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

[OlliePop27]

Here's a slide regarding the eastern gateway project from Disney's presentation to Anaheim City Council. Up to 3 bridges over Harbor.

 

[Duckbug.Ducktales]

They go across harbor, in the new lot.
View attachment 887924

I noticed that the detailed map shows a "security gateway" by the new bus loop, so I think that means that folks staying on Harbor wouldn't be able to just walk across and into the walkway leading to the esplanade, might have to go to the transportation facility and go through security there first, then over the pedestrian bridge to cross Harbor

 

[Chili327]

Ummm, Disney made it and, as I noted, it's on the city's website. Why would you question its validity?

It's also on the Disneyland Forward website:

https://www.disneylandforward.com/possibilities

The DF website also says this:

"In the future, Disney envisions creating a new parking destination on the east side of The Anaheim Resort, which would include one to three pedestrian bridges with upgraded entrance accessibility for hotels and businesses located along Harbor Boulevard."

I like the more detailed map you posted; where did you find that?

Ha, no i'm saying I do not know the validity of the map I posted, not the one on the City of Anaheim site. lol

I edited my post to avoid that confusion.

 

[Chili327]

I noticed that the detailed map shows a "security gateway" by the new bus loop, so I think that means that folks staying on Harbor wouldn't be able to just walk across and into the walkway leading to the esplanade, might have to go to the transportation facility and go through security there first, then over the pedestrian bridge to cross Harbor

Is that similar to MK where you go through at Monorail stations or Ferry? (or am i not remembering correctly)

 

[Duckbug.Ducktales]

Ha, no i'm saying I do not know the validity of the map I posted, not the one on the City of Anaheim site. lol

That's okay, I like the map you posted anyway! It's more detailed! lol

 

[Duckbug.Ducktales]

Is that similar to MK where you go through at Monorail stations or Ferry? (or am i not remembering correctly)

Yeah, I guess, except for the MK resorts, everyone has to go to the ferry or monorail at the TTC. BUT, at MK you don't go through security until you get near the park gates. If the map you posted is right, I think security would be at the transportation facility and the bridge and everything after would become part of the secure area.

ETA: also, other Disney resort guests go to the bus loop just outside MK

 

[Chili327]

Yeah, I guess, except for the MK resorts, everyone has to go to the ferry or monorail at the TTC. BUT, at MK you don't go through security until you get near the park gates. If the map you posted is right, I think security would be at the transportation facility and the bridge and everything after would become part of the secure area.

Gotcha, yea it would be interesting to be forced to walk from harbor back to the garage just to get on the bridge. lol
I would think a stairway on the east side of harbor would be available, as well as an entrance on the west side of harbor, but that becomes a nightmare for security if its not all the way at the promenade.

Also, if they don't put security back there, then the bridge and anywhere else can be littered with public, beggars, buskers, scalpers, etc.

 

[OlliePop27]

Gotcha, yea it would be interesting to be forced to walk from harbor back to the garage just to get on the bridge. lol
I would think a stairway on the east side of harbor would be available, as well as an entrance on the west side of harbor, but that becomes a nightmare for security if its not all the way at the promenade.

Also, if they don't put security back there, then the bridge and anywhere else can be littered with public, beggars, buskers, scalpers, etc.

I'm pretty sure forcing Harbor guests to walk east was one of the main reasons the project was rejected several years ago. I believe Disney is providing some kind of direct access to Harbor from the Esplanade for hotels, restaurants, and other businesses. What exactly that is and how it looks is not clear from anything I've seen.

 

[LKing]

Again, all speculation until anything is actually confirmed and dirt is moving.

Which brings us full circle on this thread. Supposedly everything announced at D23 had dirt moving. If Avatar can't be built until they get rid of the ride share, shuttle buses and security (they don't need to build the structure to do that), then is dirt really moving on this project?

Maybe they will move ride share and shuttle buses to the new hub and force people to walk to a temporary Harbor entrance where they will have temporary security on the side of construction. After they build the bridges and establish security at the hub, then they can close off the Harbor entrance and finish the project.

 

[longtimedisneylurker]

Which brings us full circle on this thread. Supposedly everything announced at D23 had dirt moving. If Avatar can't be built until they get rid of the ride share, shuttle buses and security (they don't need to build the structure to do that), then is dirt really moving on this project?

I really took the dirt moving comment as a promise that these projects had actually been approved and would be happening and were not just blue sky rather than anyone had gone out there with a shovel or backhoe yet.

No start date was given for Avatar yet which to me means it's further down the line than the Avengers stuff and Coco which were given start dates of 2025 and 2026 respectively.

I also still think the parking lot has got to come in the next two years whether they put Avatar over in the Toy Story shuttle drop-off zone or not. I haven't quite let go of my theory though that they could just choose to replace the Grizzly area with Avatar. Either way I don't see work beginning for real on Avatar until 2026 or 2027 at the earliest. Of course, I know absolutely nothing and just enjoy speculating like the rest of you all.

 

[dina444444]

It may be that whoever is writing on MC is calling it the tram loop because it did actually use to be a tram loop 20+ years ago for the lion king lots that were where guardians and Carsland are now.

 

[LKing]

I really took the dirt moving comment as a promise that these projects had actually been approved and would be happening and were not just blue sky rather than anyone had gone out there with a shovel or backhoe yet.

No start date was given for Avatar yet which to me means it's further down the line than the Avengers stuff and Coco which were given start dates of 2025 and 2026 respectively.

I also still think the parking lot has got to come in the next two years whether they put Avatar over in the Toy Story shuttle drop-off zone or not. I haven't quite let go of my theory though that they could just choose to replace the Grizzly area with Avatar. Either way I don't see work beginning for real on Avatar until 2026 or 2027 at the earliest. Of course, I know absolutely nothing and just enjoy speculating like the rest of you all.

Right. And that was my frustration for even bringing it up at D23. They made announcements for things that should open in 2027. Since they didn't announce an opening year for Avatar, I have to assume it is 2028 or later. Iger announced that it was coming to California as a new land back in 2023. Why re-announce it at D23 in 2024?

 

[longtimedisneylurker]

Right. And that was my frustration for even bringing it up at D23. They made announcements for things that should open in 2027. Since they didn't announce an opening year for Avatar, I have to assume it is 2028 or later. Iger announced that it was coming to California as a new land back in 2023. Why re-announce it at D23 in 2024?

Speaking to the choir here.

I felt like Iger's 2023 Avatar announcement was a clumsily orchestrated "slip-up" to generate publicity and goose the stock and add to the momentum of the Disneyland Forward campaign. And they mentioned it again at D23 because after a whole year of nothing confirmed about it they had to say something about it at their big event because how ticked off was everyone going to be if they didn't? It seems like something that should have been more properly announced at 2026's D23.

 

[nalababybear]

Nothing blue sky. All approved projects. They didn't say moving on ALL of them. Just that it's out of blue sky. Some clearly further along than others like cars 2.0 at MK.

East garage will have to happen before anything. That's been clear from day 1.

The majority of security will happen in the new garage like how it is currently at mickey and pals. Instead or trams, it'll be all the bus traffic at the bottom and probably just north of kettlemen.

The bridge will probably happen Where Disney already owns land from the garage, over harbor and links under the monorail to get to the esplanade. My inclination is there will a some access from.harbor to the garage at the bridge level on both sides....much like Vegas elevated pedestrian bridges to minimize traffic impacts.on harbor.

I do really think Disney has a skyliner project in plans to link garage to esplanade to dtd to mickey and pals garage. Four stops with primary security handles at the garages. This leaves a small footprint for security at both ends for local foot traffic .

THEN you get to land expansion.

Hollywood.land.
Coco can go behind Pixar but think that's a poor place. Hollywood land redevelopment to coco and a simple.ride in existing empty space can happen quickly while the eticket ride waits for the garage to be completed.and those space.be developed for the ride. Hollywood square can rather easily be converted and rethemed.

I do not believe avatar can go here. The amount of forced.perspective will.push the renderings right up to harbor and the sightlines will all be messed.up. I can't see.imagineers going for that. I could sooner see GRR be replaced by avatar than Hollywood land.

Pixar space.
As pointed out, there is no float substitute holding space. They have to reimagine anyways as the holding space.on the gotg will disappear with king Thanos development

This is too small for coco. Coco is hugely popular with socal and will be a significant draw. Do it right with Hollywood land and that frees up that whole.back end from goofy to Mania to redevelop.with Disney forward transition

 

[JerrodDragon89]

I don't we see Dirty moving on Avatar for over a year....easily

Next year Avengers starts and Coco the year after. So we will see when Avatar is a go but sadly I don't think Hollywood is going anywhere, I think this land will be in Disney Forward on the other side of the resort

Hollywood feels too small for what they are showing us and Grizzly, I just doubt they are touching considering they just installed permanent projectors to the Redwood creek area for Villains Grove


While it would be nice for Avatar to be done before the olympic's in 2028, I think unless Disney moves quicker on this then most projects they have done in the past we are looking at 4 years of building this land from the start.

 

[disney-inspired]

I'm very much NOT into Avatar and wish they would do something else instead of ANOTHER boat ride when they are already doing that with Coco.
I'd be fine with the only Avatar land being at DAK.

 

[Chili327]

I'm pretty sure forcing Harbor guests to walk east was one of the main reasons the project was rejected several years ago. I believe Disney is providing some kind of direct access to Harbor from the Esplanade for hotels, restaurants, and other businesses. What exactly that is and how it looks is not clear from anything I've seen.

Yep, they going to have to have at least 2 security check points, or one very deep into their property, similar to where it is now.

I really took the dirt moving comment as a promise that these projects had actually been approved and would be happening and were not just blue sky rather than anyone had gone out there with a shovel or backhoe yet.

No start date was given for Avatar yet which to me means it's further down the line than the Avengers stuff and Coco which were given start dates of 2025 and 2026 respectively.

I also still think the parking lot has got to come in the next two years whether they put Avatar over in the Toy Story shuttle drop-off zone or not. I haven't quite let go of my theory though that they could just choose to replace the Grizzly area with Avatar. Either way I don't see work beginning for real on Avatar until 2026 or 2027 at the earliest. Of course, I know absolutely nothing and just enjoy speculating like the rest of you all.

I think Avatar is definitely last, just because i think it goes into DLForward, & not into an existing part of the park.

Nothing blue sky. All approved projects. They didn't say moving on ALL of them. Just that it's out of blue sky. Some clearly further along than others like cars 2.0 at MK.

East garage will have to happen before anything. That's been clear from day 1.

The majority of security will happen in the new garage like how it is currently at mickey and pals. Instead or trams, it'll be all the bus traffic at the bottom and probably just north of kettlemen.

The bridge will probably happen Where Disney already owns land from the garage, over harbor and links under the monorail to get to the esplanade. My inclination is there will a some access from.harbor to the garage at the bridge level on both sides....much like Vegas elevated pedestrian bridges to minimize traffic impacts.on harbor.

I do really think Disney has a skyliner project in plans to link garage to esplanade to dtd to mickey and pals garage. Four stops with primary security handles at the garages. This leaves a small footprint for security at both ends for local foot traffic .

Agree. on both counts, Garage first & Skyliner would make a lot of sense... but it HAS TO BE behind security gates.

THEN you get to land expansion.

Hollywood.land.
Coco can go behind Pixar but think that's a poor place. Hollywood land redevelopment to coco and a simple.ride in existing empty space can happen quickly while the eticket ride waits for the garage to be completed.and those space.be developed for the ride. Hollywood square can rather easily be converted and rethemed.

I do not believe avatar can go here. The amount of forced.perspective will.push the renderings right up to harbor and the sightlines will all be messed.up. I can't see.imagineers going for that. I could sooner see GRR be replaced by avatar than Hollywood land.

Pixar space.
As pointed out, there is no float substitute holding space. They have to reimagine anyways as the holding space.on the gotg will disappear with king Thanos development

This is too small for coco. Coco is hugely popular with socal and will be a significant draw. Do it right with Hollywood land and that frees up that whole.back end from goofy to Mania to redevelop.with Disney forward transition

I think Red is the most ideal spot for Coco (Paradise Gardens), but behind Incredicoaster is a nice spot that doesn't have to take anything away to use, except behind the scenes stuff.
I almost hope they turn Hollywood backlot into Monsters Inc Land. See how it goes in DHS & make some, adjustments, or my original idea was just pout in a Cosmic Rewind, or Rockin Roller Coaster back there and call it a day.

I don't we see Dirty moving on Avatar for over a year....easily

Next year Avengers starts and Coco the year after. So we will see when Avatar is a go but sadly I don't think Hollywood is going anywhere, I think this land will be in Disney Forward on the other side of the resort

Hollywood feels too small for what they are showing us and Grizzly, I just doubt they are touching considering they just installed permanent projectors to the Redwood creek area for Villains Grove


While it would be nice for Avatar to be done before the olympic's in 2028, I think unless Disney moves quicker on this then most projects they have done in the past we are looking at 4 years of building this land from the start.

Yep, I feel Avatar is years away (before they even start), I think its most likely going in the expansion of DL rather than DCA. Also agree Redwood Creek isn't going anywhere, it messes with the hotel, & they don't want to do that (I wouldn't think).

 

[nalababybear]

Yep, they going to have to have at least 2 security check points, or one very deep into their property, similar to where it is now.

I think Avatar is definitely last, just because i think it goes into DLForward, & not into an existing part of the park.

Agree. on both counts, Garage first & Skyliner would make a lot of sense... but it HAS TO BE behind security gates.

View attachment 887967
I think Red is the most ideal spot for Coco (Paradise Gardens), but behind Incredicoaster is a nice spot that doesn't have to take anything away to use, except behind the scenes stuff.
I almost hope they turn Hollywood backlot into Monsters Inc Land. See how it goes in DHS & make some, adjustments, or my original idea was just pout in a Cosmic Rewind, or Rockin Roller Coaster back there and call it a day.




Yep, I feel Avatar is years away (before they even start), I think its most likely going in the expansion of DL rather than DCA. Also agree Redwood Creek isn't going anywhere, it messes with the hotel, & they don't want to do that (I wouldn't think).

We have DVC VGC -- nothing from GRR or Creek would affect the hotel or DVC. Perhaps the ambience when stepping out into the parks, but I think that's not going to be affected. Really do think it'll be in Pumba lot if I had my guess on what they really want to do with the IP and how expansive with both water AND fire/ash elements in play.

Paradise gardens is too small and narrow for a coco land with 2 rides. just won't fit. Paradise+Pixar land -- sure, but that's REALLY long space --would be interesting to see though. I just think Hollywood retheme would be a very nice centerpiece for something as unique and popular Coco is for socal visitors.

Skyliner -- yes, security. We vision is this: retire trams. Build on top of both garage decks.
Landing spots: Mickey garage top floor - DTD-Monorail expansion -- Esplanade: tram loading landing area -- Eastern Garage gateway - top floor -- makes use of low usage space; replaces aging transportation and brings foot traffic to optimal flows. Future potential -- Gardenwalk - Toystory lot - Disney Springs West coast.

 

[irlandaise]

We have DVC VGC -- nothing from GRR or Creek would affect the hotel or DVC. Perhaps the ambience when stepping out into the parks, but I think that's not going to be affected.

How could it not affect the views from the hotel if GRR and/or RCCT were removed? Here's a sample of one beautiful view of Grizzly Peak with RCCT in the foreground:

https://duchessofdisneyland.com/dow...nd-resort-hotels/grand-californian-hotel-spa/

 

[Duckbug.Ducktales]

How could it not affect the views from the hotel if GRR and/or RCCT were removed? Here's a sample of one beautiful view of Grizzly Peak with RCCT in the foreground:

https://duchessofdisneyland.com/dow...nd-resort-hotels/grand-californian-hotel-spa/

And here was our view just last week from the 5th floor