Muppet Courtyard is a land within a land. Situated near the streets of America, the area has a New York feel to it, but you can tell that something wacky is going around in this space. Keep your eyes open because this one small area is bursting with subtle and not-so-subtle gems that are sure to give Muppet fans a good laugh.
1. The sign board in the entrance
Pause a moment in the entrance to Muppet Vision 3-D and really read the sign board. You’ll find a guide to the many Muppet-led departments in the building. Statler and Waldorf are Curmudgeons in Chief of the Institute of Heckling and Browbeating. Check the location and you’ll see it’s listed as “Box A Mezz” which is right where you’ll find them sitting during the show. The Swedish Chef is the Tippy Top Cookie Guy for the Muppet Kitchens and Pyrotechnic Research. The Department of Poulty and Mold Cultivation is headed by The Great Gonzo, and Kermit heads the Academy of Amphibian Science.
The suite numbers are worth reading on the sign as well. Miss Piggy doesn’t just have a suite, she’s in “Very Suite 4444.” Bean Bunny is “2 Suite 4 U.” There are several more gags on the rest of the directory so make sure you pause and give it a read. Unless a show is about to start, you can afford to take your time getting in the building because you’ll simply wait in the preshow room once you’re inside anyway.
2. The key under the mat
Heading into the Muppet Vision building, you’ll spot a sign that says “Back in 5 minutes.” Keep reading and you’ll see it helpfully lets you know that the key is under the mat.
Lift up the mat on the ground and you really will spot the hidden key. This fun find is particularly amusing to children who like peeking under the rug to see what’s there.
3. The Mickey in the fountain
The Miss Piggy fountain outside Muppet Vision 3D is hard to miss, but if you don’t stroll all the way around you might not see the fountain’s own signature hidden Mickey. He’s not a classic Mickey and instead resembles the imposter Mickey that Waldo transforms into during the show, but it’s a fun find nevertheless.
4. The writing on the walls
Keep your eye on the exterior walls of the building around Muppet courtyard and you’ll find several fun signs. A hastily painted note over a warehouse door designates the Props Department of Rizzo Rat. The Swedish Chef’s Editing and Catering services are noted on another wall. The jokes in the wording range from subtle to glaringly obvious. See if you can figure out the chuckle in each one.
5. Gift shop signage
The signs only get wackier when you enter the gift shop. Though your eyes will probably be drawn to the merchandise, don’t miss all the fun extras that adorn the shop. Notices like “No Point Beyond This Point”” and “Chickens Only Beyond This Point” give you a hint as to what you’re getting into. Here you’re fully ensconced in the world of the Muppets and their humorous out-of-the-box thinking is evident everywhere you look.
6. Cast signage
Every part of Walt Disney World has Cast only doors that guests can’t enter. Don’t worry, most of them don’t lead to anything more exciting than a stock room or break room. What’s more interesting is the signage featured on these doors. While some are drab and to the point, others really get into the theming of the area. The signs in Muppet Courtyard are obviously the latter. All the Cast Member doors are marked by Pork Security for Muppet Labs Personnel Only.
7. Unusual eyes
The obvious Muppet characters aren’t the only things that take on a life of their own in Muppet Courtyard. This lamp has an interesting feature on top. It’s sprouted its very own eyes, and it looks a bit suspicious. Two more sets of eyes are hidden in the scrollwork above the Miss Piggy clock.
8. The untidy paint job
Muppet Courtyard appears to be getting a new paint job, but as you might expect, the professionals doing the job aren’t too professional at all. The new yellow paint has been used on the old walls to make notes like “Gone to Lunch” and “Wet Paint.” In several places you’ll see splatters and spills that add just the right feel of whimsy and chaos to a space overrun with Muppets.
9. The Electric Mayhem
If you’re a real fan of the Muppet Show, you’ll instantly recognize the Electric Mayhem house band. You can find them all mid-performance on a shelf in the Muppet gift shop.
10. The dressing rooms
Looking upward is a great way to spot details that often go unnoticed around the theme parks. The second level of the Muppet gift shop features a hallway of dressing rooms that look identical to the ones used on the original Muppet Show set from the 70s. Haphazard clotheslines are strung across the corner and you’ll see several Muppet-size outfits hanging from them, including a pair of shorts that look suspiciously like something worn by a well-known mouse.
Muppet Courtyard is a wild and silly spot that adults and children alike can get a chuckle out of. Cast your eyes upward to take it all in and you’re sure to spot at least a few features that tickle you.
