Disney has officially confirmed that guests won't have to wait for every piece of Monstropolis to finish before stepping inside the new Monsters, Inc.-themed land at Disney’s Hollywood Studios.
At D23, Disney revealed that Monstropolis will use a phased opening. Most of the land will debut sometime in 2027, while its massive suspended door coaster will arrive later.
That's certainly exciting news. However, anyone hoping “opening early” means Monstropolis is right around the corner may want to temper expectations.
New aerial photos from bioreconstruct show Disney still has a tremendous amount of work ahead.
Monstropolis Is Coming Before Its Biggest Ride
Rather than keeping the entire land closed until the door coaster is finished, Disney plans to welcome guests into most of Monstropolis first.
The coaster will eventually take guests inside the Monsters, Inc. factory and into the famous door vault. It will also become Disney's first suspended coaster and first coaster with a vertical lift.
Until then, other parts of Monstropolis can begin operating.
That includes The Glob, which is replacing the former Muppet*Vision 3D theater. Welcome to Monstropolis! With Sulley & Mike will take over the theater and feature an original song composed by Randy Newman.
Mama Melrose’s Ristorante Italiano is also becoming Harryhausen’s, while Archie’s Scare Pig Pizza, the Monsters University Alumni Club, and the Scareporium are planned for the land.
New Photos Show How Much Construction Remains
The latest aerial photos provide a much different perspective than Disney's polished concept art.
Scaffolding still covers much of the former Muppets Courtyard. Construction equipment and materials fill the area, while several façades remain deep into their transformations.
Crews are also installing plumbing beneath the future central fountain. Trenches and utility lines remain visible throughout portions of the courtyard.
Along Dark Avenue, Disney continues reshaping the existing buildings with new overhangs, rooflines, ledges, and monster-inspired details.
Meanwhile, the enormous Monsters, Inc. factory and coaster building continue rising behind the existing structures.
Aerial video of work in Monstropolis.
Featuring a full circle look at the Monsters Inc suspended door roller coaster construction.
Also construction in the City. pic.twitter.com/GF9YYhoulD— bioreconstruct (@bioreconstruct) September 5, 2026
A 2027 Opening Leaves Disney Plenty of Time
None of this means Monstropolis is behind schedule.
Disney has only committed to opening most of the land sometime in 2027, leaving a massive window for construction.
That's the catch behind the exciting “early” opening announcement.
Monstropolis is opening early compared to the door coaster, but that doesn't necessarily mean early 2027.
With September 2026 already here and significant construction remaining, a debut later in 2027 remains entirely possible.
Disney hasn't announced a month or season yet.
For now, fans can expect to walk through Monstropolis before riding through the door vault. Exactly how long they'll have to wait for either experience remains the biggest question.
