The Muppets visit the Future … at EPCOT
Remember those stories from earlier this year, when Dr. Bunsen Honeydew and his assistant Beaker roamed Disney’s California Adventure on board of their “Muppet Mobile Lab” christened rolling rocket-ship? Remember the numerous reports on how stunning the experience was for guests who were able to interact with the two characters from the beloved Muppets? Still annoyed you might have missed them? Well, here comes your second chance to see the latest effort from Imagineering’s “Living Creature Initiative”.
As the Orlando Sentinel reports today the “Muppet Mobile Lab” has arrived at EPCOT in Walt Disney World for several weeks of testing. The two muppet characters arrive from backstage in their rocket ship style vehicle in EPCOT’s Future World where they roll into the park, along the way interacting with guests before stopping for a 12-minute “show” - partially scripted, partially improvisational - in the vincinity of Mission: Space.
The “Muppet Mobile Lab” already proofed popular with guests (and fans alike) in DCA and it seems no different at EPCOT’s Future World. According to the Orlando Sentinel the lab had guests following it to the spot for the “show” along the way. Orlando Sentinel further cites Christopher Holm, director of the principle technical staff of the project, stating that Disney Imagineering officials are as interested in testing the various components as they are in testing “the entire package, for possible transfer to other characters or locations”. DLRP fan speaking here: what about us?? We did not even get paid a visit by Lucky the dinosaur, which was the predecessor of the “Muppet Mobile Lab”. Do some testing in Europe - please?
Back to Orlando: as Imagineering is only testing the “Muppet Mobile Lab” there is no schedule released for the performances. In fact Dr. Bunsen Honeydew and his assistant Beaker may decide on some days to stay completely hidden away in their laboratory … but at least guests visiting EPCOT in the coming weeks (so far no information has been provided how long “a few weeks” of testing will actually be) have the chance to meet them and thus get a close look at some of the latest developments that Imagieering is preparing for the future of the Disney theme parks.