Construction on the Monsters Inc. Door Vault roller coaster at Disney’s Hollywood Studios keeps moving, and a new set of aerial photos from September 2026, thanks to Bioreconstruct on X, gives the clearest overhead view yet. The images show a wide field of structural steel, sections of roof going into place, and plenty of equipment still hard at work. Here is a breakdown of what the new photos reveal and where the project stands.
What the Latest Photos Show
The September aerial images focus on the coaster’s show building, and the scale is hard to miss. Structural steel now spreads across a wide footprint, with the densest concentration of framing sitting toward the north side of the site. When finished, this building is set to be one of the largest attraction show buildings at Walt Disney World.
Sections of roof decking have started to appear as well, which points to steady progress on enclosing the structure. Together, the framing and roofing give a much better sense of the building’s shape than earlier photos did.
Two Different Steel Systems
One detail that stands out is the use of two distinct types of steel across the site. A rust-colored, primed steel grid makes up the bulk of the perimeter and support framing. This forms the backbone of the building and covers the widest area.
A second system uses light gray, painted steel columns that cluster in specific spots. In several of those sections, diagonal cross-bracing connects the vertical columns for added stability. The contrast between the two systems is easy to pick out from above and hints at how different parts of the building carry different loads.
The M-Shaped Load Station
Among all the straight framing, a few curved steel segments break the pattern. These tie into the load station, which uses an M-shaped, arched design. That shape was first visible when curved steel for the station went up in August.
The M motif fits the Monsters Inc. theme and gives the station a look of its own within the larger structure. Spotting it among the grid of standard framing is a reminder that this is a themed attraction, not just a warehouse of steel.
Roofing and Vertical Shafts
Roof work is well underway in places. Large sections of corrugated metal roof decking now cover parts of the structure, with plywood decking laid alongside it in some areas. As more of this goes on, the building will begin to look more like a finished space than an open frame.
A couple of tall concrete block shafts also rise through the steel framing. These are likely for elevator access, which supports maintenance work and guest evacuation routes within the ride. Features like these are easy to overlook, but they are an important part of how a large attraction operates day to day.
Equipment Still on Site
The photos make clear that this is an active job site. Multiple red lattice-boom crawler cranes sit around the perimeter, handling the heavy lifting for the steel. Numerous green boom lifts and scissor lifts are staged throughout the building for work at height.
The surrounding lay-down yard holds the materials to keep things moving, including stacks of blue-painted steel pipe, bundled rebar, and lumber. In areas not yet covered by steel, a poured concrete foundation slab is visible, showing where framing has yet to go up.
Conclusion
The September 2026 aerial photos show a project that is well into its vertical construction, with two steel systems in place, the M-shaped station taking form, and roofing starting to close in the show building. With Monstropolis set to begin opening in phases in 2027 and the coaster targeted for around 2028, there is a lot to watch in the months ahead. Fans planning future visits to Disney’s Hollywood Studios can look forward to seeing this large show building come together piece by piece.
Written by
Rachel Van Norman
Contributing Writer
Rachel fell deeply in love with all things Disney as a little girl. Now as a wife and a mother herself, she shares this Disney obsession with her son and everyone around her. From her love of princesses to eating all the Disney food, Rachel spends her time radiating Disney magic and keeping everyone up to date on Disney news.
