After Five Years of Closure, Disney Set To Demolish Abandoned Park Location

After nearly five years of closure, Walt Disney World Resort is moving forward with plans to demolish the long-abandoned Stage 1 Company Store at Disney’s Hollywood Studios.

The gift shop, adjacent to Muppet*Vision 3D, has remained largely vacant since the COVID-19 pandemic forced the Disney parks to shut down in 2020. This marks another significant step in Disney’s ongoing reimagining of the park’s area to make way for a new Pixar-themed land.

The Stage 1 Company Store, once dedicated to Muppets-themed merchandise, has been closed since the pandemic, with only brief reopenings for limited-time events. It served as a pop-up location for Jollywood Nights in 2024 and a May the 4th event in 2025.

Otherwise, the gift shop has largely remained dormant, with Muppets-themed decor and Jim Henson Easter eggs still present inside much of the space.

Now, Walt Disney Imagineering is clearing space at Disney’s Hollywood Studios for an exciting new area inspired by Monsters, Inc. (2001). Announced during the D23 Expo 2024, the new Monstropolis area will feature a door coaster, restaurant, and other Pixar-themed experiences that will replace Muppet*Vision 3D, Mama Melrose’s Ristorante Italiano, PizzeRizzo, and the Stage 1 Company Store.

On Thursday, Disney filed a “Notice of Commencement” to begin demolition of the gift shop, contracting PCL Construction Services, Inc. for “demo, infrastructure prep and utility modification” work. The demolition will clear the way for expanded walkways in the Monsters, Inc. land.

While Muppet*Vision 3D, PizzeRizzo, and Mama Melrose’s Ristorante Italiano will close to make room for the Pixar expansion, Disney has assured fans that Muppets characters will not be entirely removed from the parks. The beloved Muppets will continue to appear in other areas, including as the new theme for Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith.

Mama Melrose’s Ristorante Italiano will welcome its final guests on May 10, 2025. Muppet*Vision 3D and PizzeRizzo will follow suit on June 7. An opening date for the new Monstropolis area has yet to be announced.

Which part of the new Monsters, Inc. land are you most excited about? Disney Tips would love to hear from you in the comments!