The Transformation of Disney’s Hollywood Studios
If you have visited Disney’s Hollywood Studios recently, you know the park is currently a whirlwind of construction walls and cranes. While the grand opening of Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring The Muppets on Sunset Boulevard has given fans a much-needed Muppet fix, all eyes are currently on the back of the park. The former Muppets Courtyard and Grand Avenue are officially being transformed into Monstropolis, and the progress as of June 2026 is staggering.
The First-Ever Suspended Door Coaster
The crown jewel of this new land is the Monsters, Inc. Door Vault Coaster. This is not your average roller coaster. Disney Imagineering is debutting its first-ever suspended coaster system here, designed to mimic the high-speed door vault chase from the original film. Recent construction updates show that the project has officially moved into its vertical phase. Huge blue steel track supports are now visible over the construction walls, stretching into the skyline behind the old Muppet*Vision 3D theater.
Technically, this ride is a marvel. It features a unique vertical lift system that simulates the way doors are pulled from the warehouse and slotted into the track. Instead of a traditional chain lift hill, guests will be hoisted upward before being launched into the chaotic, winding path of the door vault. The show building itself is massive, currently on track to be the largest attraction footprint in the park, even surpassing the scale of Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance.
Dining at Harryhausen’s and The Glob Theater
It is bittersweet to see familiar landmarks change, but the level of detail planned for Monstropolis is impressive. The building that once housed Mama Melrose’s Ristorante Italiano has been completely gutted. Construction crews are currently working on the exterior to transform it into Harryhausen’s, the premier table-service restaurant of the land. We expect this to be a highly themed Japanese-style eatery, complete with a celebrity chef monster or two.
Nearby, the iconic Muppet*Vision 3D theater building is undergoing a total reskin. It will eventually become The Glob Theater, named after the famous venue from the monster world. While Disney has been quiet about the exact plot of the new show, the building’s purple gutters and clock faces have been removed to make way for a more industrial, monster-scaled aesthetic. The surrounding streets are also being rethemed to look like the bustling urban center of Monstropolis, utilizing some of the existing facades from Grand Avenue but adding the distinct ‘monster’ touch.
What to Expect in 2026 and Beyond
With construction now in full swing, guests should plan for significant detours near the back of the park. The walkway between Grand Avenue and Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge remains open, but the area is a loud, active construction site. Most industry experts and rumors suggest an opening window in 2028, which fits the timeline for a project of this massive scale.
If you are missing the Muppets during this transition, the good news is their new home at the end of Sunset Boulevard is officially open. The rethemed Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster features a psychedelic new look and a Muppet-infused soundtrack that helps bridge the gap while we wait for the monsters to move in. For now, we will keep a close watch on those coaster tracks as they continue to weave through the Hollywood Studios skyline.
Disclaimer: This information is gathered from various online sources and news outlets. While we strive for accuracy, Disney plans and policies can change rapidly. We recommend double-checking official Disney sources for the most up-to-date information before making final travel plans.