by The Muppets have been missing from Liberty Square at the Magic Kingdom for quite some time now. What happened to them and when will they be back?
“The Muppets Presents… Great Moments in History” is a Magic Kingdom fan favorite. From hilarious quips to zany humor, everyone could enjoy this amusing pop-up show.
If you’re unfamiliar with Great Moments in History, the show took place above the Hall of Presidents in the Magic Kingdom’s Liberty Square. The Muppets would seemingly pull of impromptu recreations of some of America’s most iconic and almost legendary stories. Kermit, Miss Piggy, Fozzy, and Gonzo dressed in Colonial costumes recreated these stories while the patriotic Sam Eagle proudly narrated segments.
Sadly, the show stopped its daily run back in the fall of 2019. Since then, Muppets fans have survived with the scarcity of attractions based on the iconic characters. But what happened to “The Muppets Presents… Great Moments in History” and why are they missing from Liberty Square. Since then, the show has also been removed from Walt Disney World’s site.
The case of the missing Muppets ties into several ideas around theme park entertainment. The Muppets were introduced to Liberty Square as a crowd-pleasing, character-driven mini show. Unlike The Hall of Presidents where guests picked seats to watch a theatre show, Great Moments is something to stop and watch as you stroll.
Now, that’s not to say that the show is less than any other. In fact, the Muppets are very well received by guests who view them. So, why did Disney pull the plug on their show? To simplify, the Muppets were likely cut due to funding. The mini show requires several paid puppeteers to perform throughout the day. These type of entertainers don’t come cheap as puppeteering is a very specific learned skill.
After Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge failed to pull in initial crowds during the expansion’s opening, several entertainment offerings resort wide were cut or limited. Also, the Muppets haven’t gone from the Magic Kingdom forever. Instead, the show has been switched to seasonal operation.
During the holidays, “The Muppets Presents… Great Moments in History” returned to entertain the massive crowds. Disney also has them returning for Presidents Day Weekend, February 15-17, 2020. We wouldn’t be surprised to see them on the schedule for spring break in April and back again for Thanksgiving.
However, only time will tell what will happen with the Muppets. For those who enjoy Sam Eagle’s robust patriotism, he’ll have a new home in Epcot. The character is the mascot of the upcoming Regal Eagle Smokehouse in Epcot!
2020 Guidebook
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