Disneyland Replaces Popular Ride with Exciting Avatar Land in California

Summary

  • Disneyland will replace the Monsters, Inc. Mike & Sulley to the Rescue! with Avatar Land.
  • The construction for Avatar Land in Disney California Adventure Park will begin in fall 2026.
  • Disney’s Avatar Land opening date hasn’t been disclosed yet.

At long last, the location for the impending Avatar Land has been unveiled at the Disney California Adventure Park. This means that a well-liked dark ride may soon be saying goodbye. The new Avatar experience was first announced in August 2024 and will complement Pandora: The World of Avatar, which opened in Disney’s Animal Kingdom back in 2017.

Based on the positive response to the second Avatar film in 2022 and the thriving Pandora area, there was a strong expectation that Disney would put more resources into developing Avatar-themed attractions. When CEO Bob Iger unveiled the new Avatar Land, he didn’t share many specifics, but he expressed high confidence in the expansion. He also noted that revenues for Disney Parks, Experiences, and Products had risen by 21% in the previous quarter, with Disneyland, Walt Disney World, and Disney Cruise Line showing exceptional performance.

As reported by Scott Gustin on Twitter, it’s been disclosed that part of the Hollywood Backlot will metamorphose into Avatar Land, with Monsters, Inc. Mike & Sulley to the Rescue! closing down in early 2026 to pave the way for this transformation. The construction is scheduled to start in fall 2026, and further details will be shared at a later time. This new area will be inspired by the latest film, Avatar: The Way of Water.

When Will Avatar Land Open in Disneyland?

Disney has yet to reveal the opening year or date for the new Avatar Land experience, as it is still in development and requires a significant amount of time to complete. Given its sizeable scope, it appears that this ambitious expansion will take some time before it’s fully realized. Meanwhile, Disneyland Resort is also focusing on other expansions like the upcoming Avengers Campus, which is set to open before Avatar Land.

At Disney Experiences, our Imagineers envision, construct, design, and bring stories to life in physical spaces. Currently, we have Imagineers working across the globe since everything we’ll present tonight is under active construction. Designs are made, and ground is being broken. I just want to emphasize that every piece of information you’ll hear tonight reflects our ongoing work.

— Disney Experiences Chairman Josh D’Amaro at D23 Expo

Previously, Disney shared sneak peeks of their plans for Avatar Land, featuring drafts of rides and other attractions that appear breathtaking and enticing. At the moment, these glimpses stand as our primary insights into what guests might encounter in this upcoming section. It’s possible that additional details will be shared at Destination D23 in August 2025, leaving fans eager to discover more about this expansion project.

There’s plenty of exciting news for Disney Parks enthusiasts! This year, numerous unique experiences, merchandise, and delicious food are being introduced to celebrate Disneyland’s 70th anniversary. Furthermore, a brand-new park will be constructed in Abu Dhabi, and Magic Kingdom is set to receive an impressive Cars expansion in the near future. There’s even more in store to delight visitors of all kinds!

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2025-06-06 18:55