Walt Disney World has officially closed the curtain on one of its most beloved attractions. MuppetVision 3D*, the final project personally overseen by the legendary Jim Henson, gave its last performance Saturday, June 7, after a 34-year run at Disney’s Hollywood Studios.
But the farewell wasn’t just emotional — it was chaotic.
In the days leading up to its final showing, thousands of fans flooded the Muppet Courtyard, some waiting in hours-long lines for one last look at the whimsical 3D experience. On Saturday, the park extended the attraction’s hours until 10 p.m. to accommodate the crowds, and Disney cast members were given the honor of attending the final performance.
The atmosphere was one of reverence, nostalgia, and — at times — tension.
According to multiple eyewitness reports, several guests who brought Kermit and Gonzo puppets to perform along with the show found themselves in conflict with Disney security. These fans, who saw their puppet tributes as a celebration of the characters and Jim Henson’s legacy, were warned that their behavior violated park rules. Some were reportedly told they would be banned from Disney property for a year if they continued the act.
Kevin Heimbach shared a video of the guest with the Kermit puppet explaining what had happened, “Disney Security Is THREATENING TO BAN Guests For A Year If They Use A Kermit Puppet In The Park.”
Disney Security Is THREATENING TO BAN Guests For A Year If They Use A Kermit Puppet In The Park. pic.twitter.com/LYdWH4o5Bg
— Kevin Heimbach (@kevinHeimbach13) June 7, 2025
“They were literally just doing Kermit’s voice during the show, waving a puppet around,” one guest wrote on social media. “Then a security guy came and said if they kept it up, they’d be removed and banned. It was surreal.”
Others described the scene as “surprisingly intense,” with fans dressed in full Muppet cosplay — one person even re-creating Gonzo’s flower pot stunt — clashing with the park’s normally whimsical tone. For many, the response felt at odds with the spirit of the Muppets themselves.
“I get crowd control, but threatening people for having fun with a Kermit puppet? That’s the most un-Muppet thing imaginable,” a Reddit user commented.
Despite the controversy, the day was filled with tributes both large and small. Some fans attempted to ride the attraction as many times as possible in one day, while others shared vintage footage of past visits, turning social media into a living scrapbook of Muppet memories. One die-hard streamed their farewell journey for over five hours.
Disney first announced the closure back in November 2024, with a final confirmation this past May. While the company has not publicly addressed the security incidents, it has been clear about its intentions for the space. The Muppet Courtyard will be transformed into a Monsters Inc.-themed land featuring Disney’s first suspended coaster. Pizza Rizzo will also be re-themed.
Still, the Muppets aren’t entirely leaving the park. Disney has confirmed that the gang will return in a re-imagined version of Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster, where Kermit, Miss Piggy, and friends will “team up with some of music’s biggest stars for a rockin’ music festival.”
However, some fans worry that the spirit of the Muppets — their silliness, warmth, and charm — may not translate in a high-speed coaster with three inversions.
“I’m glad they’re not gone,” one fan said. “But this was Jim Henson’s last project. This was the Muppets’ heart. And now that’s over.”
For now, Muppet*Vision 3D joins the ranks of extinct Disney classics — and for those who gathered to say goodbye, it will be remembered not just as a show, but as a heartfelt piece of theme park history.
