Walt Disney Imagineering is using virtual reality and Unreal Engine to pre-visualize “Welcome to Monstropolis” at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, allowing teams to review lighting, animation, and sightlines from various heights before physical construction begins in the field.
Walt Disney Imagineering shared a behind-the-scenes video highlighting how designers and engineers use virtual reality to build attractions before breaking ground, wdwnt.com reported. Francesca, a Media & Art Pipeline Developer for the organization, detailed the pre-visualization workflow in the footage.
Building Monstropolis in Unreal Engine
Show set designers, show mechanical engineers, ride mechanical teams, and show programmers collaborate inside Unreal Engine to construct the digital assets. According to wdwmagic.com, “Welcome to Monstropolis” is the largest current project utilizing this software pipeline for the new land at Hollywood Studios.
Developers are treating the entire attraction as a single package for the first time. Lighting, animation, timing, media, and figures run simultaneously within the software model.
Testing Sightlines From Every Height
Imagineers wear headsets to step directly into the virtual environment and evaluate design elements from different perspectives. Francesca explained in the video reported by wdwmagic.com that her goal is to get the digital model as close as possible to the final build.
Team members adjust the viewer’s height inside the simulation to check sightlines from both a child’s point of view and a taller guest’s point of view. This process allows designers to verify that every visitor experiences the intended view before any physical sets are installed.
“It gives us the ability to say exactly what is in the guest point of view,” Francesca said.
Monstropolis Attraction Details
Concept art for the show reveals Mike, Sulley, and various characters from Monsters, Inc. and Monsters University performing before a theater audience accompanied by musical numbers and flying door portals. The production features an original song composed by Randy Newman, marking a first for Disney Parks.
NEW: Walt Disney Imagineering is utilizing VR and Epic Games’ Unreal Engine to develop the Welcome to Monstropolis theater show at Hollywood Studios! Unreal Engine allows Imagineers to previsualize the entire attraction throughout the development process. pic.twitter.com/4I99C5YxoY
“Welcome to Monstropolis” will play inside the Glob Theater, taking over the space previously occupied by MuppetVision 3D. The show anchors the new Monsters, Inc. land scheduled to open at Disney’s Hollywood Studios in 2027, alongside the Monsters Inc Flying Door coaster, Harryhausen’s table service restaurant, Archie’s quick service location, and The Scareporium shop.
Monstropolis Development Questions
When does Welcome to Monstropolis open?
The new show and land are scheduled to debut at Disney’s Hollywood Studios starting in 2027.
Where will the new show be located?
“Welcome to Monstropolis” will play in the Glob Theater, replacing MuppetVision 3D.
What software do Imagineers use for virtual reality?
Imagineers build pre-visualizations using Unreal Engine, a game engine that combines lighting, animation, media, and figures into one virtual model.
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