Theme Park Scope

One of the most recognizable locations from Monsters, Inc. is officially starting to take shape at Walt Disney World.

Construction crews have reached another major milestone in the transformation of Muppets Courtyard into Monstropolis at Disney’s Hollywood Studios.

New steel framework has now been installed for the future façade of Harryhausen’s, the iconic restaurant from Pixar’s Monsters, Inc., giving fans their clearest look yet at how the land is beginning to come together. Recent updates from both ground-level and aerial photography show significant progress as Disney continues its massive reimagining of the former Grand Avenue area.

Steel Framework Now Visible for Harryhausen’s

The newest construction photos reveal steel I-beams and framing installed at the front of the former Mama Melrose’s Ristorante Italiano building, which is being transformed into Harryhausen’s.

The newly added steel structure appears to be creating the framework for the restaurant’s future themed façade, marking one of the first major vertical construction milestones visible to guests from outside the construction walls.

From aerial views and ground-level photos, the framework can be seen extending upward from the building’s front face, helping define the future look of one of Monstropolis’ most anticipated locations.

Former Mama Melrose’s Continues Its Transformation

The building formerly occupied by Mama Melrose’s has undergone dramatic changes over the past several weeks.

Earlier construction updates showed that the restaurant’s front façade had been completely removed, exposing structural steel columns, ductwork, and interior infrastructure. Portions of the original exterior remain wrapped in protective sheeting while crews continue work on the transformation.

The addition of steel framing suggests Disney is now moving beyond demolition and into the next phase of construction as the Monsters, Inc.-inspired dining location begins to emerge.

Harryhausen’s Is One of Monstropolis’ Most Anticipated Locations

While Disney has not yet released extensive details about the restaurant, concept art for Monstropolis has consistently shown Harryhausen’s as a featured dining location within the new land.

Fans of the original Monsters, Inc. film will recognize Harryhausen’s as the sushi restaurant where Mike Wazowski takes Celia Mae for her birthday dinner before the night’s events spiral into chaos. The restaurant was named in tribute to legendary stop-motion animator Ray Harryhausen.

The inclusion of Harryhausen’s in Monstropolis will give guests the chance to step inside one of the most memorable locations from the film while exploring Disney’s first-ever land themed entirely to the world of Monsters, Inc.

Monstropolis Construction Is Accelerating

The Harryhausen’s façade isn’t the only part of the project moving quickly.

Recent construction updates have shown major progress on the future Door Vault roller coaster, which will become Disney’s first suspended coaster and one of the largest attraction buildings at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Imagineering recently shared a behind-the-scenes look at the land, while aerial photography has revealed extensive steel installation, concrete work, and building construction throughout the site.

Additional framework has also appeared near the future entrance to Monstropolis, with structural elements beginning to resemble the cityscape shown in Disney’s concept art. However, some recently installed entrance columns appear to differ from the original artwork released by Disney, suggesting the final land may feature some design changes from the early concepts.

The Future of Monstropolis

When Monstropolis opens at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, guests will enter the monster world after the events of the original film, where laughter has replaced screams as the city’s primary energy source.

The land will feature the highly anticipated Door Vault coaster, Harryhausen’s restaurant, the reimagined Glob Theater, themed shopping and dining, and immersive city streets designed to make guests feel as though they’ve stepped directly into Monstropolis.

While Disney has not yet announced an opening date for the land, the rapid pace of construction continues to suggest that major progress is being made behind the walls.

It’s still early, but each new beam and structural addition makes Monstropolis feel a little more real, and a little closer to welcoming its first human visitors.

Be sure to keep checking back with Theme Park Scope for the latest Monstropolis construction updates, Disney’s Hollywood Studios news, and Walt Disney World expansion coverage.