Chapter 18 – Hollywood Studios - Muppets Courtyard – Part2                                                                                                                                                                                        posted  5/6/23

Before we proceed, let’s look around Muppet Courtyard.
The backstage gate before the Grand Avenue expansion showed the way to Muppetvision 3D. Grand Avenue opened in 2017.
Water Tower before Gonzo started his business.
Muppets Courtyard and Pizza Planet before 2017. Background on the changes,checkout Chapter 17 - Muppets Courtyard - part 1
        Tomato delivery for the Pizza making.
When you're on the Balcony of PizzeRizzo, look over to the windows across the alley. The dual windows are inscribed with the following:

                Abe                                   Suits Made        Moskowitz                                to Order
       Tailor                                  One Flight up
 
And the window next to this has written on it:
        ABC
        Secretarial
       School
Note: Abraham Moskowitz worked as a tailor, he was also a talented Yiddish language singer and became involved in the booming "ethnic" recording industry in the 1910s.
We are still researching on what connections these windows have with Hollywood Studios and Walt Disney.
   When you head down the alley during the Christmas Season, you'll notice that Santa is planning to make a delivery at the     Firehouse.
Just a quick look back.
  The alleyway of Muppets Courtyard during the evening.
Now that we took a little short tour of Muppet Courtyard, let’s go and check out some of the shops and restaurant in the Courtyard. They are attractions in their own regard.
It's a Wonderful Shop
Parkside Antiques Shop
Tucked away in Muppet Courtyard between Mama Melrose's Ristorante and Pizza Planet (now PizzeRizzo) is Parkside Antiques.
 
The Parkside Antiques set has been decorated for the filming of a Christmas production inside and out. The store windows have been adorned with a slogan: "It's a Wonderful Shop for Holiday Gifts".
No matter what time of the year it is, inside It’s A Wonderful Shop it’s Christmas all year long.
Guests will find all sorts of fun Christmas merchandise including ornaments, stockings and more.  Outside the shop you will find a dapper snowman.
 
It’s A Wonderful Shop, opened in June 1992, is dressed for Christmas year-round.
click on photos to enlarge
The shop itself isn't that large but it is one of those places that makes you feel happy. Guests can buy all kinds of Christmas and even Hanukkah ornaments to decorate your tree and your house.
Additional:
Stage 1 Company Store – The Muppet Shop
Stage One Company Store is designed so its interior looked like a stage set of the Happiness Hotel from the movie 'The Great Muppet Caper'. It is located near the exit of the MuppetVision 3D attraction.
The store primarily sells Muppet merchandise, but includes other Disney items as well.
 
Before entering the Store, let's walk around the outside of the Stage 1 Company Store and check the its exterior.
The Exterior
 Stage 1 Company Store – Muppet Stuff.
Dr. Bunsen Honeydew
Store entrance with the Face of Beaker on the awning and a clock face with Miss Piggy above it.
     Silhouette of Gonzo painted to the wall.
Looks like he painted himself into the corner.
I wouldn't stand here.
 Status of Kermit the Frog guarding both sides of the entrance
Door to the Swedish Chef’s Editing and Catering
Picture
 Back door to Props Department, but I’m sure I would not stand there either.
Billboard above building advertising the MuppetVision 3D Show.
Paid for by THE FUND TO KEEP MISS PIGGY HAPPY.
The Interior
This shop is home to exclusive Muppet*Vision 3D merchandise, including clothes, hats, toys and pins as well as a wide range of other Disney theme park merchandise. The Stage One Company Store also offers unique Disney cels art and sketches.
 It may be a gift shop, but the store is loaded with hilarious, easily overlooked, Muppet references.
 
The interior of the store features set pieces and props including a recreation of The Happiness Hotel from “The Great Muppet Caper” and "The Magic Store".

Note: "The Magic Store" was written for The Muppet Movie. It is sung by Kermit the Frog and the cast when they get ready to start production on a movie after getting a Hollywood contract.
Background:
A puppet recreation of The Electric Mayhem, the coolest band in the entire world can be seen inside the store on a small shelf. However, their diminutive size doesn’t keep them from rocking!
As guests enter the shop from the main entrance, they’ll pass through an area that looks like all the junk that the Muppets have collected were just stored here. But they’re props for???



As guests move further into the shop, they’ll enter an area that pays homage to the Happiness Hotel, the dilapidated residential hotel in London as seen in “The Great Muppet Caper.”
In the movie, Kermit, Fozzie and Gonzo were directed to the hotel after seeking free lodgings. You can’t beat the price when your options for payment are: credit card, cash or just sneaking out in the middle of the night.
Hanging across the balcony is a clothesline with pants and shirts left out to dry.

If you look at the clothes closely, you’ll notice a mouse might be missing his pants.
As guests look around the shop, there are references to the Muppet and their movies.
 
By one of the entrances are lockers reminiscent of those used as beds in “The Muppets Take Manhattan”.

Above the rafters, Miss Piggy has been 
        immortalized...and graffitied.
On one of the walls is a wanted posted on Constantine He is the world's "Number One" criminal and a doppelgänger of Kermit the Frog. He is the main antagonist in the film “Muppets Most Wanted”, along with his sidekick Dominic Bad guy (aka "Number Two"). Constantine sets out to steal the Crown Jewels of England.
 
It you look close at this backdrop you notice The El Sleezo Café.

The El Sleezo Cafe is a rough dive featured in “The Muppet Movie”. An establishment so unruly even the owner is thrown out, the food at the El Sleezo includes variations on frog legs. The clientele is a motley collection of bikers, sailors, lumberjacks, cowboys, one-eyed midgets, and other tough customers. Entertainment, while normally supplied by the El Sleezo Cuties, is provided by Fozzie Bear with accompaniment provided by a piano player on the night that Kermit visits.
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There are also various backdrops and signage throughout the Shop
.click on photo to enlarge.
And, of course, there is the Shop with all of the Muppet merchandise.
 
Source:
Mama Melrose
When the development of Muppet Studios was cancelled, the concept of an Italian restaurant in the heart of Hollywood Studios was transformed into Mama Melrose's Ristorante Italiano. Mama Melrose's Ristorante Italiano was originally supposed to be The Great Gonzo's Pizza Pandemonium Parlor.
View from inside Mama Melrose Restaurant and alley way.
Tasty Food Photography
Wonder how many guests noticed that there is a Magic Shop right above the entrance of Mama Melrose Ristorante.
 
 The window above Mama Melrose’s Ristorante is reference to the Disney Movie. “Now You See Him, Now You Don’t”.

Now You See Him, Now You Don't is a 1972 Walt Disney Productions comedy film starring Kurt Russell as a chemistry student who accidentally discovers the secret to invisibility. It is the sequel to the 1969 film The Computer Wore Tennis Shoes and was followed by 1975's The Strongest Man in the World.
Found:
The Backstory

We come to realize that every attraction and restaurant in Walt Disney World has a unique story that helps to explain its theme and cuisine, and Mama Melrose’s Ristorante Italiano is no exception.
The story goes that a girl from a village in Sicily traveled to Hollywood to see if she could become a star. After cooking traditional Italian meals from home for her acting friends, she realized that cooking was her main talent. So, she opened a restaurant in the backlot of one of the studios and began cooking her traditional Italian recipes with California inspired twists. Her friends and customers soon dubbed her Mama Melrose after the famous Hollywood Street and returned time and again to eat her food, making her a legend.
Mama Melrose’s Ristorante Italiano is supposed to feel like a warehouse in a studio backlot, there are plenty of industrial touches to make it seem authentic.
click on photo to enlarge
Resource:
Geiger's Rare Books

You may know about the many windows along Hollywood Boulevard and Sunset Boulevard that reference classic Hollywood but there are some other windows in the parks that are less well known.
Above the Mama Melrose's Ristorante Italiano is one such window that is a classic movie reference that many miss.
The window says,
Geiger's
Rare Books
1st Editions
The window is a reference to the film, "The Big Sleep" (1945) starring Humphrey Bogart.  In the film, Bogart as private eye Philip Marlowe is hired to investigate a man by the name of Arthur Gwynn Geiger, who is suspected of blackmailing.  Bogart visits the store Geiger owns, called A.G. Geiger's Rare Books and De Luxe Editions.

Seek:

Backlot Theater (or also known as The Premiere Theater)
In 1993, the Backlot Theater opened near New York Street just behind the MuppetVision 3D Theater exit.  This 1,500-seat theater was home to many two major introductions and productions.
The Backlot Theater was originally intended as the location for the major attraction at the Muppet Studios, The Great Muppet Movie Ride, announced to open in Spring 1993, but as we’ve mentioned, it never happened. (See Hollywood Studios - Chapter 17 - Muppets Courtyard - Part 1)
 
Note: The Premiere Theater has been discussed in this Chapter because it was easily accessed from the back of Muppet Courtyard.
Below is the production that the Backlot Theater has presented:
  • Beauty and the Beast – Live on Stage (1993–94; built on a temporary basis while Theater of the Stars was being constructed)
  • The Spirit of Pocahontas (June 23, 1995 – February 24, 1996)
  • The Hunchback of Notre Dame – A Musical Adventure (June 21, 1996 – September 28, 2002)
  • Used for seasonal special events. Night of Joy, Star Wars Weekends, ESPN the Weekend, etc. (January 2008 – July 5, 2014)
  • For the First Time in Forever: A Frozen Sing-Along Celebration (July 5, 2014 – June 16, 2015)
 
Note: This entertainment venue is no longer operating as it has been demolished for Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge
 
List source:
Beauty and the Beast – Live on Stage

The original version opened in November 1991, the same day the film was released. When the Theater of the Stars was moved in September 1993 (to make room for the construction of Sunset Boulevard), the show was temporarily moved to the Premiere Theater near the New York Street. The show reopened in July 1994, in the now-covered and newly rebuilt Theater of the Stars on Sunset Boulevard. For more information on the original Theater of the Stars – see Hollywood Studios Chapter 3 – Hollywood Boulevard – Part 2.
And more about Beauty and the Beast production check out Hollywood Studios – Chapter 9 Sunset Boulevard – Part 2.
 
Link:
Picture
The Spirit of Pocahontas

Using the Backlot theater, which was originally constructed to hold the Beauty and the Beast stage show, The Spirit of Pocahontas opened in June 1995. The show retold the story of Pocahontas from the perspective of her tribe.

The Spirit of Pocahontas explored the films love story between Pocahontas and John Smith, and the balance between man and nature. This 28-minute show was the first Broadway-style theatrical production at Walt Disney World Resort and included wind, water and fire effects as part of the dramatic retelling of the story.
After what was truly a short run, the show closed after just 8 months in February 1996.

             
It was replaced in June 1996 by The Hunchback of Notre Dame – A Musical Adventure.
Image © Disney
Search:
The Hunchback of Notre Dame: A Musical Adventure

Opening in June 1996, The Hunchback of Notre Dame: A Musical Adventure was a musical show based on the film that took place at the Backlot Theater at Hollywood Studios, as part of Walt Disney World's 25th anniversary celebration. It ran from 1996 (in conjunction with the release of the film) to 2002.
Show Summary

The presentation followed the script of the original animated feature pretty closely, the show traces the life of the orphaned Quasimodo. Despite the efforts of the cold, self-righteous Frollo, the deformed bell ringer eventually finds freedom through his friendship with the beautiful gypsy Esmeralda and the captain of the guard, Phoebus. Set in the Court of Miracles (the Gypsy underworld), this 30-minute show featured many of the characters from the movie, including 13 Gypsy players who brought the story to life via puppetry and props.
The story is told through the use of uplifting musical numbers pulled straight from the film, vibrant costumes, innovative and expressive puppets, and a healthy helping of special effects.
Click on photo to enlarge
In 2002, the show closed at which time the theater began being used for special events such as the Star Wars Weekends and the Night of Joy.
 
For more:
“The Comedy Warehouse Holiday Special”
December 19-January 3, 2017

One of the special events was a family comedy show scheduled for a limited run at the Premiere Theater.

“The Comedy Warehouse Holiday Special” presented the best of improvisational comedy performers, including alumni from the Comedy Warehouse on Pleasure Island, who took suggestions from Guests and add their own brand of humor, right on the spot. The performers hilariously reinvent holiday classics based on suggestions they solicit from the audience, including holiday songs, stories, poems and movie scenarios.
 
Notes:
First Time in Forever: A Frozen Sing-Along Celebration
First Time in Forever: A Frozen Sing-Along Celebration originally opened in the Premiere Theater in July 2014.
In the attraction two royal historians of Arendelle retell Anna and Elsa’s story. Audience members are invited to sing along to many of the prominent song from the film’s soundtrack. The show also includes the appearances of Anna, Elsa, and Kristoff. The show was approximately 30-minutes long.

The show was moved to its current location the Hyperion Theater in June 2015. The Hyperion Theater was the former location of The American Idol Experience, which closed in August 2014. (For more on The Frozen Sing-Along and the Hyperion Theater go to Hollywood Studios Chapter 15 – Echo Lake – Part 3)
 
The Premiere Theater was demolished in 2016 to make way for Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge
 
Source:
Picture

Before 2011, pass the Mama Melrose's Restaurant was a building with Apartments for Rent painted at the top.

This area became many Meet and Greets, and other activities.

Between Mama Melrose’s Restaurant and the Premiere Theater was an open area with building in the background inscribed with APTS. For Rent near the top.
The area was used in 2001 to 2016 for special events and several character’s Meet and Greets, such has Toy Story and Phineas and Ferb.
 
In 2016, the Area, which included Premiere Theater, Streets of America, Backlot Tours and Lights, Motors, Action! Extreme Stunt Show were demolished as part of the development of Toy Story and Star Wars Lands to the park.
 

Al’s Toy Barn 

Al's Toy Barn served as a backdrop for a Toy Story meet and greet at Disney's Hollywood Studios that ran from 2000 to 2011.
It was located off Streets of America behind Mama Melrose's Ristorante Italiano.
 
The set consisted of a facade of Al’s Toy Barn, owned by bad guy, Al McWhiggin. Al McWhiggin is main antagonists animated film, Toy Story 2. He is a greedy toy collector determined to collect rare toys in exchange for money. In the film, he steals Woody to complete his rare collection of "Woody's Roundup" toys.
 
The Meet and Greet had popular Toy Story characters Buzz, Woody, Jessie and Bullseye, and others at Al's Toy Barn. Occasionally the Green Army Men will also make an appearance in their truck.
 
Al's Toy Barn closed in May, 2011 and was replaced by the Phineas and Ferb Meet and Greet.
 
 
Search Results
Phineas and Ferb - Meet & Greet

From around 2011 to 2016, the Stage One Company Store also carried Phineas and Ferb merchandise thanks to their meet and greet outside of the store’s main entrance area.
 
Phineas and Ferb have created a movie set on Disney’s Hollywood Studios Backlot.  It can be found near the exit to Muppet*Vision 3-D.  There is a well organized rope-queue where you’ll find a sign that is intended to bring you into the story
 
Streets of America at Disney’s Hollywood Studios was the host to two popular meet and greets featuring Cars and Phineas & Ferb, but as of last week the meet and greets are now permanently closed.
Note: Characters Phineas (right) and Ferb (left) from the hit Disney Channel series "Phineas and Ferb"
Memory Lane
Lightning McQueen and Mater - Meet and Greet 

Just in-time for the opening of Cars 2 in theaters, the new Lightning McQueen and Mater meet and greet opened at Disney's Hollywood Studios in 2011.  Located just near the exit of Muppet Vision, and next to the new Phineas and Ferb meet and greet, the experience features the Cars in their all new paint, Lightning McQueen has gotten a makeover to reflect his new look from the Cars 2 film.
For the 30th anniversary, in May 2019, the Cars officially moved to Lightning McQueen's Racing Academy behind the Rock’n Rollercoaster.  (see HS Chapter 12 – Rock’n Rollercoaster)
 
Find:
Picture
Star Wars Weekends festival began in 1997 and had been held in 2000, 2001, and annually from 2003 until 2015.
 
In 1997, George Lucas released the Star Wars Special Editions in theaters, re-sparking a love for a whole new generation of individuals. This got this whole new audience engaged with Star Wars, just a few years before the prequel trilogy started arriving in theaters.
 
In 2008, the former Hunchback Theater, now named the Premiere Theater, was being used for hosting several events during the Star Wars Weekends. The preview clips of the new animated film "Star Wars: The Clone Wars" is being shown here.
 
The Hollywood Studios event typically occurred on Friday, Saturday and Sunday for four consecutive weekends in May and June and featured appearances by cast and crew members from Disney's Star Wars created by George Lucas. Many original Disney characters also appeared dressed as Star Wars characters, such as Jedi Mickey, Minnie as Leia, Donald as a stormtrooper, Goofy as Darth Vader and R2-MK (Mickey Mouse stylized astromech droid).
 
The Premiere Theater was used for seasonal special events, such as Star Wars Weekends, etc. from 2008 – 2014)
 
In 2015, Disney discontinued the Star Wars Weekend event due to construction of Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge and the larger daily presence Star Wars will have in the park.
J.C.T. Co. Service Station

Joffrey Coffee kiosk was located just outside the Muppets, between the Cars meet and greet and the Premier Theater.
But it was only open for a short time from 2013 - 2015.

The Joffrey’s coffee kiosk has also closed for business and the area now looks very empty and desolate.
Both meet and greets saw their end because of construction that happening in this location. In 2016, the construction walls showed up to start transforming the area into Star Wars Land.


As guests were going around the Muppet Theater to the Premiere Theater, they would see the Top Secret FX Gen-R8R installed in the backside of Muppet Theater.

What it's purpose was, we're not sure.


(It has been removed in 2017 to make room for the Galaxy’s Edge expansion)


As you walked toward the back of Streets of America across from the Premiere Theater you saw this umbrella hanging from the lamp post. If you grabbed the handle of the umbrella it would start to rain.
 
Just “Singing in the Rain”. ( do you remember the “Great Movie Ride – see Hollywood Studios - Chapter 5 – Great Movie Ride – Part 1)
Walt Disney World is ever changing, as Walt said. Muppets Courtyard was no exception. Next Chapter we will visit one of the new areas "Grand Avenue" which is part of the "Galaxy's Edge" expansion.
Afterword:
WDWMousing.com is designed to be a tour of Walt Disney World through photos. We have been to Walt Disney World countless times over the past 25 years and accumulated a magnitude of photos in that time. This website is an intention to combine two of our favorite pastimes, Walt Disney World and photography, and provide an insightful pictorial tour.
While doing so, we've done an extensive research of the internet and literary sources for background information on each area and attraction. The information is available, but most bits and pieces are scattered all over. WDWMousing doesn't intend to rewrite the stories, legends or data, but to try and collect it into one location with reference and links to the original articles and authors. And giving rightful credit. We've stumbled through quite a bit of mis-information, most of which came to life by fans because the origins were lost, forgotten or no one seems to remember. Over the past 25 years we've also lost most of the great Imagineers that helped develop, design and build the original concepts of Walt Disney World. So we believe it's extremely important to make sure that their efforts, intentions, details and creativity in making this Happiest Place on Earth isn't lost.
So we ask for feedback, insights, and suggestions.

Thank you
WDWMousing

    We would definitely like to hear from you.
    Let us know what your thoughts, suggestions, ideas, and absolutely, if we've missed anything.