Muppets are Officially Gone as PizzeRizzo Sign Comes Down at Hollywood Studios
The transformation of Muppets Courtyard into Monstropolis took another significant step forward this morning when Disney removed the PizzeRizzo sign from the building at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. The sign removal marks the end of the visible Muppets’ presence in the blocked-off area, which is being reimagined for Monsters Inc.
For Muppets fans, this represents a sad milestone. The PizzeRizzo sign had been standing since the summer when construction walls went up around the entire courtyard. It served as the last recognizable piece of Muppets theming guests could see from outside the construction zone. Now that the final connection to what the area used to be has been eliminated.
PizzeRizzo Has Been Removed at Hollywood Studios
Photos from this morning show the building where PizzeRizzo operated with empty space on top where the restaurant’s sign previously hung. The colorful signage that identified the quick-service pizza restaurant is completely gone, leaving a blank facade that looks oddly incomplete without the identifying markers that gave it character.
The Gonzo’s Royal Flush sign has also been removed from the area, and before-and-after photos show the dramatic difference, with the Muppets-themed signage replaced by plain walls waiting for whatever Monsters Inc. theming will eventually cover them.
These removals signal that Disney is moving quickly with the transformation. The buildings themselves remain standing for now, but stripping away the identifying signage suggests more substantial changes are coming as construction progresses.
PizzeRizzo’s Complicated Legacy at Hollywood Studios
Here’s the truth about PizzeRizzo. The food was not good. The restaurant gained somewhat of a reputation among Disney dining discussions for serving some of the worst pizza at Walt Disney World. Guest reviews consistently criticized the quality, describing it as cafeteria-style, institutional pizza that failed to meet expectations for theme park dining at Disney’s premium prices.
However, PizzeRizzo offered more than just the disappointing food. The restaurant’s interior featured detailed Muppets theming that made it worth visiting for fans of the franchise. An upstairs ballroom provided a unique dining atmosphere that elevated the experience beyond typical quick-service environments. Muppets Easter eggs appeared throughout the space in artwork and signage, creating fun details for observant guests to discover.
For people who loved the Muppets, PizzeRizzo represented a chance to immerse themselves in that world while visiting Hollywood Studios. You might not have enjoyed the pizza, but you could appreciate the themed environment. The care that went into creating a space that celebrated these beloved characters.
What’s Coming Next
The Muppets Courtyard area is being completely reimagined as Monstropolis from the Pixar film Monsters Inc. This represents a significant investment in bringing the franchise to Disney’s Hollywood Studios in a major way.
The highlight of the new land will be the first-ever suspended roller coaster at a Disney theme park. This technological milestone showcases Disney’s dedication to providing unique attraction experiences that guests can’t find anywhere else. The coaster will take riders through the iconic door vault scene from Monsters Inc., where monsters access closet doors to enter children’s rooms and collect screams for power.
The door vault setting provides perfect theming for a coaster experience, allowing Disney to incorporate speed, surprises, and immersive environments as guests zip through the warehouse-like space, encountering familiar elements from the film.
This marks Monsters Inc.’s first dedicated theme park land. Giving the franchise a substantial presence similar to what Toy Story has received with its own themed area.
Why This Matters
The removal of PizzeRizzo and Gonzo’s Royal Flush signage represents more than just progress in construction. It symbolizes the complete elimination of the Muppets’ presence from this section of Hollywood Studios. This continues to show that Disney prioritizes newer Pixar properties over legacy franchises.
For fans who grew up with the Muppets or who appreciate their long entertainment history, losing dedicated space in the parks feels like Disney moving away from properties that don’t generate the same merchandise sales and attraction attendance as contemporary franchises.
The transformation also demonstrates how quickly theme park landscapes can evolve when Disney undertakes major projects. Spaces that felt permanent can disappear within months once demolition and construction begin. Familiar landmarks are replaced by entirely different experiences that cater to various audiences.
The Transition Period at Hollywood Studios
Right now, the area sits in an awkward in-between state, where the old has been removed but the new hasn’t appeared yet. The blank walls where PizzeRizzo and Gonzo signage once hung await new Monsters Inc. theming that will introduce guests to Monstropolis and preview what’s coming to the transformed courtyard.
This transitional phase often feels strange for regular visitors who recall what was there previously. Your brain expects to see familiar signage and theming, but instead finds blank spaces that look incomplete and generic.
Soon, those spaces will feature new signs and theming, establishing the Monstropolis atmosphere that will define this area moving forward. The courtyard that once celebrated the Muppets will instead immerse guests in the world of Mike and Sulley as Hollywood Studios continues to evolve.
The removal of the PizzeRizzo sign this morning confirms that the Muppets Courtyard era has officially come to an end at Disney’s Hollywood Studios.
