Monsters, Inc. Doors Coaster & Monstropolis Land Coming to Disney’s Hollywood Studios
Walt Disney World has officially announced a long-rumored Monsters, Inc. doors roller coaster inside a Monstropolis minland at Hollywood Studios. This post shares details, concept art, and everything we know about the plan–plus comprehensive commentary about what this might replace at DHS and more.
This news was announced during the “Horizons: Disney Experiences Showcase” or Parks Panel presentation during the 2024 D23 Expo at the Honda Center in Anaheim, California. Disney Parks Chairman Josh D’Amaro offered a sneak peek at concept art for the future in addition and teased what was to come in a few years.
This was just one of several blockbuster announcements for Parks & Resorts at Horizons, during which D’Amaro revealed several ‘shovel to soil’ projects that will come online in the next 5 years, including over a half-dozen additions that will debut before the end of 2025. He and head Imagineer Bruce Vaughn followed through on their promise to deliver concrete details and not just tease more ‘Blue Sky’ possibilities.
It’s laughter they’re after when a brand-new land themed around Pixar Animation Studios’ “Monsters, Inc.” comes to life at Disney’s Hollywood Studios at Walt Disney World.
The news was shared with a little help from Disney Legend Billy Crystal, who took to the stage to reveal plans to build a living, breathing, and not-at-all-scary “Monsters, Inc.” inspired area where you’ll be able to stroll the streets alongside some of your favorite monsters.
Picking up after the events of Pixar’s beloved film, humans have now been invited to visit the world of Monsters, Inc. — and the monsters need laughter to power the city and keep it running smoothly. But it’s not a true visit without the factory itself. You’ll be able to see the sights, hear the laughs and zoom through the building just like James P. Sullivan (a.k.a. Sulley) and Mike Wazowski — via a door!
Yes, a door. If you’ve been dreaming of riding through the door vault since the movie was released in 2001, you’re not alone — Josh D’Amaro has been thinking about this, too. “The first time I saw Monsters, Inc., all I wanted to do was ride on one of those doors like Mike and Sulley,” he told the crowd. “You’ll go into the factory and experience the first suspended coaster ever in a Disney park. Remember in the movie how those claws grab the doors and hoist them up into the air to take them away? We’re doing that, too. And you’re going along for the ride.”
The coaster will put you right in the middle of the monster action. Just be sure to fill out your paperwork! Roz is always watching…
Work on the Monstropolis land and Monsters, Inc. Doors Coaster project is slated to begin in 2025, so get ready to ROAR with laughter!
Turning to commentary, boy do I feel like a dummy. Just a few days ago, I shared my list of the Top 10 Walt Disney World Rumors We’d Bet Against. On that list was none other than the Monsters, Inc. Doors Coaster. Oof.
I had actually received a tip that a Monstropolis miniland was back on the table. Obviously, I did not believe that (see above). That was largely because, as mentioned above, there have been rumors of a Monsters Inc. Doors Coaster since I’ve been active in the fan community as an adult. So like 2006 or so. At one point, it was a “done deal” for the spot next door to Toy Story Mania in Pixar Place. That was long before Toy Story Land was a thing.
At some point (probably when Toy Story Mania got a third track, taking that option off the table), the location moved to Animation Courtyard. Other versions place it in Sunset Showcase or area that is currently backstage but could be repurposed to connect dead ends of the park.
I mention this because Walt Disney World did not announce a location for Monstropolis and the Monsters, Inc. Doors Coaster and the concept art is ambiguous. Actually, that’s not the right word. To my eye at least, they look totally different. The above piece looks like it’s Animation Courtyard and the below piece looks like it’s Grand Avenue.
The location is kind of make-or-break for me. Animation Courtyard would be a great place for a Monstropolis land, breathing fresh life into this area of Disney’s Hollywood Studios that feels long-forgotten. It would revitalize a prime piece of real estate, and help spread out crowds a bit better.
By contrast, replacing Grand Avenue necessarily means losing MuppetVision 3D. While I can appreciate that it’s had a long run, I also don’t think its time is up. MuppetVision is a masterpiece–a true work of art (and heart) that is quintessential Muppets humor. Losing that would be a big blow and really kill some of my enthusiasm for this project. (Guess I should’ve been a more vocal supporter of the campaign to make it a National Historic Landmark.)
The online consensus seems to be that Monstropolis is replacing MuppetVision and Grand Avenue and, frankly, I’m not sure what basis there is for that (beyond similar-looking concept art). I’m personally not convinced the sightlines would allow for a roller coaster backing up to Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge. Presumably, it’ll have a tall gravity building in addition to that massive CDA hangar facade. By contrast, that other side of the park has plenty of room–so long as they’re willing to relocate offices.
Ultimately, I think the Monsters Inc. Doors Coaster is a brilliant idea for a family-friendly “story” coaster. As mentioned even when betting against it, I also think this is one of those good ideas that never really dies in Imagineering. Which we obviously now know is true, given that it managed to hang around for ~15 years and is now going to be built. So based on longevity of the concept alone, it must be pretty good.
Honestly, I’m excited for this even if it replaces MuppetVision 3D. I probably shouldn’t admit that as it risks getting my Muppet fan card revoked. MuppetVision is an attraction of a different era, and has been on borrowed time for a while as a result.
With that said, I still expected (and expect!) no fewer than two other areas of Disney’s Hollywood Studios to be reimagined or developed before Grand Avenue. The area is relatively new, fairly nice (albeit modest and mundane) and has a couple of reimagined restaurants, as well as MuppetVision, which has also been refreshed a few times in recent years.
By contrast, Animation Courtyard has serious dead mall vibes and Sunset Showcase likewise feels like an abandoned afterthought (and probably will become one once the Cars expansion opens in Magic Kingdom). Here’s hoping that Walt Disney World and Imagineering leadership recognize this, and build Monstropolis where it’ll be a pure addition that’ll have everyone excited!
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YOUR THOUGHTS
What is your reaction to this announcement confirming the long-rumored Monsters, Inc. doors roller coaster inside a Monstropolis minland at Hollywood Studios? Where do you hope this goes within DHS? Where do you think it actually will go? Is this addition still “worth it” to you if it replaces Grand Avenue and MuppetVision 3D? Do you agree or disagree with our assessments? Any questions we can help you answer? Hearing your feedback–even when you disagree with us–is both interesting to us and helpful to other readers, so please share your thoughts below in the comments!
As long as you NEVER touch tower of terror
When watching Monster’s Inc for the first time, it was IMMEDIATELY clear to me that two things from the movie were needed in a Disney park. The door coaster is #2.
#1 is Harryhausen’s. We DESERVE the opportunity to eat sushi while an audio-animatronic octopus chef preps rolls.
Animation Courtyard is a far more useful space for this to go – there’s still plenty of life in Muppet*Vision, while the meet and greets can be accommodated elsewhere.
It’s going where the stunt show is now. They won’t have Indiana Jones in two WDW parks.
the stunt show ‘swallows’ up visitors and takes the heavy load of the rides and also allows for a sit down between attractions, so I doubt that will go? but the new IJ ride should be in HWS, it is not an AK attraction, it has no educational slant as far as I can see?
it only makes sense to go in animation courtyard/launch bay. it’s an area not being used and has lots of space. it puts it adjacent to toy story land. there’s no reason it should go to grand avenue. not only would it erode a lot of the goodwill these announcements have brought by removing muppetvision, but there doesn’t seem like there is enough space for a coaster of that magnitude there. another option i’ve seen is replacing indiana jones stunt show. that would have lots of necessary space as well, and i doubt there are that many diehard fans ofthe show anymore, especially since florida is now getting an indy ride.
on another topic, now that this one is finally in the pipeline, i continue to wait impatiently for the Yzma’s Lab coaster!
Yzma’s coaster could go in Villains Land!
compromise, move Muppets elsewhere and or at least bring back Great Moments in History to MK
Context- I’m a MASSIVE muppets fan. Like … the kind of person who would borderline take it personally if they removed Muppetvision. So I’m not an unbiased observer.
That being said, I think building it there instead of over by the Animation building is a remarkably bad idea for an underrated logistical reason:
Shade.
DHS is without a doubt the park that suffers the most during long summer days (hell, even late spring days sometimes) when the sun is beating down on that back part of the park. The biggest reason we don’t spend a ton of time in Toy Story Land is the incredible lack of shade (though there’s plenty of “shade” regarding the land online, but I digress). Muppetvision has become a mainstay on our planning schedule for where we’ll pop in after a few hours at Toy Story Land and Galaxy’s Edge to suck in some a/c and recharge before heading back out into the sun. I’ve found myself saying, “ok, we can play hide and seek with Chewie and Rey for a couple more minutes, but then we need to go watch Kermit so we don’t all literally perish.”
Side note- that last sentence is kinda crazy.
I’m super excited about Monsters, Inc, and the coaster is definitely something that sounds amazing. However, I’m not sure losing Muppets would be worth it.
Turning PizzaRizzo into Harryhausen’s, on the other hand …
Tom…care to indulge in any reckless speculation on when any of the new rides/ attractions could actually open (except ‘known’ things like Test Track)?
I’m going to guess that it’s either going in previously existing backstage or in Launch Bay, which is basically backstage. (Save the Darth Vader and other meet and greets by moving them to Galaxy’s Edge or near Star Tours, I’m good either way but wouldn’t mind reusing the Jedi Training space.) To me, the other alternative looks more like the other end of the old Streets of America, near an old tram tour drop-off. It had that “town square” look from the art that Grand Avenue lacks, which makes me think this was originally a concept to go in there before Galaxy’s Edge. Given how long the concept has been floating around Imagineering, I wouldn’t be surprised.
If I’m wrong, Grand Avenue is getting replaced less than a decade later. It’s no replacing off-the-shelf Paradise Pier with a fancy themed Paradise Pier, and then turning around and replacing it again with Pixar Pier … but still.
Tom, Don’t be upset about “missing” this in your predictions. It’s better to be a pessimist and be wrong than to be an optimist and be wrong.
Tom:
Thanks so much for working through the night so we can hear although news from you, and with your fantastic comments and insight!! You are the best!
Expand, don’t replace! Are they realy considering anything other than this????
Very excited for this, and as much as I can’t wait to ride this coaster, DHS still needs more people eater rides. Hoping that one still is in the works but even that won’t offset how top heavy this park already is.
Please let it be Animation Courtyard/Launch Bay. That area is almost a waste of space. Losing Muppets is necessary.
It’s GOT to go around Animation Courtyard/Launch Bay. Replacing MuppetVision and/or Star Tours with a roller coaster wouldn’t exactly help with DHS’s top-heavy ride roster problem. MuppetVision is one of the few things at DHS that kids AND seniors can do together. And Star Tours is still a good ride with a short wait, which is something WDW needs more of.
I agree.
fun fact!! the Monsters Inc doors are inspired by how the automated and self-sorting hangars move costumes around the backstage laundry facilities (surprisingly, the coolest tour I did when I was a CP)
unrelated, but if they get rid of Muppetvision 3D, I’ll riot. it was difficult to hold myself back from bringing out bubbles and a toy butterfly when my choir did Dream a Little Dream of Me a few weeks ago
Rock n Rollercoaster is one of our most favorite rides at WDW. I hope they do not replace it, or ToT. The Muppets show is still fun and a great spot to rest your feet and cool off on hot days at HS. NOT a lot of shady spots in that park. They need to add new rides/attractions, not replace rides. Spread out the crowds and give people more attractions and options. They’ve raised the prices so high! Give people more value for their money. Don’t replace attractions, just build new ones!!
Totally agree! Likewise at AK! that said, move the IJ ride to HWS too and think of another more suitable concept ride for AK!
Arrgh! I hope they don’t remove Rockin Rollercoaster. That is absolutely my favorite thing in Hollywood Studios. I don’t think I’d even visit the park if Rockin Rollercoaster went away.
Assuming Disney uses Vekoma, I wonder if the ride mechanics will be similar to their coasters like Dragonflier at Dollywood or if they are going to iterate and design something custom for Disney.
Honestly I bet it replaces Rock’N Roller Coaster. Cars show seems like a good bet to close with the cars expansion at MK. They’ll probably repurpose the animatronic in the new lane, Closing Rock’N Roller and the show will give Monstropolis more than enough land
RnR, with ToT, are the main reason I visit HWS, star wars does nothing for me. makes no sense either to get rid of good rides when the park NEEDS more not less.