A Muppets coaster? Dream on

Monsters Inc. makeover shakes things up at Hollywood Studios

This could have gone badly. From the moment that Billy Crystal announced that a Monsters, Inc. land would be coming to Disney’s Hollywood Studios at the D23 fan event in August, folks have been fretting that it might take over Muppets Courtyard on Grand Avenue. That would have meant bidding farewell to Kermit and the gang, which would have been incredibly sad.

Well, the prognosticators were correct. Disney has revealed that Monstropolis will, in fact, be replacing the Muppets land. But the company did not try to put lipstick on a Miss Piggy about the fate of Jim Henson’s furry friends. In a heartwarming turn of events, the Muppets will remain at the Disney World park by bringing their infectious brand of fiercely funny anarchy to the Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster. So, it’s time to bid farewell to Steven Tyler and the gang instead.

Guests will be able to race through the Monstropolis door factory on a new coaster at Disney World. (Disney)

The news shared on the Disney Parks blog had few additional details. Repeating the announcement made at the D23 event, the headlining attraction at the Monsters Inc. land will invite guests into the Monstropolis factory to ride alongside Sulley and Mike Wazowski and an aerial conveyor belt of doors, mimicking a pivotal scene in the original movie. In an inspired move, the ride system will be an inverted coaster, in which the cars will hang suspended from the track above. Taking a cue from the Monsters Inc. Laugh Floor theater attraction at the Magic Kingdom, laughter, not screams, will be what humans will be asked to provide to keep the power grid humming in Monstropolis. The land will also include character greetings, restaurants, and shops. Work is set to begin on the Monsters Inc. land some time in 2025.

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According to Disney’s blog post, the Imagineers plan to preserve the Muppet*Vision 3D film. My guess is that it might have limited runs at the Magic Eye Theater in the Imagination pavilion at Epcot, which at one time was the home of Honey, I Shrunk the Audience. The Muppet attraction first opened in 1991 at what was then known as Disney-MGM Studios. It was the final project overseen by Jim Henson, who died in 1990. Muppet*Vision 3D was also an opening day attraction at Disney California Adventure, but has since closed.

Can you spare a laugh or two? (Disney)

Am I sad to see Muppet*Vision 3D go? Sure. It makes clever use of the film gimmick, at one point purporting to break the 3D wall. It is also laugh-out-loud silly, even after multiple viewings. But let’s face it. The attraction has not been generating huge crowds. It was probably time to either update it or close it to make way for something new. The Monsters Inc. attraction, which will be the park’s third coaster, will surely be wildly popular.

Disney’s stewardship of the Muppets, which the company acquired in 2004, has been spotty. Despite multiple attempts to revive the franchise, it has not been able to land on a winning formula. Folks of a certain age adore the Muppets, but the franchise would not seem to be as relevant among younger audiences. And that’s a shame. Finding the characters a new home at Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster, however, is a cause for hope.

(Disney)

I’m a Massachusetts guy and love the bad boys of Boston, Aerosmith. But they are kind of an odd fit for a Disney park. “Dude (Looks Like a Lady)” and “Love in an Elevator,” two songs that are played on the ride’s onboard speakers, are a far cry from “It’s a Small World.” The aging band has announced its touring days are over, and it’s long past the time for a refresh of the launched coaster. So as much of a fan as I am of the group and as sad as I am to see Muppet*Vision 3D go, moving the Muppets over to Sunset Boulevard and onto the Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster is more than just a conciliation to me. It’s kind of a genius move.

Music has long been an important part of the Muppets’ shtick. From the concept art above, Dr. Teeth and the Electric Mayhem will likely be featured in the attraction. (It also appears that Aersomith’s black super-stretch limos may be converted into groovy, tie-dyed Muppet-mobiles.) Disney says that A-list performers will also be along for the ride. I suspect there could be a storyline, which will involve a music festival, that might use the sudden launch, high speed, and inversions of the coaster to capitalize on the Muppet tradition of turning good intentions into utter calamity. That would be in the spirit of the “something goes horribly wrong” ethos that drives most great theme park attractions.

The high-profile ride will put my beloved Muppets into the spotlight, where they belong. For me, that conjures a sweet emotion.

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Are you sad to see the Muppets film and land close? What do you make of Disney’s decision to move the Muppets over to Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster?