MuppetVision 3D show first opened on May 16th, 1991 and featured Kermit and his friends experimenting with some new technology MuppetVision 3D. This show included some fun effects (for it’s time) but over the years seems to be more of an easy place to get off your feet and enjoy some air conditioning.
Now, 34 years later they had their final performance in the evening of June 7th. The show hadn’t seen crowds like this in quite a while, and even featured Jim Henson’s daughter as the very last guest to enter the theater for the final performance. This is a classic attraction that will be missed by some, but is the beginning of something new to come in the next few years.
Photo Credit: Fred Eng
Leading up to the last week of performances of MuppetVision 3D, the pressed penny machines in that area has been moved out of the Grand Avenue area. It’s temporary location seems like preparation for the larger crowds that would be depending upon the area as the final performance date neared.
Above is a photo taken on June 7th, the final day of performances and that is the line across the street, is not for the show but instead for the pressed penny set. I remember seeing a similar line when Splash Mountain was closing. Some I’m sure will be appearing on eBay at an exorbitant cost, but I do believe with the soft spot so many fans have for the Muppets that these were going to be kept as a sentimental memory of these iconic characters that we will be seeing just a little less often now.
What does the future hold for this historic theater. Well this area of the park will converted into Monstroplis from the Monsters Inc Pixar movie. The theater is expected to host a new show pertaining to the Monstroplis land, but Disney has not officially made any announcements.
What about if you need a Muppets fix, well all is not lost just yet. On the opposite side of Hollywood Studios the fan favorite Rock ‘n’ Roller coaster starring Aerosmith will be closing in 2026 for a reimagining. This will see an exit from Aerosmith and instead welcoming the Electric Mayhem with members Dr. Teeth, Floyd Pepper, Janice, Lips, Animal and Zoot.
Hopefully we don’t ever completely lose the Muppets inside the parks, and my fingers are crossed that we will see some new and amazing elongated coins when these new attractions open in the coming years. Keep on Pressing!
I remember years ago when you could slide fifty cents into a coin press and elongated whatever penny you wanted, be it a new shiny zinc or a classic copper coin.
Unfortunately in recent years those style of machines have started to disappear, being replaced by preloaded machines that are usually filled with zinc pennies or in some instances dirty circulated coins of various mintages.
This did cause a bit of unhappiness among quite a few in the collecting community who preferred to be able to press their own preferred coin. Well the machine manufacturers seem to have been listening.
Photo Courtesy: Jim McNally
I received some news from friend and fellow collector Jim McNally who reported a new penny machine model that has first been discovered up in Michigan at the Detroit Zoo pictured above.
Photo Courtesy: Jim McNally
This machine has the standard paper bill payment system as well as a credit / debit card digital payment system we find on the other machines.
Photo Courtesy: Jim McNally
However if we take a closer look at the instruction placard we notice it mentions three different payment options. Turn the wheel to the design you want, then chose a payment option cash, card, or coins that also says “Press your own penny!” The machine still costs $1 to use but you can now opt to use four quarters and whatever kind of penny you like. The machine is still preloaded with zinc pennies if you use either the cash bill or digital payment options.
I’m honestly kind of blown away that this is even a thing. It’s something we have been asking for and it’s amazing that the manufacturer appears to have been listening and made it a reality which is fantastic.
Now the big question is….. will we see this new machine model released in a wider implementation. For me since I’m a huge Disney collector I would love to see these related within the parks and resort. The above pictures acrylic version is not the style of machine Disney usually has so I doubt we would see it released there. But the internal mechanisms I’m sure could be used in their existing 3 and 4 design machine models. Putting this in the larger 8 and 12 design machines I don’t think is something we will see.
Just wanted to share this excited news and fingers crossed we will start seeing this new machine model released in the near future. Keep your eyes open and if you come across any before to let me know. I’d love to hear all about them and can’t wait to find one to use myself. Keep on Pressing!
It’s that time of year again. Not quite the New Year just yet, but that hasn’t stopped Disney from released the new 2025 Dated Medallions around Walt Disney World Property. Reports are flying in along with photos and locations. As we confirm these I will be sure to update photos and details to help with your own collections. If you come across any during your travels over the next couple weeks please leave a comment with details and you will get full credit for the find in our post below. Happy Collecting!
Magic Kingdom
Main Street Emporium
Inside the Main Street Emporium around the middle section (sorry best I can do) is where you can find the medallion machine with the new 2025 designs. This machine had all four designs replaced. Coins are of Mickey & Minnie, Donald & Daisy, Pluto & Goofy, and Chip & Dale all in front of Cinderella Castle with some fireworks above. Found / Reported by Jason O’Connor
Adventureland Breezeway (Restrooms)
Across from the Swiss Family Treehouse is the Adventureland Breezeway that also has some restrooms, and will allow you to quickly get to Liberty Square. Near the restrooms is the next machine, however please note only one of the designs has been changed for 2025 and has Chip & Dale in slightly different poses than the previous coin found in the Emporium. Found / Reported by Jason O’Connor
Tiana’s Bayou Adventure – Photo Preview
We almost forgot about this machine all the way back behind Tiana’s Bayou Adventure as you exit the ride and find the wall of screens where you can find your on-ride photo is the medallion machine. A new 2025 medallion has been released here featuring Tiana and Louis in front of the attraction. Found / Reported by Jason O’Connor
EPCOT
Disney Traders Gift Shop
At Epcot as you head from Spaceship early straight back towards the World Showcase you have two similar looking gift shops. First is Disney Traders, again with just one new design for 2025 featuring Sorcerer’s Apprentice Mickey with Spaceship Earth in the background. Found / Reported by Jason O’Connor
Port of Entry Gift Shop
Directly across from the previous location is the Port of Entry gift shop heading towards the Canada pavilion. Here you can find one more 2025 medallions this time featuring Figment in front of Spaceship Earth. Found / Reported by Jason O’Connor
Hollywood Studios
Celebrity 5 & 10 Store
As you enter Hollywood Studios and head straight down Hollywood Boulevard there is a store along the right side called the Celebrity 5 & 10. Here you can find the next 2025 medallion this time featuring Toy Story characters. Found / Reported by Jason O’Connor
Tower Hotel Gifts
Don’t leave Hollywood Studios just yet. Head on over to the Tower of Terror store known as the Tower Hotel Gifts. All the way in the back, closer to where the attraction exit is you will find the machine in a dark corner. The is just one new 2025 coin design available here and feature a very dapper looking Mickey Mouse with hat and cane. Found / Reported by Jason O’Connor
Animal Kingdom
Ziwani Traders
Inside Disney’s Animal Kingdom park you will need to head all the way back into the Africa section as if you were going to the Kilimanjaro Safari. Before you get to the Safari there is a gift shop near the Roasted Corn stand called Ziwani Traders. Outside one of the entrances you will find this beautifully designed machine with one more 2025 medallion this time with Safari Mickey and Minnie trying to navigate their way through the park. Found / Reported by Jason O’Connor
Disney Springs
World of Disney Store
When visiting Disney Springs head to the large World of Disney store and inside you will find a couple medallion machines. Only one has a new 2025 medallion it is located near the check out area closes to the Lego store, hopefully that makes sense. The medallion here features Mickey and Minnie’s face alongside Cinderella Castle with some fireworks above them. Found / Reported by Ashley W.
When visiting the Contemporary Resort head to the 4th Floor Concourse where you would go through security for the monorail. Near the Fantasia Gifts and Arcade you will find a medallion machine with a single 2025 coin available featuring Chef Mickey. Found / Reported by Jason O’Connor
Fort Wilderness Campground – Meadow Trading Post
At the Fort Wilderness Campground you will find our next coin which is located at the Meadow Trading Post almost smack dab in the center of the campground property. Unless you are camping nearby you will most likely need to take one of the internal buses (I believe Orange is the correct route) and it will drop you off right out front. Just inside the front doors is the machine with a coin featuring Mickey & Minnie jumping on front of Cinderella Castle. It looks very similar to the one inside Hall of Champions at Magic Kingdom so we may need to do a side by side comparison. Found / Reported by Jason O’Connor
Polynesian Village Resort – Moana Mercantile Store
The Polynesian Village Resort is always a popular place for guests to visit. Inside the main lobby building, up on the second floor is the Moana Mercantile store and the medallion machine is just outside. Here you can find the new 2025 medallion design with Moana and Maui.
Medallion Collection Books
We have received reports of a few different medallion booklets that are currently available to store your collection. Above is a photo of the 2025 dated booklet.
Here is a second booklet currently available around property. This one does not include the 2025 year, and is instead a little more generic with Mickey and Friends in front of the Castle.
David's Coin Travels 