DHS Monster Inc Land Coming to Disney's Hollywood Studios

[The Leader of the Club]

There's an elephant in the room.

If you keep Grand Avenue as-is and put Monsters Inc. in the Animation Courtyard, you push the Zootopia land to another park.

Let’s just push the Zootopia land to Adventure World.

 

[castlecake2.0]

Corless is reporting that some DHS cast members are being informed that the office behind AC is moving and the parking garage will be inaccessible.

Heard anything?

I have not, and am currently parked there lol, but maybe it just hasn’t reached my area

 

[J4546]

What if they make a Monster/Zootopia/Muppet mega land! jk

 

[Sectorkeeper71]

Literally, if they just reanimate Waldo and restore the footage every decade or so, it can last as long as any other WDW attraction

Yeah i definitely feel the film needs to be refreshed at the very least. I can’t think of any other 3-D show that’s run at the parks for nearly as long (I think philarmagic would be the next closest?)

 

[MKeeler]

But is Muppet Vision an attraction that can run unaltered for 50 years?

I would counter that it’s not one that has to run 50 years unaltered necessarily, but unaltered doesn’t need to mean replaced. Theater attractions should be the easiest to add alternate or seasonal program. Why has there never been a Muppet Christmas Carol 3D show added to the theater for the holiday season? With that being in some generations the highest rated Christmas movie, that theater would be swamped at that time. It doesn’t have to be the movie, but can reference it and use songs from it to present a condensed version. Then programming can return to MuppetVision 3D. It extends the life of this attraction, keeping valuable capacity for a fraction of the cost, while something like Monstropolis can go where it truly adds capacity and value to a park that desperately needs it.

 

[Disney Analyst]

I fundamentally disagree. Age does not mean something is bad.

I mean, yes and no. Sometimes age does mean something is bad, if society has grown from a concept, or if it's become too normalized.

I think part of the issue Muppets is facing, 3D / 4D theatre attractions are such a normal concept these days, I can go to my movie theatre and experience one, the "gimmick" isn't unique or special anymore. Add in an IP that is frankly, well... dying ...

Of course, this attraction does take it up several notches with Animatronics etc, so it is still unique in that way, but the real question is what is the actual expiry date for this attraction, where it will legit just be a relic barely anyone goes to? 20-30 years from now? I love the Muppets, but this attraction does not scream timeless to me, not in the same way Mansion or Pirates does.

I am sure Disney is thinking long game here, when it comes to this area. I think the fate of Muppets is sealed, and it's just a matter of when.

 

[JohnD]

There's an elephant in the room.

If you keep Grand Avenue as-is and put Monsters Inc. in the Animation Courtyard, you push the Zootopia land to another park.

You forgot there is still Animation Courtyard. And debate is about whether Monster, Inc. would go into either. Which would leave Zootopia, maybe, for the other location.

 

[KDM31091]

Maybe I'm biased, but to me Muppets is perhaps dated, but in a charming, nostalgic way, and still draws people. It's not like I have ever been sitting in the theater alone watching it, not even close. Usually at least half full or more.

Not everything has to be flashy, fancy and new. It's fine as is, it's not broken, why fix it? Why rip it out to put in another thrill ride? Muppets is something the whole family can enjoy. HS already is short on things like that, especially if you do not want to wait for an hour or more in the hot sun (Slinky Dog Dash).

 

[Rhinocerous]

There's an elephant in the room.

If you keep Grand Avenue as-is and put Monsters Inc. in the Animation Courtyard, you push the Zootopia land to another park.

Preferably a park in another country.

 

[Thanks phoenicians]

There's an elephant in the room.

If you keep Grand Avenue as-is and put Monsters Inc. in the Animation Courtyard, you push the Zootopia land to another park.

Not necessarily. They could easily use Grande Ave for zootopia. There's also the whole Echo Lake and Indy stunt show area that could theoretically be used. If they really wanted a big plot of land for whatever theme they decide on, they could even stretch from Indy to Grand Ave and re-theme Star Tours. I think even if Grand Ave survives for now I'm not sure it means it won't go (somewhat) soon after

 

[doctornick]

Sure but all legacy rides have gotten refreshed and touched up over time (for better and worse). How much of that can be done with the muppet film? It’s incredibly dated because it was shot almost 40 years ago. Do I still enjoy it? Sure. But it shows its age

Honestly, I enjoy the Muppets film, but it doesn't have the sort of "untouchable" status to me that other things do. Would I mind it remaining as a tribute to Henson? Sure, that's cool. But I don't feel it is sacrosanct and cannot be removed, especially if the Muppets have some other presence in the parks.

I too feel it is kinda dated and I actually find Waldo kind of annoying. Most of the rest of the show is good including the stuff in the theater itself. I lament the potential loss because I think as a continuous available high capacity show, it feels a big need for DHS. But if they replaced it with a similar caliber show, I'd be fine.

I actually will miss ITTBAB more than MuppetVision.

 

[RSoxNo1]

According to Blog Mickey, the water tower is above Pizzerizos, putting the coaster again, in one of the concepts, over Mama Melrose and extending into the parking lot and NOT toward ST.

"In this first piece of concept art below, we can see clear identifying marks for the Muppet Courtyard theory. A water tower over Sulley’s shoulder unmistakably matches the current water tower above the PizzeRizzo restaurant, placing the Monsters Inc. building somewhere in the vicinity of the current Mama Melrose restaurant. The shuttered Studio 1 building would be located roughly where the lush park area is currently seen, placing MuppetVision 3D where the corner market is on the right side of the concept below."

I don't think it's unreasonable to re-work Cypress Drive and expand beyond the existing boarder of the park? Does anyone have a recent photo of that area? Google Maps is from like 5 years ago.

 

[Advisable Joseph]

They could easily use Grande Ave for zootopia.

Are you combining Zootopia and Muppets here?

Autocorrect thinks Muppets should be Nippers!

 

[Surferboy567]

Let's say it does go to animation courtyard is there enough room to make a significant land back there without tearing down RnR and Mermaid?

 

[LittleBuford]

But it shows its age

Why is that a bad thing?

 

[Disney Analyst]

Maybe I'm biased, but to me Muppets is perhaps dated, but in a charming, nostalgic way, and still draws people. It's not like I have ever been sitting in the theater alone watching it, not even close. Usually at least half full or more.

Not everything has to be flashy, fancy and new. It's fine as is, it's not broken, why fix it? Why rip it out to put in another thrill ride? Muppets is something the whole family can enjoy. HS already is short on things like that, especially if you do not want to wait for an hour or more in the hot sun (Slinky Dog Dash).

Here's a question to ponder. If DHS is finally filled with a decent capacity of attractions, does Muppets become less attended?

I always thought part of the higher popularity out east was simply due to DHS being so under built and grossly lacking in things to do, people are kinda just forced to do it.

Meanwhile out west, where between two parks there is SOOO much to do, Muppets could only survive ... 13 years? Is the audience that different, or is Muppets helped by the problem that is DHS?

 

[doctornick]

Let's say it does go to animation courtyard is there enough room to make a significant land back there without tearing down RnR and Mermaid?

There's a ton of land depending, including some some parking, that can easily be used for a substantial build.

 

[Sectorkeeper71]

Honestly, I enjoy the Muppets film, but it doesn't have the sort of "untouchable" status to me that other things do. Would I mind it remaining as a tribute to Henson? Sure, that's cool. But I don't feel it is sacrosanct and cannot be removed, especially if the Muppets have some other presence in the parks.

I too feel it is kinda dated and I actually find Waldo kind of annoying. Most of the rest of the show is good including the stuff in the theater itself. I lament the potential loss because I think as a continuous available high capacity show, it feels a big need for DHS. But if they replaced it with a similar caliber show, I'd be fine.

I actually will miss ITTBAB more than MuppetVision.

I love the in theater things and that’s really groundbreaking especially for when it debuted.

I’d be disappointed for it to go away entirely but I wish they’d plus it up and as someone else suggested maybe add seasonal shows. A lot of potential here, but the only thing we’re likely to get is it being cut from the parks entirely

 

[gorillaball]

I gotta be honest I'm not even mad if Muppets and Star Tours is replaced, but I'm mad if its replaced before the Animation Courtyard/Rockin, an area none of us care about.

Rockin? Speak for yourself not all of us.

 

[doctornick]

Here's a question to ponder. If DHS is finally filled with a decent capacity of attractions, does Muppets become less attended?

I always thought part of the higher popularity out east was simply due to DHS being so under built and grossly lacking in things to do, people are kinda just forced to do it.

Meanwhile out west, where between two parks there is SOOO much to do, Muppets could only survive ... 13 years? Is the audience that different, or is Muppets helped by the problem that is DHS?

While the feature of how much there is to do might play a role, audiences are much different. a lot of shows last a lot longer at WDW than at DLR - witness also the Frozen Singalong and CBJ and so on. A big part of that IMHO is the ratio of first time/infrequent visitors compared to regulars at the resorts.