Nestled behind the Streets of America, Muppet courtyard welcomes guests to the show, which runs continuously. Once you enter the building, you first view a pre-show, where Kermit and his friends are getting ready for '...the big test screening of Muppet-Vision 3D!'. Then, a Muppet Lab technician will appear and tell you (3) things. They will tell you (1) not to put on your 3D glasses until you are seated in the theater, (2) not to sit in the topmost row, and (3) not to stand in front of the yellow line. But here comes the fun part of the blog... why should I listen to them!?
3D Glasses Safety
Ok, so let's talk 3D Glasses, and safety. To briefly explain how 3D glasses work, they function because they polarize light. A 3D movie seperates the light as though it is projected from two projectors seperated behind you, each projecting what one eye would see normally (and Muppet-Vision 3D actually has two projectors if you look behind you from your seat) and the glasses polarize the light back together in such a way it allows for depth perception from the flat screen.
So now the riddle: Why is it less safe to walk with 3D glasses on?
Answer: Because they effect the light around you and change your depth perception, thus increasing your probability of tripping. So listen to the cast member, and carry the glasses until you sit down and are instructed to put them on.
Another safety concern with 3D glasses mainly arises when they are in direct sunlight. 3D glasses are not designed to be worn outside, so they should not be used as sunglasses as they have no UV protection. And because they reduce the amount of sunlight reaching your eyes, your pupils enlarge and allows more UV radiation than normal to enter your eye, which causes eye damage, similar to staring at the sun.
But here's a hint, to prevent that safety concern, don't steal the glasses! (I know, it seems obvious, but somehow some people seem to forget to return their 3D glasses so they can be santizied and used again) And on that note, one may ask if the 3D glasses are clean. The easy answer to that question is yes. In order for the glasses to be placed out on trays, if they are not brand new, they have been stacked, washed, sanitized, heated, and brought back for your enjoyment to blend in with their brand new friends- there are mandated procedures of clenliness, and Disney is a very very clean company. But occasionally, you may get a pair of glasses that has something stuck on the lens, but if it is stuck on the lens, rest assured it is very clean and sanitary debris. So just hand it to a cast member and pick up another pair :)
Height Requirement
Muppet-Vision 3D is an accessible attraction. So when the cast member asks you not to sit in the top most row, it's because it is reserved for wheelchairs and thier parties. And, after the renovation completed late last year, there are now accessible spaces for wheelchair or ECV/scooter guests in the front most row as well, and appriopriate railings down the exit ramp outside of the theater. The theater itself is really unique, too, as bubbles may fall from the ceiling and air movement around the space creates the illusion of the whole place being 'sucked up' and 'blown up' at various points throughout the show. It also is an attraction that has many of the services for guests with disabilities options including reflective captioning, handheld captioning, assisted listening, audio description, and even can be translated into 5 other languages with the Ears To the World: Disney's Show Translator devices.
Riddle: So why should I listen to the cast member and not sit in the wheelchair section if I am ambulatory?
Answer: Courtesy. And, if you make a guest in an ECV or scooter upset, safety, as those vehicles really hurt if they run over your toes. (trust me on that one)
-or-
Riddle: Why should I watch the show from an approved wheelchair space if I am in a wheelchair?
Answer: Because if you don't, you risk blocking an emergency exit, and the several hundred people rushing to evacuate the theater in the chance of an emergency could act like a stampede from the Lion King. And think of how much fun Mufasa had with them... be safe, choose to park in the approved sections.
Yellow Lines and Safety
The yellow line in the pre-show room shows the strike zone of the automatic doors. So if any guest is standing in front of it, the doors won't open as a cast member needs to activate the automatic doors. That is simple safety, as who really wants to get hit by an automatic door?
If one is really nosy and further ponders why doesn't Disney just build the doors to open in the other direction so the doors would have no chance of hitting me? Then you might wander through them and realize there are guests on the other side of the doors who also would not appreciate a door swinging in their direction. So as you are between the theater guests and the emergency evacuation routes, the doors get to open into the pre-show area, or 'towards you' as the host/hostess will announce before you enter the theater.
Kermit's Favorite Weather
Thunderstorms and even hurricanes are some of Kermit's favorite weather (not just because he's a frog and likes water) because the building is a storm shelter. So one may discover that in the middle of the summer or in a severe storm, that it becomes quite appealing to watch the show more than once, trust me, the show is classic.
So is that more safety information about the Muppets than you ever wanted to know? :)
Thank you for reading, please remove your 3D glasses, gather your belongings, take small children by the hand, and have a magical day...
