Florida - At the 2024 D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event held at the Honda Center in Anaheim, California, Disney unveiled a host of new experiences coming to its theme parks. One of the major announcements during the “Horizons: Disney Experiences Showcase” was the introduction of a new themed land at Disney’s Hollywood Studios in Walt Disney World Resort.
This land, inspired by Pixar Animation Studios’ Monsters, Inc., will bring the world of Monstropolis to life, allowing guests to interact with their favorite characters and experience the iconic scenes from the beloved film.
Disney Experiences Chairman Josh D’Amaro, joined by Disney Legend Billy Crystal, who voices Mike Wazowski in the Monsters, Inc. films, shared the plans for this new land.
Set after the events of the original movie, the land will invite human guests into Monstropolis, a city now powered by laughter rather than screams. The immersive environment will allow guests to walk the streets of Monstropolis, encountering characters such as Sulley, Mike, and Roz, and experiencing the vibrant world of the monsters.
A central feature of the new land will be a groundbreaking attraction: the first-ever suspended coaster in a Disney park. This ride is designed to replicate the thrilling door vault sequence from the original Monsters, Inc. film, where doors are hoisted and transported through the factory.
Guests will be able to board one of these doors and be whisked through the air, just as Mike and Sulley were in the movie. D’Amaro highlighted that this concept has been a long-standing dream for Disney Imagineers, who are eager to bring this dynamic and visually stunning scene to life.
Disney already has several Monsters, Inc.-themed attractions at its parks around the world. In California, Disneyland Resort’s Disney California Adventure features the Monsters, Inc. Mike & Sulley to the Rescue! ride. This attraction, which opened in 2006, is a dark ride that takes guests through scenes from the original Monsters, Inc. movie. Visitors board a taxi and journey through the streets of Monstropolis, encountering characters and moments from the film as they help Mike and Sulley return Boo to her door.
In Tokyo, Tokyo Disneyland offers Monsters, Inc. Ride & Go Seek, which opened in 2009 in the park’s Tomorrowland area. This interactive dark ride allows guests to use flashlights to “find” and interact with characters from the movie as they move through various scenes. The ride is known for its innovative use of technology, which makes each experience unique, as guests can activate different elements within the scenes.
The Monsters, Inc. film franchise, created by Pixar Animation Studios and released by Walt Disney Pictures, began with the original Monsters, Inc. in 2001. The film is set in the city of Monstropolis, where monsters generate their city’s power by scaring children. However, the story takes a turn when the monsters discover that laughter, rather than screams, is a more potent source of energy. The film follows the adventures of James P. “Sulley” Sullivan and his one-eyed friend, Mike Wazowski, as they navigate the challenges that arise when a human child, Boo, accidentally enters their world. The movie was both a critical and commercial success, praised for its innovative animation, heartfelt storytelling, and unique concept.
In 2013, a prequel titled Monsters University was released, exploring the backstory of Sulley and Mike during their college years. This film delves into how the duo met and became best friends, providing a deeper understanding of their characters and the Monsters, Inc. universe. The success of these movies has also led to various spin-offs, including the Disney+ series Monsters at Work, which continues the story of Monstropolis and its transition to a city powered by laughter.
Construction on the project is set to begin in 2025, with the new land poised to become a major draw for visitors to Disney’s Hollywood Studios in the future.
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