Monsters, Inc. Land Update: Uncertainty Persists at Disney's Hollywood Studios, Muppets Future May Be Looking Brighter

25 days ago in "Monsters Inc. Land"

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Monsters Inc. Land Concept Art

Posted: Saturday August 17, 2024 7:40am ET by WDWMAGIC Staff

Recent developments suggest that Animation Courtyard is gaining traction as the likely location for Disney's upcoming Monsters, Inc. land at Disney's Hollywood Studios.

Monsters Inc. Land Concept Art

Reports indicate that Cast Members currently occupying the large office space within the former animation building behind Star Wars Launch Bay have been informed they will soon need to vacate the area. This move hints that Animation Courtyard may be slated for redevelopment, addressing one of the challenges that previously made this location seem less feasible for the new Monsters, Inc. land.

While both Muppets Courtyard and Animation Courtyard have been in the running, this latest update strengthens the case for Animation Courtyard. However, there remains no definitive word from Disney on the final decision, and the company has not yet issued any official announcement or further clarification since Parks Chairman Josh D'Amaro announced the new Monsters, Inc. land last weekend.

Monsters Inc Land in Muppets Courtyard Concept Art

Some fans speculate that Disney might have floated both locations in early concept art to gauge reactions, particularly concerning the potential loss of the Muppets. By keeping both Muppets Courtyard and Animation Courtyard in play, Disney could be assessing which option would generate less backlash from the fan community. This theory gains some credibility considering Disney's cautious approach to announcing the final site, contrasting with the more decisive reveal when Cars was announced to replace Rivers of America and Tom Sawyer Island at Magic Kingdom.

As we continue to monitor this evolving story, it remains possible that both areas are still under consideration, but the chances of the Muppets surviving this redevelopment seem to be growing.

Monsters Inc. Land Concept Art

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Rhinocerous1 day ago

I don't know, Mike is constantly on the verge of total emotional breakdown. Going limp seems pretty on brand for him.

gorillaball2 days ago

Were you also one of the ones troubled with Flight of Passage because you didn’t have wings or you could see another rider next to you?

Cmdr_Crimson2 days ago

Here's another elevated lift at a park in Germany called Sky Rider.

Tha Realest3 days ago

I also feel like a slower pace means they can squeeze a bit more runtime out of a confined environment. Tron takes up a ton of space for a relatively short experienced because of its speeds.

lazyboy97o3 days ago

The novelty would be an entire train lifting up overhead of the loading platform in a show space.

ᗩLᘿᑕ ✨︎ ᗩζᗩᗰ3 days ago

Josh made the lift aspect out to be added story integration but unless the cars are lifting individually or it's perceived that way, it won't feel accurate to how the scene is portrayed in the movie. Maybe the cars will face outward for boarding, lift up and then turn toward the track? I'm probably over thinking it but I just don't see the novelty here.

celluloid3 days ago

Not a train but the largest Elevator lift in height and car size would likely be Cannibal at Lagoon. I don't think being a train will cause too much trouble or difference to what is done with trains dropping and single car lifts.

mitchk3 days ago

So we still have no idea on where this coaster is going I can’t believe it’s taking this long to get any type of information but as others have said, I don’t think Disney knows exactly where they want to put it, but please leave them Muppets alone. the area is not big enough anyway.

Rob5623 days ago

Yeah, in all my digging through coasters on RCDB Cobra's Curse is the largest coaster train that uses an elevator lift I could find. Everything else is a single wild mouse style car, a single water coaster car, or even smaller like the previously mentioned Scooby Doo kiddie coaster. -Rob

AidenRodriguez7313 days ago

Based on the audience, I don’t think they would go too crazy with it. Maybe something like gringotts with coaster elements and a lot of slower story elements. It is possible they just go all out though on a more thrill coaster (minus inversions) but I kinda doubt it because of the IP

ᗩLᘿᑕ ✨︎ ᗩζᗩᗰ3 days ago

What's the expectation here? A high thrills coaster without inversions with a sprinkling of set pieces and an AA or two? Or a slower, meandering "story coaster" doubling as a dark ride? Somewhere in between? Just curious. Being Disney's first foray in "Suspended" all bets are off! I'll be shocked if this pulls speeds over 35mph.

Surferboy5673 days ago

I understand this, but I still believe we should be excited for it. I’m well aware of the value engineering that may take place here. Just hoping it doesn’t because it’s such a slam dunk idea in my opinion.

Mr. Sullivan3 days ago

Me personally, I don't think they're going to be using actual skylights and real light for this in any way. If that is important to the experience (I don't know that it will be, but it is design wise to the location they're depicting), that'd be a very uncontrollable and unpredictable way of doing it. If they're wanting it to look like it does in the film, I think they'd be better off using simulated lighting or something they could control and keep consistent.

Quietmouse3 days ago

This attraction is very hard to mess up. Literally go by the film as basis of the coaster and add some audio animatronics of sully and boo and Mike and it will be successful. I guess the only way they can screw this up if it’s a tron situation and is just too short of a ride.