The doors to the monster world are preparing to open at Walt Disney World! During the “Horizons: A Carousel of Progress” showcase at D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event, Disney revealed several new details about Monstropolis, the upcoming Monsters, Inc.-inspired land at Disney’s Hollywood Studios.
While construction continues on the land’s highly anticipated door coaster, Disney confirmed that portions of Monstropolis will begin welcoming human visitors in 2027. The first phase will feature new entertainment, dining, shopping and an original story explaining why monsters are finally allowing humans to enter their city.
Here is everything Disney has revealed about Monstropolis so far.
Parts of Monstropolis Will Open in 2027
Disney confirmed that portions of Monstropolis will open to guests in 2027, even as construction continues on the land’s door coaster.
The phased opening means guests may be able to explore the streets, experience entertainment and visit dining and shopping locations before the roller coaster is completed. Disney has not announced specific opening dates for either the first phase of the land or the door coaster.
Construction is already underway at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, with the steel framework of the new land beginning to rise behind construction walls.
Why Are Humans Being Invited Into Monstropolis?
The new land will continue the story of Disney and Pixar’s Monsters, Inc. rather than simply recreating scenes from the movie.
For generations, monsters believed humans were dangerous and toxic. That changed when Mike Wazowski and James P. Sullivan discovered that human laughter produces significantly more energy than screams.
That breakthrough did more than solve the city’s energy crisis. It changed how monsters viewed the human world.
As curiosity begins to replace fear, Monstropolis establishes a new Department of Human Relations. This organization is responsible for helping monsters understand humans and preparing the city to welcome them as guests for the first time.
The historic invitation becomes part of a citywide celebration known as H.U.M.A.N. Day.
What Is H.U.M.A.N. Day?
H.U.M.A.N. stands for “Humans Understanding Monsters Are Nice.”
The event will serve as both a celebration and a cultural exchange between the human and monster worlds. During H.U.M.A.N. Day, guests will explore Monstropolis, meet its citizens, sample its food and discover what everyday life is like inside the city.
The storyline gives Imagineers a natural reason for humans to enter a place that was previously hidden behind closet doors. It also allows the land to continue the message at the heart of Monsters, Inc.: fear can give way to laughter, understanding and connection.
Mike and Sulley Will Host a New Show
One of the first announced entertainment experiences is “Welcome to Monstropolis,” a new show performed inside the Glob Theater.
Mike and Sulley will host the production, which introduces humans to the monster world while demonstrating that monsters and people may have more in common than either group realizes.
Sulley has reportedly created a modest, homespun production for the occasion. Mike, always the showman, has added a few surprises that he believes will bring down the house—hopefully not literally.
Disney Legend Randy Newman wrote a new song titled “Welcome to Monstropolis” for the show. According to Disney, this marks the first time Newman has composed an original song for a Disney theme park.
Archie’s Scare Pig Pizza
Guests looking for a quick bite will be able to visit Archie’s Scare Pig Pizza, described as one of the top places in Monstropolis to grab a slice.
Archie is the six-legged mascot associated with Fear Tech, the rival school of Monsters University. After repeatedly being “borrowed” by mischievous MU students, Archie became popular with monsters from both campuses.
Disney has not released the restaurant’s menu, but its name and concept suggest a playful quick-service location filled with references to Monsters University.
Monsters University Alumni Club
Located next to Archie’s Scare Pig Pizza, the Monsters University Alumni Club will celebrate the school’s clubs, fraternities, sororities and famous graduates.
Inside, guests will also discover the elite Scarer’s Club, which honors some of the university’s most legendary scarers.
This location could give Imagineers an opportunity to fill the area with details and hidden references from Monsters University. However, Disney has not revealed whether it will function as a separate experience or as part of the dining area.
Harryhausen’s Restaurant Is Coming to Life
One of the most recognizable locations from Monsters, Inc. will become a real dining experience when Harryhausen’s opens in Monstropolis.
In the original movie, Mike takes Celia to Harryhausen’s for her birthday before their romantic evening is interrupted by chaos involving Boo.
The theme park restaurant will feature a new menu that Disney says will be unlike anything else offered at Walt Disney World. Although Harryhausen’s is known for sushi in the movie, Disney confirmed that its menu will include more than sushi.
The restaurant will also feature an Audio-Animatronics sushi chef with multiple tentacles preparing monster-sized creations.
Disney has not announced whether Harryhausen’s will be a table-service restaurant, when reservations will become available or what specific dishes will appear on the menu.
Shop for Souvenirs at the Scareporium
Human tourists visiting Monstropolis will be able to commemorate their trip with a stop at the Scareporium.
Disney describes the location as a shop where guests can purchase souvenirs from their visit to the monster world. Specific merchandise has not been revealed, but the store could feature products inspired by Mike, Sulley, Boo, Monsters University and the city of Monstropolis.
What About the Door Coaster?
The door coaster remains one of the biggest attractions planned for Monstropolis, but Disney did not announce an opening date during its latest presentation.
Construction will continue on the attraction as other portions of the land begin opening in 2027. The ride is expected to draw inspiration from the famous door-vault sequence in Monsters, Inc., but Disney has not yet released all of its operational details.
The company has not confirmed the coaster’s official name, height requirement, complete storyline or opening timeframe.
The Monster World Is Coming to Life
Monstropolis is shaping up to be far more than a single attraction. With an original continuation of the Monsters, Inc. story, a new Mike and Sulley show, two distinct dining experiences, themed shopping and the door coaster still to come, the land is being designed as a complete monster city for guests to explore.
The decision to open portions of the land in 2027 will allow visitors to begin experiencing its streets, characters and cuisine while Imagineers complete the coaster. It also gives Disney several opportunities to introduce Monstropolis gradually rather than waiting for every element to be finished.
For the first time, the monster world is officially inviting humans through its doors—and we cannot wait to see what happens when H.U.M.A.N. Day arrives at Disney’s Hollywood Studios.
We will continue updating this story as Disney announces opening dates, menus, attraction details and additional experiences.
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