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Credit: ITMWork is underway to transform one of Disney World’s most unique areas.
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It’s the dawn of a new era for Disney’s Hollywood Studios, as demolition has officially begun at Muppets Courtyard. The Muppet-filled area closed on June 7 to make way for Disney’s upcoming new Monsters Inc.-inspired land, Monstropolis.
Muppets Courtyard has been covered with walls and blocked off from guests since its closure, though the area appeared to remain mostly untouched. However, according to a new report from BlogMickey, Disney World has officially begun demolition of the former location as it works to transform it into the fictional city seen in Pixar’s classic animated film.
When taking a look behind the wall at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, visitors will notice that the iconic Miss Piggy statue/fountain that once resided outside the entrance to Muppet*Vision 3D is now gone. Foliage has also vanished in the area near the Studio 1 Company Store. This former gift shop will be demolished entirely to make more space for Monstropolis.
A few details have been removed from PizzeRizzo, though the quick-service eatery remains practically untouched.
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Muppet*Vision 3D, along with the rest of Muppets Courtyard, closed in June after over thirty years of operation. Alongside a shop, Muppets Courtyard was also home to two eateries: the sit-down Italian restaurant Mama Melrose Ristorante Italiano and a fast-food pizza joint named PizzeRizzo.
The closure of Muppets Courtyard was met with a lot of fanfare. During its final days of operation, Muppet*Vision 3D saw some high wait times and an outpouring of love and admiration for the classic attraction.
It would seem Disney anticipated negative reactions to the closure of MuppetVision 3D, as the company neglected to reveal where Monstropolis would be going when it announced the land at D23. Disney would eventually pull the proverbial bandaid off weeks later, confirming that Muppets’ Courtyard would shut down forever.
However, this is not the end of the Muppets at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, far from it. As a sort of consolation prize, Disney revealed that Kermit, Miss Piggy, and Fozzie Bear would take over Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster, which resides just a few blocks away at the same park.
Legendary real-life rock band Aerosmith has headlined the roller coaster since it opened, though Disney will soon close the thrill ride and give it a Muppets makeover. Exact timelines and dates for any of these projects are yet to be confirmed, but it’s safe to say guests will see a lot of construction inside Disney’s Hollywood Studios over the next few years.
Are you excited for Monstropolis? Will you miss Muppet*Vision 3D?