Theme Park Scope

Monstropolis is growing before our eyes, and one of its most recognizable locations just hit a major construction milestone.

Disney fans have been closely watching every permit, demolition update, and steel beam as Monstropolis begins transforming the former Muppets Courtyard at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Now, thanks to new aerial photos from Bioreconstruct, we have our clearest look yet at the future home of Harryhausen’s, the famous sushi restaurant from Pixar’s Monsters, Inc.

The latest construction update shows that work is moving well beyond demolition, with a large steel framework now standing behind the existing façade of the former Mama Melrose’s Ristorante Italiano.

Steel Framing Is Now Rising at Harryhausen’s

The newest aerial photos reveal a substantial steel structure extending from the rear of the former Mama Melrose’s building.

While the front façade remains largely intact, including the recognizable Tuscan-style exterior and “Mama Melrose’s” mural, it’s clear Disney is dramatically expanding and reconfiguring the building behind the scenes.

Large steel columns and roof beams are now in place, creating what appears to be a significant new structural addition. Construction crews can also be seen working throughout the site, with heavy equipment, scaffolding, lifts, and building materials filling the construction zone.

Protective sheeting continues to wrap portions of the existing building while work progresses inside, suggesting Imagineers are preserving portions of the original structure while integrating it into the future Monstropolis streetscape.

Harryhausen’s Will Become a Real Restaurant

When Disney officially revealed more details about Monstropolis earlier this month, Imagineers confirmed that guests will actually be able to dine inside Harryhausen’s, bringing one of the most memorable locations from the original Monsters, Inc. film to life.

In the movie, Harryhausen’s is the upscale sushi restaurant where Mike Wazowski plans a romantic dinner with Celia Mae before Randall unexpectedly crashes the evening. Since the film’s 2001 debut, the restaurant has become one of the franchise’s most requested real-world locations among Disney and Pixar fans.

Disney has not yet shared menu details or confirmed whether the restaurant will offer table service, quick service, or another dining format.

What the Photos Tell Us

While Disney hasn’t commented specifically on this phase of construction, the aerial images show several noticeable developments:

• The new steel framework has grown significantly compared to earlier construction updates.
• The expansion extends behind the preserved Mama Melrose’s façade.
• Exterior protective wrap remains in place as crews continue structural work.
• Construction equipment is actively working throughout the site, indicating the project remains in a heavy building phase.
• The surrounding Monstropolis construction area continues evolving alongside work on Disney’s first suspended coaster.

Perhaps most exciting is that the project has officially entered a stage where guests can easily spot visible vertical progress from above—a milestone every theme park construction fan loves to see.

Monstropolis Continues to Come to Life

Harryhausen’s is just one piece of Disney’s ambitious transformation of the former Grand Avenue area into Monstropolis, the first fully themed land inspired by Monsters, Inc.

The new land will place guests in the middle of H.U.M.A.N. Day (Humans Understand Monsters Are Nice), a citywide celebration welcoming humans into Monstropolis after monsters transition from harvesting screams to collecting laughter. Disney has also confirmed the land will feature the world’s first Disney suspended coaster themed to the iconic Door Vault chase scene, a new immersive show inside the reimagined Glob Theater, themed shopping, entertainment, and dining experiences.

As construction continues, each new aerial update reveals more of the city’s skyline beginning to emerge behind the construction walls.

More Progress Is Still to Come

Although Harryhausen’s is still months away from welcoming its first guests, these latest Bioreconstruct photos offer one of the clearest signs yet that Monstropolis is beginning to take shape in a big way.

With steel now rising, Disney fans can finally start visualizing how one of Pixar’s most iconic restaurants will fit into the new land.

If construction continues at this pace, we expect even more exciting changes to become visible throughout the summer.

Be sure to keep checking back with Theme Park Scope for the latest Disney construction updates, Monstropolis progress reports, aerial photo analysis, attraction news, and everything happening across Walt Disney World, Disneyland Resort, Universal Orlando Resort, Epic Universe, and beyond.