Just one month after its permanent closure, we have a peek at the demolition work inside Muppets Courtyard at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. The land, including Muppet*Vision 3D, Mama Melrose’s Ristorante Italiano, and PizzeRizzo, began a phased closure earlier this year before welcoming its final guests on June 7, 2025.
Muppet*Vision 3D arrived at Disney’s Hollywood Studios in 1991, long before the Muppets Courtyard premiered in 2016. The closure of Streets of America for Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge and Toy Story Land necessitated a new home for Jim Henson’s final major project. Unfortunately, after 34 years, the Muppets are packing their bags.
Rumors of the end of Muppets Courtyard arrived after D23 Expo 2024, when Walt Disney World Resort announced plans to build a Monsters, Inc. (2001) land, including a door roller coaster, at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Early concept art suggested that Walt Disney Imagineering was toying with closing either Muppets Courtyard or Animation Courtyard to make way for the new area and its attractions. Nostalgic Disney Parks fans begged them to choose the often-empty Animation Courtyard.
Later that year, despite fan protests, Walt Disney World Resort announced that it would close Muppets Courtyard, including Muppet*Vision 3D, for the Monsters, Inc. land. Walt Disney Imagineering promised to preserve the experience for fans’ future enjoyment, but hasn’t shared any details about that project.
After Muppet*Vision 3D closed last month, construction walls surrounded the Muppets Courtyard. The area remained untouched for a while, as Disney’s Hollywood Studios hosted farewell parties for cast members and special guests. But according to new reports, demolition has begun.
Last week, TikTok user @callifaithg shared this sneak peek at the current state of Muppets Courtyard, as seen from over the construction walls on Grand Avenue. The TikToker’s image shows construction equipment and loose bricks scattered around the courtyard. The iconic Miss Piggy fountain centerpiece is missing, but its base remains.
Some traces of Muppets Courtyard remain, like the PizzeRizzo sign and some colorful murals. Still, much of the Henson magic is gone.
Concept art for the Monsters, Inc. land confirms that the Muppet*Vision 3D theater and many surrounding buildings will be repurposed in the new area. The existing attraction space will reportedly be renamed “The Glob” and feature a family-friendly Monstropolis-themed experience.
Even though Muppets Courtyard is gone, Henson’s beloved creations aren’t abandoning Disney’s Hollywood Studios entirely. Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith will close sometime in 2026 for a retheme inspired by Muppets Mayhem, the musical Disney+ series: Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring The Muppets.
Have you peeked at any construction sites around Magic Kingdom Park, EPCOT, Disney’s Hollywood Studios, or Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park? Let Inside the Magic know in the comments!
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