Monstropolis RISING! Hollywood Studios Construction Update - New Coaster & Animation Courtyard! (2026)

Exciting changes are transforming Hollywood Studios, and the latest aerial photos reveal a park in the midst of a thrilling evolution! But here’s where it gets even more fascinating: the new Monstropolis area, inspired by Monsters, Inc., is taking shape, alongside progress on the coaster building and Animation Courtyard. Thanks to a recent update from X user bioreconstruct (https://x.com/bioreconstruct), we’re getting a bird’s-eye view of these developments that are sure to delight Disney fans.

Aerial Photos Over Hollywood Studios

These stunning top-down images offer a fresh perspective on the construction zones at Walt Disney World Resort’s Hollywood Studios. One particularly striking lower-angle shot captures the park from the west, or the “back” side relative to the guest entrance. At the bottom center of the image, you’ll spot Galaxy’s Edge, while just above it and slightly to the right lies the expansive tan area designated for the highly anticipated Monsters, Inc. suspended coaster. And this is the part most people miss: the gravity building for the roller coaster is well underway, with noticeable additions since the last update (https://wdwnt.com/2025/12/concrete-monsters-inc-attraction-monstropolis-updates/). More concrete flooring, forms, and a significant amount of fill dirt have been added, covering the concrete seen in previous photos. Electrical conduits are also being buried, signaling that the project is moving full steam ahead.

In the top left of the photo, the guest-facing side of the building—characterized by its sharp right angles—is beginning to emerge. For a closer look, we’ve included a side-by-side comparison with the concept art to highlight how the front of the building is coming to life.

Controversial Question: Could this new addition overshadow other beloved areas of the park, or will it seamlessly blend into the Hollywood Studios experience? Let us know your thoughts!

Shifting focus, the photo also reveals the removal of Gonzo’s Royal Flush sign (https://wdwnt.com/2025/12/gonzos-royal-flush-sign-removed-muppets-courtyard/) on the left and the remnants of the PizzeRizzo sign takedown (https://wdwnt.com/2025/12/breaking-pizzerizzo-sign-comes-down-hollywood-studios/) in the center. From the front of the park, the entrance is visible at the bottom left, with Monstropolis construction dominating the upper left.

Animation Courtyard Updates

Meanwhile, in the Animation Courtyard, work continues at a steady pace. Back in December, we got an up-close look at the foundation and utility prep work (https://wdwnt.com/2025/12/foundation-utility-prep-work-animation-courtyard-disneys-hollywood-studios/), and these new photos show that progress is ongoing.

Thought-Provoking Question: With so many changes happening simultaneously, do you think Hollywood Studios is risking overloading its infrastructure, or is this the perfect time to reinvent the park?

As these developments unfold, one can’t help but wonder: will the Monstropolis area stay on schedule? Share your predictions and opinions on social media—we’d love to hear from you!

For the latest Disney Parks news and updates, be sure to follow WDW News Today (https://wdwnt.com/) on Twitter (https://twitter.com/wdwnt), Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/WDWNewsToday/), and Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/wdwnt/). Stay tuned, because the magic is just getting started!

Monstropolis RISING! Hollywood Studios Construction Update - New Coaster & Animation Courtyard! (2026)

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