Muppet*Vision 3D Returns in New Form as Disney Reassesses the Muppets
Muppet*Vision 3D lives on – but not in the way you might think.
Brian Henson has shared an update on the much-missed Disney’s Hollywood Studios’ show, revealing that fans will soon be able to enjoy the attraction in a whole new way.
What Happened To Muppet*Vision 3D?
When Disney opened Muppet*Vision 3D in 1991, the company was still experimenting with what a modern theme park attraction could be. The result was not a ride, but a tightly choreographed stage show that blurred film, theater, and physical comedy.
The attraction debuted at what was then Disney-MGM Studios, a park still defining its identity. Unlike traditional dark rides, Muppet*Vision 3D unfolded entirely inside a single theater, relying on timing, audience misdirection, and layered jokes rather than movement or scale.
Its development was overseen by Jim Henson, making it one of the final projects he worked on directly before his death in 1990. That fact alone has long distinguished the show from other Muppets-related Disney projects.
Muppet*Vision 3D positioned the characters as performers rather than mascots. The framing device followed Kermit the Frog unveiling a new invention from Muppet Labs, only for the demonstration to unravel almost immediately.
Miss Piggy commandeered scenes. Fozzie Bear delivered jokes that failed on purpose. Gonzo’s experiments went catastrophically wrong. The chaos was scripted, but deliberately felt improvised.
What separated Muppet*Vision 3D from most theme park shows was its technical construction. A 3D film ran in sync with animatronics, physical effects, and audio cues timed down to fractions of a second.
Gags occurred behind guests, above them, and inside the theater itself. Characters appeared to leave the screen and enter the room. Certain jokes only landed depending on where someone was seated.
That design encouraged repeat viewing. Guests rarely caught everything on a single visit. Unlike newer attractions built around spectacle, the show rewarded familiarity.
As Disney’s parks evolved, that approach became increasingly rare. The company’s recent strategy has favored large-scale attractions designed for high throughput, franchise synergy, and international duplication.
Muppet*Vision 3D resisted that model. It was difficult to update without dismantling its original structure. It was also difficult to replicate without losing its intimacy.
In June 2025, Disney closed the attraction at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. The closure cleared space for a Monsters, Inc. themed land, which will include Disney’s first suspended roller coaster.
At the time, Disney acknowledged the show’s legacy and confirmed it was exploring preservation options. Cast members reportedly attended a private recording of the attraction before its final public performance.
A Complete Recording, Not a Remake
Those preservation efforts have now taken shape. Brian Henson, chairperson of The Jim Henson Company, confirmed that Muppet*Vision 3D has been fully captured for a virtual reality experience.
The recording will debut on Apple Vision Pro, with plans to expand to other VR headsets later, according to Apple Insider. The capture allows viewers to select their seat within the theater.
During a Q&A following Puppet Up!, Henson explained that users can watch the show from multiple perspectives, creating different viewing experiences from the same performance.
That capability reflects how the attraction was originally designed. Many jokes were intentionally placed outside the audience’s direct line of sight, making it impossible to see everything at once.
Addressing the project with characteristic understatement, Henson joked, “It’s better than it not coming to VR.”
The VR version preserves the attraction exactly as it existed, rather than reinterpreting or modernizing it. No new effects were added. No scenes were altered.
In that sense, the release functions as an archive rather than a reboot. It allows audiences to experience one of Jim Henson’s final works without physical access to the original theater.
What Comes Next for the Muppets
The timing of the announcement is notable. Earlier this year, Disney released a rebooted version of The Muppets Show on Disney+, executive produced by Seth Rogen and featuring both Sabrina Carpenter (who previously “arrested” Miss Piggy on her Short and Sweet Tour) and Maya Rudolph.
The special drew 7.58 million viewers across Disney+ and ABC within its first eight days. Internally, that performance placed it within Disney’s benchmarks for success.
Viewers also noticed a visual callback to Muppet*Vision 3D during the show, including a “Muppet Lab Techs Only” sign, which prompted renewed discussion among longtime fans.
That success has led some to speculate about a physical return for Muppet*Vision 3D. Disney California Adventure is often cited due to its Hollywood Land theater space.
The attraction previously operated there before being replaced by For the First Time in Forever: A Frozen Sing-Along Celebration. The venue now hosts Mickey’s PhilharMagic.
PhilharMagic already exists at nearly every Disney resort worldwide. Muppet*Vision 3D does not.
For now, Disney’s only confirmed Muppets-related park project is Rock ’n’ Roller Coaster Starring The Muppets, scheduled to open later this year at Disney’s Hollywood Studios.
Whether Muppet*Vision 3D ever returns to a physical park remains unclear. What is certain is that Disney has chosen preservation over reinvention, ensuring the attraction survives in its original form, even as its theater disappears.
Do you miss Muppet*Vision 3D at Disney’s Hollywood Studios?
