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The transformation of Disney’s Hollywood Studios is no longer a far-off promise — it’s happening right now. From the skies above Central Florida, the Disney park looks like a patchwork of demolition zones, construction equipment, and cleared land.
The long-rumored Monsters, Inc. (2001) expansion officially broke ground this summer after Walt Disney World Resort confirmed its arrival at D23 Expo 2024. Concept art initially sparked debate about whether the land would emerge in Animation Courtyard or Muppets Courtyard, but in the end, Disney chose the latter — a decision that meant closing Muppet*Vision 3D, one of Jim Henson’s last major projects.
Credit: Disney
Muppets Courtyard closed in phases, with the final curtain call for Muppet*Vision 3D taking place on June 7, 2025. Disney has reassured fans that the attraction will live on in some form, though details remain a mystery.
Today, nearly all of Muppets Courtyard has been torn down. The Muppet*Vision 3D building still stands, as it will eventually become “The Glob” theatre, hosting an unnamed Monsters, Inc. experience. Beyond the courtyard, an even bigger project looms: the land’s flagship roller coaster.
Credit: Disney
The long-rumored door coaster will rise on land that once served as a cast member parking lot at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Bulldozers and cranes have already carved into the perimeter, exposing vast swaths of earth. Whether Walt Disney World Resort assembles the coaster before building its shell, as with TRON Lightcycle / Run, or constructs the building first, like Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind, remains to be seen.
On September 20, aerial photographer @bioreconstruct shared a series of images that show just how much of Disney’s Hollywood Studios has already changed:
Aerial overviews of current work on a Monsters Inc land in Disney’s Hollywood Studios.
Aerial overviews of current work on a Monsters Inc land in Disney's Hollywood Studios. pic.twitter.com/E1RlMensGx
— bioreconstruct (@bioreconstruct) September 21, 2025
A second set of photos revealed the early foundation work for the coaster structure:
Aerial overviews of Monsters Inc roller coaster construction in Disney’s Hollywood Studios. The attraction’s gravity building.
Aerial overviews of Monsters Inc roller coaster construction in Disney's Hollywood Studios. The attraction's gravity building. pic.twitter.com/jI4JGNamj7
— bioreconstruct (@bioreconstruct) September 21, 2025
Another shot demonstrated how Imagineers intend to protect the skyline of Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge from being disrupted by the coaster building:
Aerial look at how the Monster’s Inc roller coaster building will be hidden from view in Star Wars Galaxy’s Edge.
Aerial look at how the Monster's Inc roller coaster building will be hidden from view in Star Wars Galaxy's Edge. pic.twitter.com/tWvva0Tz7H
— bioreconstruct (@bioreconstruct) September 21, 2025
Although Animation Courtyard didn’t become the home of the Monsters, Inc. expansion, Walt Disney World Resort has no intention of leaving it untouched. The area is scheduled to become the Walt Disney Studios Lot, complete with a recreation of the Roy E. Disney Animation Building from Burbank. The return of “The Magic of Disney Animation” attraction and a brand-new Disney Jr. show are part of the overhaul.
Credit: Theme Park Tourist, Flickr
To prepare, Star Wars: Launch Bay, Disney Jr. Play and Dance!, and most of Animation Courtyard will close on September 26. The new version of the land is expected to debut at Disney’s Hollywood Studios in 2026. “The Little Mermaid – A Musical Adventure” will remain open throughout the transition.
Walt Disney World Resort has not announced a grand opening date for the Monsters, Inc. land. Follow Disney Tips for updates on this and other projects around Magic Kingdom Park, EPCOT, Disney’s Hollywood Studios, and Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park!
What do you hope to see in the Monsters, Inc. land at Disney’s Hollywood Studios? Share your ideas with Disney Tips in the comments
