Time is ticking toward the opening of Monstropolis as scaffolding begins to come down around The Glob Theater’s newly transformed clock tower at Disney’s Hollywood Studios.
The Glob Clock Tower
As construction continues to transform the former Muppet Courtyard into Monstropolis, the Glob Theater clock tower is emerging with a refreshed appearance. During our latest visit, we noticed that scaffolding around the building’s uppermost feature has been removed, giving us a clear view of the updated tower and operational clock.
At first glance, the clock tower appears largely unchanged in appearance from the era of MuppetVision 3D. A closer before-and-after look reveals several changes to its clock, architectural trim, and other small details.
The tower itself has been noticeably altered. Its previous grayed upper cornice is now a lighter beige color with a weathered-stone finish. The new stone treatment also extends farther down the tower, replacing the narrow strip of brick that previously appeared above the clockface itself. A second light-colored horizontal band that once crossed the tower below the clock has also disappeared, creating a continuous brick facade.
The brickwork also appears cleaner and more uniform. The clockface was previously framed by a circular arrangement of smaller, curved bricks, while the latest view shows the brick pattern is now uniform and horizontal across the tower surface. The timber hoist that formerly projected from the tower’s right side is no longer present, either.
Of course, the most significant change is the absence of Gonzo, who previously clung to the clock’s minute hand. Gonzo’s removal in September 2025 was one of the earliest changes to the tower following the closure of MuppetVision 3D. The white face, black Roman numerals, dotted outer border, and overall look of the clockface otherwise appear unchanged.
If the concept art detailing a broad overview of Monstropolis is anything to go by, however, the clock tower is due for much more additive work at some point during the land’s development. The art for the Glob Theater shows a much more complicated design than what we’re seeing today, with monster-inspired accents on the cornice, a light green finish throughout the upper tower, and an eyelid-like framing around the clockface.
Apart from the tallest tower section, numerous workers were visible across multiple levels of the remaining scaffolding during our visit. Crews were simultaneously stationed across most visible structures within the land, including the former location of Gonzo’s Royal Flush.
At D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event, Disney announced that the Glob Theater is slated to host a new stage production titled Welcome to Monstropolis. The show will welcome human visitors to the monster city with music, comedy, and appearances by characters from Pixar’s Monsters, Inc.
Door Coaster Construction
Meanwhile, new aerial photographs shared by bioreconstruct provide an expansive look at the construction site for the land’s suspended door coaster.
The attraction’s enormous steel superstructure continues to rise in the former Cast Member parking area behind the existing park buildings. Multiple levels are now taking shape, with steel columns, horizontal beams, and sections of corrugated metal decking forming portions of the future facility.
A dense network of curved and intersecting steel supports fills the central portion of the structure. Additional gray framing has been installed around these elements, creating several distinct levels within the future show building.
Large cranes surround the facility, while boom lifts and construction crews are visible throughout the site. One side of the building has received a substantial amount of metal decking, while other portions remain open and expose the attraction’s complicated interior framework.
Additional coaster track components have also recently arrived at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. The pieces are being staged near the project as crews prepare for further installation. Disney provided a closer look at how guests will board and launch into the attraction through an early animatic presented at D23.
The coaster will recreate the door vault sequence from Monsters, Inc., suspending riders beneath the track as doors move around them. It will be Disney’s first suspended coaster.
Harryhausen’s Restaurant
A separate aerial view shows ongoing work around Harryhausen’s, the new restaurant replacing Mama Melrose’s Ristorante Italiano.
Extensive scaffolding remains installed around the building as crews reshape its exterior for Monstropolis. Metal framework covers much of the building’s facade, though the oversized chopsticks that mark the entrance of the restaurant are visible poking above the ongoing construction.
Disney revealed new details about Harryhausen’s restaurant during D23. The dining location will bring the upscale monster restaurant from Monsters, Inc. to life, complete with a new Audio-Animatronics figure of its tentacled sushi chef. Disney has also said the menu will offer more than sushi.
Harryhausen’s is among several dining and retail venues announced for the land. Disney revealed the full Monstropolis shopping and dining lineup, which also includes Archie’s Scare Pig Pizza, the Monsters University Alumni Club, and the Scareporium.
Disney announced that Monstropolis will begin opening in phases in 2027. Most of the land is expected to debut first, while the door coaster will open at a later, unannounced date.
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The post The Glob Theater Clock Tower Is Operational as Scaffolding Comes Down In Monstropolis appeared first on WDW News Today.
