I’m Excited Disney World’s Monsters Inc. Land Will Be Here Sooner Than I Thought, But It’s Also Bumming Me Out

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At Walt Disney World, whenever fresh attractions debut, it usually leads to some existing ones closing down. It’s just part of the natural cycle. This duality often brings excitement about new rides alongside feelings of sadness for departing favorites. However, I always strive to focus on the positives when it comes to replacements. Sure, a cherished spot like the Muppet Courtyard at Disney’s Hollywood Studios is closing, but the anticipation for the upcoming Monsters Inc. land, which will occupy its space, has me equally excited. And surprisingly, this transformation is happening much sooner than I had anticipated.

Today, Disney World revealed the shutdown dates for three spots situated within Disney’s Hollywood Studios’ Grand Avenue district, often referred to as the Muppet Courtyard. The Italian eatery, Melrose’s Ristorante Italiano, will serve its final meals on May 10th. After that, PizzeRizzo, a much-loved restaurant, and the immersive Muppet*Vision 3D theater will both close their doors for good on June 7th.

Learning about the upcoming closure of the Muppet Courtyard within half a year, including the shuttering of Muppet*Vision 3D earlier than anticipated, comes as quite a shock. Previously, we were informed that Muppet*Vision would be closing since November. However, the renovation plans for Rivers of America at Magic Kingdom have been ongoing for months longer than that, and we’re still unsure about when the construction will commence. Given the extended timeline for the Rivers of America changes, it seemed more probable that Muppet*Vision 3D would last a bit longer.

I’ve Been Excited By The Monsters Inc Door Coaster For Years

On the bright side, the imminent closure of one ride means the opening of the new Monsters Inc. land is just around the corner. Although we don’t have a specific date yet, it’s safe to say that the quicker an old attraction shuts down, the faster its replacement will be unveiled. Out of all the exciting announcements made at last year’s D23 event, I must say that the confirmation of the long-anticipated Monsters Inc. Door Coaster was one of the most thrilling for me.

Occasionally, whispers circulate regarding upcoming attractions created by Walt Disney Imagineering that aren’t publicly confirmed. One such unverified project in recent times centered around a roller coaster inspired by the door conveyor belt scene from the original Monsters Inc. film. At one juncture, speculations ran high suggesting this attraction could potentially replace the Rock ‘N’ Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith, but no further information has been disclosed about it since then.

Over time, we tend to forget about events that don’t occur, so it came as a surprise for many, including myself, at D23 when Billy Crystal appeared on stage to unveil the Monsters Inc.-themed land, and later, Disney Experiences Chairman Josh D’Amaro confirmed that the coaster was indeed part of this land.

In a Disney Park for the very first time, an innovative suspended roller coaster is being introduced. This thrilling ride will feature a unique section where the vehicles ascend vertically from one track to another. The experience seems nothing short of amazing visually and audibly.

I Probably Won’t See Muppet*Vision 3D Before It Closes

Despite my eagerness about the progress of the Door Coaster, I’m finding it hard not to feel sad about the disappearance of Muppet*Vision 3D. What worries me most isn’t just that it’s closing down, but rather that with everything happening so swiftly, I may miss out on watching the show one last time before it vanishes.

I reside about 3000 miles distant from Walt Disney World, but thanks to my job, I get to visit this magical place at least once a year and occasionally more frequently. However, it seems unlikely that I’ll be visiting the parks before June. This means there’s a possibility I won’t get another chance to experience Muppet*Vision 3D.

I thought I’d have more free time when Disney World announced that Dinoland U.S.A. was being replaced. However, they carefully planned the construction so that the popular attraction, Dinosaur, would continue to operate. The renovation in the Tropical Americas area of Disney’s Animal Kingdom has started, but Dinosaur is expected to stay open until the end of 2025.

It’s highly unlikely that operating something like Muppet*Vision alongside construction in the rest of the area was feasible, given the geographical constraints. Given that another land at Disney World is under development, it wouldn’t have been surprising if the progress on the new Monsters Inc. land had taken a while, perhaps even extending for a couple of years. Disney World consistently has numerous upcoming projects, so it’s not unexpected that they don’t all start or finish simultaneously.

As Disney World shuts down temporarily, they also reaffirmed their intention to maintain “the film and other aspects of the experience.” This might imply a potential future viewing of Muppet*Vision 3D, though it’s uncertain when that may be. It could be years from now, but unexpected events sometimes accelerate the timeline.

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2025-01-25 04:08