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Disney has confirmed that Monstropolis will open its doors to guests at Disney’s Hollywood Studios in 2027, bringing the world of Monsters, Inc. (2001) to Walt Disney World in a much bigger way.
Construction still has plenty of ground to cover before guests can explore the finished land. Crews continue working throughout the former Muppets area as Disney transforms the space with new attractions, entertainment, dining, and detailed environments.
But one piece of Monstropolis has already reached an important milestone.
A familiar feature inside the construction zone is now officially operational, giving guests an early sign of life from a land that isn’t scheduled to debut until next year.
Disney Is Building Much More Than One Monsters, Inc. Ride
Monstropolis will become one of the biggest additions coming to Disney’s Hollywood Studios in 2027, and Disney has now revealed several major pieces of the project.
The centerpiece will be a suspended roller coaster inspired by the famous door vault sequence from Monsters, Inc. (2001). Guests will travel through the factory aboard vehicles suspended beneath the track, recreating one of the movie’s most memorable sequences.
However, Disney isn’t stopping with the coaster.
Harryhausen’s, the sushi restaurant featured in the movie, will become part of the new land. Disney has also revealed plans to populate Monstropolis with some unusual residents beyond Mike Wazowski and Sulley.
That includes monstrous animals designed to feel cute rather than frightening. These creatures should help make Monstropolis feel like an actual city inhabited by monsters, rather than simply an area built around a roller coaster.
And another major piece of the expansion will take over a building Disney fans already know extremely well.
Credit: Disney
The Former Muppet*Vision 3D Theater Has a New Role
The former Muppet*Vision 3D building will become the Glob Theater, where Disney plans to present a new production called “Welcome to Monstropolis.”
Mike and Sulley will serve as the creative forces behind the show, but Disney’s backstory suggests they don’t exactly share the same vision.
Sulley has apparently developed a smaller, more personal production. Mike, meanwhile, wants to make the experience considerably bigger and has a few surprises planned for the audience.
Disney is already expanding that story through the Monstropolis Horn, a fictional newspaper being used to introduce guests to the land’s characters and story before opening day. Mike has even promised to bring some extra showmanship to the production.
While the entertainment inside the Glob Theater won’t debut until 2027, something directly above the future theater is already working.
Credit: Disney
The Clock Is Officially Ticking on Monstropolis
Scaffolding has been removed from the upper portion of the Glob Theater’s clock tower, providing a clearer view of Disney’s ongoing transformation.
More importantly, the clock itself is now operational.
The hands are moving and keeping time, meaning this Monstropolis landmark is already functioning months before guests can enter the completed land.
The tower isn’t finished. Disney’s concept artwork shows additional monster-themed elements and decorative features that haven’t appeared yet. Crews have already made several changes. The upper trim now features a lighter, weathered stone appearance, while Disney has simplified portions of the surrounding brickwork.
One familiar detail is also gone. Gonzo previously hung from the clock’s minute hand, but Disney removed him in September 2025 following Muppet*Vision 3D’s closure. The clockface itself remains largely familiar with its white background and black Roman numerals.
Seeing those hands moving provides an early sign of progress. Monstropolis isn’t open yet, but Disney has already brought one of its future landmarks to life ahead of the land’s 2027 debut.
Credit: Disney
Another Major Hollywood Studios Addition Opens in September
Before Monstropolis welcomes its first guests, Disney’s Hollywood Studios will debut The Magic of Disney Animationon September 14, 2026.
The experience will bring several new attractions and activities to the park, giving families another area to explore as Disney continues its broader transformation of Hollywood Studios.
“Olaf Draws” will feature an Audio-Animatronic Olaf helping guests through a drawing experience. “Drawn to Wonderland” will offer an exploratory play area, while “Off the Page!” will introduce an interactive gallery with another way for guests to engage with Disney animation.
Disney is also creating a dedicated short-film theater called “Once Upon a Studio.”
Together, these additions give Disney’s Hollywood Studios something new for families while construction continues on the much larger Monstropolis project nearby. It also means guests won’t have to wait until 2027 to experience another major new addition at the park.
Credit: Disney
Hollywood Studios Is Starting To Show Its Next Era
Guests will have to wait until 2027 to begin experiencing what Disney has planned for Monstropolis, but the transformation is becoming increasingly visible.
The coaster, Harryhausen’s, monstrous animals, Glob Theater, and “Welcome to Monstropolis” show will eventually turn this corner of Disney’s Hollywood Studios into an entirely different destination.
For now, guests can look toward the construction zone and spot one small but meaningful preview.
The clock is already ticking.
Monstropolis isn’t open yet, but one of its landmarks is officially operational as Disney races toward the land’s 2027 debut.
