Disney’s Hollywood Studios continues to evolve—sometimes at the cost of its own identity. Once a nostalgic love letter to classic filmmaking, the park has spent the last decade transforming into a blockbuster hub of IP-driven lands and experiences. And now, in one of the more quiet but meaningful closures, another original piece of the park’s charm has faded into memory.
A Hollywood Past, Rewritten
When it first opened in 1989 as Disney-MGM Studios, the park wasn’t just a theme park—it was an immersive tribute to the golden age of Hollywood and the magic of movie-making. Attractions like the Backlot Tour, The Great Movie Ride, and the Streets of America gave guests a peek behind the curtain, offering a sense of nostalgia and reverence for the film industry.
But over the years, the curtain was pulled back on that vision. With fewer guests interested in old-school studio tours and more seeking thrills and familiar characters, the park has been reshaped almost entirely. The additions of Toy Story Land in 2018 and Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge in 2019 dramatically shifted the park’s tone. Now, attractions like Rise of the Resistance and Slinky Dog Dash are the primary draws for guests, with legacy offerings fading away.
Farewell to Mama Melrose’s Ristorante Italiano
Now, a quieter but still significant chapter has closed. Mama Melrose’s Ristorante Italiano, nestled near Grand Avenue and the former Muppets Courtyard, has served its final meal. The cozy, brick-lined restaurant offered guests hearty Italian fare and a peaceful reprieve from the crowds—one of the park’s best-kept secrets for many years.
On the night of May 10, the restaurant closed following its last-ever dinner service. The menu was removed from the green case outside the entrance, and by the next morning, the area was noticeably still. The restaurant’s red doors remained shut, and its interior dining space sat dark and quiet. Though the exterior has yet to be altered, changes are surely on the horizon.
What’s Next: Monsters Inc. Takes Over
The closure of Mama Melrose’s isn’t a random decision—it’s the first confirmed step toward a major reimagining of this area. The back section of Hollywood Studios is being prepared for a new Monsters Inc.-themed land. According to Disney’s current plan, Mama Melrose’s will be followed by the closure of both MuppetVision 3D and PizzeRizzo, whose final day of operation will be June 7.
The Muppets won’t be disappearing completely, however. In a surprising twist, they’re expected to take over Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith as part of the reimagining. While Disney hasn’t confirmed the last day of operation for the ride in its current form, changes are on the way.
The Cost of Change
With the closure of long-standing favorites and the rise of new IP-based experiences, Hollywood Studios is now nearly unrecognizable from the park that opened in 1989. For some guests, that evolution is exciting. For others, it feels like the soul of the park is being rewritten.
Mama Melrose’s may not have been the flashiest part of the park, but for longtime Disney fans, it was a reminder of the park’s roots. Its closure is more than just a loss of a restaurant—it’s the latest sign that the studio spirit of Hollywood Studios is officially a thing of the past.
