It’s the end of an era — and the beginning of another painful reinvention at Disney’s Hollywood Studios as the Muppets courtyard begins closing.
Starting May 11th, Disney will officially begin a phased closing of the Muppets Courtyard, marking the slow dismantling of one of the last places in the parks that honored Jim Henson’s legacy. The first step will see Mama Melrose’s Ristorante Italiano serving its final meals on May 10th, after which it will permanently shutter. Other offerings, including the beloved MuppetVision 3D attraction, the final project Henson worked on before passing away tragically in the early 90s, will remain open for a few more weeks.
But make no mistake: the clock is ticking.
A screenshot of Jim Henson’s Muppet*Vision 3D at Disney’s Hollywood Studios via DocumentDisney YouTube
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According to Disney, construction walls will go up June 8th, permanently closing the entire Muppets Courtyard section, erasing MuppetVision 3D from the park’s lineup. In its place, Disney will build a new Monsters Inc.-themed land, centered around the company’s first-ever suspended roller coaster. The ride will take guests soaring through the iconic “door vault” scene from Monsters, Inc., fulfilling what Disney describes as a long-held dream of recreating that cinematic moment.
And while many Pixar fans may be excited by the new addition, for fans of the Muppets — and of Jim Henson’s unmatched creative spirit — this change feels more like a gut punch than a celebration.
A Creative Loss Far Beyond a Single Attraction
What makes this closure particularly devastating is not just that another family-friendly attraction is going away. It’s that MuppetVision 3D is a one-of-a-kind piece of entertainment history.
This isn’t just any theme park show. MuppetVision 3D is the final project Jim Henson personally directed before his untimely passing in 1990. It represents the last collaboration between Henson and his original team — Frank Oz, Richard Hunt, Jerry Nelson, Dave Goelz, and the full creative family that built the Muppets into a cultural phenomenon.
A screenshot of Jim Henson’s Muppet*Vision 3D at Disney’s Hollywood Studios via DocumentDisney YouTUbe
The attraction features the authentic voices, humor, and spirit of the original Muppets, captured at their peak. Once it’s gone, there will be no other place where you can experience the Muppets exactly as Henson envisioned them — with their quirky, irreverent humor untouched by later corporate reboots.
For many fans, MuppetVision 3D wasn’t just a nostalgic trip. It was a living museum, a love letter to imagination, and a testament to the timelessness of Henson’s humor and heart.
Its closure is nothing short of a historical loss.
Another Sign of Disney’s New Priorities
The closing of the Muppets Courtyard is just the latest in a broader pattern of Disney’s decision-making: phasing out unique, heartfelt attractions in favor of fast-paced IP integration and thrill rides.
This isn’t the first time Disney has abandoned its own legacy. We’ve already seen the gutting of EPCOT’s original vision, the replacement of Splash Mountain with a politically motivated retheme, and the slow sidelining of classic characters and experiences in favor of movie tie-ins. The Muppets, long neglected, are just the latest victims.
Concept Art for the Monsters Inc. Land that’s replacing MuppetVision 3D – Disney Parks Blog
Rather than reinvest in the timeless appeal of the Muppets — beloved by generations for their heart, humor, and sincerity — Disney chose to focus on Monsters Inc., another property from Pixar’s golden era but one already heavily represented across the company’s parks and merchandising.
It’s a sign that original creativity and respect for historic legacy have taken a back seat to branding opportunities and short-term crowd-pleasers.
A Betrayal of Jim Henson’s Trust
Perhaps most painful is what this decision symbolizes: the breaking of a promise.
When Jim Henson began discussions with Disney about bringing the Muppets into the parks, it was because he trusted Disney to be proper stewards of his beloved characters. He believed that Disney would protect the Muppets’ unique spirit, not bury it under construction walls and new roller coasters.
The iconic Kermit the Frog Charlie Chaplin statue outside Jim Henson Studios in California – YouTube, WC Drone Productions
With the closure of MuppetVision 3D, Disney is not just retiring an old attraction. They are closing the last window into Henson’s mind and heart. They are silencing the last echo of a man whose work celebrated love, laughter, and unfiltered imagination.
And fans have every right to feel betrayed.
A Final Chance to Say Goodbye
If you want to experience MuppetVision 3D one last time, you have until June 7th. After that, the doors will close forever.
No more Sam Eagle struggling to deliver a “glorious three-hour finale.”
No more Statler and Waldorf heckling from the balcony.
No more heartfelt reminder of what Disney — and creativity itself — used to stand for.
A screenshot of Jim Henson’s Muppet*Vision 3D at Disney’s Hollywood Studios via DocumentDisney YouTUbe
Once the construction walls go up, a piece of history will be sealed behind them, lost to future generations who will never know the magic of walking into a theater and laughing with Kermit the Frog exactly the way Jim Henson intended.
How do you feel about the closing of the Muppets Courtyard? Sound off in the comments and let us know!
This is one of the very few things I don’t hold over Disney. Henson is dead, his show is outdated and not bringing enough money. Support it just for some kind of misguided sentiment is just untenable. So yeah, down with it. Not like it matters, Disney wokecorp is a sinking ship anyway.
Say what you want about Michael Eisner, at least he had respect for The Muppets and knew how to use them.
Vandalism by Disney.