this is my part of have to disagree with because Disney has shown some instances that they do cater to the fans other wise we wouldn't have this movie, and would only have the occasional tv guest appearance and Muppet vision 3D plus at the end of the day no matter who owns them its all about the profit that's what company's do
ok, i accept that disney cater to fans in the sense of muppet vision 3D , I guess its more disspointment than anythng at how much care used to go into it, matched with how much care there is now.
For example, I first visited muppet 3d when I was 12. I got a miss piggy, which was amazing quality
I visted again at 14, and got a bean bunny
On both these occasions the shop at the back of muppet vision 3d was entirely muppet stock. Videos of everthing ( like a tale of a bunny rabbits picnic, to muppet babies) loads of tshirts (this was when the muppets were doing film poster paradies) and it was all set in the happiness hotel backdrop.
When I went back at 25, the illusion was shattered. What was once a purely muppet store, was now mainly mickey, with a few shaudily made muppet toys that didnt look like the quailty id had previously. The clothes were all kiddie size - not an adult shirt made. All toys were made for preschoolers or the very young.
I went back again at 27, where i got my wonderful rug, and some adult tshirts had come back out, but by this point it was pretty unrecognisible from every other mickey mouse shop in the park and the muppet produce was only on 3 shelves in a huge expanded store. However, other products - such as my kermit handbag, (or purse) were so badly made that the handles broke off aroung 7 days after purchasing (convieniently enough AFTER id left the US)
Had I not had the very good fortune of visiting back when I was 12, I probably wouldnt feel as strongly.
And again, the disney store in the UK has a lot to blame too. I was thrilled to hear muppet merch was on the go, but, when I actually saw it - the quality was beyond poor. Kermits all mushed up, piggys with huge noses - they looked like knock offs!
I guess its just because all the toys I grew up with were fisher price / henson were such amazing quality that im disillusioned.
Im glad disney are bringing them back, BUT lets not forget this was not disneys idea. Segel took it to disney for the green light. (or am I wrong? not too sure lol)
And I know all people go looking for profit, but somehow I just seem to miss that when it comes to Jim - he was driven by passion, not profit. Yes we all need money, but I couldnt ever see him being as a tycoon of anyway.
I guess its just down to personal taste, but i could post some picks of quality then vs now that might help.
And another thing - muppets holding company still release quality products (such as my addidas miss piggy trainers which I sadly have only recently lost as the age and smell meant I couldnt keep them) so i dont understand why disney just make poor quality products. Especially when disney owned things - like mickey, toy story etc have such great quality.
It gives the impression that the muppets are kinda an afterthought, and that breaks my little muppet daft heart.