MuppetVision 3D closing for a month-long refurbishment in the summer

[DManRightHere]

The muppets are popular and more relevant than some other disney park themes. They would not be making new movies if they were not making money. I am glad they are getting a refurbishment. Hopefully the screens inside and out get overhaul (along with film) and spruce up the special effects a little.

If we destroy everything that is not disney original should we implode rockin rollercoaster, tower of terror, and the great movie ride? Of course there are other attractions in the park besides those that are not disney original.

 

[Magenta Panther]

No, it's not. One of the main reasons to go to the Studios, for many, is the Muppets.

Mary Poppins is more than welcome in Muppet Theatre, I for one would love to see Fozzie run her down in his cab.

With a "joke" like that, I can certainly see why you enjoy Muppet "humor".

 

[Magenta Panther]

So I guess the many many people I saw walking around with Muppet related shirts at HS yesterday, plus the many disappointed guests I saw walking up to the closed attraction, means people are over the muppets? Right keep telling yourself that.

Funny, I go to WDW every year, and in that time I think I have spotted very few Muppet shirts in the parks. Was yesterday some kind of Muppet fan pilgrimage at DHS or something, and the fans were there genuflecting before their shrine?

 

[Magenta Panther]

The muppets are popular and more relevant than some other disney park themes. They would not be making new movies if they were not making money. I am glad they are getting a refurbishment. Hopefully the screens inside and out get overhaul (along with film) and spruce up the special effects a little.

If we destroy everything that is not disney original should we implode rockin rollercoaster, tower of terror, and the great movie ride? Of course there are other attractions in the park besides those that are not disney original.

I think Disney will get rid of any ride or attraction that isn't drawing enough guests. Muppetvision certainly qualifies for that - which is why the Disneyland version keeps getting used for other purposes and is pretty much definitely on the chopping block (or so I'm given to understand). As for the other rides you mention - the real appeal of those rides don't have a lot to do with the franchise they're connected to. The Tower would be a great ride even without the Twilight Zone connection. Ditto, Rollercoaster. The Great Movie Ride isn't affiliated with any one franchise - it's just a tribute to Hollywood, which Disney is certainly a part of.

I know some people here just can't understand my impatience toward the Muppets. For my part, I do understand the fondness for them. What I don't understand is why some people think that old, rather lame movie and the valuable property the theater takes up should remain indefinitely. I honestly don't think it should, or will, and the sooner it's replaced by something more relevant to Disney, the better. Why do the rumors of its demise keep surfacing if the attraction is as popular as some here would make it out to be?

 

[EpcoTim]

I think Disney will get rid of any ride or attraction that isn't drawing enough guests. Muppetvision certainly qualifies for that - which is why the Disneyland version keeps getting used for other purposes and is pretty much definitely on the chopping block (or so I'm given to understand). As for the other rides you mention - the real appeal of those rides don't have a lot to do with the franchise they're connected to. The Tower would be a great ride even without the Twilight Zone connection. Ditto, Rollercoaster. The Great Movie Ride isn't affiliated with any one franchise - it's just a tribute to Hollywood, which Disney is certainly a part of.

I know some people here just can't understand my impatience toward the Muppets. For my part, I do understand the fondness for them. What I don't understand is why some people think that old, rather lame movie and the valuable property the theater takes up should remain indefinitely. I honestly don't think it should, or will, and the sooner it's replaced by something more relevant to Disney, the better. Why do the rumors of its demise keep surfacing if the attraction is as popular as some here would make it out to be?

Ok, let me start with your first sentence here. Do you really think that any ride that doesn't draw enough guests is on the chopping block? Theres quite a few rides on property like that, from Spaceship Earth to Imagination to Little Mermaid to the backlot and that lame car stunt show. Muppets is far from struggling and needing work as bad as many other rides on property.

Great Movie ride may not rely on one franchise, but it needs an update and a cleaning way more than Muppets and some people, myself included, really like the Muppet movie. Yeah, its cheesy and the tech stuff is outdated, but its funny. I get that you don't like it, thats fine, but there are other attractions that draw way less than they should and need way more work than Muppets. Hell, Star Tours seems way more dated and lame to me, but I still get a kick out of it at least once when I'm there. The Studios has plenty of prime real estate that can be eliminated and cleared for other properties, the Muppet area is unique, the ride is fun and a lot of cool things can still be done with it.

 

[ChrisFL]

I say implode it. There's nothing sentimental about WDW anymore. I mean they closed Toad, so this Muppetvision can go. And yes I think Muppetvision is more dated than Captain EO.

Captain EO 1985, Muppetvision 1990...yeah, more outdated

I'm sorry, the animation effects of Captain EO are downright laughable these days, at least the CGI character Waldo still looks decent (although still very annoying)

 

[Magenta Panther]

Ok, let me start with your first sentence here. Do you really think that any ride that doesn't draw enough guests is on the chopping block? Theres quite a few rides on property like that, from Spaceship Earth to Imagination to Little Mermaid to the backlot and that lame car stunt show. Muppets is far from struggling and needing work as bad as many other rides on property.

Great Movie ride may not rely on one franchise, but it needs an update and a cleaning way more than Muppets and some people, myself included, really like the Muppet movie. Yeah, its cheesy and the tech stuff is outdated, but its funny. I get that you don't like it, thats fine, but there are other attractions that draw way less than they should and need way more work than Muppets. Hell, Star Tours seems way more dated and lame to me, but I still get a kick out of it at least once when I'm there. The Studios has plenty of prime real estate that can be eliminated and cleared for other properties, the Muppet area is unique, the ride is fun and a lot of cool things can still be done with it.

Whoa, Star Tours is way more lame and dated to you than puppets? Okkayy....not that I'm thrilled with Star Wars in the parks either, but the new update on Tours is pretty spiffy. And sci-fi has the advantage of always being set in the future, so it has less chance of seeming dated. Less chance than wrong-sounding Muppets, anyway.

But we agree about the Great Movie Ride. That really needs an overhaul. And that crappy hat in front of it removed.

 

[Tim Lohr]

Ummm? I though the whole point of the Disney MGM Studios was to include things that weren't Disney owned, the majority of the stuff in that park is non-Disney, except the Muppets were, they were first bought by Disney and then added into the park

That being said though they should definitely have a Mary Poppins dark-ride in DHS

 

[mahnamahna101]

Of course not. Small World is a celebration of world cultures, expressed by children. That will never go out of style. But a fad that peaked in the '80's, and is built around PUPPETS...yeah, we're talking out-of-date here.

If you ask the majority of straight males and teenage girls what the worst ride at Disney World is, they'll scream "SMALL WORLD!"

Only babies and soccer moms geuninely don't get annoyed by this ride while MuppetVision just needs an update - get rid of Waldo and Bean Bunny... bring in Uncle Deadly and Walter I'll miss the last film featuring Jim Henson as his beloved characters but he would have probably supported an upgrade.

 

[willtravel]

Captain EO 1985, Muppetvision 1990...yeah, more outdated

I'm sorry, the animation effects of Captain EO are downright laughable these days, at least the CGI character Waldo still looks decent (although still very annoying)

Well with that in mind, pretty much WDW is outdated.

 

[MerlinTheGoat]

If you ask the majority of straight males and teenage girls what the worst ride at Disney World is, they'll scream "SMALL WORLD!"

Only babies and soccer moms geuninely don't get annoyed by this ride

Utter BS. Without getting into what I assume to be an attempt to stereotype young people who enjoy Small World as gay, there's never been any lack of diversity among guests of any age, gender or apparent lifestyle from my experience with the ride. And while the lines aren't often incredibly long except in the busiest times of the year, there has pretty much always been a line when I ride it.

And of its guests, i've yet to hear any walk off this ride in disgust and annoyance, talking to one another at what a "bad ride" it was. I'm sure there are plenty of people who may find the song annoying as it loops a lot (it can get on your nerves if you get stuck on it for a long while), but worst ride at WDW? Absolutely not by any stretch. I'd put the current version of Imagination as a top contender for worst ride at WDW. Few people will even bother torturing themselves into riding it in the first place (I've never seen an actual line for it even in busy season, barely anyone rides it at all in my experience), and in the very few times I have ridden it myself, I've heard more than just a couple of people talking to one another at how bad it is.

 

[doctornick]

I personally find IASW annoying and would not miss it if it disappeared, but I fully understand that a lot of people -- from diverse backgrounds -- like it and it is considered a "classic" and there is a strong nostalgia to it. It's not going anywhere.

That said, I think it would be interesting if they were to move it to Epcot where it would be a perfect fit for the WS and would help with their ride count and if that MK space was used for a more Fantasyland oriented (medieval European) ride -- like, for example, a Tangled boat ride, which would go perfectly with the bathrooms nearby.

I'm not sure where would be the perfect place in Epcot. Maybe as part of the Showplace Events Plaza? Or they could make a separate pavilion for IASW in between existing countries and have a facade similar to the DLR one and a nighttime light show like they do at DL.

 

[mahnamahna101]

I personally find IASW annoying and would not miss it if it disappeared, but I fully understand that a lot of people -- from diverse backgrounds -- like it and it is considered a "classic" and there is a strong nostalgia to it. It's not going anywhere.

That said, I think it would be interesting if they were to move it to Epcot where it would be a perfect fit for the WS and would help with their ride count and if that MK space was used for a more Fantasyland oriented (medieval European) ride -- like, for example, a Tangled boat ride, which would go perfectly with the bathrooms nearby.

I'm not sure where would be the perfect place in Epcot. Maybe as part of the Showplace Events Plaza? Or they could make a separate pavilion for IASW in between existing countries and have a facade similar to the DLR one and a nighttime light show like they do at DL.

This!! Make it's a small world the centerpiece of World Showcase - it fits the theme a lot better than "fantasy" unless a peaceful NWO counts

I'd take a Tangled boat ride any day of the week!

 

[SJN1279]

Utter BS. Without getting into what I assume to be an attempt to stereotype young people who enjoy Small World as gay, there's never been any lack of diversity among guests of any age, gender or apparent lifestyle from my experience with the ride. And while the lines aren't often incredibly long except in the busiest times of the year, there has pretty much always been a line when I ride it.

And of its guests, i've yet to hear any walk off this ride in disgust and annoyance, talking to one another at what a "bad ride" it was. I'm sure there are plenty of people who may find the song annoying as it loops a lot (it can get on your nerves if you get stuck on it for a long while), but worst ride at WDW? Absolutely not by any stretch. I'd put the current version of Imagination as a top contender for worst ride at WDW. Few people will even bother torturing themselves into riding it in the first place (I've never seen an actual line for it even in busy season, barely anyone rides it at all in my experience), and in the very few times I have ridden it myself, I've heard more than just a couple of people talking to one another at how bad it is.

To each their own, but Imagination is one of my favorite attractions in Disney. It has a fun storyline and effects with good music. It also isn't overlong to the point of boring like some other WDW attractions.

In contention for the worst rides on Disney property IMHO: Jungle Cruise, Great Movie Ride, Small World, The Land, Universe of Energy and Stitch.

 

[MOXOMUMD]

So I guess the many many people I saw walking around with Muppet related shirts at HS yesterday, plus the many disappointed guests I saw walking up to the closed attraction, means people are over the muppets? Right keep telling yourself that.

I guess these many disappointed guests should have noticed the sign at the DHS entrance stating Muppets was closed? Just saying.

 

[mahnamahna101]

To each their own, but Imagination is one of my favorite attractions in Disney. It has a fun storyline and effects with good music. It also isn't overlong to the point of boring like some other WDW attractions.

In contention for the worst rides on Disney property IMHO: Jungle Cruise, Great Movie Ride, Small World, The Land, Universe of Energy and Stitch.

Leave. Jungle Cruise. Out. Of. This.

 

[MOXOMUMD]

Leave. Jungle Cruise. Out. Of. This.

I. Completely. Agree.

 

[Sped2424]

Of course not. Small World is a celebration of world cultures, expressed by children. That will never go out of style. But a fad that peaked in the '80's, and is built around PUPPETS...yeah, we're talking out-of-date here.

Wouldn't be a Muppet thread without their number one fan!

 

[Sped2424]

Here's something interesting: over on Amazon.com, the re-release of Mary Poppins is now number 2 in all Blu-Ray sales overall (it was number one until Star Trek: Into Darkness came out). And it isn't even officially for sale yet. It won't be until December. The orders for it are all pre-sales. Whereas The Muppet Movie, just re-released in a 35-year Anniversary edition, is #578. Its companion release, The Muppet Caper and Treasure Island, is #1,122. Wow, spectacular.

So yeah, implode Muppetvision - and replace it with a Mary Poppins attraction. Or at least something truly Disney. That's what people really want - what they come to a Disney park for.

You can't compare the Muppets to mary poppins there is no logic with that, tons of the disney "Classics" never made it to the same success when they were released on blu ray as well. Mhm starwars has made much more money than dumbo has as a whole, lets gut dumbo and make THE DEATH STAR SPINNER. The muppet movies where not on the same level of success as mary poppins, but the franchise whether you like it or not has been able to stand on its own. The latest film installment turned a good profit for Disney, both in DVD sales and in box office numbers. But seriously if you don't believe me check it out http://www.the-numbers.com/movie/Muppets-The. The muppets are an easy return investment for disney, the movies don't have a huge budget and they tend to make a good profit for the company. I know your vendetta against them doesn't allow you to see it that way but the fact is, a lot of people wait for it...love the muppets and I think the earlier you see that you can't change that, the better off you will be.

 

[rd805]

You can't compare the Muppets to mary poppins there is no logic with that, tons of the disney "Classics" never made it to the same success when they were released on blu ray as well. Mhm starwars has made much more money than dumbo has as a whole, lets gut dumbo and make THE DEATH STAR SPINNER. The muppet movies where not on the same level of success as mary poppins, but the franchise whether you like it or not has been able to stand on its own. The latest film installment turned a good profit for Disney, both in DVD sales and in box office numbers. But seriously if you don't believe me check it out http://www.the-numbers.com/movie/Muppets-The. The muppets are an easy return investment for disney, the movies don't have a huge budget and they tend to make a good profit for the company. I know your vendetta against them doesn't allow you to see it that way but the fact is, a lot of people wait for it...love the muppets and I think the earlier you see that you can't change that, the better off you will be.

With all this being said - Muppetvision needs a refurb, a re-write...some Walter, something else. SOMETHING NEW.