Guests visiting Disney’s Hollywood Studios may not be able to walk through Monstropolis just yet, but the future Pixar-inspired land is becoming easier to visualize thanks to new permits and aerial construction updates.
The former Muppets Courtyard area has been undergoing extensive changes since closures and demolition began, and recently filed Walt Disney Imagineering documents indicate the project is continuing to move ahead.
The permits focus on two addresses within the redevelopment zone: 359 Cypress Drive and 361 Cypress Drive. Those addresses correspond to the former locations of Mama Melrose’s Ristorante Italiano and the Stage 1 Company Store.
While Disney remains quiet about many aspects of the land, the filings reveal that Adirondack Scenic, Inc. has been brought on to install “set elements” at both sites. The company is recognized throughout the themed entertainment industry for its work on immersive environments and detailed scenic design.
Because the permit carries a one-year duration, guests can likely expect ongoing themed construction throughout much of the next year.
New overhead photos from X user bioreconstruct offer perhaps the clearest look yet at how dramatically the area is changing.
Large portions of the former Muppets Courtyard footprint have already been cleared as crews continue demolition and site preparation. One image appears to capture what may be the beginning of track installation for the new Monsters, Inc. coaster.
“In a very distant photo today it seems like the first section of track is being raised at the Monsters Inc roller coaster. In aerial photo yesterday, possibly the same track staged on ground. In stands at the ends to keep the rails off the ground.”
In a very distant photo today it seems like the first section of track is being raised at the Monsters Inc roller coaster.
In aerial photo yesterday, possibly the same track staged on ground. In stands at the ends to keep the rails off the ground. pic.twitter.com/YSeBK4J8bf— bioreconstruct (@bioreconstruct) June 20, 2026
Elsewhere, steel coaster components and expanding show building structures can be seen taking shape behind construction barriers. The images illustrate the significant scope of the project and how much work is already underway.
Another post from bioreconstruct documented work occurring near the land’s future entry point.
“Aerial photo of construction at the entrance to Monstropolis. Garden wall in progress wall at right will be seem like it has always been there. It merges with a prior wall.”
Aerial photo of construction at the entrance to Monstropolis.
Garden wall in progress wall at right will be seem like it has always been there. It merges with a prior wall. pic.twitter.com/g687qkunAy— bioreconstruct (@bioreconstruct) June 19, 2026
One building from the former land is set to receive a second life. Disney previously announced that Mama Melrose’s will be transformed into Harryhausen’s, the famous dining location featured in 2001's Monsters, Inc.
The Stage 1 Company Store, however, did not survive the redevelopment. The building was demolished in July 2025, opening up additional space for new construction and helping reshape the area into something entirely different from its predecessor.
The combination of permit filings, visible construction progress, and previously released concept art points toward a highly immersive recreation of Monstropolis. Disney first unveiled the project at D23 2024, offering a glimpse into the narrative guests will experience once the land opens.
“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!”
Although many attraction details remain under wraps, the project continues to rank among the most anticipated developments currently underway at Walt Disney World Resort. The Monsters, Inc. expansion joins a growing list of major construction projects across the Disney property.
Magic Kingdom is preparing for what Disney has described as the biggest expansion in the park’s history, including Piston Peak National Park in Frontierland and a new Disney Villains-themed land beyond Big Thunder Mountain Railroad.
At Animal Kingdom, the transformation of DinoLand U.S.A. into Pueblo Esperanza is progressing as well. The new Tropical Americas-themed area will feature attractions based on Encanto and Indiana Jones, with the latter replacing the existing DINOSAUR attraction.
Taken together, these projects represent a substantial investment in the future of Walt Disney World. At Hollywood Studios, the latest permits and construction activity provide another reminder that Monstropolis is no longer just an announcement—it is steadily taking shape behind the scenes.
What are your thoughts about the upcoming Monsters, Inc. land? Let us know in the comments down below!
