Today marks the end of an era—and the beginning of something brand new. Cast Members at Disney’s Hollywood Studios are the last to experience MuppetVision 3D, as the beloved attraction closes its doors permanently to make way for what Disney is calling a “major themed transformation.”
Starting tomorrow, visible construction begins on an all-new Monsters Inc.-themed land, with preparations already well underway behind the scenes. In fact, a massive 10-acre section of the Cast Member parking lot has already been closed off, laying the groundwork for one of the park’s most ambitious additions since Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge.
A Behind-the-Scenes Transformation Is Already Underway
Although guests won’t see bulldozers just yet, development has already begun—out of public view. Aerial photos confirm that construction staging has started in the Hollywood Studios Cast Member parking lot, directly behind Muppets Courtyard. This space is currently being used as a base of operations for what is expected to be a large-scale overhaul of the area.
Sources indicate that the roughly 10-acre footprint will serve not only as the construction zone for the new land but also house staging areas for heavy equipment, debris handling, and temporary offices. It’s a significant enough displacement that Disney has already reassigned Cast Member parking to a temporary overflow area within the guest parking lot.
What We Know So Far: Monsters Inc. Land
The new Monsters Inc.-themed area will occupy the space that currently houses Muppets Courtyard, including the now-closed MuppetVision 3D. But that’s just the beginning. Concept art and planning documents show that the new land will stretch far beyond the current guest-accessible areas, extending into previously undeveloped back-of-house property.
One of the marquee additions is expected to be a “door vault” roller coaster—a nod to the high-speed finale of Monsters, Inc., where Mike and Sulley chase Boo through a maze of swinging portal doors. The ride’s show building will sit deep in the lot, with the attraction entrance positioned just steps away from Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance, suggesting Disney plans a seamless thematic transition between lands.
How Big Is the Expansion?
While the door vault coaster will be a major attraction, the entire 10-acre plot won’t be used solely for the ride. Theme park construction typically requires additional space for infrastructure, temporary offices, equipment staging, and waste removal. That means the visible attraction may only take up a portion of the walled-off zone.
Still, the amount of space being prepped signals a major transformation for Hollywood Studios. When fully realized, Monsters Inc. Land is expected to include at least one major E-ticket attraction, plus themed environments, retail spaces, and possibly new dining options.
The End of the Muppets at Hollywood Studios?
With MuppetVision 3D officially shuttered, the future of the Muppets at Walt Disney World is unclear. While no announcements have been made regarding new Muppet-themed projects, many fans are mourning what may be the quiet retirement of one of the park’s original IP-based experiences.
For now, the Muppets Courtyard signage and façade remain intact, but demolition and retheming are expected to begin within days. It’s the clearest sign yet that Disney is shifting its focus to Pixar franchises and high-energy IP that appeal to newer generations.
What’s Next?
Disney has not yet released a timeline for when the new land will open, but early construction indicators suggest the project is still in its early phases, with visible demolition and vertical construction expected later this year.
In the meantime, Cast Members and die-hard fans alike are preparing for a dramatic shift in the park’s landscape—from classic Muppets charm to Monstropolis excitement.
Stay Tuned
We’ll be tracking every development in the Monsters Inc. expansion—including permits, construction milestones, concept art breakdowns, and attraction rumors—as they unfold. Bookmark this page or follow our dedicated Monsters Inc. Land Tracker for all the latest updates from Disney’s Hollywood Studios.
