In a post on the Disney Parks Blog, Disney announced that MuppetVision 3D would close permanently beginning June 8, with its last day of operations being June 7. This will also be the last day of operations for PizzeRizzo, and Mama Melrose’s Ristorante Italiano will have its last day of operations a month earlier on May 10.
As a reminder, these closures are happening to make way for the new Monsters Inc. land, which will include the “hanging doors” coaster.
While Muppets fans are losing out on this glow up, they can take some solace in the fact that the Muppets will be getting a new presence as part of Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster, which will drop its Aerosmith theming. As for when this change will happen—no timeframe is yet known. However, BlogMickey points out that some Disney communications have used the word “soon.”
I’ve written before that I will sorely miss MuppetVision 3D. I’m incredibly grateful that Zoe is just barely to the age where we’ve gotten to really enjoy the show as a family. I think it’s a fantastic show and an ideal escape from the high pressure of touring Hollywood Studios. We’ll get there at least one more time before June 7.
Disney continues to say they’re exploring ways to “preserve” the film. I think that’s nice, but we all know it won’t be a substitute for the full experience, which includes animatronics in various parts of the theater, a costumed character who enters the theater, and things that go boom.
I’ll also miss PizzeRizzo. As a born-and-raised Chicagoan who now lives in New York, I reserve the unfettered right to comment on pizza. Now—I’m not saying PizzeRizzo was good pizza, it wasn’t. But I didn’t mind it. It was a fine cheesy, saucy, bread dish, and the ball room seating upstairs is a hidden gem.
Of course, the pizza lives on at Catalina Eddie’s. But there was some elegance in Disney telling you they were feeding you “prepared by a rat” quality food.
Overall, we have a lot to look forward to. I think the swap from Aerosmith to the Muppets is basically a lateral or slightly improving move for Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster. But adding a new land, with a new coaster, in the form of Monsters Inc. land is definitely an upgrade for Hollywood Studios. It helps that the park is also getting two new stage shows this summer. Hollywood Studios has been a victim of its own success, only becoming more challenging to tour as more great rides have been added. In any case, we’re excited about the future!
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