Pandora at Disney California Adventure Pushed Back in Favor of New Tomorrowland Project

Pandora – World of Avatar was confirmed to be headed to California in a 2023 earnings call. At D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event in 2024, a model and concept art were shown, and the boat ride was revealed. However, since that announcement, no additional publicly released progress has been made. Last night at the Horizons: Disney Experiences Showcase at D23, it was revealed that the full reimagining of Tomorrowland at Disneyland will finally happen and will take priority over Avatar.

To make way for Pandora – World of Avatar, Monsters, Inc. Mike & Sulley to the Rescue! was set to close in “early 2026.” However, Disney previously had announced that it would remain open into 2027. The reason given was to keep younger families in mind, who have limited offerings at the park.

Walt Disney Imagineering did bring a model of the Avatar experience to D23 this year, and we got our first look at the ride vehicle, but we also received the big announcement that the full reimagining of Tomorrowland at Disneyland will finally happen.

The reimagining of Tomorrowland is just getting started, and Disney has not provided much in the way of information other than that no plans have been formalized at this stage.

The order of projects for the foreseeable future at Disneyland Resort will be as follows. The new parking structure, pedestrian bridge, Avengers Campus, and the new Coco ride, all currently under construction, will be the first priority. Following those projects will be the full reimagining of Tomorrowland, followed by Pandora – World of Avatar.

With the reimagining of Tomorrowland still in the very early stages of development, this will push the Avatar Land timeline out significantly.

Disneyland Projects

Parking Structure and Pedestrian Bridge

A colorful artist’s rendering of Disneyland Resort’s entrance with the monorail and Space Mountain at dusk.

As part of DisneylandForward and the ongoing changes to Disneyland Resort, a new parking structure and pedestrian bridge are being constructed. The new parking structure and transportation hub on the east side of Disneyland Resort takes over a portion of the Manchester Cast Member parking lot.

It will have approximately 6,000 parking spaces, a dedicated space for shuttles and ridesharing, security, and dedicated access for traffic off of Disney Way. The above concept art depicts the parking and transportation hub with a pedestrian bridge over Harbor Boulevard, leading to an all-new esplanade arrival experience.

Construction has just begun and is expected to take multiple years to complete.

Avengers Campus

A group of people, including families with children, walk towards the entrance of "Avengers: Infinity Defense" attraction in a sunny, futuristic Avengers Campus setting with vibrant lighting and greenery.

Avengers Campus is currently under construction and will receive two new attractions, Infinity Defense and Stark Flight Lab.

Infinity Defense has guests and superheroes face off against King Thanos. That ride’s entrance is in the back of a new courtyard space. Avengers Infinity Defense will use the same 3D ride system as Peter Pan’s Never Land Adventure at Tokyo DisneySea. Kevin Feige says the ride’s technology “redefine” themed experiences.

Stark Flight Lab is near the front of the expansion. On the ride, guests sit in “gyro-kinetic pods” that move along a track before attaching to a robotic arm. Each arm has a personality, similar to DUM-E from the Iron Man films.

Disney announced last night the full cast of Avengers Infinity Defense, as well as Stark Flight Lab, both opening at Disney California Adventure in 2028.

New Coco Ride

An animated scene with neon-lit buildings and fireworks showing a lively street performance with musicians and dancers, themed around the Day of the Dead. An audience watches from a boat.

The future Coco ride will be located in the backstage area near Paradise Gardens Park and Pixar Pier, behind Incredicoaster and along Disneyland Drive. Disney has revealed very few details about the upcoming attraction. Guests will follow Miguel into the Land of the Dead alongside music from the film and Audio-Animatronic characters inspired by Coco.

Disney revealed new story details and concept art this week at D23.

Right now, the majority of the work being done is road and utility work. Disney has not announced an opening timeline.

Tomorrowland Transformation

At D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event, Disney has announced that the full reimagining of Tomorrowland at Disneyland will finally happen. Inspired by Walt’s original optimistic vision, there will be new attractions and new open spaces.

This project is just getting started, and no plans have been formalized at this stage.

Avatar Land

The new Avatar land will come after the reimagining of Tomorrowland is complete, which could be several years from now.

Are there any projects you are looking forward to? Let us know on social media.

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