Muppet Great Movie Ride finally coming?

PeterAlt

PeterAlt

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
Now that Disney finally has the Muppets, will the Muppet section of Disney-MGM Studios finally get completed?

For those who have no idea what I'm talking about, let me give you a little refresher....

In the late 80's, before Jim Henson died, he struck a deal with Disney for Disney buy out his company, which includes the Muppets. Henson personally designed (with Disney Imagineers) several attractions for Disney-MGM Studios for a Muppet-themed land. First was a live action show (which the Little Mermaid replaced). Second was the MuppetVision 4D.

MuppetVision 4D was the first of what was to be a Muppet-themed land. The flagship attraction was to be the Muppet Great Movie Ride. Henson actually supervised design of this ride before he died. The ride was to be a humous Muppet-version of the Great Movie ride. Also planned for the Muppet land was Gonzo's Pizza Parlor, among other things.

Jim Henson actually died right after designing this new land, just finishing filming MuippetVision 4D (post production was done in his absense). Unfortunately, the Disney buyout of Henson's company was never fully closed before he died. After he died, Disney said the value of company was less now that Jim Henson was no longer alive and able to contribute his creativity. Brian Henson, Jim's son and heir to the Henson company, refused to close the deal with Disney's lowered asking price, and pulled out of the deal. He, however, allowed Disney to open MuppetVision, but all other projects were shelved.

Now that Brian Henson (and Disney) finally decided to close the deal, I wonder if the plans for the Muppet Land and the Great Muppet Movie Ride will finally be pulled off the shelf and get a green-light to begin construction? If Eisner is booted out, will the next CEO green light it? If Eisner is not booted out, will Eisner green light its construction?
 
SirGoofy

SirGoofy

Member
I can only hope that this ride come about. I love the Muppets and I think Jim Henson was a genius. I read what was supposed to happen in the GMMR on JimHill(not the best source, I know) and it sounded like one of the best ride ideas I've ever heard. The site also said some things about Gonzos Pizza Parlor, and I think GPP would be an awsome place to eat.
 
matt88mph

matt88mph

New Member
Don't ask me why I said this, but:

"All I see is a bear and a frog in a rainbow Studebaker."

Anyway, the Muppets are a part of American history and the themed area would be so cool. I would love to see their take on classic movies.
 
Disney2002

Disney2002

New Member
Originally posted by PeterAlt
Now that Disney finally has the Muppets, will the Muppet section of Disney-MGM Studios finally get completed?

For those who have no idea what I'm talking about, let me give you a little refresher....

In the late 80's, before Jim Henson died, he struck a deal with Disney for Disney buy out his company, which includes the Muppets. Henson personally designed (with Disney Imagineers) several attractions for Disney-MGM Studios for a Muppet-themed land. First was a live action show (which the Little Mermaid replaced). Second was the MuppetVision 4D.

MuppetVision 4D was the first of what was to be a Muppet-themed land. The flagship attraction was to be the Muppet Great Movie Ride. Henson actually supervised design of this ride before he died. The ride was to be a humous Muppet-version of the Great Movie ride. Also planned for the Muppet land was Gonzo's Pizza Parlor, among other things.

Jim Henson actually died right after designing this new land, just finishing filming MuippetVision 4D (post production was done in his absense). Unfortunately, the Disney buyout of Henson's company was never fully closed before he died. After he died, Disney said the value of company was less now that Jim Henson was no longer alive and able to contribute his creativity. Brian Henson, Jim's son and heir to the Henson company, refused to close the deal with Disney's lowered asking price, and pulled out of the deal. He, however, allowed Disney to open MuppetVision, but all other projects were shelved.

Now that Brian Henson (and Disney) finally decided to close the deal, I wonder if the plans for the Muppet Land and the Great Muppet Movie Ride will finally be pulled off the shelf and get a green-light to begin construction? If Eisner is booted out, will the next CEO green light it? If Eisner is not booted out, will Eisner green light its construction?
Click to expand...

Is there any official documentation of these old plans? Love to have them come to life.
 
cherrynegra

cherrynegra

Well-Known Member
If they do proceed with plans for Gonzo's Pizza Parlor and the Muppet Movie Ride, it would definitely make MGM even more distinctive. I think having more Muppet presence in MGM would be a great idea.
 
KevinPage

KevinPage

Well-Known Member
Jay Raluso mentioned in his annoucement to investors a week ago, that you will see more Muppets integrated into the parks in the future. No specific time line, but I think we'll see it sooner rather than later IMHO
 
PeterAlt

PeterAlt

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
Originally posted by KevinPage
Jay Raluso mentioned in his annoucement to investors a week ago, that you will see more Muppets integrated into the parks in the future. No specific time line, but I think we'll see it sooner rather than later IMHO
Click to expand...

But does that mean that the old plans will be pulled off the shelves and finally see the light of day?
 
SirNim

SirNim

Well-Known Member
I can't help but think of Pizza Planet and Mama Melrose's when I see Gonzo's Pizza Parlor... I'd love to see a larger Muppet presence in the parks, especially Disney-MGM Studios where they already have a foothold, but I don't see a new "land" or anything remotely similar, imo. And you can't very well spoof an attraction in the attraction's own park, eh? Well, actually, you can... I take that back (ETR-UNM comes to mind). Anyway, gah, I have nothing more to say... :lol:
 
disneydummy125

disneydummy125

Member
All of those Muppet themed ideas sound like a great addition to MGM. I am not such a roller coaster person, so in MGM I only go on Star Tours, Muppets 3D, the Great Movie Ride, and Who wants to be a millionaire-play it. I would definitely appreciate some of those rides.
 
PeterAlt

PeterAlt

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
Originally posted by Corrus
No... won't happen...
Click to expand...

Geeze, you're an optimist! I was hoping that because it was Eisner (and Frank Wells) who originally put the Muppet acquisition in place in the first place and put the Muppet expansion of the Studios in place, that this was one of Eisner's unfinished projects that he'd like to get done.... Or if Eisner is booted out, the new CEO would see the plans and say "ah, now here's a good idea we could start my new career with...."
 
Tom

Tom

Beta Return
Originally posted by PeterAlt
Now that Disney finally has the Muppets, will the Muppet section of Disney-MGM Studios finally get completed?

For those who have no idea what I'm talking about, let me give you a little refresher....

In the late 80's, before Jim Henson died, he struck a deal with Disney for Disney buy out his company, which includes the Muppets. Henson personally designed (with Disney Imagineers) several attractions for Disney-MGM Studios for a Muppet-themed land. First was a live action show (which the Little Mermaid replaced). Second was the MuppetVision 4D.

MuppetVision 4D was the first of what was to be a Muppet-themed land. The flagship attraction was to be the Muppet Great Movie Ride. Henson actually supervised design of this ride before he died. The ride was to be a humous Muppet-version of the Great Movie ride. Also planned for the Muppet land was Gonzo's Pizza Parlor, among other things.

Jim Henson actually died right after designing this new land, just finishing filming MuippetVision 4D (post production was done in his absense). Unfortunately, the Disney buyout of Henson's company was never fully closed before he died. After he died, Disney said the value of company was less now that Jim Henson was no longer alive and able to contribute his creativity. Brian Henson, Jim's son and heir to the Henson company, refused to close the deal with Disney's lowered asking price, and pulled out of the deal. He, however, allowed Disney to open MuppetVision, but all other projects were shelved.

Now that Brian Henson (and Disney) finally decided to close the deal, I wonder if the plans for the Muppet Land and the Great Muppet Movie Ride will finally be pulled off the shelf and get a green-light to begin construction? If Eisner is booted out, will the next CEO green light it? If Eisner is not booted out, will Eisner green light its construction?
Click to expand...

We can only hope! :-)
 
imagineer boy

imagineer boy

Well-Known Member
I think the Muppet Movie Ride, pizza parlor, and boomerang fish market should go to the hollywood pictures backlot in DCA. It really needs good quality attractions like this.
 
B

bork

Active Member
Jim Hill went into some detail on the plans a couple weeks ago.

When I read this, I had a thought: Instead of a new Muppet Great Movie ride, could this end up being a redo of the existing Great Movie Ride? In the past, there had been rumors of the Great Movie Ride getting either updated or replaced with a Villains ride.

Since parts of the ride are getting rather dated and in need of an update, might the Muppets be invading the Great Movie Ride in the near future?

That might also give Disney a chance to remove all MGM films and finally rename the park to the Disney Studios.
 
DisneyFan 2000

DisneyFan 2000

Well-Known Member
^ To answer your question, from what I understand it's quite a simple concept! I think the Muppet Movie ride is ment to laugh at the GMR, not replace it! I doubt the movie ride is going anywhere, because when I was there during the beginning of October the ride was packed even with low crowds!
 
PeterAlt

PeterAlt

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
Originally posted by bork
Jim Hill went into some detail on the plans a couple weeks ago.

When I read this, I had a thought: Instead of a new Muppet Great Movie ride, could this end up being a redo of the existing Great Movie Ride? In the past, there had been rumors of the Great Movie Ride getting either updated or replaced with a Villains ride.

Since parts of the ride are getting rather dated and in need of an update, might the Muppets be invading the Great Movie Ride in the near future?

That might also give Disney a chance to remove all MGM films and finally rename the park to the Disney Studios.
Click to expand...

Why would Disney want to remove MGM films? That would mean they would have to remove TWToT as well! Disney should go ahead and even BUY what's left of the MGM company!

Rumor has it that MGM may even acquire Pixar. I say, let them (MGM) go ahead and do that. Then, Disney buys MGM and would have in a sneaky way acquired Pixar as well!

They should not replace GMR, but simply update it with newer films. I believe there are already plans in the works for this. The Great Muppet Movie Ride is an entirely different kind of ride, though it does satire the GMR!

The whole around around MuppetVision 4D was originally designated for this land. Gonzo's Piza Parlar is already another resteraunt. Also, there is land dedicated around the Indiana Jones Stunt Show for an entirely new version of the Indiana Jones ride. The Auto Stunt Show coming in is an entirelt different type of stunt show, so there's room for both shows!

Now, if only Disney could settle their dispute with Spielberg, the Studios would also get Roger Rabbit's Cartoon Spin! The Studios has the potential of becoming the best of all four parks!!!!
 
B

bork

Active Member
There had been rumors in the past about Disney dropping MGM.
Disney signed to deal to get access to more films for the park, but they haven't really used too many of the films. Disney has enough of their own properties, that I could see them not feeling to need to give free publicity to MGM, for what little they add to the park.

By the way, Tower of Terror is licensed from CBS.
Alien is Fox.
Casablanca is WB.
I also believe that Wizard of Oz was bought by Turner, so that isn't MGM either. There really isn't a whole lot of MGM in the ride anyway.
 

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