New filings have revealed another step forward for the ongoing transformation at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, as the park prepares to welcome its long-awaited Monstropolis expansion.
Recent permits filed by Walt Disney Imagineering point to continued construction activity in the area once known as Muppets Courtyard. While this section of the park has been closed for some time, the latest documents suggest that work is now shifting into a more detailed phase, offering a better sense of how the space is being rebuilt.
The permits specifically reference two addresses: 359 Cypress Drive and 361 Cypress Drive. These locations previously housed Mama Melrose’s Ristorante and the Stage 1 Company Store, both of which sat within the now-defunct Muppets Courtyard area.
Adirondack Scenic, Inc. has been contracted for the project, with the company tasked with installing “set elements.” In theme park terms, this typically means the addition of immersive scenic design pieces that help bring a new land to life. The permit is valid for one year, indicating that guests may begin to notice more visible progress sooner rather than later.
One of the more interesting aspects of this overhaul involves Mama Melrose’s Ristorante. Instead of being completely removed, the structure will be repurposed into Harryhausen’s, the famous restaurant seen in Pixar’s Monsters, Inc. This suggests Disney is blending existing structures with new storytelling elements as part of the expansion.
In contrast, the Stage 1 Company Store has already been demolished. The building was removed in July 2025, opening up additional space for new construction. This move highlights that the project is not just a simple retheme, but a large-scale redevelopment of the entire area.
Altogether, the work signals that Monstropolis will be a fully realized land within Hollywood Studios. The combination of reworked buildings, new construction, and cleared space points to a major addition for the park. The roller coaster currently under construction further supports expectations that a new E-ticket attraction is on the way.
“Picking up after the events of Pixar’s beloved film, humans have now been invited to visit the world of Monsters, Inc.–and the monsters need laughter to power the city and keep it running smoothly. But it’s not a true visit without the factory itself,” Disney wrote after its D23 2024 announcement. “You’ll be able to see the sights, hear the laughs, and zoom through the building just like James P. Sullivan (AKA Sulley) and Mike Wazowski–via a door!”
Disney has not yet shared the complete lineup of attractions and experiences for the new land, but permits like these continue to provide hints about what’s on the way. For longtime visitors, the changes mark a dramatic shift for a once-quiet corner of the park. As construction ramps up and additional permits are filed, the vision for Monstropolis is steadily coming into focus.
The Monsters, Inc. Land was first confirmed at D23 nearly two years ago. At the same event, Disney also announced “the largest expansion in Magic Kingdom” history, which will include a reimagining of part of Frontierland into Piston Peak National Park, along with a new area themed to Disney Villains that will expand beyond Big Thunder Mountain Railroad.
Elsewhere at Walt Disney World, Animal Kingdom is also undergoing major changes. The former DinoLand U.S.A. is being transformed into Pueblo Esperanza, a Tropical Americas-themed land featuring two major attractions inspired by Encanto (2021) and the Indiana Jones franchise. The Indiana Jones experience will take over the current DINOSAUR ride location.
With so much underway across the resort, guests have plenty to look forward to in the coming years.
How do you feel about all the changes at Disney World this year? Let us know in the comments down below!
Does it really matter what Fans think. We of little money do not matter to those with a lot of money, they just want it. Disneyland-Disney World, not really anymore.