Disney Filming MuppetVision 3D for Archival Ahead of Closure, Digital Future Possible

May 06, 2025 in "Jim Henson's MuppetVision 3-D"

Posted: Tuesday May 6, 2025 4:30pm ET by WDWMAGIC Staff

According to posts from Disney Live Entertainment Cast Members on social media, a special "Filming Event – Archiving MuppetVision 3D!" is scheduled for mid-May at Disney's Hollywood Studios. Cast Members are reportedly being invited to register for the event, where they will likely serve as the in-theater audience during the recording.

Full Walkthrough of Muppet*Vision 3D at Disney's Hollywood Studios

The event appears to be part of Disney's internal efforts to preserve the attraction before its final performance on June 7, 2025. While Disney has not publicly announced the filming or confirmed how the recording will be used, the working title strongly suggests that it is being captured for archival purposes.

The move follows Disney's earlier statement that the company is "having creative conversations and exploring ways to preserve the film and other parts of the experience for fans to enjoy in the future."

New Waldo projection effect during MuppetVision 3D

MuppetVision 3D, which opened in 1991, was the final project that Jim Henson personally worked on and has remained a staple of Disney's Hollywood Studios for over three decades. The attraction's upcoming closure will make way for the new Monstropolis-themed land, including a Monsters, Inc. door coaster and reimagined courtyard.

It remains to be seen whether the archived recording of MuppetVision 3D will eventually be made available to the public, or if it will remain part of Disney's internal records. However, the event has renewed speculation that the show could live on digitally. Potential options include releasing the film on Disney+ or adapting it as an immersive experience on Apple Vision Pro. Disney has already been an early supporter of the Vision Pro platform, creating dedicated environments for its streaming content, and the ornate theater featured in MuppetVision 3D could translate well to a virtual format.

MuppetVision 3D

Discuss on the Forums

Get Walt Disney World News Delivered to Your Inbox

Cmdr_Crimson10 days ago

Should we have one for Gonzo on the Clock tower and call it....."Gonzo Watch"

Agent H13 days ago

Sorry if this has been posted already.

EagleScout61013 days ago

Was told salvage crews have arrived today at MuppetVision. I expect we'll start seeing things vanishing off the building sooner than later.

CoastalElite6413 days ago

Did we discuss if MV3D could be moved to a Disney cruise ship? Not the same but I think it would be nice.

Tha Realest13 days ago

So…not the same as a custodial CM then? More costly?

WorldExplorer14 days ago

It seems very unlikely it was just a part of the attraction's rotation at any point. All else aside, they would need to only put people tall enough to play him at that attraction.

TrainsOfDisney14 days ago

Can’t speak for all of time - but in recent years it was a character performer “puppeteer” - puppeteers do get a higher rate. (Other shows include Lion King and Mermaid)

lazyboy97o14 days ago

You need media, which does not currently exist, to actually play on those screens. And people would probably expect 3D media, which is going to get complicated with a bunch of different viewing angles to a bunch of different surfaces. You also then need projector space for each of these surfaces. Animated figures themselves aren’t hard to bolt down, but you still need to build a structure to support them. You need physical access so people can safely get to them. When they’re elevated that means stairs. It also means room for lifting equipment. Data and power needs to be run. Computers to operate them need to be housed somewhere. You’re missing a lot of information if you’re looking at the guest facing portion of a theater and trying to work out what it can support. At least for awhile it was just one of the Cast Members assigned to the attraction as part of their rotation. I think one of the brothers who did WEDway Radio ( but also likely another podcast like Progress City Radio Hour because I’m pretty sure brothers were involved) worked there for their college program and talked about it once upon a time. Given the clear certainty of this recollection, a few grains or pounds of salt should be taken.

TrainsOfDisney14 days ago

Wouldn’t it be scheduled like other characters? For example “meet Mickey” obviously has several CM’s rotating in and out throughout the day.

Disgruntled Walt14 days ago

I really hope somebody answers these questions! I've wanted to know this for years.

MrPromey14 days ago

And? It's costs money in CMs for any attraction with a queue*. *except Swiss Family Treehouse

andre8514 days ago

Does anyone know how they scheduled it? Is there only one Sweetums at a time? Is there a backup if someone calls in sick? Are they in costume the whole time? Do they do anything between shows?

BasiltheBatLord14 days ago

Considering how tight the labor market has gotten overtime, I actually think it's pretty amazing they were successfully able to keep CMs in that role 12 hours a day for 30 years.

TrainsOfDisney14 days ago

Right. Just like it costs $$$ to pay CM’s to greet guests, start the show, sweep the floor, etc. - it’s part of the cost of operating a theme park. Haha.