Directed by Jim Henson (in his final major project before his death in 1990) and a co-production between Walt Disney Imagineering and Jim Henson Productions, the attraction incorporates the 3D film in conjunction with in-theater 4D effects, such as Audio-Animatronics, lighting, projections, smoke, soap bubbles, and a live full-bodied performer.

Muppet*Vision 3D had a subsequent incarnation which opened in Disney California Adventure on February 8, 2001, and operated at the park until November 1, 2014.

It was filmed in Soundstage 3 at the Walt Disney Studios in January 1990 and directed by Henson and written by Bill Prady.

An agreement to license the Muppets characters to Disney for the theme park attraction was reached, and it officially opened on May 16, 1991, the first anniversary of Henson's death.

[9] On February 8, 2001, Muppet*Vision 3D debuted as an opening day attraction at Disney California Adventure.

[10] Throughout the attraction's operation at Disney California Adventure, the theater was used to present sneak peeks of Tron: Legacy, Frankenweenie, and Oz the Great and Powerful.

The location was renamed to the Sunset Showcase Theater and began showing Walt Disney Pictures film previews in May 2016.

[20] In 2019, the original mural with Kermit and Miss Piggy from The Muppet Movie was removed from the building's side exterior, and was repainted to match the rest of the area's color scheme.

[21] On October 2, 2023, Disney's Hollywood Studios announced that new projection mapping effects were added into their version of the attraction.

[citation needed] In November 2024, Disney announced that Muppet*Vision 3D at Hollywood Studios would close alongside the rest of the Muppet Courtyard to make way for a Monsters, Inc. themed area, stating that they were "having creative conversations and exploring ways to preserve the film and other parts of the experience for fans to enjoy in the future.

[6] Before guests are seated in the theater where the film is shown, they go through the queue, which winds through "Muppet Labs", home of Dr. Bunsen Honeydew and his assistant Beaker.

Guests then enter a large room filled with Muppet "props" and boxes with comical and humorous labels.

In the spring of 2008, the queue was replaced with an eating area for the nearby Award Weiners restaurant in order to provide more seating for it.

From March 2014 to December 2016, the pre-show was edited to include Constantine, the villain from Muppets Most Wanted (2014), to promote the new film.

Likewise, in October 2021, the majority of the pre-show was replaced with a promo for Muppets Haunted Mansion (2021).

The pre-show begins with a construction crew attempting to hang a series of Kodak signs (after Kodak left the sponsorship, the signs were also turned into MuppetVision 3D title cards) and a MuppetVision 3D title card, with comical results.

Fozzie Bear is the first to interrupt, as while it initially appears that he is trying to get the penguins ready in the orchestra, it eventually becomes clear that he is also trying to present his new musical act, The Three Ds.

Next, Gonzo takes center stage in the film when he sends Scooter away to answer the telephone (despite the fact that Muppets do not have one).

The show commences with Statler and Waldorf in their usual box putting on the glasses and heckling the audience.

He also introduces the upcoming acts including a song by Miss Piggy, and musical finale by Sam.

Kermit then introduces the finale with a toy soldier marching band playing patriotic music.

To show off, Waldo shape shifts into a rocket and zooms around Miss Piggy, who is dressed like the Statue of Liberty, and accidentally tears off her skirt.

Then the curtains on their balcony close, concluding the show and a cast member thanks the audience for coming, while reminding them to return their 3D glasses into the bins outside of the theater.

Statler and Waldorf heckle from a balcony near the screen, an orchestra of penguins rises into sight to perform, and the Swedish Chef "operates" the film projector from the booth above and behind the audience.