Monstropolis Is Starting to Look Like Monstropolis at Hollywood Studios
There’s a point during every Disney construction project when it stops looking like a giant pile of concrete, steel and questionable decisions and starts looking like an actual place.
We may have reached that point at Monstropolis.
Construction crews were working on the future Monsters, Inc.-themed area at Disney’s Hollywood Studios on August 12, including continued painting on the clock tower and restrooms building.
And suddenly, things are looking a lot more… monstrous.
In a good way.
The Clock Tower Is Getting a New Look
One of the most noticeable pieces of the construction is the clock tower associated with the former MuppetVision 3D area.
Crews have been repainting the structure as work continues to transform the former Muppets Courtyard into the future Monstropolis.
The changes are subtle compared with watching an entire building disappear overnight, but they’re important.
Color and architectural details are what start making a construction site feel like a themed land rather than a construction site.
And that’s when Disney fans start doing what Disney fans do best:
Taking approximately 47 photographs of the same building from slightly different angles.
Monstropolis Is Replacing the Former Muppet Area
The new land is being built where Muppet*Vision 3D and the surrounding Grand Avenue area once stood.
Yes, we are still allowed to be sad about the Muppets.
But we can also admit that seeing the new land take shape is pretty darn cool.
Disney announced the Monsters, Inc.-themed land in 2024. The project includes a new suspended roller coaster based on the concept of riding through Monstropolis on doors.
That’s a pretty ambitious upgrade from standing in line to watch Bean Bunny cause chaos.
Although I would personally like to see both.
The Area Is Getting More Detailed
The latest work isn’t limited to the clock tower.
Crews are also continuing work on the restrooms and other structures within the developing land, with painting and exterior theming helping bring the area together.
This is the stage of construction where the project starts becoming particularly fun to follow.
We can begin seeing how the colors, buildings and architectural elements are going to work together.
Instead of:
“Hey, there’s a giant steel frame.”
We’re getting closer to:
“Ohhh. That’s supposed to be Monstropolis.”
Progress!
There’s Still a LOT of Work to Do
It’s worth remembering that a fresh coat of paint doesn’t mean Monstropolis is opening tomorrow.
There’s still substantial construction happening throughout the area, including work on the suspended roller coaster and surrounding infrastructure.
The coaster will be Disney’s first suspended roller coaster, with guests riding in vehicles themed to doors from the Monsters, Inc. universe.
So yes, things are moving.
No, you shouldn’t start planning your opening-day strategy just yet.
Unless your strategy is “watch construction photos from home while eating a Mickey ice cream bar.”
That one is perfectly acceptable.
Hollywood Studios Is Going Through a LOT of Change
Monstropolis is just one of several major changes happening at Hollywood Studios.
The park has been steadily evolving over the past several years, and the addition of the Monsters, Inc. land represents another major shift in the park’s lineup.
For longtime Disney fans, that’s both exciting and a little weird.
Hollywood Studios has always been one of the parks where you could practically feel the identity changing underneath your feet.
Now we’re getting a full Monsters, Inc. neighborhood.
And honestly?
I’m curious to see how it all comes together.
Monstropolis Is Finally Starting to Take Shape
Monstropolis is starting to look less like a construction project and more like an actual Disney land, with crews continuing to paint and detail buildings throughout the area.
There’s still plenty of work ahead, but these smaller finishing details are giving us a better idea of what the finished land could look like.
For now, we’ll keep watching.
Because if there’s one thing Disney fans love almost as much as visiting a new land, it’s watching that land get built one ridiculously expensive-looking building at a time.
