Today, Muppet*Vision 3D officially closed its doors permanently at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. We, at RideRover, were present at the park throughout the day and meticulously documented every moment. Below is a detailed timetable of all the events that took place in Muppets Courtyard, PizzeRizzo, and Muppet*Vision 3D on its final day:
- 8:48am – The Mad Dash For A Wristband
- 8:58am – The First Showing of Muppet*Vision 3D
- 9:40am – Crowds Begin Forming Inside Muppets Courtyard
- 9:58am – 45 Minute Standby Wait Posted For Muppet*Vision 3D
- 10:55am – PizzeRizzo Opens For Its Final Day
- 12:30pm – Muppet*Vision 3D Line Reaches Galaxies Edge
- 1:39pm – Muppets Pressed Penny Line Becomes Long
- 3:15pm – Final Lookaround PizzeRizzo
- 5:00pm – PizzeRizzo's Line Cut Outside
- 5:18pm – Last Guest Enters PizzeRizzo
- 5:30pm – PizzeRizzo Cast Members Get Closing Photo
- 6:03pm – Muppet*Vision 3D End Of Line Cast Member Enters Service
- 6:05pm – Muppet*Vision 3D Line Begins Utilizing Rise Of The Resistance Queue
- 6:11pm – 65 Minute Standby Line Posted For Muppet*Vision 3D
- 6:45pm – PizzeRizzo Menu Removed From Muppets Courtyard For The Final Time
- 8:22pm – Sun Sets In Muppets Courtyard For The Final Time
- 9:00pm – Final Hour Of Muppet*Vision 3D Begins
- 9:30pm – End Of Line Cast Member Goes On An Adventure
- 9:32pm – Guests Begin Standing To Side For Second To Last Show
- 9:41pm – Candlelight Vigile Held For Muppet*Vision 3D In Muppets Courtyard
- 9:43pm – Wristband Last Show Line Formed On Lightning Lane Side Of Entrance
- 10:00pm – Stanby Line Cut For Muppet*Vision 3D
- 10:12pm – Last Show Wristbanded Guests Begin To Enter Preshow Of Muppet*Vision 3D
- 10:21pm – Heather Henson Was Last Public Guest To Be Admitted To Muppet*Vision 3D
- 10:37pm – Last Preshow Begins For Muppet*Vision 3D
- 10:51pm – Guest Begin Entering Theatre For Muppet*Vision 3D's Last Preformance
- 10:53pm – Last Performance of Muppet*Vision 3D Begins
- 11:09pm – Last Show Ends And Guests Are Pushed Out Of Muppets Courtyard
- Final Thoughts On Muppet*Vision 3D's Closure – The Death Of A Classic
8:48am – The Mad Dash For A Wristband
Due to the reservation system, Hollywood Studios was blocked out for the entire day. Consequently, I had to park hop from Animal Kingdom’s rope drop to Hollywood Studios’ rope drop. As I was pulling into the parking lot at Hollywood Studios, I received calls and messages from friends who had already entered the park. They informed me that they had been let in early and were handing out wristbands for the last show. I immediately started running to make it in time. All wristbands were numbered, and I ended up being number 352.
8:58am – The First Showing of Muppet*Vision 3D
After picking up a wristband, we headed in for the first showing of Muppet*Vision 3D for the day.
9:40am – Crowds Begin Forming Inside Muppets Courtyard
Once we had finished our second viewing of the day, we noticed that Muppets Courtyard was starting to get quite crowded. It turned out that there was a meetup scheduled for 10 am for one of the larger social media groups organized for the closure. Security immediately began planning and ensuring that the pathways were clear so that guests could easily enter and exit.
9:58am – 45 Minute Standby Wait Posted For Muppet*Vision 3D
Pretty soon after the group arrived for the Muppet*Vision 3D meetup, the line grew extremely long. For the first time in years, I believe, the rides extended queue was being utilized. The last time I recall the line getting long enough to use that queue was when people were testing out the new Genie+ features years ago in Hollywood Studios or maybe during COVID-19.
10:55am – PizzeRizzo Opens For Its Final Day
After another show, we headed to PizzeRizzo to witness it opening on its final day. We were fortunate enough to be among the first customers to place their mobile orders. During our first meal, I indulged in a delightful dish.
12:30pm – Muppet*Vision 3D Line Reaches Galaxies Edge
At some point between shows, the line for Muppet*Vision 3D extended all the way to Galaxies Edge. Doors to the extended queue were opened, and a switchback was assembled on Grand Avenue. Eventually, the line met up with the extended queue for Rise of The Resistances, though it only used the roped part of the switchbacks at that point.
1:39pm – Muppets Pressed Penny Line Becomes Long
Throughout the day, on the opposite side of Grand Avenue, there was a consistently long line for Pressed Pennies. This was one of the points where the line reached its peak, although it remained relatively steady throughout the day.
This situation underscores one of the challenges Disney faces with attraction closing events. They no longer produce closing merchandise for any attractions. They could have generated substantial revenue today from Muppet*Vision 3D enthusiasts in the park. The Studio 1 Building remains standing until construction commences on the Monsters Inc Land, replacing Muppets Courtyard. It baffles me why Disney didn’t capitalize on this opportunity, as they left a significant amount of money on the table by not doing so.
3:15pm – Final Lookaround PizzeRizzo
After watching a couple more shows, we returned to PizzeRizzo for our final farewells. Muppet*Vision 3D’s operating hours had been extended. Instead of closing at 8 pm, the park had announced almost a week in advance that the ride would remain open until 10 pm on its final day.
In our final meal, we indulged in a meatball sub, a peperoni pizza, and a frozen margarita. Despite PizzeRizzo not being the most popular restaurant in the park, it was a resounding success today, with every table fully occupied. However, the kitchen was running 45 minutes behind on Mobile Orders at this point in the day. Despite the overwhelming stress, the Cast Members communicated effectively with the guests who were waiting longer than expected for their Mobile Orders. They sincerely apologized for the inconvenience caused.
5:00pm – PizzeRizzo’s Line Cut Outside
We decided to stay inside PizzeRizzo to be among the last guests to experience the restaurant and witness the last guest enter through the entrance. The line was promptly cut at 5 p.m., and the endless line finally snaked its way into the restaurant. Mobile Orders placed outside the restaurant were still accepted until the last guest was served.
5:18pm – Last Guest Enters PizzeRizzo
At approximately 5:18 p.m., the final guest in line entered the doors of PizzeRizzo, and as Drew on X aptly remarked, “That’s a wrap on rat pizza.”
5:30pm – PizzeRizzo Cast Members Get Closing Photo
Cheers and applause erupted when the last guest was served. Afterward, while guests were still in the restaurant, the entire cast arrived and posed for a final photo, with some even shedding tears.
6:03pm – Muppet*Vision 3D End Of Line Cast Member Enters Service
After this point, the end-of-line sign and Cast Member remained out for the rest of the evening. Prior to this, the sign had been periodically out throughout the previous day. This was the point where they never took the sign back.
We inquired about a manager of the area, presumably the one responsible for the end-of-line sign, and he confirmed that they had indeed had it prior to this day. However, when we asked him when the last time they had used it, his response was a resounding “never.”
6:05pm – Muppet*Vision 3D Line Begins Utilizing Rise Of The Resistance Queue
Shortly after that, we joined the queue for the show and discovered that the line had transitioned from the roped Rise of The Resistance Queue to fully entering the switchback Rise of The Resistance Queue in Star Wars: Galaxies Edge.
6:11pm – 65 Minute Standby Line Posted For Muppet*Vision 3D
The longest wait time recorded for the day at Muppet*Vision 3D was 65 minutes, or over four shows, at 6:11 pm.
6:45pm – PizzeRizzo Menu Removed From Muppets Courtyard For The Final Time
While we were waiting in line, @DrewDisneyDude on X captured the final removal of the PizzeRizzo Menu from Muppets Courtyard.
8:22pm – Sun Sets In Muppets Courtyard For The Final Time
The sun descended for the last time in Muppets Courtyard at 8:22 p.m. Eastern Standard Time. As the evening unfolded, the crowd grew larger and larger, all bathed in the beautiful glow of the setting sun.
9:00pm – Final Hour Of Muppet*Vision 3D Begins
Starting about three hours before, it was evident that the energy in the shows had shifted significantly. Fans were quoting lines from the show, clapping to the songs, and cheering loudly at various moments. Swedums was the star of the day, and even as he and his Paddleball made their way onto the set, guests began clapping and cheering.
9:30pm – End Of Line Cast Member Goes On An Adventure
At approximately 9:30, the usual antics that accompany most closings commenced. For reference, I’ve attended some of the largest recent closures, including Splash Mountain, Country Bear Jamboree, and It’s Tough To Be A Bug. The initial sight we encountered was the Cast Members at the end of the line frantically moving around Grand Avenue. This was because guests were determined to be the last ones in line and engaged in a game of chicken to achieve this.
9:32pm – Guests Begin Standing To Side For Second To Last Show
One common occurrence at these shows is the guests standing to the side. This one was no exception, as people waited until the last minute to enter the line. This was also the point where guests entered the line and simply found places to stand to the side, allowing others to pass.
Unlike the other closures I’ve witnessed Disney execute in the past, people weren’t even fighting for the last show because everyone had wristbands from the morning distribution. I suppose some were unaware, while others didn’t care, making the closing of the line significantly more challenging for management. They were later seen pushing guests forward in line because no one was moving.
9:41pm – Candlelight Vigile Held For Muppet*Vision 3D In Muppets Courtyard
At 9:41 p.m., a guest passed out fake battery-powered candles, leading to a candlelight vigil for the closure of Muppet*Vision 3D in the Muppets Courtyard. As the guests gathered, they attempted to sing the end verses of song, but their efforts were quickly overshadowed by the blocked pathway for the guests who were trying to actively exit the Muppet*Vision 3D theater after the show.
9:43pm – Wristband Last Show Line Formed On Lightning Lane Side Of Entrance
Amidst the chaotic crowd, Cast Members began guiding guests to the Lightning Lane side of the area, forming a haphazard line for the wristbanded last show. The guests in line occupied significantly more space than the single set of switchbacks, creating a disorganized formation.
10:00pm – Stanby Line Cut For Muppet*Vision 3D
At approximately 10 p.m., the standby line for Muppet*Vision 3D was abruptly cut. The last guests in the second-to-last show entered the theater. Just before the theater closed, we also witnessed a show exit with those patrons frantically running out, hoping to squeeze in during the final seconds.
10:12pm – Last Show Wristbanded Guests Begin To Enter Preshow Of Muppet*Vision 3D
After the preshow, guests with wristbands were allowed into the theater. We were among the last 35 to be admitted. The line stretched back and forth across the space. As we began to move, guests started high-fiving each other.
10:21pm – Heather Henson Was Last Public Guest To Be Admitted To Muppet*Vision 3D
At approximately 10:21 p.m., Heather Henson, the daughter of the late Jim Henson, the creator of the beloved Muppets we know today, was the last guest to enter the line for Muppet*Vision 3D. As she made her way in, she expressed gratitude to each guest for their presence.
10:37pm – Last Preshow Begins For Muppet*Vision 3D
After everyone entered the preshow, the show was reset, and the preshow was restarted for everyone to witness a full Muppet*Vision 3D show once more. While they didn’t have to do this for the last guests, they did. It was a truly sweet and appreciated gesture for the guests in attendance. Gonzo, Sam Eagle, Rizzo the rat (AKA: Mickey Mouse), and the rest of the gang got their last uninterrupted preshow.
10:51pm – Guest Begin Entering Theatre For Muppet*Vision 3D’s Last Preformance
At the end of the preshow, the doors opened as usual, and guests were allowed into the final show. Unlike previous show closures, they held Muppet*Vision until everyone was seated and ready to witness the final performance. It was another example of an unnecessary task that they chose to do, and we appreciated their consideration.
10:53pm – Last Performance of Muppet*Vision 3D Begins
When the music was queued and the lights were lit, the final performance commenced. The guests were respectful and enjoyed a final show with great fun and fanfare. In front of our uncut video of our last performance, guests can be seen waving with flags saying “We surrender, we surrender!!” before Kermit the Frog said, “Come see us again next time,” one final time.
11:09pm – Last Show Ends And Guests Are Pushed Out Of Muppets Courtyard
The last show concluded. Statler and Waldorf, likely finally freed from their seats, rushed to the bathroom after a remarkable 34 years. As soon as the guests had left the theater, the Muppets Courtyard had already been cleared, and we were promptly ushered out after taking a few quick photos.
Final Thoughts On Muppet*Vision 3D’s Closure – The Death Of A Classic
MuppetVision 3D, a beloved show that entertained guests for an impressive 34 years, has bid farewell to the park. Its enduring popularity and ability to bring laughter and smiles are evident in its remarkable timelessness. The show opened on May 16th, 1991, and its final curtain call yesterday marked the end of an era. While there’s still hope that Disney will reconsider and bring this iconic attraction back alongside Rock’n’ Roller Coaster: Starring The Muppets, even if that doesn’t happen, this is the perfect sendoff for MuppetVision 3D. Within the limitations imposed by management, the show concluded its remarkable run on a high note, leaving behind a legacy and memories for years to come.
You’re in my heart
So until then
Wanna smile
Wanna cry
Saying goodbye
La, la, la, la, la, la, la, la
It’s time for saying goodbyeSaying Goodbye – The Muppets Take Manhattan
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