As a South Floridian, I spent a lot of time vacationing at Disney properties with my family. Even as an adult, I often found myself at Disney World or Disney Springs, enjoying the attractions designed for my age group. One experience that has been available since my very first visit to a Disney park is the Muppet-themed attraction, Muppet-Vision 3D. Now, over 30 years since its doors opened to Florida parkgoers in 1991, those same doors have closed for the last time. To celebrate the bittersweet moment, Muppet fans got together to deliver the most appropriate goodbye I could think of.
Muppet-Vision 3D was officially opened in 1991 but was part of an acquisition deal between Jim Henson and Disney back in 1989. However, due to Henson’s death, the entire production was halted and slowly started up again until the attraction officially opened two years later. Featuring all your favorite Muppets, Muppet-Vision 3D took guests through Muppet Labs before seating them in a large theater. The entire show is essentially a large tour of Muppet Studios and a new invention called Waldo C. Graphic, who turns out to be the protagonist of the show.
Today, June 8, 2025, marked the final day of the ride’s operation, and its send-off couldn’t be better. Before the ride officially closed, the granddaughter of the legendary Jim Henson, Jen Henson, attended the final show, with guests recording as the doors closed behind her for the final time.
Other guests decided to pay homage in a different way, gathering together around the water fountain staged in front of the ride’s entrance to sing Rainbow Connection. The song is best known for having been sung by Kermit the Frog, performed by Him Jenson, in the 1979 film The Muppet Movie. Fans commented on the above video, some noting the stark difference between those upset about the Muppet-Vision 3D closure and those upset about Slash Mountain being revised, “the difference between muppets fans vs splash mountain fans on the last days of their respective attractions operating was astounding. muppets fans are so nice lol.”
Right now, it is unclear what attraction or franchise will be taking the place of the Muppet Theatre. However, I’d like to think that whatever will be in its place will be something that parkgoers will be excited to visit.
