A new era is coming but not everybody wants it.
As Disneyland Resort celebrates its 70th anniversary with fan-favorite spectaculars like Paint the Night, Wondrous Journeys, and World of Color Happiness!, big changes are also on the horizon that promise to reshape the landscape of Disney California Adventure Park.
During a recent media presentation at the Hyperion Theater, per KTLA, Disney Experiences revealed sweeping updates for the Anaheim resort, including an all-new Coco-inspired attraction and major infrastructure improvements, such as new walkways, a revamped esplanade, and expanded parking.
But the most impactful development comes in the form of expansion. Disney had already confirmed it would double the footprint of Avengers Campus, introducing two new attractions: Stark Flight Lab and Avengers: Infinity Defense. These additions join a wider slate of enhancements, including the long-anticipated arrival of an Avatar-themed land.
Set to be located in the Hollywood Backlot area of Disney California Adventure, this new section inspired by Avatar will feature a cutting-edge water attraction that’s entirely new to the franchise. Described by the OC Register as “action and thrills on the wide-open seas of Pandora,” the boat ride will take guests through glowing bioluminescent rainforests in vibrant hues of blue, green, and purple—setting it apart from Walt Disney World’s Na’vi River Journey and Flight of Passage.
Portfolio Executive Creative Producer Emo O’Brien of Walt Disney Imagineering shared at the event, “This is going to be on a scale and level that is very much worthy of this incredible franchise,” emphasizing its connection to the sweeping landscapes seen in Avatar: The Way of Water (2022).
To make room, however, an emotional farewell is on the way. The beloved attraction Monsters, Inc. Mike & Sulley to the Rescue!—which opened in 2006 as a replacement for Superstar Limo—will permanently close in early 2026. For two decades, the ride has delighted guests in Hollywood Land with its whimsical journey through Monstropolis, bringing the characters of Mike Wazowski and James P. Sullivan to life.
Its impending closure has sparked a heartfelt reaction. A Change.org petition, created by Eden Whitney, calls on Disney to reconsider, gathering over 100 signatures to date. The petition reads: “While innovations are important, we must not overlook the sentimental value and happiness the current attractions bring to visitors, particularly those like Monsters, Inc. that resonate deeply with our childhood memories and family traditions.”
The movement has echoed widely among fans. One signer, Beckett, shared: “We should be adding rides, not changing them. When Bugs Land was changed, they got rid of 4 different rides… We need more rides, not new ones.”
Though Disney has not yet announced a specific closing date, it’s expected that Monsters, Inc. Mike & Sulley to the Rescue! will continue operation through the holiday season before making its final bow in early 2026.
DisneylandForward—a development initiative greenlit in May 2024—is laying the groundwork for these transformative updates. As part of this long-term vision, Disney Experiences Chairman Josh D’Amaro addressed change during the INBOUND festival last year, acknowledging the emotional impact on fans.
Even as Walt Disney World in Florida captures attention with its own lineup of transformations—from a new Magic Kingdom expansion to a reimagined DinoLand U.S.A.—Disneyland Resort remains firmly in the spotlight.
What are your thoughts on this transformation at Disney California Adventure? Share your memories and hopes with us as the resort prepares for a whole new chapter.
