Disney has confirmed that the first parts of its new Monsters, Inc. land will open at Disney’s Hollywood Studios in 2027. The much talked-about door-vault coaster does not have an opening date yet, but there will still be a show, two places to eat and a rather determined sushi chef.
The D23 announcement cleared up one of the biggest questions around Monstropolis. Rather than waiting for the whole land to be finished, Disney will open its theatre, restaurants and shop while work continues on the coaster. There is no opening month yet and Disney has not said whether everything will arrive together.
For families, the first version of Monstropolis will be less about racing through the door vault and more about stepping into the city from the film. Mike and Sulley will host a new show at the Glob Theater called Welcome to Monstropolis. Sulley has apparently planned a small, homespun introduction for the human visitors, although Mike has added a few surprises of his own.
The show will use a new song of the same name by Randy Newman. Disney says it is the first song he has written specifically for one of its theme parks.
The idea behind the land picks up after Mike and Sulley discover that laughter produces more power than screams. Monsters are no longer hiding from humans, so the city has created H.U.M.A.N. Day and invited us in. The show welcomes people, the restaurants let them spend time in the city and the shop treats them as its first human tourists.
Pizza, Harryhausen’s and a many-armed chef
Archie’s Scare Pig Pizza will be the quick-service option. Archie is Fear Tech’s six-legged mascot and has apparently been “borrowed” often enough by Monsters University students to become a campus favourite. The adjoining Monsters University Alumni Club will include references to its student clubs and famous scarers, although Disney has not described it as a separate attraction or character-meeting spot.
Harryhausen’s is the more elaborate restaurant reveal. This is the restaurant from Mike and Celia’s date in the original film, now being brought to Hollywood Studios. Its many-tentacled sushi chef will appear as an Audio-Animatronics figure, working away while people eat. Disney says the menu will include more than sushi, but prices, dishes and booking details have not been announced.
There will also be a shop called Scareporium. Disney has not shown what it will sell yet, beyond the fairly safe promise of Monstropolis souvenirs.
That mix may actually suit younger families rather well. For young children who know the film, seeing Mike and Sulley may be the main attraction. A theatre show and two places to eat also give the area a purpose before the coaster arrives. We still need the practical details, particularly the show format, menus, opening times and how bookings at Harryhausen’s will work.
What happened to Muppets Courtyard?
Monstropolis is being built on the south side of Disney’s Hollywood Studios, where Muppets Courtyard and part of Grand Avenue used to be. The former Muppet*Vision 3D theatre is becoming the Glob Theater, PizzeRizzo is being turned into Archie’s and Mama Melrose’s is becoming Harryhausen’s. The coaster is the large new build behind them.
Muppet*Vision 3D has closed, while the Muppets are moving to a reworked Rock ’n’ Roller Coaster on Sunset Boulevard.
The door coaster is still the big unknown
The eventual coaster is based on the door-vault chase from the first film. Riders will hang beneath the track and be lifted vertically, like one of the doors in the factory, before moving into the vault. Disney describes it as both its first suspended coaster and the first vertical lift used on a Disney park coaster.
It is also the part families know least about. Disney has not announced its opening date, official name or height requirement. That last detail will matter if you are visiting with a preschooler or younger child, so it is too early to assume everyone in the family will be able to ride.
Until Disney announces a date for the coaster, a 2027 visit may include the show and restaurants but not the land’s main ride.
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