Welcome back to the Crossroads! Today, I’m not here with happy news from the Disney landscape. A few days ago, word officially came down on something we knew was probably coming. The final announcement was about the future of Muppet*Vision 3-D and also the Rocking Roller Coaster featuring Aerosmith. The news is both good and bad, depending on your point of view and fandoms.

First, Muppet*Vision 3D and the Muppet Courtyard area will be the future home of the Monster’s Inc. themed land in Hollywood Studios. The new location will feature the Monstropolis roller coaster, dining, shopping, and stage show. Since the original concept art for this new land was shown at D23 in 2023, it appeared the Muppet Courtyard was always going to be going bye-bye. What did surprise us in the announcement of Muppet*Vision 3D‘s closure was the retheming of Rocking Roller Coaster to the Muppets.

Next, so what about Aerosmith? The band was never the first or second choice for the ride-theming, to begin with. Add in the band’s retirement and the allegations against lead vocalist Steven Tyler; the days for this ride were numbered. Since Disney+ released the Electric Mayhem show, rumors about Dr. Teeth and the band taking over the attraction have swirled. Well, it looks like it will be happening. The Muppets are taking the roller coaster and making it their own. This wasn’t a surprise on the surface, but the timing seems like it was to lessen the sting of the Muppet*Vision situation.

Why is closing Muppet*Vision a bad thing? If you look at the wait times or visit the Muppet Theater, there never seems to be a wait, and the theater is rarely very full at all. The Muppets have a sizable fanbase, but since Disney bought Jim Henson Studios, they’ve criminally mismanaged the IP. This attraction was the final project Jim Henson worked on before his untimely death. This alone makes it something that should be culturally preserved. Disney has reported they digitally mastered the show and are looking for ways to put the visuals out for the public. I hope they’ll build another theater by Rocking Roller Coaster, but it will probably end up on Disney+. Disney+ would be a great disappointment because the film needs to be experienced in the theater with all the effects and mayhem.

Overall, I am saddened by the loss of Muppet*Vision 3-D, but I hope we can have a suitable replacement for Rocking Roller Coaster. It won’t have the same magic and memories of our times in Muppet Courtyard, but maybe we can love it too. I made a reaction video on TikTok (https://www.tiktok.com/@brent.abell/video/7440205287061081390), and you can check it out. These are my raw feelings on the day the news dropped. I’ve calmed down a little since then, lol.

Well, back to the grind my friends!

I hope to see you all out on the Crossroads,

Brent