Traveling down memory lane with our favorite puppets

I really love the Muppets. Wait, what do you mean that you have never seen an episode of the Muppets?

Maybe I’m just old, which makes me think if the Muppets are all that popular nowadays. C’mon, you just have to take a good look at Kermit, Gonzo, Fozzie and the rest of these adorable puppets to fall in love with them. They are so charismatic and it always impresses me how expressive they felt in the live show for being, well, puppets. 

Muppet Vision 3D is a short 15 minute movie directed by Jim Henson himself, the man who created the Muppets. It’s all about our beloved characters guiding the audience through a movie studio and working on sketch acts that show how 3D technology works. Hey, Muppet Vision 3D launched back in 1991, and 3D was a huge thing at the time (and still is, honestly). 

This might be one of Disney World's earliest 3D theaters, next to Star Tours. Actually, scratch that. This is probably the first-ever 4D theater in Disney World! Muppet Vision 3D isn’t just about what you see on screen - It also blends in practical effects and animatronics on stage. I’d say the closest thing to it is It’s Tough to be a Bug in Animal Kingdom. Both theaters make the 3D movie the main event but also add cool extras like smoke, soap bubbles, and more.

So, is Muppet Vision 3D one of the best 3D movies out there? No. I don’t think it’s in the same league as Magic Kingdom’s Philharmagic or the aforementioned Animal Kingdom’s It’s Tough to be a Bug, but Muppets is still very, very charming, and a special delight for kids of all ages. There is also something very comfy about entering the theater and watching something that launched so long ago and helped kick off the age of 3D movies in theme parks. Is it nostalgia? Perhaps. If you have extra time and want to chill out, you certainly can’t go wrong by siding with Kermit the Frog.

Most of the set pieces you see are pretty basic, but were considered pretty advanced for when this attraction debuted decades ago. You get Muppets blowing soap bubbles on your face, someone throwing pie at you, you know how it goes. 

I’d love to see Disney updating this movie for something more modern, using advanced animatronics this time. However, I understand that some people might hate that idea, considering this was the last project Jim Henson worked on before he passed away, and I fully respect that sentiment. Disney could definitely consider updating the seats, as they've aged over time and may be uncomfortable for some due to how narrow they are.

Despite a few minor drawbacks, this show remains a blast and feels surprisingly ahead of its time. One of its best features? The short wait times nowadays, making it a perfect choice on a hot day when you need a break from the heat and want to enjoy the AC.

Will Kids enjoy it?

Kids have a lot of fun here. The Muppets are all colorful and they have that look that makes them slightly weird, but not scary at all. It’s also fun to see them interacting with real life actors. There are even a few animatronics next to the stage that, even if they look pretty basic, they do talk to the Muppets on screen and move the narrative forward.

The story is also pretty simple, and you shouldn’t expect anything crazy from the 3D technology used. It’s an older attraction that dates back from 1991, after all. Still, kids will probably get a laugh out of characters like Miss Piggy and Fozzie that try their best to entertain their audience. Just remember that you need to sit down and use your 3D glasses to enjoy the show, so make sure your kids are alright with that.