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Disneys Hollywood Studios Accelerates Construction of Monsters, Inc. Land
Disney’s Hollywood Studios is moving beyond the planning stage for its upcoming Monsters, Inc. land, with construction activity accelerating in the former Muppets Courtyard area. Recent permits filed by Walt Disney Imagineering show work advancing at two addresses—359 and 361 Cypress Drive—that once housed Mama Melrose’s Ristorante Italiano and the Stage 1 Company Store. The permits, which remain active for a full year, indicate that substantial themed construction is expected to continue over the coming months.
Aerial photographs shared by X user bioreconstruct reveal extensive demolition within the Muppets Courtyard footprint. The images show crews clearing and reshaping the area, with track pieces being lifted and a first section of the Monsters, Inc. roller coaster track being raised. The photographs also capture large sections of steel track and show‑building infrastructure for the new roller coaster, as well as a garden wall in progress that merges with a prior wall at the entrance to the future Monstropolis land.
One of the most visible changes is the repurposing of Mama Melrose’s. Disney confirmed that the former restaurant will become Harryhausen’s, the Japanese‑style eatery featured in Pixar’s 2001 film Monsters, Inc. The Stage 1 Company Store, in contrast, was demolished in July 2025 to make way for new construction. These actions illustrate that Disney is not merely re‑theming existing structures but is undertaking a major redevelopment that combines new construction with selective reuse.
The permits also name Adirondack Scenic, Inc. as the contractor responsible for installing “set elements” at the two Cypress Drive sites. Adirondack Scenic is known in the themed‑entertainment industry for creating highly detailed environments and show scenery, suggesting that the new land will feature intricate theming.
The project was first announced at Disney’s D23 Expo in 2024. Disney described the land as a world where humans can visit Monstropolis, the city powered by laughter, and highlighted a factory attraction that would let guests “zoom through the building just like James P. Sullivan and Mike Wazowski.” While Disney has not yet released a full attraction lineup, the combination of permits, aerial imagery, and the ongoing construction of the Monsters, Inc. Doors roller coaster—Disney’s first suspended coaster—provides a clear picture of the land’s development.
Monsters, Inc. is one of several large‑scale projects underway across Walt Disney World. At Magic Kingdom, Disney is expanding with Piston Peak National Park and a new villains‑themed area. Animal Kingdom is transforming its former DinoLand U.S.A. into Pueblo Esperanza, anchored by an Encanto attraction and a new Indiana Jones adventure. Together, these projects signal a significant period of change for the resort.
As construction crews continue to work in Hollywood Studios, the Monstropolis land is moving from concept to reality. The new roller coaster and repurposed restaurant are already visible, and the remaining work will likely involve building additional attractions, theming, and infrastructure. Disney has not yet announced a completion date, but the active permits and visible progress suggest that the land will open in the coming years, adding a major new attraction to Walt Disney World’s lineup.
The current status is that construction is underway, the Stage 1 Company Store has been demolished, and the former Mama Melrose’s will become Harryhausen’s. The project remains in development, with further updates expected as the land moves closer to opening.
Aerial photographs shared by X user bioreconstruct reveal extensive demolition within the Muppets Courtyard footprint. The images show crews clearing and reshaping the area, with track pieces being lifted and a first section of the Monsters, Inc. roller coaster track being raised. The photographs also capture large sections of steel track and show‑building infrastructure for the new roller coaster, as well as a garden wall in progress that merges with a prior wall at the entrance to the future Monstropolis land.
One of the most visible changes is the repurposing of Mama Melrose’s. Disney confirmed that the former restaurant will become Harryhausen’s, the Japanese‑style eatery featured in Pixar’s 2001 film Monsters, Inc. The Stage 1 Company Store, in contrast, was demolished in July 2025 to make way for new construction. These actions illustrate that Disney is not merely re‑theming existing structures but is undertaking a major redevelopment that combines new construction with selective reuse.
The permits also name Adirondack Scenic, Inc. as the contractor responsible for installing “set elements” at the two Cypress Drive sites. Adirondack Scenic is known in the themed‑entertainment industry for creating highly detailed environments and show scenery, suggesting that the new land will feature intricate theming.
The project was first announced at Disney’s D23 Expo in 2024. Disney described the land as a world where humans can visit Monstropolis, the city powered by laughter, and highlighted a factory attraction that would let guests “zoom through the building just like James P. Sullivan and Mike Wazowski.” While Disney has not yet released a full attraction lineup, the combination of permits, aerial imagery, and the ongoing construction of the Monsters, Inc. Doors roller coaster—Disney’s first suspended coaster—provides a clear picture of the land’s development.
Monsters, Inc. is one of several large‑scale projects underway across Walt Disney World. At Magic Kingdom, Disney is expanding with Piston Peak National Park and a new villains‑themed area. Animal Kingdom is transforming its former DinoLand U.S.A. into Pueblo Esperanza, anchored by an Encanto attraction and a new Indiana Jones adventure. Together, these projects signal a significant period of change for the resort.
As construction crews continue to work in Hollywood Studios, the Monstropolis land is moving from concept to reality. The new roller coaster and repurposed restaurant are already visible, and the remaining work will likely involve building additional attractions, theming, and infrastructure. Disney has not yet announced a completion date, but the active permits and visible progress suggest that the land will open in the coming years, adding a major new attraction to Walt Disney World’s lineup.
The current status is that construction is underway, the Stage 1 Company Store has been demolished, and the former Mama Melrose’s will become Harryhausen’s. The project remains in development, with further updates expected as the land moves closer to opening.
