Credit: Jess Colopy, Inside the MagicWalt Disney World Resort recently confirmed that several theme park Christmas decorations will not return for the 2026 holiday season–or ever again. The change comes as part of the ongoing transformation of the former Muppets Courtyard at Disney’s Hollywood Studios into a new land inspired by Monsters, Inc. (2001).
Monsters, Inc. (2001) Land at Disney’s Hollywood Studios
At D23 Expo 2024, Walt Disney World Resort announced plans to bring a long-rumored “door coaster” inspired by Monsters, Inc. to Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Imagineers confirmed that the all-new attraction would be surrounded by a Monstropolis-style land, including new dining locations and entertainment offerings.
The initial concept art left some ambiguity about where the land would end up. Would it replace Muppets Courtyard and Muppet*Vision 3D or the Animation Courtyard across the park? Jim Henson fans rallied around the Muppet-themed area, hoping to preserve one of the entertainment icon’s final projects.
Despite the outcry, Walt Disney World Resort sealed the Muppets Courtyard’s fate in late 2024. In the early summer of 2025, the area closed in phases, and Muppet*Vision 3D played its final shows for Disney Park guests. Disney promised to preserve the film for future enjoyment by fans and announced that the Muppets wouldn’t be leaving Disney’s Hollywood Studios for good. In summer 2026, the characters will take over Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster, replacing the long-standing Aerosmith theme.
Construction has been progressing rapidly, with a former Disney cast member parking lot being bulldozed to make way for the early infrastructure for the Monsters, Inc. roller coaster.
Many of the existing buildings in Muppets Courtyard, including the attraction theater, are being rethemed for Monstropolis. The former Muppet*Vision 3D will become an unnamed Monsters, Inc.-inspired show in what will be called “The Glob” theater.
Disney World Removes Christmas Decorations
As part of the ongoing transformation of Muppets Courtyard into Monstropolis, Walt Disney World Resort recently removed some long-standing Christmas decorations from the former “It’s A Wonderful Shop.” The holiday store was one of the final remnants of the Streets of America, which closed in 2016 to make way for Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge.
Aerial photographer and X (formerly Twitter) user @bioreconstruct recently shared photos of the former merchandise location, taken on January 11 and February 21. In just over a month, the snowflakes, candy canes, and other decorations that have brought year-round Christmas cheer to Disney’s Hollywood Studios for decades disappeared forever.
Candy canes, snowflakes, and other elements were recently removed from the former Christmas shop exterior in Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Part of the retheming of this area to Monstropolis. First photo Feb 21. Second Jan 11.
Candy canes, snowflakes, and other elements were recently removed from the former Christmas shop exterior in Disney's Hollywood Studios.
Part of the retheming of this area to Monstropolis.
First photo Feb 21. Second Jan 11. pic.twitter.com/9sPT59PWTs— bioreconstruct (@bioreconstruct) February 22, 2026
Walt Disney World Resort hasn’t laid out exact plans for the transformation of each building in the former Muppets Courtyard. Still, fans can expect new merchandise locations and restaurants inspired by the Monsters, Inc. universe. Disney hasn’t confirmed an exact date for the grand opening of the Pixar-themed area at Disney’s Hollywood Studios.
What part of the Monsters, Inc. land at Disney’s Hollywood Studios are you most excited about? Inside the Magic would love to hear from you in the comments!