There’s always construction going on somewhere in the Disney parks. One of the biggest projects currently underway is the new Monstropolis area, which is replacing Muppets Courtyard (RIP). Disney recently released some super exciting news that offered details about the vibes of the new area. When we enter Monstropolis, it’s H.U.M.A.N. Day (Humans Understand Monsters are Nice). It’s a city-wide celebration taking place after the events of Monster’s Inc., so the land is full of laughter rather than screams. Fun! In this post, we’ll break down the ins and outs of what we know so far, and consider if this new land might help shift the balance to allow Hollywood Studios be a little more toddler friendly.
Door Vault Coaster
We’re pretty vocal about our experience in Hollywood Studios with a toddler, and will be skipping the park on our next visit. There was just too little for Skippy to do. The “headliner” of Monstropolis is said to be a huge, suspended, vertical lift roller coaster modeled to look like the inner-workings of the door vault featured in Monsters Inc.
Without a doubt, this ride will have a height requirement. Given that it’s a roller coaster, the height requirement will likely be one of the tallest as far as Disney rides go. While Muppets Courtyard didn’t have any rides, it did offer an all-ages show (i.e. zero height requirements), Muppet*Vision. So here, we’ve lost something little ones could do and gained yet another things they can’t do. I think the only things the coast might have going for it in comparison to Slinky Dog Dash might be that it’s an indoor coaster. The Slinky coaster can be a little bit of a mean tease for small children who want to ride, but don’t meet the height requirements. It’s outdoor and you watch it rush by and get all excited. The same might not be true for the Monsters Inc. ride since it won’t (we don’t think) be quite so in-your-face.
Vibes Fit for a Toddler
Coaster aside, this vibes of Monstropolis is sure to be absolutely adorable. Since the narrative of the land is said to take place after the events of the movie, the city runs on laughs. To me, that means things will be bright and giggly – ideal vibes for a toddler or small child to run around. While no firm details have been shared yet, Disney has teased that there will be a show at The Glob Theater. While I don’t feel like Hollywood Studios is in need of any more shows (6+ at last count), this could be a cute addition. It would not only give small children something to enjoy, but the decision also aligns with the historical vibes that Hollywood Studios (formerly MGM) has maintained.
Let’s not also forget that there will likely be character sightings in the new land. Buzz, Woody, and Jessie frequently wander around Toy Story land, and the mandalorian wanders around with Grogu in Star War. It’s safe to assume that Mike and/or Sully would also be popping in and out of Monstropolis. Fun!
Dining with Little Monsters
Another big element of Monstropolis is a new table service restaurant. This will be Harryhausen’s, which is the restaurant featured in Monster’s Inc. This restaurant will be located in the former building were Mama Melrose was. In line with how it was featured in the movie, it’s tentatively (because we don’t have firm details yet) going to be a sushi restaurant.
The biggest question here is, is a sushi-themed restaurant going to work for some maybe picky eaters? Probably. Disney is always super mindful to have crowd pleasers on kid’s menus. It’s actually tricky to find a location anywhere in Disney World that doesn’t have mac and cheese and/or chicken tenders for kids. Even if this winds up being a very upscale sushi place, it will undoubtedly also offer some childhood favorites.
As an added bonus, there will also be a new Quick Service location where PizzeRizzo was. There are no additional details for this dining option, but it was be themed to complement the rest of Monstropolis.
Monstropolis for Toddlers at a Glance
| Feature | Toddler Friendliness | Best Strategy for Parents |
| Door Vault Coaster | 🛑 Low (Thrill ride/Height restrictions) | Use Rider Switch; take pictures outside. |
| The Glob Theater | 🟢 High (Expected all-ages show) | Great place to escape the heat and sit down. |
| Street Atmosphere | 🟢 High (Laughter-themed interaction) | Perfect for letting toddlers wander and look at colorful sets. |
| Harryhausen’s | 🟡 Medium (Table-service) | Could be a good option to book an early reservation before the midday slump. |
Conclusion
Monstropolis is going to be a visual masterpiece. Over the years, Disney Imagineering has just gotten better and better at creating rich, immersive areas within the parks. We have no doubt this will be the best yet. While the flagship ride isn’t built for toddlers, the overall environment will intentionally designed to be joyful, colorful, and centered around “giggles instead of screams.”
What do you think? Are your little ones fans of Monster’s Inc.? Will this new land bring them all kinds of joy? Let us know in the comments?
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