complaining that they don’t have the budget to fix the damages and hopes that duct tape can fix it
9) Light Show
Scooter slowly guides the guest into the light booth, where they can see a giant, brightly lit light board sitting empty in the corner of the room. Scooter comes up on the screen, and tells the guest that this is a perfect learning opportunity for guest to see how a light board works. Scooter tells the guest that the lever labels Lights will give them direct control of the lights above their row. Guest will take this time to play with the lever dimming and brightening the lights over top of them.
While the guests are playing with the lights there is a loud crash and all of the lights turn off. Guest will hear what sounds like someone being tied up and the screams of Scooter. After a couple of seconds, the light turn back on at full power and Gonzo appears on the screen again telling guest that he is going to show them to more exciting aspect of film lighting. The car begins moving forwards through a set of tours label “Authorized Personal Only”.
10) Cut
Gonzo drives the car into a poorly lite room, the surface seems rough and unsteady as the car rocks back and forth. Gonzo appears on the screen and begins telling guest that they are currently on the lightly grid. As he says this the lights pick up a little bit and around the guest are various Gobo’s and Pars hanging around the guest. From below, guest can hear the sound of Miss Piggy and Kermit the Frog singing Rainbow Connection form below. Gonzo begins telling guest that there is nothing is nothing to worry about and that these are designed to handle more weight then this car.
As soon as he says this, the sounds a cracking cables can be heard as the platform and car begin to list and move downwards. Finally, there is a large snap and the light grid and the car begins to fall straight down onto the stage below, ruining Miss Piggy’s show with a large commotion.
11) The Pig Chases
After interrupting Miss Piggy’s Show Stopping dues, Scooter and Gonzo realize that they need to get away as quick as possible. Scooter floors the car in reverse to turn it around before flooring it out of the Theatre as Miss Piggy’s screams echo through the hall. Guest hear Scooter and Gonzo screaming in fear about Miss Piggy chasing them as the image of Miss Piggy can be seeing giving a karate kick towards the car. With every Karate chop the whole vehicle shakes. Guest can hear Gonzo telling Scooter that the only way they can go faster if they through somebody out of the vehicle then Gonzo appears on scream asking for any volunteers.
Scooter panics when he hears Gonzo say this and yells at the guest to not jump out of the car because then they will be sued, and there isn’t enough money to cover the court cost. Right before Scooter and Gonzo can come to an agreement of what to do, Miss Piggy kicks the vehicle through a wall and into the Prop Room. With a violent shake the vehicle stops and lands in the Prop Room.
12) The Prop Vault
After a few seconds of peace and calm, Scooter reappears on screen and looks around the environment. Turning to the guest, he welcomes guests to the Prop Room and proceeds to tell the guest that they need to be very careful, the props in this room are worth more then Muppets Studios itself. The lights of the Prop room come on and guest can see props from the Muppets many movies and TV shows. Among the props around the guest are Gonzo’s Motorcyle, a joke book (clearly Fozzies’s) written by a “Jerry J.”, Kermit’s Banjo, some of the Cardboard cutouts from the finale of The Muppet Movie. The car moves forwards as the rough sound of clucking can be heard in the distance. Guest continue looking around seeing Gonzo’s camera from The Great Muppet Caper and above them the SwineTrek starship. With a large Cluck guest hear the Scooter yell at Gonzo, Did you let the chickens loose again! With a nervous laugh Gonzo backs off the screen, while a crashing noise is heard. Scooter floors the car towards the exit as items start moving around. Guest quickly passed some of the props form the now-closed Disneyland version of Muppet*Vision 3D, including the cannon used by the Swedish Chef. Before the guest The Hispaniola is slowly crashing towards the exit, with a short burst of speed guest make it past The Hispaniola and through the exit before a loud crash of the ship being destroyed behind them.
13) The Credits
Scooter apologizes for the Tour going wrong and is sorry to say that it looks like Muppet Studios will be closed until the damages can be repaired. As Guest are kicked out of the main production facilities, they find themselves in a wide hallway where Statle and Waldorf sit in their balcony seats, heckling the generally critiquing the guest as they walk buy. These will be fairly intelligent animatronic that will notice things about guest and point them out in an attempt to mock them.
The Electric Mayhem Lounge
The Electric Mayhem Lounge has long been known where all the Muppets wind down and where the Electric Mayhem preform between gigs. The layout for everything hasn’t changed expect for the fact that a new stage has been built with an animatronic Electric Mayhem playing all of their greatest hits to the diners. This stage will be made in a location which would be visible to both floors. The seating that was once located in that area would be moved into the arcade portion of the building. In place of the Pizza Planet Mural would be a new mural with all the Muppets. Lastly the menu for the restaurant will remain the same other than the fact that the items will be renamed with a Muppet fan.
Madame Camilla’s Ristorante Italiano
Welcome to Mama Camilla's Ristorante Italiano. However, there is one thing to note is has new owners those being the Muppets! Overall the restaurant will remain the same however all the current Celebrity photos will be revamped to have a Muppet in the same photograph. The menu will remain the same the except for the fact that the items have gotten Muppet Inspired names.
Meet and Greet and other Atmosphere
Going just outside the Electric Mayhem Lounge will be a new Meet and Greet with Kermit and Miss Piggy. Going around Muppet Studios is the much beloved Muppet Mobile Labs. Throughout the day guests will be able to Honeydew and Beaker on the move throughout the day!
FYI, my critiques will becoming a little bit later, as I am currently out of action. They WILL be on here before 10 PM EST. 
Vipraa
Well-Known Member
Challenge 1 - Critiques
Team Mickey @Bucfan87 @JokersWild @RMichael21 @Zweiland
Fantastic Proposal here. The Great Muppet Ride is truly a fantastic E-ticket class ride here with lots of laughs and is just a great time altogether. The concept art is great and the attraction posters would look great in around the land or queue area to get guests interested in the ride with the tie-ins to other Disney attractions. The Animated map really brought the layout together and made it understandable as it is kinda confusing on its own. The capacity of this ride with up to 36 people per dispatch is great and the ride should be a real people eater.
Some issues though are here. First the Sesame Street seems entirely unnecessary and adds little to the proposal where the Muppets attraction is the highlight. I really like the idea of Statler and Waldorf riding with the guest but having them in the same vehicles as guests is really bad character integrity. Multiple dispatch generally happen in front of guests before they board and multiple Statler and Waldorfs would pass by. Suggestion would to be having them in a separate vehicle that joins the guest as they enter the first scene. Also the ride seems to be a little long. All the scenes are great but i feel there might be too many of them and some of the effect is lost when it just keeps going.
Team Goofy @Flippin'Flounder @Matt7187 @MonorailRed @spacemt354
Great Proposal guys. You have a really well developed land that highlights different IPs within the Jim Henson Company Umbrella and not just the muppets. The concept art is great and the blueprints are nice. Your script is absolutely spot on and is the highlight of the attraction. “An Abe divided against himself cannot stand” had me bust out laughing.
Im a little curious as why you decided to move the entire land to the Magic of Disney Animation area. There is plenty of land to have a nice little muppets area in between Star Wars and Pixar and it seemed unnecessary. The interactive queue is nice but giving guest the ability to leave the area and explore the entire land seems like it would be a logistical nightmare. Explore the building yes but having them leave is asking to lose the pagers or get to busy to come back on time.
Team Donald @DSquared @englanddg @IDInstitute
You guys definitely took the most risk with your proposal having the Muppets take a back seat to the other Jim Henson Properties. I like the little detail like legal disclaimer and the timeline of everything. The Muppet Labs and Yorsh Desh Born are great additions and truly complete the land. Your land defiantly felt the most complete. I know next to nothing about Fraggle Rock so i cant argue for or against the ride but its seemed well put together and had a good script.
I do understand why you chose to do everything in phases and appreciate the realism there but at the same time I don’t think that its that far fetched to just temporary close the land to finish everything quicker. Especially when you are closing Muppet Vision anyways for enhancement. Also You did choose to emphasize lesser known and not as wide reaching properties over the Muppets and I do think that the Muppets should have a more leading role as the property is much more popular with most demographics.
Team Oswald @Brer Panther @Sam4D23 @tcool @Voxel
Very good proposal. Fantastic concept art. You guys defiantly have the most detailed and interesting queue. I really like the Idea of the Studebaker ride vehicle as it is something unique and recognizable to the Muppets. The studio tour is a nice fun way to showcase the mania that happens with the muppets when they do anything. I do really like how the ride circles the whole land and gives a fun perspective on everything.
While the studios tour is a fun I do have some concerns with DHS moving away from the studio theme and to a more immersive world building type park. Your script is not the strongest and while it does have some laughs I think it could have been done better. I wish I had more details with the rest of the land. Compared to your queue description the rest restaurants and meet and greets sort of feel flat.
Overall fantastic job to everyone and theses are all great proposals. Everyone should be proud of them and I am not looking forward to picking a winners and losers as It is a really tough call. We defiantly have our work cut out for us as judges this season.
Team Mickey @Bucfan87 @JokersWild @RMichael21 @Zweiland
Fantastic Proposal here. The Great Muppet Ride is truly a fantastic E-ticket class ride here with lots of laughs and is just a great time altogether. The concept art is great and the attraction posters would look great in around the land or queue area to get guests interested in the ride with the tie-ins to other Disney attractions. The Animated map really brought the layout together and made it understandable as it is kinda confusing on its own. The capacity of this ride with up to 36 people per dispatch is great and the ride should be a real people eater.
Some issues though are here. First the Sesame Street seems entirely unnecessary and adds little to the proposal where the Muppets attraction is the highlight. I really like the idea of Statler and Waldorf riding with the guest but having them in the same vehicles as guests is really bad character integrity. Multiple dispatch generally happen in front of guests before they board and multiple Statler and Waldorfs would pass by. Suggestion would to be having them in a separate vehicle that joins the guest as they enter the first scene. Also the ride seems to be a little long. All the scenes are great but i feel there might be too many of them and some of the effect is lost when it just keeps going.
Team Goofy @Flippin'Flounder @Matt7187 @MonorailRed @spacemt354
Great Proposal guys. You have a really well developed land that highlights different IPs within the Jim Henson Company Umbrella and not just the muppets. The concept art is great and the blueprints are nice. Your script is absolutely spot on and is the highlight of the attraction. “An Abe divided against himself cannot stand” had me bust out laughing.
Im a little curious as why you decided to move the entire land to the Magic of Disney Animation area. There is plenty of land to have a nice little muppets area in between Star Wars and Pixar and it seemed unnecessary. The interactive queue is nice but giving guest the ability to leave the area and explore the entire land seems like it would be a logistical nightmare. Explore the building yes but having them leave is asking to lose the pagers or get to busy to come back on time.
Team Donald @DSquared @englanddg @IDInstitute
You guys definitely took the most risk with your proposal having the Muppets take a back seat to the other Jim Henson Properties. I like the little detail like legal disclaimer and the timeline of everything. The Muppet Labs and Yorsh Desh Born are great additions and truly complete the land. Your land defiantly felt the most complete. I know next to nothing about Fraggle Rock so i cant argue for or against the ride but its seemed well put together and had a good script.
I do understand why you chose to do everything in phases and appreciate the realism there but at the same time I don’t think that its that far fetched to just temporary close the land to finish everything quicker. Especially when you are closing Muppet Vision anyways for enhancement. Also You did choose to emphasize lesser known and not as wide reaching properties over the Muppets and I do think that the Muppets should have a more leading role as the property is much more popular with most demographics.
Team Oswald @Brer Panther @Sam4D23 @tcool @Voxel
Very good proposal. Fantastic concept art. You guys defiantly have the most detailed and interesting queue. I really like the Idea of the Studebaker ride vehicle as it is something unique and recognizable to the Muppets. The studio tour is a nice fun way to showcase the mania that happens with the muppets when they do anything. I do really like how the ride circles the whole land and gives a fun perspective on everything.
While the studios tour is a fun I do have some concerns with DHS moving away from the studio theme and to a more immersive world building type park. Your script is not the strongest and while it does have some laughs I think it could have been done better. I wish I had more details with the rest of the land. Compared to your queue description the rest restaurants and meet and greets sort of feel flat.
Overall fantastic job to everyone and theses are all great proposals. Everyone should be proud of them and I am not looking forward to picking a winners and losers as It is a really tough call. We defiantly have our work cut out for us as judges this season.
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TheOriginalTiki
Well-Known Member
My critiques
Team Mickey:
You guys really nailed this one out of the park. Terrific homage to Great Muppet Movie Ride without ever actually borrowing a single idea from it. The trackless ride system kept things engaging, and the inclusion of Satler and Waldorf was absolutely ingenious. Really strong effort out of the gate!
Team Goofy:
It's interesting that Mickey and Goofy both went in the direction of the Muppets trying to make attractions featuring Disney parodies. With this in mind, I feel like Team Mickey felt much more natural to the tone and feel of the Muppets. With Team Goofy, I felt it was kind of awkward the way you crammed the concept of Imagineering into what the Muppets were doing, instead of having a natural plot to go around it.
I appreciate some of the effort that went into this like the blueprints, but the endless amounts of SCRIPT made this a chore to read through, which should never be the case for a Muppet project.
Team Donald:
This was a solid, if risky effort. Your love for the Fraggle Rock IP definitely showed through, and that ride was a brilliant piece of Armchair Imagineering. Having said that, unless the new movie is a MASSIVE hit I highly doubt a Fraggle Rock attraction of that scale is actually feasible.
I also really liked the way you guys put the progress into phases. Made it feel much more like a real Imagineering project even if the E Ticket the phases build up to isn't something I can see Disney actually tackling any time soon.
Team Oswald:
Some times less is more. I actually felt like this was the most digestible of all the presentations. Why? No scripts. The scenes were easy to read, not too much of a hassle to get through, and flowed together really well. I thought for the most part everything here was on point. Gotta give a special shout out for being the one attraction that focuses specifically on the Hollywood/Studio side of the Muppets. For that reason I actually see this being the most realistic of the four presentations to actually fit into the park.
My rankings:
1. Team Mickey
2. Team Oswald
3. Team Donald
4. Team Goofy
Team Mickey:
You guys really nailed this one out of the park. Terrific homage to Great Muppet Movie Ride without ever actually borrowing a single idea from it. The trackless ride system kept things engaging, and the inclusion of Satler and Waldorf was absolutely ingenious. Really strong effort out of the gate!
Team Goofy:
It's interesting that Mickey and Goofy both went in the direction of the Muppets trying to make attractions featuring Disney parodies. With this in mind, I feel like Team Mickey felt much more natural to the tone and feel of the Muppets. With Team Goofy, I felt it was kind of awkward the way you crammed the concept of Imagineering into what the Muppets were doing, instead of having a natural plot to go around it.
I appreciate some of the effort that went into this like the blueprints, but the endless amounts of SCRIPT made this a chore to read through, which should never be the case for a Muppet project.
Team Donald:
This was a solid, if risky effort. Your love for the Fraggle Rock IP definitely showed through, and that ride was a brilliant piece of Armchair Imagineering. Having said that, unless the new movie is a MASSIVE hit I highly doubt a Fraggle Rock attraction of that scale is actually feasible.
I also really liked the way you guys put the progress into phases. Made it feel much more like a real Imagineering project even if the E Ticket the phases build up to isn't something I can see Disney actually tackling any time soon.
Team Oswald:
Some times less is more. I actually felt like this was the most digestible of all the presentations. Why? No scripts. The scenes were easy to read, not too much of a hassle to get through, and flowed together really well. I thought for the most part everything here was on point. Gotta give a special shout out for being the one attraction that focuses specifically on the Hollywood/Studio side of the Muppets. For that reason I actually see this being the most realistic of the four presentations to actually fit into the park.
My rankings:
1. Team Mickey
2. Team Oswald
3. Team Donald
4. Team Goofy
Theyre coming guys, dont worry!
Challenge 1 - Critiques
Team Mickey - Project Manager @Zweiland, @Bucfan87, @RMichael21, and @Zweiland
From top to bottom this was just a really strong proposal. The logo was great, and the idea that the Muppets are lampooning a theme park is a perfect callback to their lampooning of a variety show. And then, there was the gag that they had actually lost the ride...only the Muppets. Overall, the script was clever and the execution was top notch.
Team Goofy - Project Manager @Matt7187, @Flippin'Flounder, @MonorailRed, and @spacemt354
The art here...just...wow. It makes me want to be in that land immediately. However, this challenge is about the ride. The blueprint idea was a convincing thought and was executed very well. Like with Team Mickey, the idea of the Muppets lampooning a theme park is perfect for the characters and gags of the franchise. The lines you wrote were witty and fit their characters well. Overall, I enjoyed the attraction and it would fit well within DHS, though I could have taken a little less Seinfeld.
Team Donald - Project Manager @IDInstitute, @DSquared, and @englanddg
You guys went a different way with the Fraggles, which are Muppets, and I think it turned out quite nice. The images you used were very well fit, and the ridethrough was phenomenal. The script was good and came across well to someone wholly unfamiliar with the Fraggles...but therein lies the problem. Though a Fraggle Rock movie is supposedly in development, I couldn't be sure that kids today would latch onto it. Sure there will be the parents who know about it, but that cant be everything. Overall, unique and attractive setup, but there are some insecurities with using this franchise.
Team Oswald - Project Manager @tcool, @Brer Panther, @Sam4D23, and @Voxel
I have to applaud you guys for the art this week. Very, very nice. It shows the new areas in a realistic way with what is already there. The studio tour element was a unique one from everyone else, but was one I just couldn't latch onto. It sounded fun and all, but it really never hooked me. You also chose prose over the script style of writing (that everyone else had), which turned out quite well in the final post. Overall, there were shining moments, but it wasn't perfect.
Sorry mine are kind of short this week guys! Got very busy at the last moment!
Team Mickey - Project Manager @Zweiland, @Bucfan87, @RMichael21, and @Zweiland
From top to bottom this was just a really strong proposal. The logo was great, and the idea that the Muppets are lampooning a theme park is a perfect callback to their lampooning of a variety show. And then, there was the gag that they had actually lost the ride...only the Muppets. Overall, the script was clever and the execution was top notch.
Team Goofy - Project Manager @Matt7187, @Flippin'Flounder, @MonorailRed, and @spacemt354
The art here...just...wow. It makes me want to be in that land immediately. However, this challenge is about the ride. The blueprint idea was a convincing thought and was executed very well. Like with Team Mickey, the idea of the Muppets lampooning a theme park is perfect for the characters and gags of the franchise. The lines you wrote were witty and fit their characters well. Overall, I enjoyed the attraction and it would fit well within DHS, though I could have taken a little less Seinfeld.
Team Donald - Project Manager @IDInstitute, @DSquared, and @englanddg
You guys went a different way with the Fraggles, which are Muppets, and I think it turned out quite nice. The images you used were very well fit, and the ridethrough was phenomenal. The script was good and came across well to someone wholly unfamiliar with the Fraggles...but therein lies the problem. Though a Fraggle Rock movie is supposedly in development, I couldn't be sure that kids today would latch onto it. Sure there will be the parents who know about it, but that cant be everything. Overall, unique and attractive setup, but there are some insecurities with using this franchise.
Team Oswald - Project Manager @tcool, @Brer Panther, @Sam4D23, and @Voxel
I have to applaud you guys for the art this week. Very, very nice. It shows the new areas in a realistic way with what is already there. The studio tour element was a unique one from everyone else, but was one I just couldn't latch onto. It sounded fun and all, but it really never hooked me. You also chose prose over the script style of writing (that everyone else had), which turned out quite well in the final post. Overall, there were shining moments, but it wasn't perfect.
Sorry mine are kind of short this week guys! Got very busy at the last moment!
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Sam Magic
Well-Known Member
@jdmdisney99 Could you clarify whether or not we are sending two or three people into the boardroom? Our team is a little confused. Many thanks.
tcool plus two others per usual.
Voxel
President of Progress City
Thank you are confusion came from the double elimination rule, I don't think we were sure what happened after we got ride of double elim this time
Please do come up with the other two soon.
tcool
Well-Known Member
I will be taking @Sam4D23 and @Brer Panther to the board room with me.