If this brings in extra people to Muppet Vision 3D then I'll say its a success.  Looks good, thats for sure.

BEEKER! I love these two! If these two end up looking as good as the Dino that works his way through Animal Kingdom, then this could be a real crowd pleaser! Thanks, Jim for the inside scoop!

Now THIS is a good way to be using the Muppet characters!

(And THIS is more in line with the type of stories I like to see 'round these parts...I don't care if you cover good news vs. bad news...I just want INTERESTING news)

I love the Muppets, and this is one of the greatest ways to integrate them into the theme parks. Looking forward to it!

Thanks for the picture, Jim.

The image was included in a presentation that was sent out by Jay Rosoulo to all Cast Members regarding updates from the Disney Parks press event that took place this past week.

Now they need to make Animal! (on a chain, behind a drum set, antagonizing guests)

Maybe this belongs in the other comment section, but here's what I was expecting to read:

How much this project cost, since costs were paid in actual US dollars, not paper stock. This expense doesn't fall under maintenance or payroll - are executives concerned about this output of dollars to get something that can't be advertised as an attraction, and won't to pulll anyone into the park? It's a curious thing to see, but I don't see people getting inspired to fly across the country for it. So if it's ok to spend money on this...

Included in costs, did we really need to pay a consultant's fee for Goeltz? A moderately talented puppeteer can re-create these puppets without measuring the original puppets. I realize Imagineers have a history of calling in consultants to get exact dimensions or the smallest details, but all that usually ends up achieving is an extra line of fun facts in the press release or trivia book.

Is this really perceived as that advanced? What cutting edge technology was used that wasn't used in the Lion King Celebration Parade a decade or so back? The characters have no eye movement, and as far as I can tell no hand movement - basically a plain ventriloquist doll on remote control - few other characters would offer this low-tech option of "living." Most kids have seen a remote controlled toy - this is just a larger version.

The company has advanced AA characters - Wicked Witch at MGM, dueling pirates in Paris - that are even better because of the strong storyline. Technologically advanced (freewheeling AA figures) obscure characters, yet without a strong storyline - what has been achieved? The characters are physically removed from small kids, and parents mumble "what were their names again?"  Technology for the sake of technology is fine, but it doesn't always entertain.

There's a much bigger bang for your buck paying a really good face character of Snow White or Jasmine. If you don't believe me, just watch the autograph line when the character performer is talented. If you want to use remote control technology, introduce those Feld rubber heads that incorporate eye and mouth movements. Combine technology with recognizable characters to enhance guest experience = money well spent.  

Whil curmudgeon has a valid points, I disagree entirely. I don't think the question of value is always about 'how cutting edge' the technology is. I think you can break new ground (and more importantly be more entertaining) by using existing technology in new and inventive ways too.

And let's not complain about Disney spending $$ to get something RIGHT. I have no problem with them paying Goeltz to come in and check things out... now mention how much Ann Leibowitz got paid for her pictures (and the stars too) and my head will explode!!!

Just speaking for me personally, I think almost any halfway decent looking person can pull off a face character... while making a animal or muppet come to life is something special (and Im not talking about a monkey/muppet suit either).

And lastly, it's this type of thing that makes me want to go to DCA when I visit DL.

I applaud this and hope it continues.

Great!  Keep the Muppet news coming...

As you can see from my avatar, I had an up close experience with Lucky when he was visiting Animal Kingdom. In all, about 10 different 8 year olds and myself got to meet him. I guess the handler just saw how fascinated I was with Lucky (I followed him closely along his entire route) and figured I'd appreciate getting a close encounter with the dino, who seemed to like my hat. That moments ranks among some of my favorite Disney memories. The promise of the Mobile Lab and other such encounters is a great sign for the direction character interaction at the parks will take.

I wonder if one day walk-around characters will be primarily AAs- particularly characters that can't translate to actors,

Westworld anyone?

Ooh, smelliness. I want to see Beaker and Honeydew out east!  However, I also t hink there could have been more amusing characters to use. What about Fozzi? Or Gonzo? I think either of them would be more recognizable and it would be easier to get amusement out of people from them. Oh well.

Its great that they will be testing it in DCA.

I have a feeling that eventually it will end up in MGM studios florida.

If the plan for DCA goes thru and the Muppets 3d is closed and replaced with Philharmagic having just tthose two characters roaming might be a bit strange.

It would be nice if they kept the muppets alive though and continued to come up with ways of using them in the park without having to have an attraction.  Maybe eventually a real attraction in one of the empty buildings in that area is built.

I love what disney has done here. Kudos to them. I think that this looks to be very intertaining for kids and adults.

The Mur said:

Westworld anyone?

I was thinking more the Itchy & Scratchyland episode of the Simpsons with the berzerk robots.

It looks great, and exciting.  Anything to boost the Muppets exposure in the parks is great and needed.  I think Disney has fallen short when it comes to tapping in to the potential that the Muppets offer.

Ha ha HA, this just about made my day.  I love seeing Disney actually <i>use</i> the Muppets in the parks!

By the way, the Brinbaum's Walt Disney World 2007 lists Mama Melrose's Ristorante Italiano as up for retheming.  Is it too much to hope for The Great Gonzo's Pandemonium Pizza Parlor after all of this time?

Jim Hill walks us through the recent history of the Muppet Holding Company / Muppet Studios LLC. Which has blown through a trio of Disney VPs in the past three years. Does Lylle Breier now have what it takes to restore this beloved set of characters to