A curious development is unfolding at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Despite Walt Disney World’s previous statement that construction walls would go up around the Muppets Courtyard before the end of March, no such progress has materialized as of early April. The project in question? A controversial new Monsters, Inc.-themed land that’s set to cause the closing of MuppetVision 3D, Mama Melrose’s Ristorante Italiano, and PizzeRizzo.
A screenshot of Jim Henson’s Muppet*Vision 3D at Disney’s Hollywood Studios via DocumentDisney YouTUbe
The absence of construction walls was first noticed by BlogMickey, which pointed out that no visual signs of development have been spotted yet—even though closures are scheduled to begin as early as May. Their assessment makes it clear that while no changes to the project have been confirmed, the lag in visible progress is noteworthy. Construction walls were set to go up in late March as work on the actual Monsters Inc. roller coaster started behind Mama Melrose with MuppetVision and the rest of the courtyard closing soon after.
So what’s going on?
One potential factor may lie far outside the borders of the theme park. Just this past week, Disney CEO Bob Iger made an unannounced appearance at ABC News to address concerns surrounding new tariffs levied by President Trump. While the president has lowered tariffs on most countries to 10% for 90 days to allow for negotiation, tariffs on Chinese goods have risen to a whopping 125%. While Disney has not publicly disclosed the materials used in theme park infrastructure, industry analysts have long noted the use of overseas steel, animatronic parts, and custom ride systems from international vendors—including many based in China.
Concept Art for the Monsters Inc. Land that’s replacing MuppetVision 3D – Disney Parks Blog
If Disney’s contractors rely on such components, the price surge triggered by these tariffs could be enough to complicate construction timelines. And if the costs or import processes are now in flux, that might explain why the first wave of prep work at Muppets Courtyard hasn’t begun.
It’s important to note that this is speculation, but not without merit. If Disney is planning to move forward with the full demolition and replacement of the area this summer, a delay in construction wall installation doesn’t seem to make much logistical sense—unless behind-the-scenes roadblocks are at play.
The impending closing of MuppetVision 3D has been a sore spot for many. This attraction holds a unique and cherished place in not just Disney history, but the history of TV and film.
Concept art for Monsters Inc. Land via Disney Parks Blog
It was the final project personally overseen by Jim Henson before his passing, and it features performances by not just Henson himself, but also Frank Oz, Jerry Nelson, Richard Hunt, and Steve Whitmire. Whitmire was Henson’s hand-picked successor as the voice of Kermit the Frog, a role from which he was later removed by Disney, adding another layer of tension to the current Muppets discourse.
Fans of the classic attraction are understandably upset that MuppetVision 3D is being removed in favor of a Monsters, Inc. land that has received a lukewarm reception at best. While Disney promises that the Muppets will be moved into the re-themed Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster nearby, many see this as a demotion rather than a tribute.
Furthermore, the replacement of iconic original performers with current voice actors who will appear in the new attraction—such as Matt Vogel as Kermit—has not sat well with longtime Muppets fans. Vogel’s version of Kermit has faced criticism across fan forums and social media for lacking the charm and heart that Henson and Whitmire brought to the role.
A screenshot of Jim Henson’s Muppet*Vision 3D at Disney’s Hollywood Studios via DocumentDisney YouTUbe
In the end, whether the construction delay is a matter of logistics, tariffs, or simply shuffled internal timelines, the emotional impact of losing a true Disney legacy attraction is already being felt. For now, Disney has remained silent on the construction holdup, and no updated timeline has been shared.
But one thing is certain: The longer those walls stay down, the more questions will rise. And for the Muppets’ most loyal supporters, this isn’t just about ride replacements—it’s about preserving the final creative work of a man who forever changed entertainment.
Do you think President Trump’s tariffs might delay MuppetVision closing? Sound off in the comments and let us know!
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