Muppet*Vision 3D hidden details at Disney’s Hollywood Studios – DePaoli on DeParks
Muppet*Vision 3D will soon be closing at Walt Disney World. Therefore, I had to stop by to experience the attraction and see my favorite details in the area one final time during a recent vacation.
From Streets of America to Grand Avenue
Muppet*Vision 3D in Disney’s Hollywood Studios goes all the way back to the days when the park was known as Disney-MGM Studios. But not just the theme park name has changed. The area where Muppet*Vision 3D sits has gone through various iterations, as well.
The attraction originally lived on the Streets of America from 1991-2016. When the Streets of America were demolished, the small remaining area became the appropriately named Muppets Courtyard for a short period between 2016 and 2017. The space is currently known as Grand Avenue.
‘Key is under mat’
This attraction and area are full of the immediately recognizable Muppets style of humor. Upon entering the Muppet*Vision 3D show building, there is a sign hanging to the right, which reads, “Back in 5 minutes. Key is under mat.” The Imagineers who brought this attraction to life didn’t disappoint and did indeed hide a key under the mat for guests who take the initiative to check.
A net full of Jell-O
In the prop storage pre-show area, I’ve always loved a strange tribute to a Disney Legend. Although original Mouseketeer Annette Funicello never appeared on “The Muppet Show” or any other Muppet project, there is “a net full of Jell-O” hanging in the room as a bizarre tribute to her name.
Jim Henson watching over Muppet*Vision 3D from above
Also, high up in the heavens of the pre-show space is a poster of Muppets creator Jim Henson in Muppet form. Muppet*Vision 3D would be the last project Jim Henson directed before his untimely death. The attraction opened exactly one year after he passed, on May 16, 1991.
Muppet architecture
Once inside the theatre, I remember loving as a kid the different ways they worked Muppet characters into the architecture. Fozzie Bear can be seen above the doorways in the form of famous comedy and tragedy masks. Kermit is seen with a film slate reading “Prod. III D” which is a comedic way of writing “3D” using Roman numerals. Guests can also find Bean Bunny, Miss Piggy, and others hidden among the architecture.
Upon exiting the attraction, I love the Dr. Teeth and the Electric Mayhem poster which shows Clifford (the pink Muppet on the far right of the top row in the photo below) as a band member. Clifford’s membership in the Electric Mayhem was short-lived (and included the 1990 TV special “The Muppets at Walt Disney World“), but he went on to host ABC’s “Muppets Tonight” series in1996. It’s nice to see Clifford still being remembered in this way. Or perhaps this poster was forgotten and therefore remains. In either case, I love seeing him there.
Muppet details outside of Muppet*Vision 3D
There are so many pieces in the Muppet*Vision 3D area I truly hope don’t get demolished. I’ve always loved the tuxedo-wearing Kermit statues. I hope they’re repurposed or at the very least become part of The Walt Disney Archives.
Similarly, I’ve always been a big fan of the Miss Piggy statue and fountain near the entrance of the attraction. In the past, it featured a lot more Muppets (including Fozzie Bear, Gonzo, and Animal). Although the fountain has been stripped of parts through the years, I love how some Muppet rats are still included.
Photo by Blake Taylor
PizzeRizzo’s hidden tribute to Emmet Otter
Now for my absolute favorite Muppet detail and Easter egg. This one is a deep cut about a Muppet property Disney doesn’t even own, but is what I consider to be the best work The Jim Henson Company ever created.
In 1977, The Jim Henson Company released a holiday special entitled “Emmet Otter’s Jug-Band Christmas.” To say I love this special is an understatement. Clearly someone who worked on PizzeRizzo has a similar affinity for Emmet Otter. You’ll find it on the second floor of the PizzeRizzo quick-service restaurant (located adjacent to Muppet*Vision 3D), in a banquet hall.
At the entrance to the hall, there is a bulletin-board-style sign that reads, “Somebody got married! Join us for the wedding reception of Gil & Lill.” This is in reference to 1984’s “The Muppets Take Manhattan.” But if you look considerably deeper, you’ll find a reference to “Emmet Otter’s Jug-Band Christmas.”
It’s difficult to see, but if you look real hard, you’ll notice there are some places on the black board that are a bit darker where removable letters once stood. You can faintly make out that the board once read, “Pa Otter Memorial Service, with tribute performance by, The Frogtown Hollow Jubilee Jug Band.” Every word of this is related to “Emmet Otter’s Jug-Band Christmas.”
When a friend first made me aware of this, my mind nearly exploded. I love how this somewhat obscure Christmas special that I love so much has a tribute in a Disney park when Disney doesn’t even own the “Emmet Otter” property. If I could take one piece of this park area that will soon be re-themed to “Monsters, Inc.,” it would probably be this board.
Saying goodbye to Muppet*Vision 3D
Overall, Muppet*Vision 3D and the surrounding area has brought me a lot of joy for many years. I’m very sad to see its removal, but I’m holding out hope for the tease Disney made about somehow preserving it. It’s an important attraction and area, and I’m grateful I was able to visit it one final time while knowing it would be my last.
Do you have any favorite details in Muppet*Vision 3D or the surrounding area? Leave a comment and let me know.
Jeff DePaoli is an event producer and voiceover artist living in Los Angeles. He can be heard as the voice of Disney Trivia on Alexa as well as the host of “Dizney Coast to Coast” podcast, where he and his special guests share honest opinions on all things Disney at DizneyCoastToCoast.com. DePaoli’s opinions are his own and do not necessarily represent Attractions Magazine.
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