Walt Disney World has shared new particulars concerning the Monstropolis mini-land and Monsters, Inc. Doorways Coaster changing Muppets Courtyard at Hollywood Studios. This covers the newest announcement on the upcoming DHS challenge, plus our response and the way this growth plan has developed.
Let’s begin with the newest information from Disney’s function presentation, “The Way forward for World-Constructing at Disney,” throughout South by Southwest (SXSW) in Austin, Texas on March 8, 2025. Disney Experiences Chairman Josh D’Amaro and Disney Leisure Co-Chairman Alan Bergman took the stage, together with some particular visitors, to share insights about the way forward for storytelling at Disney Parks and past, specializing in the intersection of creativeness and innovation.
Amongst these on stage for the Pixar portion of the presentation have been Michael Hundgen of Walt Disney Imagineering and Pete Docter, Chief Inventive Officer of Pixar Animation Studios. One of many tasks they offered an replace on was the brand new Monsters, Inc. mini-land coming to Disney’s Hollywood Studios.
The 2 shared that Imagineers are arduous at work bringing the world of Pixar Animation Studios’ Monsters, Inc. to life — and that features its monster inhabitants, James P. Sullivan, Mike Wazowski, and extra. Whereas attending to stroll via the streets of Monstropolis is thrilling sufficient, the land will embrace a signature attraction the place visitors embark on an exhilarating curler coaster experience via the Monsters, Inc. door vault.
“Imagineers have been itching to show that second into an attraction ever since we noticed it for the primary time,” Hundgen teased.
Whereas many particulars concerning the attraction are nonetheless locked up in amusing canister, the Imagineering group is able to reveal the load space for the attraction. The upcoming door experience will function the first-ever suspended coaster at a Disney Park, and the first-ever vertical elevate. Get able to scream — not out of fright, however enjoyable.
Right here’s a brand new animatic have a look at the Monsters, Inc. doorways suspended coaster coming to Disney’s Hollywood Studios. The brand new animation reveals the lifting experience mechanism on the load and unload space of the attraction:
NEW: Disney shared a brand new animatic have a look at the Monsters, Inc. Doorways suspended coaster coming to Disney’s Hollywood Studios. The brand new animation reveals the experience mechanism and the load/unload space of the attraction. pic.twitter.com/JVNr5B7onD
— Scott Gustin (@ScottGustin) March 8, 2025
Company will board the car earlier than being hoisted into the air (similar to within the film!) to zoom into the door vault. It’s going to be, “an expertise that’s as memorable and enjoyable because the movie,” Hundgen continued.
“I can inform you that everybody at Pixar is happy about how that is coming collectively,” Docter informed the gang. “It actually is sort of a dream come true for us.”
The Monstropolis saga has been an actual curler coaster so far–under is a rundown of every thing we all know to this point. The highs and lows, cut-off dates & particulars, what the Monsters, Inc. land will entail, when it may debut, and rather more…
What Was Introduced Throughout D23?
By means of recap, Walt Disney World introduced throughout final yr’s D23 Expo {that a} brand-new land themed round Monsters, Inc. will come to life at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Choosing up after the occasions of Pixar’s beloved movie, people have now been invited to go to the world of Monsters, Inc.
The idea of Monstropolis is that the monsters want laughter to energy the town and hold it operating easily. You’ll be capable of go to the Giggle Manufacturing facility, hear the laughs and zoom via the constructing similar to Sulley and Mike Wazowski, through a door. The Monsters, Inc. Doorways Coaster will put you proper in the course of the monster motion.
One factor Walt Disney World didn’t reveal at D23 was the place Monstropolis would go.
This has led to numerous hypothesis and worry, particularly after Disney revealed that the Vehicles space in Magic Kingdom will exchange the Rivers of America, leading to everlasting closures of Tom Sawyer Island and the Liberty Sq. Riverboat.
Based mostly on a mixture of rumors and hypothesis, it appeared like even Walt Disney World and Imagineering hadn’t settled on a spot for Monstropolis. Additional fueling this was that Disney launched two items of idea artwork for Monstropolis, exhibiting conflicting places for the land. From that, a few competing candidates emerged: Animation Courtyard and Grand Avenue or Muppet Courtyard.
Following months of hypothesis (and plenty and plenty of arguing amongst ourselves), we discovered final November that the loser within the Monstropolis sweepstakes is Muppet Courtyard. Walt Disney World has introduced that they’ll be “opening new doorways” for the Muppets and Monsters at Disney’s Hollywood Studios.
Disney additionally additional clarified that the brand new Monsters, Inc. mini-land will function the suspended doorways curler coaster recreating the door vault scene, in addition to eating, buying, and a complete new theater present.
Right here’s aerial idea artwork of Monstropolis:
What’s within the Monsters, Inc. Land?
The idea artwork strongly suggests we’re getting one-for-one replacements of current eating places and a brand new present within the MuppetVision theater. It doesn’t look like the prevailing buildings are being essentially reworked.
The desk service Mama Melrose is predicted to develop into Harryhausen’s, which is able to possible be a desk service restaurant. For individuals who are unfamiliar with it, Harryhausen’s is the restaurant in Monsters, Inc. to which Mike Wazowski takes his girlfriend Celia for her birthday. Sulley and Boo present up, as does the CDA, ruining dinner. It was a complete factor.
Anyway, Harryhausen’s is a well-liked Japanese restaurant serving sushi, in addition to a bunch of in-universe dishes: Goo-tofu, Vegetable Tempuki, Swill & Bitter Soup, Flab cake, Spider roll, and Horrible Teriyucky. Harryhausen’s sounds good for a theme park restaurant–it ought to be numerous enjoyable.
It’s additionally possible that PizzeRizzo goes to reimagined right into a counter service restaurant with an equivalent footprint in a fashion much like the conversion of Pizza Planet into PizzeRizzo. The idea artwork reveals an nearly equivalent constructing to what’s there now, and we will’t think about Disney goes to interrupt the financial institution on that retheme.
MuppetVision will possible develop into a brand new present. Some followers have speculated that Monsters Giggle Ground will transfer from Tomorrowland at Magic Kingdom, however that’s not what Walt Disney World introduced.
Monsters Giggle Ground is beginning to present its age, so we count on one thing all new–after which Giggle Ground to be sundown sooner or later as a part of a separate reimagining of Tomorrowland.
Lastly, there’s the Monsters, Inc. Doorways Coaster on the finish of the hall. That is the bona fide growth within the land, with the gravity constructing for the brand new curler coaster being constructed backstage on what’s at present Solid Member parking.
The doorway and queue may also be backstage, however could possibly be inside the present perimeter of the park. A bit within the weeds, however the query proper now’s whether or not Cypress Drive, a street that runs backstage, will get rerouted or if the coaster is linked to the gravity constructing above the prevailing street (much like Cosmic Rewind at EPCOT).
There’s nothing within the latest Monstropolis idea artwork to recommend any main format modifications to Muppet Courtyard/Grand Avenue. Stage 1 Firm Retailer might be being demolished, however in any other case, the prevailing areas are going to be repurposed and reimagined, with the brand new Monsters, Inc. Doorways Coaster being constructed backstage and linked to Monstropolis at some extent that’s at present only a wall.
When Will MuppetVision Shut & Building Begin?
To make method for Monstropolis, the Grand Avenue or Muppets Courtyard space at Disney’s Hollywood Studios will start a part closing in Could 2025. (Aside from BaseLine Faucet Home on the other facet of the hall resulting in Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge.)
The final day to dine at Mama Melrose’s Ristorante Italiano can be on Could 10, 2025.
Following that, Muppet*Imaginative and prescient 3D and PizzeRizzo will shut, with the final day to expertise each places on June 7, 2025.
Building on the Monstropolis land challenge is slated to start someday in 2025. It will possibly theoretically start ASAP, because the gravity constructing and curler coaster can be constructed backstage, and that may begin earlier than something closes in Muppets Courtyard at Disney’s Hollywood Studios?
What’s Rock ‘n’ Curler Coaster’s Future?
Walt Disney World has additionally introduced that the Muppet foolishness doesn’t cease with the closure of MuppetVision 3D. Kermit the Frog, Miss Piggy and extra of their buddies can be shifting proper alongside to Sundown Boulevard!
On a optimistic notice, the Muppets are taking up Rock ‘n’ Curler Coaster and changing Aerosmith, teaming up with a few of music’s greatest stars for a rockin’ music pageant!
Walt Disney World has not offered a deadline for Rock ‘n’ Curler Coaster Starring Aerosmith (right here’s our hypothesis about that), nor opening dates for something.
What About MuppetVision’s Future?
Moreover, Walt Disney World said this: “as we transfer ahead with these modifications, we’re having inventive conversations and exploring methods to protect the movie and different elements of the expertise for followers to get pleasure from sooner or later.”
It’s unclear what, precisely, which means. Personally, I’d like to see MuppetVision moved to the Mickey Shorts Theater and offered there. Clearly it’d be very totally different and with out a lot of what makes the present particular and greater than only a passive 3D movie, however it’d be higher than nothing.
Failing that, getting MuppetVision 3D on Disney+ (with the pre-show) or relocated and preserved can be improbable. There’s gotta be someplace in Hollywood that may like to have the present. Tons of celebrities are Muppets followers–public preservation of MuppetVision can be worthy endeavor!
For its half, the Jim Henson Firm has launched a press release that they’re trying ahead to the “subsequent act” of MuppetVision 3D after it vacates its present location at Disney’s Hollywood Studios.
When Will Monstropolis Open at DHS?
As famous above, building on Monstropolis is slated to start someday in 2025.
Walt Disney World has not indicated when the Monsters, Inc. land will open, however they’ve introduced that Tropical Americas will open first of the upcoming additions, in 2027. As mentioned within the 5-Yr Building Plan for Walt Disney World, they’re going to return to a cadence of opening one main addition per yr, which might put Monstropolis in 2028.
Provided that, we didn’t count on Muppets Courtyard to shut till 2026 on the earliest, which is when DINOSAUR in Animal Kingdom goes extinct. There are a couple of methods to elucidate the a lot earlier closing for Muppets. The primary risk is that this challenge is extra concerned than beforehand thought, and it’s not a easy repurposing of the prevailing restaurant, retail, and attraction areas. We doubt this.
The second is that it’s a easy cost-cutting measure; Disney doesn’t want the capability, particularly with two new stage reveals opening in Summer season 2025. It’s regular for Walt Disney World to search out methods to chop prices and scale back spending elsewhere throughout and forward of huge tasks.
A closing risk is that Walt Disney World has fast-tracked Monstropolis and it has leapfrogged Tropical Americas for a 2026 opening. Perhaps each will debut in 2027, however with Monstropolis within the first half of the yr and Tropical Americas within the second half. Or perhaps they’ve realized Tropical Americas is simply too advanced, and it has slipped into 2028, so they need Monstropolis for 2027.
Disney fast-tracking tasks would defy latest tendencies, however it definitely is attainable, particularly if the corporate anticipates building prices rising. So there could be motivation to frontload a few of this work, versus backloading every thing. This coupled with the operational cost-savings of shuttering Grand Avenue venues throughout a timeframe they gained’t be “wanted” strikes me as essentially the most believable rationalization.
Everything of Monstropolis opening in 2026 strikes me as inconceivable–and Walt Disney World has possible discovered its lesson about doing phased openings after this space’s subsequent door neighbor, Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, fell flat upon its partial opening in mid-2019. My greatest guess is that Monstropolis remains to be coming after 2026, with the one query being whether or not it’s now a 2027 challenge or nonetheless 2028.
Monstropolis is the only challenge of the key new lands coming to Walt Disney World within the subsequent 5 years, and the Monsters, Inc. Doorways Coaster (largely a curler coaster at midnight) can be a lot easier to assemble than the frilly Encanto darkish experience and the Tropical Americas land round it. On high of that, they’ve already introduced DINOSAUR will shut in 2026, and that’s a reasonably quick turnaround time for reimagining it into Indiana Jones Journey.
Our Commentary
Most of our commentary concerning the Monstropolis mini-land has revolved round what it’ll exchange. This could come as little shock, since we’re big followers of MuppetVision 3D, and examine it alongside the OG Nation Bear Jamboree as considered one of Walt Disney World’s candidates for UNESCO World Heritage Websites.
MuppetVision nonetheless stands the check of time and I feel Walt Disney World is making a mistake by changing it. MuppetVision isn’t just a easy 3D movie, it’s really an attraction and the funniest at Walt Disney World. The creative significance of MuppetVision 3D is sort of immeasurable. It owns a particular place in each Walt Disney World historical past and American tradition. It’s one of many final tasks that Muppet creator Jim Henson was concerned in previous to his passing. It’s broadly thought to be an exemplar of Muppet humor and storytelling; a real masterpiece and murals.
By 3D movie requirements, MuppetVision can be nonetheless fairly in style and presents good counterprogramming to the top-heavy experience roster at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Any such attraction has a low ceiling, and the identical can be true of regardless of the Monsters, Inc. present finally ends up being. I nonetheless assume Disney would’ve been simply as properly off to create a framing machine (e.g. “the Monsters have invited the Muppets into their world to generate laughs!”) to explain-away the thematic inconsistencies of MuppetVision.
The brand new present will draw greater crowds, little doubt, however that’s extra because of a curler coaster anchoring this land and that rising foot visitors. In the identical state of affairs, I’d think about the decades-old MuppetVision would carry out comparably, with out the prices of creating a model new present. However I digress. The purpose right here is to supply commentary about Monstropolis, which I haven’t carried out a lot of.
Setting apart what it’s changing, I like the thought of Monstropolis.
I appreciated this land concept over a decade in the past when it was first rumored to exchange Hollywood Land at Disney California Journey, and I nonetheless prefer it right this moment. Moving into the Monster world sounds superior, and there are limitless alternatives for easter eggs, visible gags, puns, and particulars that followers and informal visitors alike will discover amusing. It ought to be rather a lot like Toontown in that regard, which is a wonderful and underappreciated little land.
I additionally like the thought of the Monsters, Inc. Door Coaster. I like this concept again in 2006 when it was rumored as a “carried out deal” for the spot subsequent door to Toy Story Mania in Pixar Place (lengthy earlier than Toy Story Land was a factor). I nonetheless prefer it right this moment. The door vault scene is iconic, and lends itself completely to a suspended family-friendly “story” coaster. I’m glad it’s lastly getting constructed.
With all of that stated, I’m not so certain I’m glad it’s being constructed at Disney’s Hollywood Studios.
In case you ask me, what this park wants is extra all-ages darkish rides, not one other curler coaster–even a household pleasant one. A part of that is possible pushed by the prevailing Monsters, Inc. rides at DCA and Tokyo Disneyland, each of which punch above their weight. I’d like to see Imagineering strive its hand once more at Monsters, Inc. Trip & Go Search, which is already excellent–however could possibly be even higher with a trackless experience system and newer tech.
I’m additionally barely involved concerning the size of the Monsters, Inc. Doorways Coaster. Based mostly on the mannequin Imagineering confirmed off, it additionally appears to be like like this coaster goes to be actually quick–maybe 70 to 90 seconds. Maybe I’ll really feel otherwise if that finally ends up being incorrect and it’s truly extra on par with Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind, which is a meatier coaster and the most effective all-encompassing points of interest at Walt Disney World.
Finally, the Monsters Inc. Doorways Coaster is a superb concept for a family-friendly suspended curler coaster and Monstropolis has a ton of potential as a miniland. Harryhausen’s isn’t getting sufficient consideration from followers, however I feel that’s going to be the sleeper hit of this entire reimagining and growth.
It looks as if Monstropolis is a kind of good concepts that by no means actually dies in Imagineering. Which we clearly now know is true, provided that it managed to hold round for ~15 years and is now going to be constructed. So based mostly on longevity of the idea alone, it have to be fairly good!
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YOUR THOUGHTS
Are you trying ahead to the Monsters, Inc. Doorways Coaster? What about the remainder of the mini-land? Excited to eat at Harryhausen’s, strive the brand new counter service restaurant, or expertise the brand new present? What do you consider Monstropolis changing MuppetVision? Do you agree or disagree with our assessments? Any questions we will help you reply? Listening to your suggestions–even once you disagree with us–is each attention-grabbing to us and useful to different readers, so please share your ideas under within the feedback!
