Fresh developments are continuing to shape the future of Disney’s Hollywood Studios, as new permits point to major progress on the park’s upcoming Monstropolis expansion.Credit: rickpilot_2000, FlickrAccording to recently filed documents, Walt Disney Imagineering is moving forward with the next phase of construction in the area formerly known as Muppets Courtyard. The permits, which focus on set installation, offer a clearer picture of how this long-rumored transformation is beginning to take physical form inside the park.Two locations are specifically named in the filings: 359 Cypress Drive and 361 Cypress Drive. These correspond to the former homes of Mama Melrose’s Ristorante and the Stage 1 Company Store. Both locations sit at the heart of the now-closed Muppets Courtyard.The work itself has been assigned to Adirondack Scenic, Inc., a company with a strong track record in themed entertainment. The permit outlines their role as installing “set elements,” a phrase that typically refers to the highly detailed scenic pieces that bring immersive environments to life. The permit is valid for one year, suggesting that visible progress could accelerate over the coming months.Credit: DisneyOne of the most notable elements of this transformation is the fate of Mama Melrose’s Ristorante. Rather than being demolished entirely, the restaurant will be reimagined into Harryhausen’s, the iconic dining location seen in 2001’s Monsters, Inc.Meanwhile, the Stage 1 Company Store has already met a different fate. The retail location was demolished in July 2025, clearing space for new construction as part of the Monstropolis expansion. Its removal underscores the scale of the overhaul, which goes beyond simple retheming and into full land redevelopment.Taken together, these updates reinforce that Monstropolis will be a significantly themed location in Disney’s Hollywood Studios. The project appears to combine adaptive reuse—like the transformation of Mama Melrose’s—with completely new builds and open space created by demolition. The current construction of the roller coaster proves that Disney World will soon gain another E-ticket attraction in Orlando.Credit: Disney“Picking up after the events of Pixar’s beloved film, humans have now been invited to visit the world of Monsters, Inc.–and the monsters need laughter to power the city and keep it running smoothly. But it’s not a true visit without the factory itself,” Disney wrote after its D23 2024 announcement. “You’ll be able to see the sights, hear the laughs, and zoom through the building just like James P. Sullivan (AKA Sulley) and Mike Wazowski–via a door!”While Disney has yet to reveal the full slate of attractions and experiences planned for Monstropolis, permits like these provide valuable clues.For fans, this marks an exciting turning point. What was once a quiet corner of Hollywood Studios is rapidly evolving into a new, immersive environment inspired by one of Pixar’s most beloved films. As more permits are filed and construction continues, the outline of Monstropolis is becoming clearer—and with it, a glimpse at the park’s next major chapter.Credit: DisneyThe Monsters, Inc. Land was confirmed at D23 almost two years ago. Alongside this major development at Hollywood Studios, Disney also confirmed “the largest expansion in Magic Kingdom” history, with the transformation of a significant portion of Frontierland into Piston Peak National Park and a new land (that goes “Beyond Big Thunder”) focusing on the Disney Villains.In addition to the changes at Hollywood Studios and Magic Kingdom, Disney is also in the midst of reimagining its former DinoLand U.S.A. into a Tropical Americas-themed area called Pueblo Esperanza. The land will feature two anchor attractions–one themed to Encanto (2021) and another based on the Indiana Jones franchise. The latter will occupy the former DINOSAUR ride location.How do you feel about all the changes at Disney World? Let Inside the Magic know in the comments down below!The post New Information Comes To Light About Hollywood Studios Permanent Closures appeared first on Inside the Magic.