I apologize if this has already been posted/discussed. I cant find it anywhere. But Mr. Honker and the muppet store name has been removed from the entrance of the gift shop outside the M*V exit.
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News Mr. Honker is no more
- Thread starter WondersOfLife
- Start date
castlecake2.0
Well-Known Member
Things like this have happened before and it was just part of a refurbishment, like the Little Mermaid sign a few months ago. So that could be a possibility perhaps? Something to keep an eye on.
Yea whatever happened to that? Is there a link to a post of an updated little mermaid sign? (Side note why would they refurb the sign if it’s not going to reopen)
castlecake2.0
Well-Known Member
The sign returned a week or so later. In regards to why, quite often different parts of the company dont “talk” to each other. One example I like to use is a Disney Store I worked at. After being open almost 20 years they replaced our carpet for the first time, then a month later they closed the location. Often times things are just on a schedule for maintenance/repair etc by a different department than the one that actually operates the venue.
TrainsOfDisney
Well-Known Member
Block Party Bash had casted and was rehearsing a new cast (this is not a cheap process...) and that cast never performed because the parade was abruptly cancelled.
Disneyson
Well-Known Member
I believe the more telling thing is the painting over of both the words "Muppet Studio" and "Muppet Stuff". I suppose in this new Grand Avenue story, this part of the park is no longer like, part of a studio. It's supposed to be just a street in Cali? So I mean I guess it makes sense that they take away the reference to it being a "studio store". But then again, the story of the attraction is about being in the Muppet Studios... in the Grand Arts Theater... and the building clearly looks like a soundstage from behind... none of it makes sense.
My best guess? I feel like there's placemaking happening to remove the idea that this is actually a Muppet Studio and to make it fold more into the California thing. What that means for the attraction inside, I have no clue. It reminds me of Star Tours and the Frozen show now. Whereas before, you were presumably going into the Muppet Studios and the theater where the Muppet Show took place, now you (like in Star Tours) go in through a nondescript theater/sound stage/whatever and suddenly you're in Muppet Studios/the Star Tours Port/Arendelle.
Kinda goes against what they had said they were moving towards for the vision of DHS now in terms of immersion but, whatever, I suppose.
My best guess? I feel like there's placemaking happening to remove the idea that this is actually a Muppet Studio and to make it fold more into the California thing. What that means for the attraction inside, I have no clue. It reminds me of Star Tours and the Frozen show now. Whereas before, you were presumably going into the Muppet Studios and the theater where the Muppet Show took place, now you (like in Star Tours) go in through a nondescript theater/sound stage/whatever and suddenly you're in Muppet Studios/the Star Tours Port/Arendelle.
Kinda goes against what they had said they were moving towards for the vision of DHS now in terms of immersion but, whatever, I suppose.
danlb_2000
Premium Member
I don't think they painted over them, it appears the awning was replaced, the white fringe at the bottom is different.
Marc Davis Fan
Well-Known Member
If this isn't a refurbishment, then it could be the beginning of another step towards making Grand Park a "real place" rather than a "studio backlot."
And if they commit to that change, I think it would indeed make the area feel a lot more immersive.
But, committing fully requires dealing with the building facades that abruptly end to reveal "soundstage" warehouses:
They have to either make the whole structure a "warehouse" or make the whole structure a "block of buildings," but the area will never look/feel right if it remains like this.
And if they commit to that change, I think it would indeed make the area feel a lot more immersive.
But, committing fully requires dealing with the building facades that abruptly end to reveal "soundstage" warehouses:
They have to either make the whole structure a "warehouse" or make the whole structure a "block of buildings," but the area will never look/feel right if it remains like this.
Please give Mrs. Honker and their entire family my condolences.
TikibirdLand
Well-Known Member
The store stopped having a bunch of cool Muppet merch in it a while ago. I've got a few really great shirts from there at the beginning of the Millennium. IIRC, they even had a section of stuff from Home Improvement. I still have my "Just Fix It" shirt from Tool Time.
Ive felt this for years. Relatively speaking it would cost pennies to add a facade and faux windows to the warehouse facades.
Would not bring a return on investment however so I’d be surprised to see it happen anytime soon.
danlb_2000
Premium Member
Mr. Honker was a significant risk to the spread of the virus.
Goofyernmost
Well-Known Member
Not funny, I guess, but after years and years of going to the Muppets 3D, I do not have any recollection of Mr. Honker. It might be because I don't spend any time there because I don't go to WDW to shop. I go to see the attractions, shows, etc. Even if I did possibly see it, I apparently didn't see the significance of it being strong enough to land in my memory banks. So I guess even if it doesn't ever come back, I will probably never know.
bcoachable
Well-Known Member
Maybe we have uncovered evidence to prove TWDC is just a really big Money Laundry Machine!
*side bar- Special Thanks to “Ozark” for the education into very dark places I would not have known about otherwise
Fair enough. But it's the little details like Mr. Honker that make Disney different.
Old story old story blah blah blah something about Disney losing their way.
Goofyernmost
Well-Known Member
Not in anyway trying to argue, but I am curious. What detail is mr. honker. I don't remember it as a character. Is it part of the Muppet show, I figure it must be because it is located in the Muppets area. The only thing I can think of is that character that keeps changing shape to emphasis the 3D stuff. I'm really at a memory loss concerning this detail.
TrainsOfDisney
Well-Known Member
It’s strange that Disney keeps adding IP to some areas and taking away IP from others. One area needs to be more Disney... the other area needs to be less Disney?
Honkers
The Honkers are fuzzy creatures from Sesame Street who communicate by honking their bulbous noses. Conceptualized by Tony Geiss,[1] the Honkers made their debut in Season 12,[2] first appearing in Episode 1458. Honkers come in a variety of colors, and baby Honkers are hatched from eggs. It is...
muppet.fandom.com
Marc Davis Fan
Well-Known Member
Yeah, unfortunately the cost still wouldn't be trivial (it could end up being in the millions, even for the most basic facade). Unless it's part of the budget for a new/updated attraction, I don't them making real changes anytime soon. But who knows...
Here is a nice walkthrough of the Grand Park area from November 2020, with the "Honker nose" removed and the facade issues briefly visible: