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The Walt Disney World Resort has confirmed the closure of Muppet*Vision 3D to make way for a new Monsters, Inc.-themed land, leaving many fans mourning the loss of the beloved attraction. While the decision marks the end of an era for Muppet*Vision 3D, it also raises another question: why is Star Wars Launch Bay still operational?
The Origins of Star Wars Launch Bay
Star Wars Launch Bay was introduced in 2015 at both Disneyland and Disney World as a placeholder attraction, meant to tide fans over until Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge was complete. The space offered guests a walkthrough experience featuring costumes, concept art, props, and meet-and-greets with characters like Chewbacca and Darth Vader, serving the dual purpose of increasing park capacity and promoting the then-ongoing Star Wars sequel trilogy.
Credit: Theme Park Tourist, Flickr
However, the purpose of Launch Bay became pretty much redundant once Galaxy’s Edge opened in 2019, bringing with it highly immersive rides like Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run and Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance. With Star Wars fans now fully catered to, Launch Bay faded into irrelevance, exacerbated by the pandemic and the waning popularity of the sequel trilogy.
Disneyland Resort permanently closed its Launch Bay in 2020, and Shanghai Disneyland shuttered its version in 2019 after three years. Yet, against all odds, Disney World’s Star Wars Launch Bay lives on.
A Space Without Purpose
Located in the Animation Courtyard at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, Star Wars Launch Bay continues to operate as an exhibit showcasing Star Wars memorabilia and hosting character meet-and-greets. While functional, the attraction lacks excitement and contributes little to the overall theme of the courtyard, which has been in flux for years.
Credit: Disney
Nearby, Voyage of the Little Mermaid has been closed for years (though it’s rumored to return in 2025), Disney Junior Play and Dance! struggles to attract attention, and Walt Disney Presents offers a pared-down version of the once-inspiring One Man’s Dream. The entire area feels like a shadow of its former self, making the continued existence of Launch Bay all the more perplexing.
Why Would Disney Close Muppet*Vision 3D?
Choosing Muppet*Vision 3D to host a Monsters, Inc. land adds more questions than answers. While the Pixar franchise isn’t necessarily a perfect thematic fit for the Animation Courtyard – which is theoretically dedicated to the art of animation itself – it would bring fresh energy to an area that desperately needs it.
Credit: Theme Park Tourist, Flickr
By contrast, Launch Bay occupies valuable space without generating significant foot traffic or excitement, making it a prime candidate for redevelopment.
The enduring presence of Star Wars Launch Bay is particularly baffling given the abundance of Star Wars content already available at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. With Galaxy’s Edge offering a fully immersive experience, Launch Bay feels like a relic of a bygone era – and yet, it still manages to outlive Muppet*Vision 3D. We’re as baffled as you are.
Is it time for Disney to finally let go of Star Wars Launch Bay?
