There is something uniquely powerful about a company deciding to dismantle and erase a piece of art, especially one with the cultural significance of The Muppets. For fans, it isn’t just about a product or a space, it’s about a legacy, a connection to shared memories and the irreplaceable magic of a timeless creation.
As a child, my love for computer games introduced me to the vibrant, interactive world of The Muppets. I’ll never forget the thrill of inserting the CD for The Muppets: On with the Show! into our family computer, watching those colorful puppets spring to life.
Though I was too young to play the game properly, I clicked around with giddy excitement on my mom’s lap, so excited to see characters like Kermit and Miss Piggy brought to life. My mom would read the on-screen instructions aloud as we shared moments of laughter and wonder.
When the disc became stuck in our desktop computer, 3-year-old me sobbed uncontrollably. Thankfully, my mom found a replacement on eBay at a much steeper price, and I was able to keep playing for years. That game–and The Muppets in general–became a core part of my childhood, weaving joy into my earliest memories.
The enduring legacy of The Muppets has always been their ability to unite people through their humor, music and irreverent charm. Humming the The Muppet Show theme song or “Rainbow Connection” can instantly spark recognition and smiles.
Jim Henson’s creations have always been more than puppets. They’re cultural icons, pieces of art that embody the shared joy of generations.
That’s why the closure of Muppets Courtyard at Walt Disney World hits so hard. It’s not just the loss of an attraction; it’s the diminishing of a legacy. The courtyard and its centerpiece, the Muppet Vision 3D attraction, were steeped in history.
Opened in 1991, just a year after Jim Henson’s untimely passing, Muppet Vision 3D was one of the last projects Henson personally worked on, featuring his final performances as Kermit and other characters. Its closure marks a painful end to a tangible connection to Henson’s genius.
In 2016, Disney attempted to preserve the magic by relocating Muppet Vision 3D and unveiling the courtyard. But the writing was on the wall.
By 2020, the courtyard’s dedicated Muppets-themed company store had closed, and little effort was made to restore or maintain the area. Now, Disney has announced no concrete plans to preserve the attraction or its animatronic characters, with only vague suggestions of possibly streaming the film on Disney+.
The disregard feels deeply disrespectful not only to Jim Henson’s legacy but to the millions of fans who cherish his work. It’s a corporate decision that prioritizes profit over preservation, sidelining a piece of cultural history that deserves better.
Watching the decline of Muppets Courtyard reminds me of Walter, the protagonist of the 2011 film The Muppets. In the film, Walter witnesses an oil tycoon plotting to destroy the Muppet Theatre, spurring him to rally the Muppets to save their legacy. They persevere, hosting a telethon that reconnects them with fans and reclaims their place in the world.
Today, fans like me find ourselves in Walter’s shoes, powerless but desperate to see The Muppets honored, not discarded.
When I visited Muppets Courtyard just two months ago, it was a bittersweet experience. The space felt neglected, its once-vibrant energy dulled. The store had been shuttered for years, and the area felt like a relic waiting to be erased. It was as if the legacy of The Muppets–their humor, creativity, and enduring charm–was being quietly shelved.
The loss of Muppets Courtyard and Muppet Vision 3D is more than the closure of an attraction. It’s a stark reminder of how easily even the most timeless creations can be devalued in the pursuit of progress.
But for those of us who carry Henson’s vision in our hearts, the legacy of The Muppets can never truly be destroyed. It lives on in every laugh they inspire, every note of “Rainbow Connection.” And that’s something no corporate decision can take away.
What’s so amazing that keeps us stargazing
And what do we think we might see?
Someday we’ll find it, the rainbow connection
The lovers, the dreamers and me
Velocity 
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