Another one bites the dust at Disney’s Hollywood Studios — and this time, it’s not a ride. Longtime dining favorite Mama Melrose’s Ristorante Italiano has officially CLOSED, and it didn’t exactly go out with fanfare.
The quiet closure happened after its final dinner service on May 10. No press release. No big announcement. Just lights off, menu gone, and doors locked.
But don’t think for a second this is just about pasta. This is part of a much bigger shake-up behind the scenes at Disney World… and some serious changes are coming fast.
The Writing Was on the Wall
Hollywood Studios has been morphing for years — and not everyone’s thrilled about it. What started out in 1989 as a tribute to the magic of moviemaking has slowly turned into an IP playground. First it was Toy Story Land. Then Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge. Now, the park is gearing up for another blockbuster transformation — and yes, that includes bulldozing what’s left of the park’s old-school identity.
Mama Melrose’s wasn’t flashy, but it had history. It was a cozy hideaway tucked in the Grand Avenue corner near the Muppets, with solid Italian food and a diehard fanbase. But Disney didn’t even give it a goodbye party. Just locked the doors and wiped the menu off the wall.
Monsters Inc. Land Is Coming — and It’s Taking Out the Muppets
So what’s behind the sudden silence at Mama Melrose’s? Here’s what insiders are saying: Disney is clearing space for a Monsters Inc. land, and this is the first domino to fall.
MuppetVision 3D? On the chopping block. PizzeRizzo? Enjoy it while you can. Both are officially set to close after June 7. And if that wasn’t enough, there’s talk that Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster is next, with the Muppets supposedly stepping in to take over that ride’s theme.
Let that sink in — we’re talking about erasing a major section of the park and rebuilding it around newer, franchise-friendly concepts. Classic fans, brace yourselves.
This Ain’t Just a Restaurant Closing
Don’t let the quiet closure fool you. Mama Melrose’s going dark is the start of a seismic shift at Hollywood Studios. Disney isn’t just changing the map — they’re rewriting the entire vibe of the park. Nostalgia is out. IP empires are in.
If you grew up loving the backlot tours, the movie sets, and the quirky dining spots hidden in corners of the park, you might not recognize Hollywood Studios much longer. One thing’s for sure — the changes aren’t stopping with a bowl of spaghetti.
