Credit: Jess Colopy, Inside the MagicDisney is moving ahead on its ambitious and divisive Muppets-sized theme park project.
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There’s never been a time like the present when it comes to Disney’s collection of theme parks. From California to Abu Dhabi, Disney has an unprecedented number of projects and developments planned. Most of these will be completed over the next decade as part of Disney’s massive $60 billion investment in its theme park division. Some will be completed sooner rather than later, with construction walls already covering up several iconic areas inside the Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando, Florida.
At the top of this list for a lot of die-hard fans is Muppets Courtyard. This colorful, muppet-filled slice of Disney’s Hollywood Studios closed permanently in June 2025 and has since been boarded and blocked off from guests as crews transform it into an entirely new land. This new land will be called Monstropolis, based on the fictional city seen in Pixar’s Monsters Inc. franchise.
Once complete, Monstropolis will feature several new locations and attractions, including a suspended roller coaster starring Mike and Sully.
While walls block most of the goings-on at the former Muppets Courtyard, it is possible to catch a glimpse of what’s happening. On X, user @Shishagumi shared a photo revealing what exactly Muppets Courtyard looks like a month after its closure.
Most of the courtyard flooring has been ripped up and demolished, and theming has been stripped from the land. In general, Muppets Courtyard looks empty and nondescript, aside from the large PizzeRizzo sign.
Nothing short of devastating.
Nothing short of devastating. pic.twitter.com/VvJ1uYHvUu
— Shishagumi (@Shishagumi) July 10, 2025
“There was zero reason to rip up all of that,” said one X user in response. “They spend money where that don’t need to and don’t where they should.” “Ahh this hurts to look at,” said another.
“So much for the hope that the nice pavement design will stay for the future land,” said one user, commenting on the ripped-up flooring around the Miss Piggy fountain. “Disney doing unnecessary costs like this while budget cutting the future offerings is so ironic.”
X user @bioreconstruct shared a few aerial photos of the ongoing construction, revealing that work extends through the entire area.
Aerial photos of the current work in the former Muppets courtyard in Disney’s Hollywood Studios. pic.twitter.com/6er3ZRY9Kv
— bioreconstruct (@bioreconstruct) July 13, 2025
Aerial photo with current demolition in the former Muppets courtyard. pic.twitter.com/NZSw4iIV4k
— bioreconstruct (@bioreconstruct) July 13, 2025
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Muppets Courtyard formerly housed two Italian-themed eateries, Mama Melrose Ristorante Italiano and PizzeRizzo, as well as places to shop and explore. The main attraction of Muppets Courtyard was Muppet*Vision 3D, a four-dimensional movie experience starring none other than the Muppets.
The show had been a part of Disney’s Hollywood Studios since 1991, becoming a core part of the park over the years. To say the closure of Muppet*Vision 3D was controversial would be a severe understatement, with many fans still reeling from the loss of the classic attraction.
Disney likely expected backlash over the decision, and has since stated it has taken great care to “preserve” the show in as many ways it can. What this means exactly is still up for debate, but we wouldn’t be surprised to see some form of Muppet*Vision 3D on places like YouTube or Disney+ down the line.
Select animatronics and show pieces have reportedly been kept and stored as well, things some fans were worried would be dismantled and destroyed.
The Muppets aren’t completely leaving Walt Disney World, as they will actually become the new headlining act of Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster just a few blocks down the street. Disney confirmed the news in 2025 in one of the company’s most unexpected announcements, possibly ever.
As mentioned earlier, several other projects are being worked on at Walt Disney World. Magic Kingdom’s new Cars-themed Piston Peak is moving along following the closure of the Liberty Square Riverboat and Tom Sawyer Island. Big Thunder Mountain Railroad is also currently closed as work continues upgrading the iconic roller coaster.
Disney’s Animal Kingdom is also getting a major facelift. Half of the park’s DinoLand U.S.A. closed in early 2025, with the rest set to close in 2026.
For more information on everything going on in Walt Disney World, click here.
Do you miss Muppets Courtyard?