Avatar Experience Replaces Monsters Inc. - Monsters Inc. Closing Early 2026 - Future Expansion Plans

[joseph821]

Avatar Experience Location Details​

Additionally, we’re looking forward to transforming a portion of the current Hollywood Backlot area into our Avatar destination in Disney California Adventure. This project is still in the early stages of development, and additional details will be shared later, including construction timeframes.

To make way for this new experience, Monsters, Inc. Mike & Sulley to the Rescue! will close in early 2026.

https://disneyparksblog.com/dlr/future-expansion-plans-for-disneyland-resort/


Today, we’re excited to share a peek behind the curtain at some of our long-term plans to expand and grow here at Disneyland Resort!

All-New Parking Structure and Transportation Hub Coming to Resort Area​

Plans are underway for a new parking structure and transportation hub that will be built on the east side of Disneyland Resort, on a portion of what is currently the Manchester cast member parking lot. This new area will provide approximately 6,000 parking spaces, shuttle and rideshare areas, security screening and dedicated access for traffic off of Disney Way, improving parking and traffic flow throughout the resort area. As you can see from the artist concept rendering above, this new parking and transportation hub will also feature a pedestrian bridge over Harbor Boulevard, leading to an all-new esplanade arrival experience. This pedestrian bridge will also provide convenient public access to and from Harbor Boulevard.

These enhanced parking, transit, and arrival offerings are the first step in our next phase of construction, creating the infrastructure necessary to prepare for future growth and to welcome more guests as new experiences are added – including two all-new attractions that will double the size of Avengers Campus, plus the new “Coco”-themed ride and Avatar destination coming to Disney California Adventure park. The multi-year construction of this new arrival experience is slated to begin in fall of 2026.

Updates on the Location for the “Coco” Attraction​

As we continue to add new experiences to Disney California Adventure, we’re excited to share that the upcoming attraction themed to Pixar Animation Studios’ “Coco” will be built near Paradise Gardens Park and Pixar Pier, in areas that are predominantly backstage today. Construction on this attraction is set to begin backstage this fall!

Avatar Experience Location Details​

Additionally, we’re looking forward to transforming a portion of the current Hollywood Backlot area into our Avatar destination in Disney California Adventure. This project is still in the early stages of development, and additional details will be shared later, including construction timeframes.

To make way for this new experience, Monsters, Inc. Mike & Sulley to the Rescue! will close in early 2026.

This is just the beginning of exciting growth here at Disneyland Resort, and we look forward to sharing more about all of these projects in the future. As always, stay tuned to the Disney Parks Blog for the latest Disneyland news!

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[disneychrista]

I just saw this. I am sad to see Monsters leaving but not too surprised that this is where Avatar is going. There is no other real place for it at this point.

I am now curious if they will ship everything to Florida to be the un-named second "family" attraction going in the new Monstropolis land at the Studios.

 

[mdmost]

Interesting. So mostly backlot for Coco and removing Monster Inc and some backlot area for Avatar. That's not going to be a very big area so I'm guessing it will just be a walk through area that's Avatar themed. Not sure how they make it work with the monorail but maybe the idea is you can view it from the monorail.

 

[disneychrista]

Interesting. So mostly backlot for Coco and removing Monster Inc and some backlot area for Avatar. That's not going to be a very big area so I'm guessing it will just be a walk through area that's Avatar themed. Not sure how they make it work with the monorail but maybe the idea is you can view it from the monorail.

Coco is not going in the backlot.

Pixar Animation Studios’ “Coco” will be built near Paradise Gardens Park and Pixar Pier, in areas that are predominantly backstage today.

 

[carouselDL]

I'm guessing it will just be a walk through area that's Avatar themed.

Didn't they show concept art of an Avatar boat ride at D23, supposedly based on Shanghai's Pirates of the Caribbean? Though of course that doesn't mean they'll actually build it

 

[LKing]

Happy they are bringing back the vintage marquee.

Relieved that Avatar is not taking over the Grizzly River Run space.

Looks like Coco might be going where Boardwalk Pizza is.

 

[mdmost]

Coco is not going in the backlot.

Backstage, backlot. Tomato, tomahto. Not tearing out an existing attraction.

Some are thinking this means the bus lane area is gone but it's in the mockup of the new bridge unless that portion in the lower left is the tram area.

 

[LAS2AMS]

Ugg, so it looks like the initial reports were true: Avatarland will replace the Hollywoodland area + the Harbor entrance to the park. The DisneylandForward project is expected to turn the DTD and hotel parking lots into theme park expansion, which lead us to believe Avatarland will be built there.

I get it, the Hollywoodland is way underutilized; Monsters, Inc. doesn’t fit the theme and the Tower of Terror expansion somewhat destroy the conformity of the area. But we sis enjoy the full length musicals at the HT and hoped they would return

Personally, I would’ve liked to seen the around around GRR turned into Avatarland. That area is even more underutilized, especially with GRR closing during the winter.

I’m guessing this will be the end of the Toy Story Parking Lot. They’ll probably build out the Skyliner system to get to the Esplanada, moving ART drop off and security to the parking garage area. Of course, without the TS business, ART will probably fold.

Interesting times ahead.

 

[LKing]

How much do you think will be done by the 75th?

 

[disneychrista]

How much do you think will be done by the 75th?

I think it will be tight but I am guessing that it will be done before the 75th.

 

[joseph821]

Ugg, so it looks like the initial reports were true: Avatarland will replace the Hollywoodland area + the Harbor entrance to the park. The DisneylandForward project is expected to turn the DTD and hotel parking lots into theme park expansion, which lead us to believe Avatarland will be built there.

I get it, the Hollywoodland is way underutilized; Monsters, Inc. doesn’t fit the theme and the Tower of Terror expansion somewhat destroy the conformity of the area. But we sis enjoy the full length musicals at the HT and hoped they would return

Personally, I would’ve liked to seen the around around GRR turned into Avatarland. That area is even more underutilized, especially with GRR closing during the winter.

I’m guessing this will be the end of the Toy Story Parking Lot. They’ll probably build out the Skyliner system to get to the Esplanada, moving ART drop off and security to the parking garage area. Of course, without the TS business, ART will probably fold.

Interesting times ahead.

Grizzly River Run, Redwood Creek Challenge Trail and Soarin would never be touched. The attraction and theming fit in directly to the Grand Californian Hotel and the name Disney California Adventure. No construction would happen in those areas ever — too disruptive to the hotel.

You are absolutely correct — it will change the existing fingerprint 🫆 of the Disneyland Resort.

 

[LAS2AMS]

Backstage, backlot. Tomato, tomahto. Not tearing out an existing attraction.

Some are thinking this means the bus lane area is gone but it's in the mockup of the new bridge unless that portion in the lower right is the tram area.

View attachment 971503

It’s too small of an area for the busses. Almost unquestionably they’ll be relocated across the street, that was the plan a decade ago, until the project got shelved and ART agreed to an all electric fleet.

Good catch tho, looks like a pedestrian bridge instead of the Skyliner. Wonder if we’ll see people handing out phamplets, Pluto’s guy with the bullhorn, and water/ hot dog vendors!

 

[mdmost]

That Coco ride feels like it will be really small. Based on the concept clues about placement, it's not taking out Boardwalk Pizza at all. It's going right behind it.

 

[LAS2AMS]

I think it will be tight but I am guessing that it will be done before the 75th.

It’s Disney. We’d be lucky if 1/2 the project was completed, and completed within 10 years.

Disney has a storied history of budget cuts. The “Disney Decade” in the 1990s at DL (but hey, we got Rocket Rods as a consolation price), scrapping most of the planned attractions at the MGM-Studios, Animal Kingdom and California Adventure, the downsized Avengers Campus featuring Spider-Man Midway Mania, etc.

Grizzly River Run, Redwood Creek Challenge Trail and Soarin would never be touched. The attraction and theming fit in directly to the Grand Californian Hotel and the name Disney California Adventure. No construction would happen in those areas ever — too disruptive to the hotel.

I’m sure they could’ve reimagine the resort’s theming. Maybe even charge a few hundred bucks more per night the Avatarland Experience Resort.

 

[planningjollyholiday]

Well there goes my bluesky dreams of a Harryhausen's Sushi restaurant opening by Monsters Inc. Do we know how many rides will be in the Avator area? I really hope it's more than one, otherwise this is just a lateral move.

 

[LAS2AMS]

That Coco ride feels like it will be really small. Based on the concept clues about placement, it's not taking out Boardwalk Pizza at all. It's going right behind it.

If you look at Google Maps, there’s a ton of backstage space in the area, mostly to the south of Boardwalk Pizza. DCA 2.0 was suppose to include a second attraction (after TSMM) in Pixar Pier, it’s probably the same space.

 

[joseph821]

It’s Disney. We’d be lucky if 1/2 the project was completed, and completed within 10 years.

Disney has a storied history of budget cuts. The “Disney Decade” in the 1990s at DL (but hey, we got Rocket Rods as a consolation price), scrapping most of the planned attractions at the MGM-Studios, Animal Kingdom and California Adventure, the downsized Avengers Campus featuring Spider-Man Midway Mania, etc.



I’m sure they could’ve reimagine the resort’s theming. Maybe even charge a few hundred bucks more per night the Avatarland Experience Resort.

Not the Grand Californian Hotel. That is a done deal. That is Disneylands flagship hotel and probably the best Disney hotel out of all the hotels at DL and WDW.

 

[LAS2AMS]

I just saw this. I am sad to see Monsters leaving but not too surprised that this is where Avatar is going. There is no other real place for it at this point.

I am now curious if they will ship everything to Florida to be the un-named second "family" attraction going in the new Monstropolis land at the Studios.

I’m guessing some elements of the ride will make its way to WDW, or at least be recycled into DLR. But it was always an awkward attraction since it was a cheap overlay of Superstar Limo. Moat everything will be over 25 years old, ancient tech, and probably not worth saving.

 

[disneychrista]

I’m guessing some elements of the ride will make its way to WDW, or at least be recycled into DLR. But it was always an awkward attraction since it was a cheap overlay of Superstar Limo. Moat everything will be over 25 years old, ancient tech, and probably not worth saving.

That is true. I am so old, I feel like DCA has only been a few year not 25. Crazy.

 

[LKing]

That Coco ride feels like it will be really small. Based on the concept clues about placement, it's not taking out Boardwalk Pizza at all. It's going right behind it.

That Pixar Pier gate is where the parade floats enter/exit. It is how after hours crews access the park from the backlot.