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

[mdmost]

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

Well looks like that area might be going away.

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!

 

[LAS2AMS]

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

I remember watching the park’s construction. It felt like an eternity before it opened! Of course, like everyone else, I was very disappointed when it opened. I think I saw the Whoopi movie once. Never bothered to go to MuppetVision (seen it enough at WDW). I hated the cheapened ToT. But the park finally grew on me…

I was talking to some kids at Grad Nite — born in 2007, which seems like yesterday — and they were asking questions which made me feel like an old person LOL (they had never been to the lake before).

Since much of OBB takes place in Hollywoodland, I wonder when they close the area if it’ll move back to DL?

 

[joseph821]

I remember watching the park’s construction. It felt like an eternity before it opened! Of course, like everyone else, I was very disappointed when it opened. I think I saw the Whoopi movie once. Never bothered to go to MuppetVision (seen it enough at WDW). I hated the cheapened ToT. But the park finally grew on me…

I was talking to some kids at Grad Nite — born in 2007, which seems like yesterday — and they were asking questions which made me feel like an old person LOL (they had never been to the lake before).

Since much of OBB takes place in Hollywoodland, I wonder when they close the area if it’ll move back to DL?

I would expect the Halloween party to move back to Disneyland.

 

[cruisehopeful]

I'm always sad to see something go. I don't ride Monster's Inc anymore, though. I rode it often when it was walk on and I think I reached my max capacity for the ride.

 

[mdmost]

This is pretty good overview someone did on Twitter.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1930824327366361467

 

[DLandgirlie]

Hmm.... thanks Universal (Epic) for giving Disney some steam to move things along!
I'm very sad Monster's Inc is leaving, that movie is in my top 5 Pixar films. The ride itself is cute, but I can see why they are comfortable letting it go.

 

[LAS2AMS]

Hmm.... thanks Universal (Epic) for giving Disney some steam to move things along!
I'm very sad Monster's Inc is leaving, that movie is in my top 5 Pixar films. The ride itself is cute, but I can see why they are comfortable letting it go.

I doubt EU has any impact on DLR, since most guests are local and regional. They need new attractions to increase the resorts’ capacity, as well as to keep people coming. Hollywoodland is huge but even on a hot busy day, PhilharMagic etc. don’t draw much of a crowd.

We escaped there a couple weekends ago when it reached nearly triple digits, and there may have been a dozen people watching with us.

 

[dizneedoll]

Kinda bummed about Monsters Inc closing even though I figured it was coming. Of the two traditional dark rides at DCA, that's the best one.

 

[irlandaise]

This is pretty good overview someone did on Twitter.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1930824327366361467

If that's accurate, then the Hyperion is not being razed.

 

[irlandaise]

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.

View attachment 971503

Anyone know what that silver disk atop pillars next to the Disneyland sign is?

 

[disneychrista]

Anyone know what that silver disk atop pillars next to the Disneyland sign is?

Likely stairs/elevator to get down to street level.

Mark Brickey (Hey Brickey) did a detailed breakdown of the new artwork on his Brickey Vlog channel.

 

[Smugpugmug]

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.

I don't even want to imagine what social media would be like if that was announced. Personally, I would hate hate HATE that idea. I'm very happy Grizzly Peak and the Grand Californian are staying as is.

 

[mich311e]

I remember the discussion years ago, but was it ever clarified how Harbor Blvd hotel guests will access the Eastern Gateway entrance? For instance, if you are staying at Desert Inn & Suites or Grand Legacy, can you easily walk to the entrance?

 

[LAS2AMS]

I remember the discussion years ago, but was it ever clarified how Harbor Blvd hotel guests will access the Eastern Gateway entrance? For instance, if you are staying at Desert Inn & Suites or Grand Legacy, can you easily walk to the entrance?

The concept indicates they plan on expanding the Esplanade, and the concept art shows it extending to Harbor, so doesn’t look like they’re closing street access off.

 

[disneychrista]

I remember the discussion years ago, but was it ever clarified how Harbor Blvd hotel guests will access the Eastern Gateway entrance? For instance, if you are staying at Desert Inn & Suites or Grand Legacy, can you easily walk to the entrance?

Unlike previous incarnations of this idea, there is street access to Disneyland from Harbor so hotel guests can enter similar to how they do now. It also will allow those visiting the resort can also frequent the shops and restaurants on Harbor.

 

[mdmost]

Concept art shows them bending the existing Harbor Street access into either a new security area or walking path. So if you're a Harbor Blvd or rideshare drop off guest, you'll access there under the big Disneyland Resort sign.

 

[LAS2AMS]

According tot he more incredible users within the online Disneyland community, The Avatar Experience will replace the Hollywoodland. Backlot area (the area where Monsters Inc ride and that large building they never use is) as well as a portion of the bus area. The rest of Hollywoodland will stay.

This surprises me because the area is barely used, and the continuity sucks from when they rushed to build the ToT (huge gaps). And last year, Disney indicated Avatar Experience would be on the scale of SWGE and Avatarland T the Animal Kingdom (so over 10 acres). The area is much smaller than that, unless they plan to build the show buildings behind the existing structures to the east.

OTOH… it’s Disney and doesn’t surprise me since it’s hard to envision them tearing down all those buildings….

 

[CaliforniaGirl09]

I'm surprised there isn't more Monsters love here. I'm so sad about losing that ride. It's probably my favorite dark ride. It's kind of our "go to" when we don't have a plan.

Not an Avatar fan at all. I would much rather see a new land or a villain's land on this coast. Shanghai pirates is an amazing ride--maybe my favorite in all of Disney (I've been to all the parks)--but wish the theme wasn't Avatar. It kind of fits the AK ethos (conservation, etc.), but seems way out of place in Hollywood. After re-doing the entire front of the park, it seems as if they could have come up with something better.

We were just talking about the underutilization of the theater the last time we were there a couple weeks ago. Does anyone have any insight on why they haven't brought back any big entertainment since COVID? I think they had the short run of Captain America, but that's it, right? Seems like such a waste, when you could take thousands of people out of line. But maybe that would hurt the LL sales. Maybe I answered my own question.

 

[mich311e]

The concept indicates they plan on expanding the Esplanade, and the concept art shows it extending to Harbor, so doesn’t look like they’re closing street access off.

Unlike previous incarnations of this idea, there is street access to Disneyland from Harbor so hotel guests can enter similar to how they do now. It also will allow those visiting the resort can also frequent the shops and restaurants on Harbor.

Oh, that's great news!

 

[disneychrista]

This surprises me because the area is barely used, and the continuity sucks from when they rushed to build the ToT (huge gaps). And last year, Disney indicated Avatar Experience would be on the scale of SWGE and Avatarland T the Animal Kingdom (so over 10 acres). The area is much smaller than that, unless they plan to build the show buildings behind the existing structures to the east.

Are you including the area of the current bus drop off area that is being incorporated into this area?