Walt Disney World Resort has broken ground on a monumental construction project that will expand the footprint of Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Here are the latest updates.
At D23 Expo 2024, Walt Disney Imagineering revealed plans to introduce a long-rumored door roller coaster inspired by Monsters, Inc. (2001). Early concept art for the project indicated that the new attraction could either take over the Muppets Courtyard area or the nearby Animation Courtyard. Fans of the Muppets quickly rallied around the idea of saving Muppet*Vision 3D, making their voices heard through petitions and social media posts.
Despite these efforts, in late 2024, Disney confirmed that Muppets Courtyard would close in the summer of 2025. The area closed in phases, with Mama Melrose’s Ristorante Italiano being the first to close permanently on May 10, 2025. Muppet*Vision 3D and PizzeRizzo followed on June 8. Construction walls surrounded the area just days after its permanent closure.
A recent photo shared on X (formerly Twitter) by user @bioreconstruct offers a look at the ongoing demolition of Muppets Courtyard. The image shows nearly all of the area has been leveled, including iconic elements like the Stage 1 Company Store, Miss Piggy’s fountain, and the outdoor extended queue for Muppet*Vision 3D. The show building itself still stands, but it’s set to be reimagined as “The Glob Theater,” a venue for a new show inspired by Monsters, Inc.
Aerial photo of the former Muppets Courtyard.
The demolition is part of a much larger construction project that has already begun behind the scenes. As reported by BlogMickey, work has started on a former cast member parking lot located behind Muppets Courtyard. This area will serve as the footprint for the Monsters, Inc. coaster, taking over hundreds of parking spots and dwarfing the former Muppets Courtyard space.
The transformation has also begun in earnest, with crews focusing on the groundwork for the new roller coaster building. Industrial tubing and other construction equipment are visible near the northern side of the site, just outside the proposed footprint of the attraction. The exact purpose of the work remains unclear, but it is likely related to drainage, structural support, or early foundation work for the attraction. It appears the project is still in the preparation stages, and it may be some time before the new attraction begins to rise.
Walt Disney World Resort has yet to announce a grand opening date for the Monsters, Inc. land at Disney’s Hollywood Studios.
Has construction impacted your visit to Magic Kingdom Park, EPCOT, Disney’s Hollywood Studios, or Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park? Share your experience with Disney Fanatic in the comments!
I am not as excited as I use to be. Alot of my younger day’s attractions are being destroyed. It is like losing a part of your past, but Disney exec really doesn’t give a Da** anyway. Been going to Disney parks for a long time, now? I just don’t know.