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Credit: Inside the MagicThere’s a certain kind of Disney World update that doesn’t feel exciting at first… it feels final.
Because it’s one thing when Disney closes an attraction “temporarily” for refurbishment. That’s normal. Fans are used to it.
But this is different.
Right now, Disney World crews are actively tearing apart a classic experience that many longtime guests considered part of Disney’s identity. And based on what’s happening behind the construction walls, this isn’t just a quick makeover.
This looks like absolute demolition.
And when Disney starts stripping exteriors and dismantling buildings piece by piece, it usually means the company has already made up its mind.
Disney’s Expansion Era Means Something Has to Go
Disney World is in the middle of a major expansion push, and it’s obvious the company is trying to go bigger than it has in years.
Instead of just adding a new ride every few years, Disney is moving toward massive land additions across multiple parks. And these aren’t small projects.
We’re talking about four major expansions either confirmed or underway:
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Tropical Americas at Disney’s Animal Kingdom
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Villains Land coming to Magic Kingdom
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Piston Peak (the Cars-themed expansion) is also coming to Magic Kingdom
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Monstropolis is taking over a significant section of Disney’s Hollywood Studios
That’s a tremendous amount of construction.
And Disney doesn’t have endless open space inside the parks to build these without sacrificing something else. When the company decides to expand on this scale, the reality is simple:
Something has to be removed.
Disney Has Started Removing Classic Attractions Piece by Piece
When Disney fans talk about “classic attractions,” most people think of rides like Haunted Mansion or Pirates of the Caribbean.
But Hollywood Studios has its own version of “classic”—shows and experiences that aren’t thrill rides, but still became part of the park’s DNA.
One of the most prominent examples was MuppetVision 3D.
For decades, the show wasn’t just a filler attraction. It was chaotic, funny, and weird in the best way. It also felt like it came from a completely different era of Disney, which is precisely why so many guests loved it.
But Disney officially closed MuppetVision 3D in 2025, ending a longtime Hollywood Studios staple.
And now, the park isn’t just “moving on.” Disney is erasing it.
Disney Is Aggressively Tearing Apart Muppet Courtyard
If you’ve been paying attention to what’s happening around Muppet Courtyard, it’s clear Disney isn’t treating this like a slow transition.
They’re treating it like a complete reset.
The area surrounding the former theater has already been blocked off, and the demolition process has now moved into a new phase. Recently, photos began circulating showing that Disney crews have completely stripped the exterior of the former building, removing recognizable features and leaving it looking more like a bare construction shell than a themed space.
And that’s when the tone changed.
Because construction walls are one thing. That’s Disney’s usual “out of sight, out of mind” strategy.
But when the exterior starts peeling back and the building looks unfinished, it signals something else entirely.
It suggests Disney isn’t preserving the structure for future reuse. They’re dismantling it quickly.
For longtime fans who made this show part of every trip, it feels like Disney isn’t just closing a theater. It feels like Disney is wiping out an era.
Monstropolis Is Set to Transform Hollywood Studios
Disney hasn’t been subtle. Monstropolis is one of the company’s most significant upcoming projects for Hollywood Studios, and it’s expected to reshape the park’s layout.
The plan is for the area to become a land inspired by Monsters, Inc. (2001), giving new life to a section of the park that has felt increasingly outdated compared to newer areas like Toy Story Land and Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge.
And honestly, the concept makes sense.
Hollywood Studios has always been a park that changes identities. It went from an actual studio theme to a franchise-heavy park, so Monstropolis fits Disney’s current strategy.
They want recognizable IP. They want modern theming. And they want a land that can compete with major new projects happening across Central Florida.
But to build something this big, Disney needs space.
And Muppet Courtyard was sitting on prime real estate.
What We Know About Disney’s Monstropolis Plans So Far
Disney hasn’t revealed every detail yet, but the concept has already gotten fans talking. That’s partly because Hollywood Studios desperately needs more capacity.
The park stays crowded almost every day, and while it has major headliners like Rise of the Resistance and Slinky Dog Dash, it doesn’t have enough mid-level attractions to absorb crowds.
Monstropolis could change that.
The land is expected to feature theming inspired by the city from Monsters, Inc. (2001), opening the door to immersive streets, character interactions, and a possible attraction tied to the film’s famous door concept.
Even if Disney doesn’t build an enormous E-ticket ride, the land could still be a win if it adds multiple things to do, new dining, and enough space to spread guests out.
But no matter what Disney ends up building, one thing is already clear:
This is not a small overlay.
Disney is treating Monstropolis like a major priority.
Final Thoughts
Disney World fans are used to change. New rides come in, old ones disappear, and the parks evolve.
But watching crews strip down a classic attraction building in real time hits differently.
Because this isn’t Disney “updating” something.
This is Disney removing it completely.
Monstropolis might end up being a massive win for Hollywood Studios, but it’s hard not to feel a little bittersweet watching MuppetVision 3D disappear piece by piece.
This is the cost of Disney’s new era of expansion.
And if this demolition is any sign of what’s coming, Disney World is about to look very different—faster than most fans expected.