Credit: Pixar Animation StudiosDisney utilizes a strategic approach to introduce major attractions and land transformations in its theme parks. This involves gradually rolling out related merchandise, theming elements, character appearances, and food offerings well ahead of the attractions’ opening to build anticipation and familiarize guests with new intellectual properties. This strategy not only generates sales but also serves as environmental storytelling, hinting at what’s to come and gauging audience interest before committing to expensive, permanent installations.
Currently, Disney’s Hollywood Studios is undergoing a significant transformation with the upcoming Monstropolis land based on Pixar’s Monsters Inc. franchise, which will replace the Grand Avenue area, including Muppet Vision 3D. As construction continues behind walls, the Monsters Inc. Scream Canister popcorn bucket has already debuted, marking the franchise’s first tangible presence at the park.
Monsters Inc. Scream Canister Popcorn Bucket Arrives
A Monsters Inc. Scream Canister popcorn bucket is now available at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, replicating the iconic canisters used by the power company in the original Monsters Inc. film, where Monstropolis was powered by children’s screams before Mike and Sulley discovered laughter generated even more energy. Disney previously announced this popcorn bucket would be available on select Disney Cruise Line ships and at Disneyland Resort, but the Hollywood Studios release was not part of the original announcement, suggesting Disney made a strategic decision to introduce Monsters Inc. merchandise at the park currently undergoing Monstropolis construction.
The canister is yellow with “Caution: Unrefined Scream” printed at the top, accurately replicating the appearance of scream canisters featured throughout the film. One side lights up, adding an interactive element beyond basic popcorn storage. The strap features images from the movie, including Mike Wazowski, Monsters Inc.’s one-eyed optimistic protagonist, voiced by Billy Crystal.
While scream canister imagery has appeared on other Monsters Inc. merchandise, including water bottles, this represents the first time Disney has created a scream canister popcorn bucket, capitalizing on the popularity of specialty popcorn buckets that have become significant collectors’ items and social media phenomena among Disney park guests willing to wait hours in line for limited-edition designs.
Monstropolis Monsters Inc. Land Details
Monstropolis will replace the Grand Avenue area at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, fundamentally transforming a section of the park that previously celebrated classic Los Angeles architecture and Muppets entertainment. The new land will immerse guests in the world of Monsters Inc., recreating the city of Monstropolis where monsters live and work.
The centerpiece attraction will be a suspended roller coaster themed to the film’s iconic door vault sequence where Sulley and Boo travel through countless doorways leading to children’s bedrooms around the world. The suspended ride system represents a first-of-its-kind addition for Walt Disney World, offering a ride experience unavailable at any other Florida theme park and differentiating Monstropolis from existing Monsters Inc. attractions at other Disney properties globally.
The Grand Avenue Closure
Grand Avenue closed earlier in 2025, eliminating Muppet Vision 3D, one of Disney’s Hollywood Studios’ original attractions that had operated since the park opened as Disney-MGM Studios in 1989. The closure generated significant fan disappointment as Muppet Vision 3D represented the final project personally overseen by Jim Henson before his death and featured original Muppets performances unavailable anywhere else.
Mama Melrose’s Ristorante Italiano also closed as part of the Grand Avenue transformation, reducing Hollywood Studios’ table-service dining capacity during the construction period.
While the Muppets lost their longtime Hollywood Studios home, Disney announced plans for a Muppets retheme of Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith, which closes permanently March 2, 2026 to begin transformation into a Muppets attraction expected to open later in 2026. This provides new Muppets presence at Hollywood Studios even as Muppet Vision 3D disappears forever.
Strategic Merchandising
Introducing the Monsters Inc. Scream Canister popcorn bucket at Hollywood Studios months or potentially years before Monstropolis opens serves multiple strategic purposes. The merchandise creates early buzz and anticipation for the upcoming land, keeping Monstropolis in guests’ minds despite construction walls that prevent them from seeing tangible progress on the attraction itself.
The popcorn bucket also tests market reception to Monsters Inc. theming at Hollywood Studios, specifically, rather than just general Monsters Inc. popularity. Strong sales would validate Disney’s decision to build an entire land around the franchise at this particular park, while a weak reception might signal concerns about whether the intellectual property resonates with Hollywood Studios’ typical guest demographic.
Monsters Inc. at Walt Disney World
Monsters Inc. has historically lacked a significant presence at Walt Disney World compared to other major Pixar franchises. Toy Story Land at Hollywood Studios features multiple attractions, meet-and-greets, and immersive theming. Finding Nemo inspires attractions at EPCOT. Cars will soon have a presence at Magic Kingdom through the Frontierland transformation.
Monsters Inc. has been largely absent from Walt Disney World’s attraction lineup, aside from Laugh Floor in Tomorrowland, despite being one of Pixar’s most beloved and successful franchises. Monstropolis will finally give the franchise the prominent theme park representation at Walt Disney World that its popularity and cultural impact justify.
Looking Ahead
The Scream Canister popcorn bucket represents just the beginning of Monsters Inc.’s infiltration of Disney’s Hollywood Studios. As Monstropolis construction progresses, expect additional Monsters Inc. merchandise, food offerings, and potentially character meet and greets to appear at the park, gradually building the franchise’s presence before the land officially opens.
For guests visiting Hollywood Studios right now, the popcorn bucket offers the first opportunity to bring home Monstropolis-related merchandise and signals that major changes are coming to the park’s identity as construction continues to transform Grand Avenue into the world of Monsters Inc.