Mouse Extra

Jim Hill Media has been at the forefront of reporting on the upcoming Muppet Mobile Lab that Imagineering has been working on.  According to Mr. Hill’s site this morning, the new “living character initiative” is close to completion and may debut at Disney’s California Adventure in the coming weeks.  He also has obtained a great photograph of Dr. Bunsen Honeydew and his sidekick Beaker at work.

photo courtesy of Jim Hill Media

According to some of Mr. Hill’s earlier reporting, the Muppet Mobile Lab should be duplicated for the Disney-MGM Studios, assuming of course that it tests well enough in California to justify it with the bean counters in Florida.  For fans of Disney World and the Muppets, keep your fingers crossed.  This has the potential of being a great addition to the Studios and the Muppet franchise.

Let’s assume for a moment it works and entertains.  This does two positive things.  First, it signals a growth in the “living character initiative” along the lines of Lucky the Dinosaur that impressed so well at the Animal Kingdom.  This technology can be truly amazing and adding humor to it has loads of potential.  Second, and perhaps even more important, is that it finally shows some much needed progress in Disney bringing the best out of the Muppet franchise.  Since the moment the ink dried on Disney’s purchase of the Muppets, we have all been waiting to see great things out of the marriage.  But since that time, we have only been disappointed.  Could this be the turnaround?  I laughed at just the photo!