Avatar Land, Coco Attraction Set for Disneyland; Monsters Ride to Close

Disney has announced plans to position its upcoming Coco-themed attraction in currently backstage areas adjacent to Paradise Gardens Park and Pixar Pier at Disney California Adventure. Meanwhile, the new Avatar-themed land will occupy part of the existing Hollywood Backlot, necessitating the permanent closure of the Monsters, Inc. Mike & Sulley to the Rescue! ride by early 2026.

Disney Parks Blog shared these updates alongside concept artwork, confirming that construction for the Coco attraction will commence backstage this fall. Revealed at D23 2024, this will mark the first-ever theme park experience based on the acclaimed Pixar film Coco.

The attraction will incorporate design elements from classic rides like Haunted Mansion and Pirates of the Caribbean, with Disney promising groundbreaking Audio-Animatronic technology to bring skeletal characters to life in unprecedented ways that "must be seen to be believed."

Development of the Avatar-themed area remains in its initial phases, with Disney planning to share construction timelines and further details later. Inspired by Avatar: The Way of Water and future sequels, this expansion will offer fresh interpretations of Pandora, complementing the existing World of Avatar at Disney's Animal Kingdom since 2017.

While the closure of Monsters, Inc. Mike & Sulley to the Rescue! may disappoint some visitors, Disney World's Hollywood Studios will soon debut an immersive Monsters, Inc. land featuring the parks' first suspended rollercoaster themed around the iconic door warehouse scene.

Alongside these thematic developments, Disney confirmed infrastructure upgrades including a new parking structure and transportation hub on the resort's east side, replacing part of the current Manchester cast member lot. The facility will provide 6,000 parking spaces with dedicated shuttle zones, rideshare areas, and security screening, alongside a pedestrian bridge over Harbor Boulevard for enhanced guest access.

For more Disney updates, explore our guides to Disneyland's 70th anniversary celebration, 14 Cool Kid Summer experiences at Walt Disney World, and details about the upcoming Piston Peak National Park expansion at Magic Kingdom.