The “Blue Sky” dreams of a third Disneyland theme park just got a lot more concrete. As of today, The Walt Disney Company has officially shifted from planning to action, filing massive construction permits that signal the first significant physical step in the DisneylandForward initiative.
For fans who have spent decades wondering if Anaheim would ever see a third gate, the latest moves on Harbor Boulevard suggest the answer is finally “yes.”
The “Eastern Gateway” Breakthrough
In late December 2025, Disney filed permits for a gargantuan 8-story parking structure known as the Eastern Gateway. Spanning 3.2 million square feet and offering 6,000 parking spaces, this isn’t just a garage—it’s the logistical key to the entire expansion.
By moving parking and transportation to this new hub off Disney Way, Disney is effectively clearing the board. Analysts and local reports from January 2026 suggest this move is designed to free up the massive Toy Story Parking Lot. Once that asphalt is clear, it opens up nearly 50 acres for what many believe will be a “Disney Springs West” or a third theme park gate.
What’s Breaking Ground in 2026?
The $1.9 billion investment isn’t just sitting in a bank account. 2026 is shaping up to be the most active construction year in the resort’s history:
- Avatar Destination: The long-awaited Avatar experience (inspired by The Way of Water) is moving into high gear. To make room, the Monsters, Inc. Mike & Sulley to the Rescue! The attraction is slated to close in early 2026.
- Coco Attraction: Construction on the first-ever Coco ride at Disney California Adventure is already fast-tracked, with vertical work beginning near Pixar Pier.
- Avengers Campus Expansion: Work is well underway on two new attractions—Avengers Infinity Defense and the Stark Flight Lab—which will double the size of the land by 2027.
Zoning the Future: The DisneylandForward Edge
The real magic happened at the City Council level. Under the now-active DisneylandForward agreement, Disney has the “mixed-use” flexibility to build theme park attractions alongside hotels and shopping districts.
Previously, Disney was landlocked by rigid 1990s zoning. Now, they can build immersive lands—potentially themed after Frozen, Zootopia, or Tangled—on land they already own. With $1.9 billion committed over the next decade, the “Third Park” is no longer a matter of if, but when.
The 2026 Travel Verdict
If you’re visiting in 2026, prepare for construction walls but plenty of “new.” With the Disneyland 70th Anniversary celebration running through August 2026, the resort is balancing its historic legacy with a frantic push toward its $1.9 billion future.
The “Wildest Ride in the Wilderness” is getting a lot bigger, and the first shovels hitting the dirt this fall mark the beginning of a new era for Walt’s original park.
Which land should anchor Disneyland’s third park: Pandora, Arendelle, or a Villains-themed land? Let us know in the comments!
