A major change is underway at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Once a vibrant and beloved section of the Walt Disney World theme park, the Muppets Courtyard is now being dismantled, with its iconic features slowly disappearing before guests’ very eyes. More than a month after Muppet*Vision 3D, Mama Melrose’s Ristorante Italiano, and PizzeRizzo closed permanently, demolition work has begun.
Muppet*Vision 3D opened in 1991, and it was one of Jim Henson’s final projects before his death. The Muppets Courtyard came later, opening in 2016 after the closure of Streets of America. Unfortunately, the area welcomed its final guests on June 7, 2025. Although it remained untouched behind construction walls for a few weeks for private cast member events, demolition crews eventually moved in.
The announcement of the Muppets area’s closure came after D23 Expo 2024, where Walt Disney World Resort revealed plans to build a new Monsters, Inc. (2001) land at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, complete with a door-themed roller coaster. Concept art revealed two potential locations for Monstropolis: Animation Courtyard and Muppets Courtyard. Disney Parks fans hoped for the former.
Months later, though, Disney confirmed that Muppets Courtyard, including Muppet*Vision 3D, would close to make way for the Monsters, Inc. land. While Imagineering promised to preserve Muppet*Vision 3D for fans, the exact details remain unavailable.
As the demolition continues, several Disney Park guests have peeked over the construction walls to catch a glimpse of the former Muppets Courtyard. Last week, TikTok user @callifaithg captured a photo showing construction equipment scattered throughout the area. The Miss Piggy fountain, once a central feature of the courtyard, is noticeably absent. Some remnants of the Muppets theme remain, such as the PizzeRizzo sign and colorful murals.
Concept art for the Monsters, Inc. land reveals that the Muppet*Vision 3D theater and several surrounding buildings will be repurposed for the new area. The space currently occupied by Muppet*Vision 3D will become “The Glob,” a new family-friendly attraction set in the Monstropolis universe.
Though the Muppets are leaving their longtime home at Walt Disney World Resort, there’s still a glimmer of hope for fans of Jim Henson’s characters. In 2026, Rock’ n’ Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith will close for a retheme inspired by Muppets Mayhem, the Disney+ series.
Do you agree with Walt Disney World Resort’s decision to replace Muppets Courtyard with a Monsters, Inc. land? Disney Dining would love to hear your opinion in the comments!
