Inside Monstropolis: We got an early look at Disney’s Monsters, Inc. coaster expansion
During a construction update held inside the former PizzeRizzo building at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, Walt Disney Imagineering shared new details with Attractions Magazine about the Monsters Inc. land’s story, atmosphere, attractions, and how guests will become part of Monstropolis when the expansion opens.
The presentation offered a closer look at the land’s story, interactive elements, atmosphere, and attractions, including new information about H.U.M.A.N. Day, the highly anticipated Monsters, Inc. roller coaster, and a theater experience Disney says will use groundbreaking technology.
How is Imagineering going to make Montropolis make sense inside Disney’s Hollywood Studios?
Imagineers have created a story that places visitors directly into the world of Monsters, Inc., transforming them from observers into participants in a citywide celebration called H.U.M.A.N. Day.
H.U.M.A.N. Day brings guests into the story
When Monstropolis opens, guests will arrive during Human Day, a citywide celebration that takes place after the events of the original “Monsters, Inc.” film. H.U.M.A.N. Day stands for “Humans Understanding Monsters Are Nice” and celebrates the growing relationship between the human and monster worlds following the discovery that laughter is more powerful than screams.
Courtesy of Walt Disney World
Guests visiting the land become part of that story. Cast members will serve as human relations representatives, welcoming visitors to Monstropolis and helping them participate in the festivities.
Imagineers explained that not every monster is completely comfortable with Human Day. Some monster residents remain nervous around humans, and even the Child Detection Agency still has concerns. Those tensions will help drive the land’s storytelling and interactions.
Photo by @bioreconstruct
Interactive storytelling throughout the city
Imagineers described Monstropolis as a fully immersive city filled with attractions, dining, shopping, entertainment, and environmental storytelling. Many of those story moments will be found in the city’s windows, where guests will be able to interact with monsters and discover details hidden throughout the land.
Disney said the city is being designed as a real place where monsters live and work. Guests will encounter businesses inspired by the film, including a door company and a canister company that support the city’s energy industry.
Courtesy of Walt Disney World
The land is also being built to accommodate monsters of all shapes and sizes. This unique design philosophy extends throughout the architecture, streets, and environmental details.
Visitors should keep an eye out for some unusual Monstropolis wildlife as well, including two-headed pigeons and strange squirrel-like creatures.
Monstropolis attractions
While the suspended Monsters, Inc. coaster has become the face of Monstropolis, Imagineers revealed the land will feature at least two attractions. During the presentation, Disney shared new details about a theater experience centered on H.U.M.AN. Day while also offering a glimpse at the future home of the coaster.
A new attraction focused on monster-human relations
Disney revealed new details about the theater attraction planned for the land. According to Imagineers, the experience will combine physical sets, animated figures, and innovative technology to place guests directly into the Human Day celebration.
The attraction centers on monster-human relations and allows guests to actively participate in the experience. Disney described the project as highly technical and unlike anything the company has previously attempted.
A glimpse toward the Monsters, Inc. coaster
During the tour, Imagineers brought attendees to the upper level of the former PizzeRizzo building, where they could look down the future Monstropolis streetscape toward the location of the upcoming Monsters, Inc. coaster.
While Disney did not announce new coaster details during the presentation, the view we experienced offered a sense of the scale of the expansion currently taking shape behind construction walls.
Photo by @bioreconstruct
Pixar helped shape the land
Disney said the project has been developed in close collaboration with Pixar, including input from Pete Docter, director of the original Monsters, Inc.
The company also shared that cast members will have an opportunity to sign a construction beam that will eventually become part of one of the attractions inside Monstropolis.
Monstropolis is one of several major projects currently underway at Walt Disney World. Disney said Monstropolis, Magic of Disney Animation, Tropical Americas, and Piston Peak collectively represent more than 5,000 cast member jobs.
Construction continues across Monstropolis
Recent aerial photos show steel rising for the coaster’s show building while crews continue work on the streetscape that will connect the land’s attractions, restaurants, and shops. Construction is also progressing on what Disney has now confirmed will become Harryhausen’s, the iconic restaurant from the original “Monsters, Inc.” film.
From the air, guests can already begin to see the scale of the transformation taking place behind MuppetVision 3D’s former courtyard. New facades are taking shape, infrastructure is being installed, and the framework for future show buildings continues to expand as Disney brings Monstropolis to life.
For a closer look at the latest progress, including aerial photos and construction milestones, check out our ongoing Monstropolis construction updates.
Additional details about Monstropolis are expected to be revealed during D23. We’ll be there, so stay tuned to AttractionsMagazine.com for daily stories about theme parks and attractions, including Walt Disney World and beyond.
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