The Muppets at Walt Disney World - An In-Depth Report

[theprawncracker]

Hey Muppet Central! It's your good friend Ryan, theprawncracker, here, and as most/some of you know, last week I went to the Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando, Florida. And before I left, I promised a report on how the Muppets are lookin' under the big cheese. Just as my good friend Vic Romano did last February in this thread (http://forum.muppetcentral.com/showthread.php?t=25123&highlight=disney+world), and, I hope Vic doesn't mind, I'm going to be borrowing some of the pictures from that thread to show you guys some of the merchandise I found, and some of the merchandise I didn't find. Anyway, here it is, my day by day report from Walt Disney World.

Day One - Disney's Caribbean Beach Resort

Gonna go ahead and warn you now, Day One was pretty uneventful. Since I didn't arrive in Orlando until after ten at night, I didn't get to go to any of the parks. In fact, we only got to go to our resort, the Caribbean Beach. They had a pretty neat gift shop at the main hub of the resort, but alas, no Muppet stuff.

I wasn't terribly surprised, I figured that for the resorts they'd just stock it with all Mickey, all Minnie, all Goofy stuff, just to brace their visitors for the parks they were gonna hit later in their stay. So that was it for Day One.

Muppet Status - Day One: BEEN BETTER

Day Two - Disney's Polynesian Resort and the Magic Kingdom

Today my family and I had breakfast reservations at the Polynesian Resort, it was a totally cool resort, with, of course, gift shops! So, while we were waiting for our table I grab my little bro and we run off to the store. Now, you've got to understand that this store was considerably smaller than the one at the Caribbean Beach Resort, could explain why they didn't have any Muppet stuff either.

So we got through breakfast, me still without any Muppet stuff, and heading to the Magic Kingdom. Now, of course my mind wasn't completely set on hitting every single store in the Kingdom for Muppet stuff, hey I AM a kid after all. So, I stopped in a few of the bigger stores (STILL no Muppet stuff) then ran off to the rides. I had the extreme luck of riding Splash Mountain three times in a row due to the temperature outside, but I actually didn't get wet at all! But you don't really care about that, you care about the Muppet stuff! Yes, I actually found some today! Two! Two of Disney's pin trading pins, one was a group shot pin (http://eventservices.disney.go.com/pintrading/pin?id=8465) with Kermit, Piggy, Fozzie, Gonzo and Animal, and the other, a limited edition "Hidden Mickey" pin (http://cgi.ebay.com/Hidden-Disney-2006-Muppets-Fountain-Kermit-Pin-Le_W0QQitemZ150064355030QQihZ005QQcategoryZ38009QQ rdZ1QQcmdZViewItem#ebayphotohosting) with Kermit sitting on the Muppet*Vision fountain playing his banjo, with Waldo attached on a spring, this was my favorite of the Muppet pins I found. But, sadly, that was all the Muppet stuff I found on Day Two.

Muppet Status - Day Two: Could be worse

Day Three - Disney-MGM Studios and Disney's Contemporary Resort

Woot! Day Three! MGM Studios! THE Muppet fans home away from MC! Now first, I'd just like to point out that I saw Jim Henson and Kermit's names in the sidewalk outside the Great Movie Ride, and I was thrilled! Took pictures, which I'll have up sooner rather than later. Then we went to Muppet*Vision! Gosh! What a fantastic walk! I mean, you can see the Kermit balloon from most anywhere in the park, so just watching that in the sky above you as you make your way to the show is just great!

So I finally get to the Muppet lot, pass the Muppet*Vision fence sign with Kermit's face next to "Jim Henson's Muppet*Vision 3D" (http://static.flickr.com/8/7691573_ebda50a2ce_t.jpg), took my picture there (I stood in the same place as MrsPepper!!:excited: ). Then, I saw the fountain. It's so gorgeous, and no worries gang, despite the construction signs surrounding the icon previously in the year, the fountain is in pristine shape. In fact, I'd say it's never looked better. All the fountains are operational, Piggy spins perfectly, it was great.

And what else was great was being able to take my picture with a life-size wood cut out of Sweetums playing paddle-ball (that same picture may in fact be the picture I submit to Vic Romano for the Muppet Central Show II, CLICK! (http://forum.muppetcentral.com/showthread.php?t=30047)[You owe me Vic!! :p]), and also taking pictures with the Statler and Waldorf cut outs.

So, pictures taken, time to head into the show, right? Wrong-o! I'm walking to go into the show, and one of the cast members who's working the show comes up to me and says, "Hey, I saw you guys taking pictures of well...Everything, and I thought maybe you'd like to go down back on the side of the theater, there's posters and stuff down there you can take pictures of." Naturally, my little Muppet obsessed prawn heart lepta at the chance. So, I walked down the queue, where there would usually be a line waiting to go into the show, and I was staring face to face with more Muppet movie parody posters than I'd ever seen! "Super Beaker", "Moi Jane", "Star Chores", to name a few, I'll have pictures of those up soon too.

NOW it was time to go into the show! Finally! The moment I've been waiting for, the reason I came on this trip, was finally here! Everything in the theater was in perfect shape, everything was polished, shined, gorgeous! The props in the waiting area to go into the theater were so realistic, and made for the greatest pictures I've ever had the pleasure of being in. I took pictures with Gonzo's crates, Scooter's, Sam's, Piggy's, Lew Zealand's, and my favorite part was the Electric Mayhem's band equipment! Totally cool! Then the pre-show came on, I laughed my head off, and ya know what? So did the audience!! Holy pigeon snot gang! When Rizzo came out as Mickey Mouse there wasn't an un-used laugh box in the room! That right there made my day.

So I go to the show, do bear in mind that I've seen this at least four times before, and I was dazzled, marveled, completely in awe. It was by far, in my opinion, one of the greatest things the Muppets have ever done. It's funny, it's charming, it's beautiful, and most of all, it's advanced. Muppet*Vision was made in 1990, sixteen years later, it remains the most highly advanced 3D shows I've ever seen. I compared it to the "Mickey's Philharmagic" 3D show at the Magic Kingdom, and I realized, "Wow, this is SO much better." I mean, it was like comparing The Muppet Movie to Cinderella II, there was no contest! I mean EVERYTHING was 3D! Even when it wasn't supposed to be! I mean, when Kermit walked down the hall, you could TELL that he was another dimension away from the walls behind him, it was just amazing, by far the highlight of my trip.

And that my friends is the first installment of the thread, I'll be back tomorrow with the rest of the trip.

COMING UP: The Muppet*Vision gift shop, outside Muppet*Vision, the MGM Christmas parade, The Television Academy Hall of Fame garden, The Contemporary Resort, Animal Kingdom, Epcot, and more!

Until tomorrow,
Ryan
Prawnie
theprawncracker

[KermieBaby47]

Awesome!! I really like that fountain Kermit & Waldo pin, and I've already got the group shot pin.

Glad that MV 3-D was so great over there!! Cool about the cast member too.

Can't wait for more!

[sarah_yzma]

What a nice CM! Sounds like a good time building up!

Curious to hear how the stock in the shop is. I was disappointed in August.

[redBoobergurl]

Cool! I want to go SO BADLY right now!!! I haven't been down there in about 7 years now, it's sad. Anyway, glad to hear that Muppety goodness still abounds at MGM studios, that really makes me happy. Looking forward to the rest of your report!

[Vic Romano]

Can't wait to hear news about my home away from home; The Contemporary! The Kermit on the Fountain Pin must be new, I love it! Great so far, Ry and man am I soooooooooo jealous.

[TheJimHensonHour]

Can't wait to hear news about my home away from home; The Contemporary! The Kermit on the Fountain Pin must be new, I love it! Great so far, Ry and man am I soooooooooo jealous.
sounds new eh? I think I'm more excited that it has waldo on it!! freaking waldo!! that is sooo cool hehe:halo:

[BEAR]

That's so cool, Prawnie!! Reminds me of my first and only trip to WDW 6 years ago. I miss it so much. I remember also taking pictures of everything in the Muppet lot and how excited I was seeing Muppet*Vision for the first time. I even took a picture by Kermit's hand prints as I'm sure you did too. Now, I am so lucky and happy to be able to go to Disney's California Adventure whenever I want and see Muppet*Vision 3-D and all that stuff. Great review, Ry! Can't wait to read more!

[beaker]

Question: Does California Adventure have more of a Muppety presense there than WDW? Or is it exactly the same merch/places/attraction/etc?

Really strange the interactive Beaker/Bunsen is the only announced thing. A Swedish Chef diner I think would be a huge hit.

[theprawncracker]

Hey gang, I know I promised more details tonight, but I'm exhausted, so look for more tomorrow.

[Katzi428]

Sounds great so far Ryan!:) I've stayed at the Beach resort,and it was pretty good.
So you went on Splash Mountain,eh? It's my favorite ride!:D Can't wait to read your next update.

[The Count]

Addicting like his fanfics isn't it? Come on Prawn... Post more or you'll end up taking another splashy ride if you know what we mean. Besides, you gotsta break the tie between you and that other half.

[Vic Romano]

*bump

[theprawncracker]

Oh crap! I forgot I never finished this thing! I'll finish it next week gang! Promise!

[Skye]

I just saw this now, and it sounds SO amazing so far!! I've never been to WDW, and you're making me want to go even more, Ryan! :D Totally awesome... can't wait to read more when you do finish it!

[Yoda Man]

Me too. I love Disney World and all the Muppety goodness. Can't wait to hear the rest of your report!

[theprawncracker]

Okay gang, as promised, I'm here with more! I'm really trying my hardest to get pictures loaded onto the web so I can show them to you, but it's not going to well on this computer, but I'm trying. Anyway, let us continue, shall we?

DAY 3 - Disney-MGM Studios and The Contemporary Resort cont.

So! After Muppet*Vision, where does the obsessed Muppet fan go? The Muppet*Vision gift shop of course! Well, after taking a picture with the gigantic Kermit statue outside the shop, AND the HUGE Kermit wall clock on well... The wall. But after I got my pictures, THEN I went inside. Then I took MORE pictures! As SOON as you walk in you to your right you see replicas of the lockers from MTM! TOTALLY awesome! Then to your left is some crazy pile of junk that looks totally Muppety.

Anyway, when you get into the actual store you are... Well, rather dissapointed. One third of the store is Muppet stuff, I'm not even sure what the rest of the stuff in there was... It looked to be maybe baby stuff in one third, and just plain Disney World stuff in the other that you can find anywhere in any of the parks.

But looks can be decieving, while exploring the Muppet third of the store I found some really cool stuff. Including t-shirts (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v695/vicromano/shirt4.jpg) (That picture is stole from Vic Romano's thread) the only t-shirts they had from that pic were the four in the middle with Kermit's head, Animal's head, Beaker's head, and Pepe's head, The Mayhem t-shirt in the bottom right, and the two at the top left. (I myself bought the Kermit head t-shirt and the Electric Mayhem shirt, totally awesome.) They had NONE of these t-shirts (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v695/vicromano/shirt2.jpg)for women. (Again, stolen from Vic.)

Aside from clothing, they had an entire wall of Muppet plushies. Kermit, Piggy, Fozzie, Gonzo, Statler, Waldorf, Sam, Animal, Rizzo, Bunsen, Beaker, and Bean. Which was rully cool, I got Gonzo and Rizzo. Then on the wall by the t-shirts they had the Kermit big figure (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v695/vicromano/statue.jpg), a totally awesome picture frame (that I got) with red curtains on the "stage" and Kermit and Piggy on the bottom right, Gonzo hanging off the top right, Animal poking his head out of the curtain in the top left, Beaker at the bottom left and Fozzie in the middle, really, really cool. With that same theme (curtians) they also had a miniature snow globe (which I got) and an alarm clock (which I also got). And the COOLEST thing there were HAND DRAWN Muppet pictures Kermit, Piggy, Fozzie and Animal. They were SO cool. My mom bought me Kermit for Christmas.

In the middle of the store they had a small display thing, where they had the Link Hogthrob Sideshow Bust, NO Palisades figures, fuzzy Miss Piggy, Kermit and Beaker mini bobble heads (I got Piggy and Kermit), a song book, and a set of Kermit and Piggy salt and pepper shakers.

On the front wall near the entrance they had the new Christmas CD, TMS Season 1, MTI, MCC, GMC, and TMM, and the 25th Anniversary CD. Along with the ONLY piece of Sesame Street merchandise, the "Platinum" CD.

There's the good stuff from the store, now the bad. There were NO Muppet pins, at all. There was a very poor selection of t-shirts and merchandise overall, I was really dissapointed. (Yet somehow I still managed to spend $120 in that store alone. :p)

Then there was the MGM Christmas "Stars in Motor Cars" Parade. Where Kermit and Piggy were featured and Sweetums ran around mingling with the crowd. Rully cool. And after the parade I saw Jim's name on a plaque in the Television Hall of Fame bust garden. Just wish he had a bust instead...

So that was it for Muppet stuff at MGM, slim pickin's if ya ask me.

Then we went to the Contemporary! I had made Thanksgiving Dinner reservations for us at Chef Mickey's Fun Time Buffet, where we dined with Mickey, Minnie, Goofy, Donald, and Pluto and got pictures with all of them. And during our meal the MCC soundtrack was playing, which was really cool. My mom says to me: "Did you have this planned too?" and I just grinned/squealed.

Then after dinner I ran off with my little bro to the gift shop/s, where again I saw the Kermit big figure, and a totally awesome Miss Piggy Statue of Liberty pin that I bought up almost instantly.

Welp, that was my day 3. The best day of my stay, I got so much awesome Muppet stuff and saw one of the best Muppet productions ever to be made. It was a good day.

Muppet Status - Day Three: Good!

Day Four - Animal Kingdom, the Animal Kingdom Lodge, and Epcot

I'm really not gonna waste your time and make you read through my entire day just to find out that there was NO Muppet stuff at Animal Kingdom OR the Animal Kingdom Lodge (where we had dinner). Then we went to Epcot for the fireworks display and the "Extra Magic Hours" where resort guests get to stay after the park closes and the ONLY Muppet thing I saw was actually really cool, a portait painting of Animal hanging in one of the "Art of Disney" stores. Yup, that was my Muppet stuff for Day Four.

Muppet Status - Day Four: Meh...

Day Five - Downtown Disney and Disney's Boardwalk

My final day at WDW. So sad, but happy at the same time. I get to go to Downtown Disney where they're sure to have some sort of Muppet thing somewhere, right?

Yes, right. But not too much.The "Once Upon a Toy" toy store had all the Muppet plushies they had at Muppet*Vision, and two miniature puzzles with pictures of the Muppet stamps that were released a while back.

Then the only other piece of Muppet stuff I saw, was totally, totally cool. Inside the "Art of Disney" store I met this artist who would personalize drawnigs of Disney characters for you for $35. So I flipped through his book, and there at the very end were two pics of Kermit, two of Piggy, one of Fozzie and one of Animal. I bought one of Kermit playing his banjo and the artist wrote "Kermit the Frog" in pretty green at the top. Then my bro bought me Animal for Christmas which totally surprised me. It was really, really awesome.

That was all the Muppet stuff at Downtown Disney.

And there was nothing at Disney's Boardwalk either.

Muppet Status - Day Four: Decent

I had a great time in Walt Disney World, but Muppet wise it wasn't so great. Sure I was immensly impressed with Muppet*Vision 3D, but the amount of merchandise at any of the parks was slim to none. I wouldn't say I was severly dissapointed, I just know that it could've been better. I think Disney could really try harder with the Muppets to get them out in the spotlight if they really accept them into their family.

I'll leave you all with one final thought, if the Muppets are being kept alive in the theme parks, we may need to worry. But, if Diz has plans for them elsewhere we should still hold out hope. I really have mixed feelings about how things are going with the Muppets under Diz... I just don't know.

But I still had a great time at WDW and got some totally awesome stuff, and I can't wait to go back.

Thanks everybody for reading!

Ryan
Prawnie
theprawncracker

[redBoobergurl]

Great report Ryan! Well, I mean I guess some of the news isn't THAT great, but you know what I mean. I'm planning a trip there for next winter :excited: so it's good to know now what to look for, I just hope not much changes in a year!

[theprawncracker]

So, now that my computer's working I'm finally able to get pictures loaded! Yay! So here ya go gang, the Muppets at Disney World...

Jim and Kermit's name and handprints (http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y162/theprawncracker/Disney%20World/DisneyWorld001.jpg)
The Fountain (http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y162/theprawncracker/Disney%20World/DisneyWorld002.jpg)
Muppet*Vision 3D Presented by Kodak (http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y162/theprawncracker/Disney%20World/DisneyWorld003.jpg)
A Happy Water Tower (http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y162/theprawncracker/Disney%20World/DisneyWorld004.jpg) (I hope its nose doesn't start running! Wocka! Wocka!)
The Baloon (http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y162/theprawncracker/Disney%20World/DisneyWorld005.jpg) (If you look close enough at the clock, you can see Gonzo dangling from one of the hands.)
These two elderly gentlemen (http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y162/theprawncracker/Disney%20World/DisneyWorld006.jpg) I met on my trip, they were rather crabby.
Another Fountain Shot (http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y162/theprawncracker/Disney%20World/DisneyWorld007.jpg)
Some crazy kid (http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y162/theprawncracker/Disney%20World/DisneyWorld008.jpg) in a TMS sweatshirt in front of the fountain. (He totally messed up the shot.)
That crazy kid again, this time with a life-size Sweetums (http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y162/theprawncracker/Disney%20World/DisneyWorld009.jpg)cut-out.
That kid was like, stalking our camera or something, this time in our picture of the Muppet*Vision poster (http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y162/theprawncracker/Disney%20World/DisneyWorld010.jpg)
Then he went and bugged those two elderly gents (http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y162/theprawncracker/Disney%20World/DisneyWorld011.jpg)
And got in ANOTHER picture (http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y162/theprawncracker/Disney%20World/DisneyWorld012.jpg) of a Muppet*Vision poster
Then the weirdo found all these awesome Muppet movie parody posters, such as "The Bride of Froggen-Schwein" (http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y162/theprawncracker/Disney%20World/DisneyWorld013.jpg)
And "Pigseidon" (http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y162/theprawncracker/Disney%20World/DisneyWorld014.jpg)
"It Called From Outer Space" (http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y162/theprawncracker/Disney%20World/DisneyWorld015.jpg)
"Cleopigtra" (http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y162/theprawncracker/Disney%20World/DisneyWorld017.jpg)
"Kurmit" (http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y162/theprawncracker/Disney%20World/DisneyWorld018.jpg)
"Beach Blanket Beaker" (http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y162/theprawncracker/Disney%20World/DisneyWorld019.jpg)
And "Star Chores" (http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y162/theprawncracker/Disney%20World/DisneyWorld020.jpg)
We ditched the dodo, so to speak, for a second and found this nice poster from Dr. Honeydew. (http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y162/theprawncracker/Disney%20World/DisneyWorld016.jpg)
And found more posters such as "Die Hard 2" (http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y162/theprawncracker/Disney%20World/DisneyWorld021.jpg)
"Moi Jane" (http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y162/theprawncracker/Disney%20World/DisneyWorld022.jpg)
And "Super Beaker II" (http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y162/theprawncracker/Disney%20World/DisneyWorld023.jpg)
Then I saw this cool pipe sticking out of a wall (http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y162/theprawncracker/Disney%20World/DisneyWorld024.jpg), see if you can tell who it is.
And a cool door (http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y162/theprawncracker/Disney%20World/DisneyWorld025.jpg) or... Um... Not a door, I guess.
A really cool "3D" picture of the gang (http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y162/theprawncracker/Disney%20World/DisneyWorld026.jpg).
The sign for glasses (http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y162/theprawncracker/Disney%20World/DisneyWorld027.jpg)
Piggy's luggage (http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y162/theprawncracker/Disney%20World/DisneyWorld028.jpg), "Satin Evening Gowns" and "More Satin Evening Gowns" and part of the Mayhem's equipment, and Gonzo on the screen from the pre-show.
"The Rest of the Satin Evening Gowns" (http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y162/theprawncracker/Disney%20World/DisneyWorld030.jpg)
The Electric Mayhem's Equipment (http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y162/theprawncracker/Disney%20World/DisneyWorld039.jpg)
That weird kid came back to sit with Gonzo's Stunt Props (http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y162/theprawncracker/Disney%20World/DisneyWorld041.jpg)
Scooter's Box (http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y162/theprawncracker/Disney%20World/DisneyWorld042.jpg)
Sam's Box (http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y162/theprawncracker/Disney%20World/DisneyWorld043.jpg)
"Kermit the Frog: Neck Ruffs" (http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y162/theprawncracker/Disney%20World/DisneyWorld044.jpg)
The "Muppet*Vision 3D Yell and Howl Projector" (http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y162/theprawncracker/Disney%20World/DisneyWorld029.jpg) inside the theater
The Muppet*Vision seal (http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y162/theprawncracker/Disney%20World/DisneyWorld045.jpg) inside the theater
Miss Piggy Columns (http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y162/theprawncracker/Disney%20World/DisneyWorld046.jpg)
The two elderly gentleman (http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y162/theprawncracker/Disney%20World/DisneyWorld047.jpg) from outside. (They got the best seats in the house!)
A sculpt over the exit (http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y162/theprawncracker/Disney%20World/DisneyWorld048.jpg). (Yes, that's my finger in the top left corner.)
The Muppet*Vision 3D Directory (http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y162/theprawncracker/Disney%20World/DisneyWorld038.jpg) (If you can, save this picture and zoom in, it's hillarious.)
The crazy kid and a HUGE Kermit statue (http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y162/theprawncracker/Disney%20World/DisneyWorld031.jpg) outside the gift shop
The crazy kid again, this time with a HUGE Kermit wall clock (http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y162/theprawncracker/Disney%20World/DisneyWorld032.jpg)
Gonzo from the fountain (http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y162/theprawncracker/Disney%20World/DisneyWorld034.jpg)
Fozzie from the fountain (http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y162/theprawncracker/Disney%20World/DisneyWorld035.jpg)
My favorite fountain picture (http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y162/theprawncracker/Disney%20World/DisneyWorld037.jpg)
Kermit and Piggy in the Christmas Parade (http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y162/theprawncracker/Disney%20World/DisneyWorld033.jpg)
And last, but not least, my favorite picture from the whole trip, this GORGEOUS painting of Kermit and Piggy (http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y162/theprawncracker/Disney%20World/DisneyWorld049.jpg) on a building.

And there you go gang! Muppet*Vision 3D! :D

[redBoobergurl]

Awesome pics Ryan!!! Thanks for sharing them with us! :)

[Barry Lee]

yeyyyy! Wonderful review and pictures my prawn. We might be planning to go to WDW in '08. Hopefully. :zany:

[Skye]

Awesome report, Ryan! I'm sorry you didn't find as much Muppet stuff as you were hoping for, but it sounds like you did track down some rully cool things, and I'm so glad you had a great time! Thanks for taking the time to tell us all about it! :)

Totally great pictures, too!! Love 'em, and I'm so glad you were able to put them up. Thanks for sharing them with us!

[Vic Romano]

Anyway, when you get into the actual store you are... Well, rather dissapointed. One third of the store is Muppet stuff, I'm not even sure what the rest of the stuff in there was... It looked to be maybe baby stuff in one third, and just plain Disney World stuff in the other that you can find anywhere in any of the parks.
The whole store was only completely filled with Muppet stuff for only a short time after MV3D originally opened. In talking with a cast member (years and years ago), I was told that at that time, Brian and Jane Henson had complete control over the Muppet's merchandise and that Disney wasn't allowed to manufacture additional Muppet merch unless it was MV3D related. As you can imagine, that created difficulty determining if creating a Kermit plush with a MV3D tag was acceptable or if it was infringing on actual Muppet copyright. The idea was to create a new MV3D movie with the Muppets so that Disney could tailor the type of Muppet merchandise that was acceptable to manufacture on their terms. Of course this never happened (but has been a rumor for years) and the splintering of the original Disney contract as well as the mess the Muppets went through in their various owners, sharply decreased any Muppet merchandise whatsoever, and the park was forced into cutting back their Muppet stock, therefore opening the rest of the building to other various resort related merchandise. This is all heresay though as it was an informal conversation between a Disney cast member and a Disney guest.

There were NO Muppet pins, at all.
The pins (or rather one or two of the pins) should have been available at a small cart outside the entrance of the theatre closer to the Pizza Planet restaurant in front of the fountain (that's where my photos of the pins were shot). Disney pins are traded among Disney guests and cast members more frequently then purchased. The rare pins are only available upon trade. 9 out of ten times, pins won't be found in stores, but rather the kisosk stands around the parks (however, the store you enter upon exiting the Pirates of the Caribbean ride has a great selection of pins and is a great spot for a beginner pin collector to start).

...the ONLY Muppet thing I saw was actually really cool, a portait painting of Animal hanging in one of the "Art of Disney" stores. Yup, that was my Muppet stuff for Day Four.
Noting that a lot of the stuff I had posted in my thread is no longer available at the Muppet store, isn't surprising at all at the unbelievably high rate that Disney rotates their stock. I'm actually surprised some of the stuff I posted actually is still there. I think it's fair to acknowledge though that these illustrations you saw (of which I'd really like to see if you can scan and post those, Ry) will be extremely varied in both appearance and availability as the art in Downtown Disney rotates stock at an even higher rate due to the fact that a) it's original art that Disney limits the amount of prints for so that the value of said print remains high for the buyer, b) Artists prints that are available for sale are individual commissions. In other words, Disney artists aren't necessarily assigned to draw certain characters, but rather have some liberty in the creation of those characters. Obviously Mickey and Pooh will be done often as a top seller, but they are encouraged to draw other lesser known characters. And c) because of popularity of certain characters over others, stock on those characters will rotate faster during the "on seasons" (summer, Christmas, Spring break) where there might be less of a selection during the off season (winter, early Fall, etc.).

All in all, the new merchandise sounds really cool (any chance of getting a shot of that Piggy liberty statue posted?). Also glad to here the statue of Kermit made it into the MV3D store. Great report, Ry.

Currently the missus and I are planning our next visit in early 2008. I'm planning on making a "What To Do If You're Going to Walt Disney World" thread. I strongly encourage every member here that does go to WDW or WDL to give us reports like this, they're very helpful!

[theprawncracker]

Hey Vic, I've actually got pics of my illustrations and some of the stuff from Diz right now. :D

Picture frame (http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y162/theprawncracker/Pics006.jpg)
Snowglobe (http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y162/theprawncracker/Pics008.jpg)
Alarm Clock/Bobbleheads (http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y162/theprawncracker/Pics013.jpg)
Kermit and the banjo (http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y162/theprawncracker/Pics053.jpg)
Animal (http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y162/theprawncracker/Pics054.jpg)
Kermit (http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y162/theprawncracker/Pics055.jpg)

[MrsPepper]

So I finally get to the Muppet lot, pass the Muppet*Vision fence sign with Kermit's face next to "Jim Henson's Muppet*Vision 3D" (http://static.flickr.com/8/7691573_ebda50a2ce_t.jpg), took my picture there (I stood in the same place as MrsPepper!!:excited: ).
YAY! Good for you! That's exciting! :excited:

I didn't get to see the fountain when I went because of the maintenance, so you were lucky!

[a_Mickey_Muppet]

Hey Vic, I've actually got pics of my illustrations and some of the stuff from Diz right now.

Picture frame (http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y162/theprawncracker/Pics006.jpg)
Snowglobe (http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y162/theprawncracker/Pics008.jpg)
Alarm Clock/Bobbleheads (http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y162/theprawncracker/Pics013.jpg)
Kermit and the banjo (http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y162/theprawncracker/Pics053.jpg)
Animal (http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y162/theprawncracker/Pics054.jpg)
Kermit (http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y162/theprawncracker/Pics055.jpg)



VERY cool prawncracker! my aunt JUST got back from Disney World and brought me back that same Muppet frame! :D i LOVE it. The Kermit & banjo pic LOOKS JUST like my kermie tattoo! and the globe...i'm SOOOOooo jealous dude! lol :zany:

[Fozzie Bear]

Stevie, PM me please; your inbox is full.

[Katzi428]

Wow!GREAT stuff Ry!:D Looks like you had a blas....er....great time!

[Ilikemuppets]

Thats was really cool Ryan! Thanks for sharing!