Mike Wazowski’s Coaster Vehicles and More Monstropolis Details
Apparently, Mike Wazowski is an Imagineer. The green cyclops is responsible for designing the coaster vehicles coming to Monstropolis at Hollywood Studios. That’s according to a report from Variety’s Jazz Tangcay.
Tangcay spoke with Michael Hundgen, Vice President, Creative, Walt Disney World Portfolio at Walt Disney Imagineering. Here’s exactly what he said about the coaster and Mike’s role in creating it:
“It’s a showstopper. It’s the first hanging coaster we’ve ever done at Disney anywhere in the world. That opening scene will take you straight into the laugh floor, and guests will be placed into contraptions that Mike has created to harness both laughs and screams. The idea is that if you combine those two things — well, screams are powerful, but laughs are even more powerful.”
The suspended coaster will thrill guests before they even reach the door factory. Shortly after boarding, the train will lift riders 40 feet into the air in four seconds. Hundgen promises guests will feel it, calling the lift a “show-stopping” moment.
As for the rest of the attraction, he promises a combination of old-school illusions and newer technology.
A Monstrous show
Before the coaster opens, Hollywood Studios guests will be treated to a Monsters-centric show inside the Glob Theater. The renamed venue once housed Muppet*Vision 3D, so the monsters have a lot to live up to.
Hundgen set the stage for what guests can expect: “We’re inviting folks into this land for the first time, and the monsters are a little skittish around that, so they’re kind of feeling us out.”
Walt Disney Imagineering is working with Pixar and Industrial Light & Magic to bring the production to life. Physical characters will appear alongside high-definition panels in a show promising “humor and heart.”
“It’s about using technology to support the story we’re telling,” Hundgen said. “What can we do to deepen the emotional connection guests have with these characters while using tech to enable that?”
“We’re drawing inspiration from immersive theater and optical illusions that make you feel like things are actually there — paired with physical elements that truly are there,” he added.
Randy Newman also wrote an original song for the production, marking the first time he has composed music for a Disney park.
Harryhausen’s and Pig Pizza
Those upset about losing PizzeRizzo’s rat pizza will be happy to learn that Imagineering is preserving the space for pig pizza. Archie, a minor character from Monsters University, gets the leading role at Archie’s Scare Pig Pizza.
The restaurant next door will be considerably more upscale. Well, maybe a little more upscale. Harryhausen’s will feature an Audio-Animatronic octopus sushi chef and a menu that includes sushi rolls and tempura satays.
Most of Monstropolis will open in 2027. We’ll have to wait a little longer for Mike’s coaster, however.
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