Disney’s Hollywood Studios. The backstory gives guests a sense of what they will be stepping into when the land opens, and it builds directly on the events of the original film. If you have been following the construction progress or are just starting to plan ahead, here is everything Disney has revealed about the story behind the land.
Where the Story Picks Up
Monstropolis is set after the events of Monsters, Inc. In the film, the city ran on scream power, energy collected from human children through bedroom closet doors. That system ended when Sulley and Mike Wazowski proved that laughter generates far more power than screams, forcing Monsters, Incorporated to overhaul its entire operation.
That change did more than fix the city’s energy problem. It shifted how monsters throughout Monstropolis thought about humans. Before the discovery, humans were considered dangerous, even toxic. No monster made contact willingly. After the laughter breakthrough, that fear began to dissolve. Curiosity replaced caution. The strict barrier between the two worlds started to feel less necessary.
Disney is using an in-world newspaper called the Monstropolis Horn to frame this backstory for guests. According to the paper, the city has made a historic decision that sets up why human visitors are welcome in Monstropolis at all.
The Department of Human Relations
To manage this new relationship between monsters and humans, Monstropolis established the Department of Human Relations, which Disney abbreviates as the HR Department. The name is an intentional play on words, and it fits the tone of the land well.
This department is responsible for helping monsters better understand their new human guests and for organizing the event that serves as the land’s central premise. It represents the city’s institutional response to a shift that started inside Monsters, Incorporated and eventually spread across all of Monstropolis.
What H.U.M.A.N. Day Is
H.U.M.A.N. Day stands for Humans Understand Monsters Are Nice. Disney describes it as part celebration and part cultural exchange, marking the first time humans have received an official invitation into Monstropolis.
When guests walk through the land, they are attending this event. The framing gives visitors a clear reason to be there within the story. According to Disney, guests will explore the city, meet its residents, taste local food, and experience everyday life in Monstropolis as part of the celebration.
This approach to storytelling is something Disney has used in other lands to give guests a sense of purpose and place. Rather than simply visiting a themed environment, guests are participants in a specific moment in the world’s timeline. H.U.M.A.N. Day positions that moment as a historic first for both humans and monsters.
Confirmed Locations Inside the Land
Disney has confirmed two specific locations that will exist inside Monstropolis, both of which connect to the original film and the broader narrative of the land.
Harryhausen’s, the restaurant featured in Monsters, Inc., will operate as a dining location inside the land. Construction crews have been transforming the former Mama Melrose’s space at Hollywood Studios into Harryhausen’s, and the restaurant gives the land a recognizable anchor for fans of the film.
The Glob Theater is also confirmed. Disney has described it as a theater venue but has not yet released details about the specific show or experience it will house.
A roller coaster, widely referred to in construction coverage as the Door Vault Coaster, is also under development as part of the broader land. Disney has not yet made a formal announcement about that attraction by name.
Conclusion
Monstropolis is shaping up to be a thoughtfully constructed addition to Disney’s Hollywood Studios. The H.U.M.A.N. Day framework ties directly to the events of Monsters, Inc. and gives guests a believable reason to be walking through the streets of a monster city. With Harryhausen’s confirmed as a dining location and the Glob Theater on the way, the land has a solid foundation.
No official opening date has been set, but the level of narrative detail Disney has now released suggests a formal announcement may not be far off.
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.
