Scream with Delight! 'Monsters, Inc.' Themed Land Coming to Disney World in 2027

Disney's Hollywood Studios at Walt Disney World is set to unveil 'Monstropolis,' a new 'Monsters, Inc.' themed land, in 2027. This exciting development was first announced at D23, with Michael Hundgen, Vice President Creative, Walt Disney World Portfolio at Walt Disney Imagineering, expressing immense enthusiasm for bringing Monstropolis to life. Currently under construction, the land aims to immerse visitors into the vibrant world of Sulley and Mike, allowing them to explore the city, interact with its monstrous citizens, savor unique cuisine, and experience the everyday life of monsters in an entirely novel way.

Hundgen highlighted the iconic appeal of 'Monsters, Inc.,' noting that it evokes a desire to visit a world where monsters live, work, and play. The scale of this new endeavor is described as phenomenal, not only in the breadth of the land but also in realizing iconic locations from the films. A central and crucial component of Monstropolis will be its theatrical experience, designed to orient guests to the monster world. Hundgen explained that a standalone coaster would not fully capture the essence of the experience, leading to the development of a unique theater show.

This theatrical experience will deviate from typical formats, featuring high-definition panels combined with physical characters, a result of collaboration with Pixar and Industrial Light & Magic. It promises a blend of humor and heart, highlighted by a new, original song composed exclusively for the park by the acclaimed Randy Newman. Hundgen revealed this marks the first time Newman has written something specifically for a Disney theme park, describing the song as a perfect complement to the high-thrill rollercoaster located nearby.

The land's major highlight will be Disney's first-ever suspended rollercoaster ride, dubbed a 'showstopper' by Hundgen. This pioneering hanging coaster, a first for Disney globally, will plunge guests directly into the laugh floor. Riders will be placed in contraptions devised by Mike Wazowski to harness both laughs and screams, emphasizing the powerful energy generated by laughter. The ride is designed to launch guests 40 feet high in just four seconds, promising one of Disney's most significant and best show-stopping moments. Hundgen credited the Imagineering team's research and development for pushing innovation boundaries, applying techniques from R&D and ILM to deepen emotional connections between guests and characters through technology.

Beyond the primary attractions, Monstropolis will offer various dining and merchandise experiences. Among the new restaurants will be Archie’s Scare Pig Pizza, inspired by the mascot from “Monsters University.” Additionally, Harryhausen’s, the iconic sushi restaurant from the first film where Mike and Celia had their date, will be reimagined as a brand-new space. Hundgen teased a 'wildly fun' menu featuring monster-themed sushi dishes, rolls, and tempura satays with iconic names. A unique feature of Harryhausen's will be a full-on animatronic octopus sushi chef, cooking and hosting guests.

The scheduled opening in 2027 will see the debut of the restaurants, merchandise locations, and the theatrical show alongside the new land. Hundgen expressed confidence that 'Monsters,' being one of the first projects of its kind, will significantly raise the bar for theme park experiences. He lauded the passionate and dedicated project team for overcoming challenges, assuring that Monstropolis will be a fantastic addition to Hollywood Studios and Walt Disney World, destined to become a premier destination.