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Major changes continue to move forward across both Disney’s Hollywood Studios and Magic Kingdom Park as Walt Disney World prepares for the future with new entertainment, large-scale refurbishments, and ambitious expansion projects. During our recent visits, we took a closer look at the ongoing progress around the parks, including the transformation of the Muppets Courtyard into Monstropolis, the band moving into Rock N’ Roller Coaster, and continued work tied to upcoming projects and enhancements around Magic Kingdom. With construction walls shifting and new details appearing almost daily, there is plenty of progress for fans to keep an eye on.

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Transportation and Ticket Center

Over at the Transportation and Ticket Center, refurbishment work on the ticket window queues is nearing completion. Crews have replaced sections of pavement and installed new metal stanchions with ropes, replacing the older plastic queue barriers previously used in the area. While these upgrades are a noticeable improvement, some areas around the TTC could still use additional TLC, particularly with several signs showing visible wear and disrepair.

While journeying aboard the Walt Disney World Monorail, we got a clear look at just how much land has now been cleared beyond the channel for the upcoming construction of Piston Peak, also known as the new Cars-themed land, as well as the future Villains Land expansion, this area is currently used for construction trailers related to the projects.

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Magic Kingdom

Once inside the Magic Kingdom, we took our obligatory ride on the Walt Disney World Railroad from Main Street Station to Fantasyland Station — because, honestly, we like trains.

Over in Fantasyland’s Storybook Circus area, both Big Top Souvenirs and Pete’s Silly Sideshow continue to undergo refurbishment work. In the meantime, character meet-and-greets have temporarily moved to locations near the train station and throughout the surrounding area.

Although Cinderella Castle has now been fully repainted in its updated color scheme, refurbishment work around the park hub is still ongoing. Several areas near the castle and moat remain behind construction walls as crews continue detailed rockwork and finishing touches.

Meanwhile, over in Frontierland, guests can once again spot the reopened Big Thunder Mountain Railroad. Its queue currently offers one of the best views of the ongoing Piston Peak construction site, where retaining walls for the upcoming waterfront feature are now being installed along the shoreline. Wooden walls are finishing being installed along the ride path to block views while experiencing the attraction itself.

Our friend bioreconstruct shared updated aerial views of the ongoing construction for both Piston Peak National Park and the future Villains Land following a recent helicopter flyover of Magic Kingdom. The new images provide one of the clearest looks yet at the scale of the ongoing expansion project beyond Frontierland.

The latest aerials highlight continued land clearing, infrastructure work, and the installation of new retaining walls visible from the Big Thunder Mountain Railroad area. Additional photos also show the former Rivers of America canal now completely filled in behind the attraction, along with construction staging areas, relocated trees, and large concrete culverts being prepared for future development. 

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Hollywood Studios

The Muppets are almost finished moving in! We took these photos on May 8, prior to the announcement that the KRNR food stand would be transformed into “FØØD by Swedish Chef.”

Cast Members are currently enjoying previews, and Annual Passholders will get their chance from May 21 through May 23, 2026, using a Virtual Queue system. Queue drops will take place at 7 a.m. for guests with Disney’s Hollywood Studios reservations, 11 a.m. for guests with reservations at any Walt Disney World park, and 3 p.m. with no park reservation required. Rock ’n’ Roller Coaster Starring The Muppets opens to everyone officially on May 26.

Over at the Walt Disney Studios Park courtyard, work is beginning to wrap up. Since we took these photos, progress has continued with new movie posters being added to the buildings, replacing older advertisements, while final finishing touches are also starting to be installed throughout the area. The brand-new Mickey Mouse Clubhouse Live! will officially open alongside the courtyard on May 26, while no official opening date has yet been announced for the The Magic of Disney Animation complex.

Over in the former Muppets Courtyard, the brand-new Monstropolis transformation is continuing to take shape as previous theming and details are being stripped from buildings to prepare for the ongoing installation of the updated look. The former Muppets theater has been receiving a significant amount of attention, as the future attraction appears to be undergoing the largest transformation in the area.

We close out this update with some more photos from showing off the renovation to the courtyard area as well the current view of construction on the Monsters, Inc. Door Coaster show building taken by Bioreconstruct

With construction and renovations rapidly progressing across the resort, it is clear that Disney is entering the first steps of this major transformation. From the refreshed courtyard spaces, to replaced roller coaster track, enhanced attractions and new entertainment offerings guests can begin to see the future vision coming together. While some experiences are still awaiting official opening dates or are still a few years away, the amount of visible progress over the few weeks has been substantial.