'Avatar,' 'Coco' attractions are coming to Disneyland — and other big news from D23

[irlandaise]

They confirmed that these are all active projects that are moving forward. None of it is Blue Sky.

In fact:

"Disney’s plans are drawn," said Josh D’Amaro, chairman of Disney Experiences, from the arena's stage. "This means the dirt is moving."

Which must mean that they know exactly where the new rides will go. I suspect that he didn't want to give out that information during D23 because he knew there would be vocal blowback from attendees about what's being removed to make room for them. I hope I'm wrong.

 

[joseph821]

In fact:

"Disney’s plans are drawn," said Josh D’Amaro, chairman of Disney Experiences, from the arena's stage. "This means the dirt is moving."

Which must mean that they know exactly where the new rides will go. I suspect that he didn't want to give out that information during D23 because he knew there would be vocal blowback from attendees about what's being removed to make room for them. I hope I'm wrong.

Agree totally. Disneyland knows where the new attractions will go. I honestly do not think existing attractions will be removed. The Avengers campus will be added to the existing backstage/parking lot that is adjacent to the existing campus. I think the Coco ride will be next to Little Mermaid and all that area where Corn Dog Castle and Seaside Souvenirs will be gone. I also think you might see the DCA attractions like the Avatar Pandora go where Paradise Grill and Boardwalk Pizza is located. There is a lot of space in DCA that can be used. The Coco ride could go where the Hyperion and Stage 12 is as well.

 

[mdmost]

I don't feel for the size of the Avatar are, the existing areas you describe are big enough. Only Grizzly River Run and Redwood Challenge are big enough. I would love to be wrong.

 

[joseph821]

I don't feel for the size of the Avatar are, the existing areas you describe are big enough. Only Grizzly River Run and Redwood Challenge are big enough. I would love to be wrong.

I do not see them getting rid of Grizzly River Run at all. Redwood that is not happening or going away. I think Goofy's Sky School may go.

 

[longtimedisneylurker]

I do not see them getting rid of Grizzly River Run at all. Redwood that is not happening or going away. I think Goofy's Sky School may go.

I don't know. Take a good long look at the artist's rendition of the new Avatar Land, then overlay that on the overhead view of the Grizzly area on Google maps.

 

[Thecouch]

Why touch a area that already has rides when you have a new blank canvas with Disneyland forward. I see no way they put avatar land into DCA as it is now. Retheming grizzly area effects the expensive hotel overlooking it

 

[irlandaise]

I do not see them getting rid of Grizzly River Run at all. Redwood that is not happening or going away. I think Goofy's Sky School may go.

That would work for me. I'd much rather have innovative Imagineer-designed attractions than boring boardwalk-style rides that just have lame Disney theming.

 

[joseph821]

I don't know. Take a good long look at the artist's rendition of the new Avatar Land, then overlay that on the overhead view of the Grizzly area on Google maps.

Agreed. But grizzly is not going. It is too close to the Grand Californian hotel. Soarin and Grizzly keep the California theme nicely. Construction is not happening there. Redwood creek is not going either. They use that for Oogie Boogie.

If they are getting rid of stuff, there could gut all of Hollywood land and put Avatar there.
Coco could go where Goofy’s sky is here and get rid of corn dog castle and seaside souvenirs are.

Plus all the pipes for grizzly are interconnected with the lake where World of color is and that would wreak havoc.

 

[longtimedisneylurker]

Plus all the pipes for grizzly are interconnected with the lake where World of color is and that would wreak havoc.

I admit I have no idea how to construct a birdhouse much less a major theme park attraction, but it doesn’t seem to me that having a bunch of pre-built pipe infrastructure would be a bad thing for beginning construction of a theme park land full of water.

 

[LKing]

In answer to your next question: "Locations for the "Avatar" and "Coco" attractions — and what, if anything, they may replace — were not detailed." Drat. There's room for a boat ride over in the Hollywood area, right? I fear for the Redwood Creek Challenge Trail with the "Avatar" stuff but will think positively about it going elsewhere.

Does anyone know the the path Little Mermaid takes under the ground? I think that is part of the reason for Redwood Creek being where it is.

If we are guessing where they are going to place things, my guess for Avatar would be in the Hollywood/Harbor security region. If so, it means it won't be built until they get the new parking structure/transportation hub finished.

My guess is that Coco will go on Pixar Pier - maybe replacing the arcade games. Another possibility would near Paradise Gardens (across from Silly Symphony Swings). If it is a boat ride similar to Pirates, it will go under ground and they might have space there.

 

[LKing]

Disney has a real big theatre over in DCA that they seem to refuse to put a permanent show in again… pretty surprised that is just sitting empty…

They have a lot of "empty" space. Stage 12 used to be a decent sized food court. I think Stage 17 is empty now. Or maybe they are both being used as storage. Speaking of empty... what about the Carousel of Progress. Seems like they are just holding onto it until they can build something larger in that area.

 

[longtimedisneylurker]

If we are guessing where they are going to place things, my guess for Avatar would be in the Hollywood Studios/Harbor security region. If so, it means it won't be built until they get the new parking structure/transportation hub finished.

This has actually been a lot of the speculation I’ve seen for the last year. They definitely need to do the parking lot in order to start building out and developing that corner. I kind of feel like the parking lot is coming in the next two years, but no one went to D23 for the announcement of when the parking lot breaks ground.

 

[longtimedisneylurker]

Why touch an area that already has rides when you have a new blank canvas with Disneyland forward. I see no way they put avatar land into DCA as it is now. Retheming grizzly area effects the expensive hotel overlooking it

Yeah sight lines are the biggest impediment. I can’t visualize how that would be. On the other hand, locating it there gives the highest paying hotel and DVC guests an exclusive entrance to Disneyland resort’s newest (at least for a while) land.

 

[DisneylandFan22]

The Tomorrowland Theater is also sitting there unused.

 

[LKing]

This has actually been a lot of the speculation I’ve seen for the last year. They definitely need to do the parking lot in order to start building out and developing that corner. I kind of feel like the parking lot is coming in the next two years, but no one went to D23 for the announcement of when the parking lot breaks ground.

I did! Once they break ground on the structure, everything else will start moving. I was waiting for that sign.

 

[buffalobasingal]

It's exciting to hear of the new Avatar land, Coco ride and especially the Walt Disney animatronic. But, my kids and I are disappointed that the Avatar ride will not be the same type of ride as Flight of Passage at Walt Disney World's Animal Kingdom. That is an epic ride experience that was a top family favorite and we were really looking forward to having that same experience at Disneyland. The idea of a "boat ride" feels like a let down when compared to riding a skimwing. I'm not seeing how a boat ride is "going to be a dynamic, intense and emotional experience on a grand scale that we know our guests will love." But, I hope I am proven wrong when I experience it for myself for the first time.

 

[AndrewC]

They have a lot of "empty" space. Stage 12 used to be a decent sized food court. I think Stage 17 is empty now. Or maybe they are both being used as storage. Speaking of empty... what about the Carosel of Progress. Seems like they are just holding onto it until they can build something larger in that area.

Wait what? They had one of those over at DCA? That must have been what, the first couple years it was opened?!

 

[dina444444]

The new avengers rides will go in that wdi parking lot behind the current land.

I personally don’t think we are going to loose anything for them to build avatar and coco. If I've understood correctly, as part of Disneyland forward Disney has the right away now to close magic way which backs up to DCA on the GCH side of the park. I think they will extend beyond the gate on that side. The footprint of those two rides/lands alone won’t fit anywhere in the existing park.

 

[dina444444]

It's exciting to hear of the new Avatar land, Coco ride and especially the Walt Disney animatronic. But, my kids and I are disappointed that the Avatar ride will not be the same type of ride as Flight of Passage at Walt Disney World's Animal Kingdom. That is an epic ride experience that was a top family favorite and we were really looking forward to having that same experience at Disneyland. The idea of a "boat ride" feels like a let down when compared to riding a skimwing. I'm not seeing how a boat ride is "going to be a dynamic, intense and emotional experience on a grand scale that we know our guests will love." But, I hope I am proven wrong when I experience it for myself for the first time.

Supposedly avatar is going to be the Shanghai pirates ride system which I have heard nothing but raves about.

 

[JerrodDragon89]

I doubt Redwood trail is going anywhere they just did a refurb on it

Weird to spend months and money on it just to take it away in two years

I think sky school and the area going towards the road will be where Coco goes.

Avatar, I guess it beyond that in Disneyforward area but I guess could be hollywood if they also used the toy story bus location and other backstage area near by,,,,i doubt it but it is possible
Its kinda crazy is Hollywood really is getting nothing touched on it when it is clearly the weakest land in the park