Cast Member Lot Walled-Off as Disney Gears Up for Monsters, Inc. Expansion at Hollywood Studios

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Monsters Inc. Land backstage Parking Lot Walls

Posted: Thursday June 12, 2025 12:10pm ET by WDWMAGIC Staff

Work is now underway behind the scenes at Disney's Hollywood Studios as crews begin preparing the site for the upcoming Monsters, Inc. land. A significant portion of the Cast Member parking lot has now been closed off, with concrete barriers and fencing marking the future footprint of the new themed area and the staging area for construction equipment.

Monsters Inc. Land backstage Parking Lot Walls

The newly restricted zone spans from the backstage area behind the former MuppetVision 3D theater and Stage 1 Company Store all the way to Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge, encompassing land currently outside the park's operational guest space.

Monsters Inc. Land Concept Art - June 2025

While much of the existing infrastructure in Grand Park will be retained and reimagined for Monstropolis, including buildings that formerly housed MuppetVision 3D, PizzeRizzo, and Mama Melrose's, plans call for the demolition of the Stage 1 Company Store. In its place, the approach to the signature "flying door" coaster will be constructed, extending beyond the existing theme park boundary and into the former backstage area now under active site preparation.

Monsters Inc. Coaster Concept Model Track Layout

This coaster, themed to the chaotic door vault scene from Monsters, Inc., is expected to be one of the most significant additions to Disney's Hollywood Studios since Galaxy's Edge, both in size and scope. Walt Disney Imagineering has already filed a Notice of Commencement for demolition and infrastructure work on the Stage 1 site.

Monsters Inc. Land Concept Art - June 2025

Disney has yet to announce a formal opening timeline for the new land, but visible activity both onstage and backstage indicates that construction momentum is building. Guests can expect more changes in the coming months as the transformation into Monstropolis progresses.

Construction Walls Up at Monsters Inc Land

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TheMaxRebo10 hours ago

I agree with the later park - I would like to do a Monsters Inc Sushi/Asian fashion dining experience but because it would (presumably) have fun theming and provide a unique experience and ideally also have at least solid food (no excuse to serve poor food) - but I am not picking my dining locations at Disney just for food quality

DCLcruiser11 hours ago

While I love sushi, I am not getting it at DHS. Even EPCOT is questionable. But, I don’t go to WDW for culinary delights. I am fortunate to live where I can get much better stuff. Plus, sushi needs to be very very high quality. Now, if they want to do Hibachi or Teppanyaki, that would be fun…granted it steps on EPCOT’s toes. I could see them redesigning a lot of the SGE Asian-fusion noodle based meals. The theme, as usual, will be the bigger draw than the actual food.

Mr. Sullivan2 days ago

Sushi has exponentially grown in popularity among younger eaters. I'm not sure it's going to be as much of an issue as some may think it would.

MistaDee3 days ago

I really hope they scatter some easter eggs from Harry Hausen's work as a stop-motion artist. The cyclops in particular is most fitting for the eye:

Fido Chuckwagon3 days ago

It has an awesome piano playing animatronic.

celluloid3 days ago

Burgushi notes from Cowfish. Themed to fancy dining for Monsters without actually being all that fancy.

rle4lunch4 days ago

Sashimi roll desserts perhaps.

MisterPenguin4 days ago

It'll be an Asian Hamburger Fusion restaurant.

Emamba4 days ago

I think they just need to take ideas from the restaurants in Japan from Epcot. Sushi does have a big market and many people like it. But also why would you have a sushi restaurant from the movie and not sell sushi there?

Animaniac93-984 days ago

Location, capacity, indoors, visibility, menu variety and selection (something for everyone) It's not pretty. It's not good. But it gets the job done.

WorldExplorer4 days ago

I simultaneously want Disney to have more sushi and don't because the prices are always insane for the most basic rolls. The few places that offer it are like twelve bucks for a six piece California roll. The non-Disney. sushi place I frequent sells those for 6.25. I don't expect Disney to be cheap, but there's a limit to how much I'm willing to put up with.

Andrew C4 days ago

Because it is easy, and MK food options are not all that great.

TheMaxRebo4 days ago

that was my thinking - sushi and Asian fusion seems pretty standard nowadays ... some fairly basic rolls and like teryaki chicken or katsu or similar I am sure can have a burger with a little uniqueness too but maybe it is me as I don't understand why anyone bothers with like Cosmic Ray's but it is the busiest restaurant in all of Disney, right?

rle4lunch4 days ago

Anything more than California rolls with fake crab in them is most likely not gonna sell well with the US audience. And the price on sushi is ridiculous at off property restaurants. Hate to see it there lol.