This week, on June seventh, Walt Disney World park-goers can be among the many final audiences for MuppetVision 3D. The lights will dim within the Muppet Theater, by no means to shine on Muppet followers once more. Boy, that sounds bleak. However that is just about how many people really feel concerning the grand finale of this traditional Muppet expertise.
When the announcement was made concerning the closing of MuppetVision, I simply assumed I wouldn’t be capable of see it once more. It’s been virtually a decade since my final journey to Disney World, and even longer since I’ve been to Hollywood Studios. However this previous March, I discovered myself visiting household in Florida. Whereas planning for the journey, I spotted that Orlando was only a quick two-hour drive away. It was as if the Muppet gods had been telling us that we needed to make one final go to to pay homage to the attraction, which we did with the shortest day-trip to Disney World ever.
On this go to, I spent as a lot time as I may soaking in all the main points of the Muppets Courtyard. I stood in entrance of the enduring Miss Piggy fountain and chit-chatted with different Muppet followers. I studied the partitions of PizzeRizzo (which didn’t exist but on my final go to). I did… what folks do in Gonzo’s Royal Flush. And naturally, I took in a present.
We arrived within the ready room for MuppetVision simply in time to see the start of the pre-show. Regardless of the small screens and oh-so-many visible distractions throughout us, the group round me (and it was a crowd – the room bought very full, very quick) had been as entranced with the pre-show as if it was the primary characteristic. They laughed in any respect the humorous bits, they usually even laughed on the less-than-funny bits. Rizzo’s entrance as Mickey Mouse bought the most important response from the oldsters round me.
Within the few occasions I’ve seen MuppetVision, I’d by no means sat within the entrance row, so I made certain to snag that coveted entrance row middle seat. I needed to really feel like I used to be in the true Muppet Theater with out the distraction of different people in my line of sight. Because the penguins popped up within the orchestra pit proper in entrance of me, I used to be now not at a theme park, however inside an episode of The Muppet Present. The true kicker was Sweetums, who was inside attain each time he appeared. There was one thing visceral and surreal about being so near Sweetums, particularly accompanied by Richard Hunt’s voice, that can stand out because the spotlight of my MuppetVision recollections.
Okay, I take it again – there’s one spotlight that trumps Sweetums being shut sufficient to journey over my outstretched legs. And that was the sound from behind me. Laughter. MuppetVision 3D has a whole lot of corny jokes, and this viewers (once more, a surprisingly full one) had a vocal response to each certainly one of them. I’ve seen MuppetVision a handful of occasions earlier than, and by no means earlier than had I been within the presence of an viewers that ate it up as a lot as this one did. Was it as a result of they knew it was closing, they usually took the chance to let unfastened and luxuriate in themselves? Or was it as a result of audiences at present are hungry for extra Muppet content material wherever we will get it? Regardless of the case, it was an absolute delight to bear witness to individuals who love watching the Muppets as a lot as I do, even when it’s only for about 25 minutes.
After taking on a lot time within the Muppets Courtyard, I knew it was time to maneuver on (I imply, there are different issues at Hollywood Studios, or so I hear). I loved one last quiet second within the middle of the sq. and stated goodbye to the expertise which may be the closest any of us ever come to sitting within the Muppet Theater to catch an actual efficiency of The Muppet Present.
Over the previous few months, ever since receiving the information about MuppetVision’s closure, I’ve gone by way of all of the feelings. Disappointment that the Muppet footprint within the parks is being decreased as soon as once more. Intrigue on the prospects of what the Muppets’ Rockin’ Curler Coaster will entail. Hope that the current digital seize of the attraction will discover its manner someplace new for public viewing. Confusion as to what Disney’s total plans for the Muppets might be, and in the event that they’ll ever actually put money into the franchise in a major manner once more.
However principally, I’ve discovered acceptance in the entire state of affairs. We had been fortunate sufficient to get this attraction for 34 years – longer than virtually anything at Hollywood Studios. We had time to rejoice Jim Henson’s last work, and the expertise to make sure that it is going to by no means turn into misplaced media. Now we have the satisfaction understanding that Bean Bunny was misplaced and located once more hundreds of occasions over, and that numerous Disney World guests bought to see Sweetums within the flesh (or, fur). And very like Jim Henson’s personal philosophy, we acknowledge there’s a time to let our present tasks finish so we will make room for brand spanking new challenges.
We’re so fortunate to have had MuppetVision in our lives. And whereas it’s at all times unhappy saying goodbye, it’s fantastic to see so many individuals celebrating it in a manner we haven’t seen since its inception. Very similar to the tip of the MuppetVision present itself, it’s ending with a bang.
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by Joe Hennes – [email protected]
