We toured Disney World’s upcoming Monsters, Inc.-themed land and learned new details about Monstropolis, H.U.M.A.N. Day, the suspended coaster, and more.
Construction is underway on the new Monsters, Inc.-themed land in Disney’s Hollywood Studios (called Monstropolois), and Walt Disney World invited us behind the construction walls for a first look! Along the way, we learned a ton of new details about how this Pixar world is being brought to life.
A First Look Inside Monstropolis at Disney’s Hollywood Studios
As we were standing on the second floor of the building that once housed The Muppets-themed PizzeRizzo, a group of Imagineers shared a bit of their vision for this land that aims to be a living city like Zootopia at Shanghai Disneyland. And yes, it will be complete with Disney’s first-ever suspended coaster that will take us through the iconic Monsters, Inc. factory’s door vault.
Photo Courtesy of Disney
While there is still a lot of work to be done, a ton of construction is currently underway as they transform what was once Muppets Courtyard into Monstropolis. What immediately struck me is how they are changing this space into a city street that will let guests walk past Mike and Sulley’s apartment, the legendary Harryhausen’s with its unmissable giant chopsticks and single eyeball that will invite guests in for some sushi and more, and even the Glob Theater that once held Muppet*Vision 3D and will soon hold a brand new Monster-filled show.
And all of this will lead to Monsters, Inc. itself, which is where the new suspended coaster attraction will live. It will also serve as a final destination of sorts for the land, which will encourage guests to walk and explore the sights and sounds of what Imagineering is cooking up as they head for some thrills.
The Story Behind Monstropolis Takes Place After the Film
Imagineering and Pixar are also putting a huge focus on the storybuilding of Monstropolis, which is set after the events of Monsters, Inc., and takes place in a time where monsters are inviting humans to their world for the first time ever. For those who remember, the events of the film saw Monstropolis change from a place that was powered by fear and scares to one fueled by laughter and joy.
Photo Courtesy of Disney
This ‘historic decision’ is the talk of the town, especially considering monsters were just as scared of us as we were of them, as they thought we were dangerous and gross and all that (Remember the sock that caused a 2319?). However, these barriers are being broken down and have caused a shift in how monsters view our world, and even led to the creation of the Department of Human Relations.
Photo Courtesy of Disney
This HR team devised a plan for H.U.M.A.N. Day, short for “Humans Understand Monsters Are Nice,” and this celebration is meant to show both monsters and humans that we can all get along, and we aren’t as scary as the other group may have initially thought.
Why Imagineers Want Guests to Explore the Streets
Imagineering told us they want to make this city feel alive, feel monstrous, and welcoming. There are a ton of design motifs with teeth and scales and the sort, but there was also a mission to make the space feel more open as well. One of the biggest ways they’ve done this is by removing much of the Stage 1 Company Store building that used to feature Muppets merch, as that congested the area a bit. The team also teased that there will be things to see in the buildings and windows and streets (monster squirrels or pigeons, anyone?!), and monstrous surprises will be around every turn. Oh, and be sure to pay attention to the ‘Stalk’ and ‘Don’t Stalk’ signs at the crosswalks!
What Comes Next for Disney World’s Monsters, Inc. Land
While we still have a ways to go until we get to meet Mike and Sulley and the rest of the crew in Monstropolis, it’s exciting to know that construction is actively happening and H.U.M.A.N. Day is fast approaching. And even though it will always be sad that the Muppets are gone from that area, guests only have to walk a short distance to Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring The Muppets to experience some true Jim Henson magic.
Photo Courtesy of Disney
From my brief glimpse behind-the-scenes at Monstropolis, I’ll always remember the excitement in the Imagineers’ eyes as, after years of secrecy, they were finally able to share this land with someone other than their team. This marks a very special milestone as Monstropolis is now at a place where details can be celebrated, discussed, and previewed, and that makes it feel as though our trip to the world of Monsters, Inc. isn’t so far away. There is still a ton of work to be done, but the promise of what’s to come is becoming realized each and every day.
Unfortunately, now the pain of waiting to see this land again has sunk in, and I feel more like Roz than ever before. If you need me, I’ll be walking by those walls and impatiently waiting for updates while saying in my heart, “I’m watching you, Imagineers. Always watching.”
