The ultimate weekend for Disney fans has officially kicked off in Anaheim, California. At D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event, Walt Disney Imagineering pulled back the curtain on the massive future of the Disneyland Resort. While fans expected major news, the detailed physical models on the show floor exceeded expectations, offering an unprecedented first look at the oceanic Avatar experience coming to Disney California Adventure, along with thrilling updates for Avengers Campus and a brand-new Coco ride.
If you couldn't make it to the “Imagineering: Horizons” pavilion, here is a breakdown of the groundbreaking reveals setting the stage for California Adventure's next golden age.
An Oceanic Adventure: The Avatar Experience
When Disney initially announced that an Avatar land was heading to the West Coast, many wondered if Anaheim would simply receive a clone of Pandora – The World of Avatar from Walt Disney World. The stunning model displayed at D23 provided a definitive answer: California’s Pandora will be a unique aquatic destination.
Unlike the East Coast version, which features the floating mountains of the Valley of Mo'ara from the 2009 film, Disney California Adventure draws heavy inspiration from Avatar: The Way of Water and its upcoming sequels.
The sprawling physical model showcases a breathtaking coastal biome. It features towering, wave-like rock formations and a central cascading waterfall that seamlessly blends an exotic alien forest with a massive aquatic environment.
A High-Capacity Boat Ride. At the heart of the land is a highly anticipated boat attraction. Imagineering displayed a detailed maquette of the ride vehicle, revealing a large, open-air boat with six rows of seating. With each row designed to accommodate four to five guests, this large vehicle suggests a high-capacity attraction built to handle Disneyland’s massive crowds. The dynamic ride will feature both indoor and outdoor segments, transitioning from tranquil observations of majestic sea creatures to intense, thrilling encounters in the wild Pandoran open seas.
Timeline Update:s To make way for this immersive world, the new Avatar land will eventually take over the Hollywood Backlot space currently occupied by Monsters, Inc. Mike & Sulley to the Rescue! However, Disney confirmed that the classic dark ride will remain open into 2027 to accommodate families who rely on the park's limited offerings for younger children while other resort construction progresses.
Avengers Campus Doubles in Size
Marvel fans also received major news, with Disney confirming two brand-new E-ticket attractions that will effectively double the size of Avengers Campus.
- Avengers Infinity Defense: This multiverse-jumping adventure finally has a name and a plot. Riders will board specialized transport vehicles to battle King Thanos, a variant who has stolen the technology that allows the Avengers to travel between worlds. Guests will fight alongside iconic heroes across various realms, including Asgard, New York City, and Wakanda.
- Stark Flight Lab: Guests will soon be invited to test Tony Stark's latest tech. Riders will sit in two-person “gyro-kinetic pods” that are scooped up by massive robotic arms and flung through the air in simulated flight maneuvers. With Robert Downey Jr. officially reprising his role as Tony Stark for the ride, this is a massive win for MCU fans.
A Musical Journey: Disneyland’s New ‘Coco’ Attraction
First teased as a “Blue Sky” concept, the highly anticipated Coco attraction is officially breaking ground at Disney California Adventure in 2026. Taking over backstage space, the ride will be a vibrant, musical boat journey that follows Miguel into the colorful Land of the Dead.
The D23 pavilion featured beautiful concept art for the queue, heavily inspired by the intricate, candle-lit ofrendas from the 2017 Pixar film. Fans were also treated to a stunning, lifelike maquette of a young Hector, teasing the exceptionally high-quality audio-animatronics that will populate the ride.
A Bright Future for Disney California Adventure
The D23 Expo has made it clear: Disney California Adventure is undergoing a monumental transformation. With experiences ranging from exploring the bioluminescent oceans of Pando to flying with Tony Stark and sailing through the Land of the Dead, the park is actively redefining immersive entertainment on the West Coast. While we may have to wait a few years for the construction walls to come down, the future of the Disneyland Resort has never looked brighter.
