Honestly, walking into Disneyland right now feels a bit like standing in the middle of a giant Lego set that’s half-finished. You’ve got the nostalgia of Main Street, but just around the corner, there are construction walls that seem to move overnight. If you’re looking for disneyland california new rides, you’ve probably heard the rumors about Avatar or the "multiverse" ride. But here's the thing: most people are looking at the wrong dates.
It’s easy to get lost in the hype.
Right now, the park is in the middle of its most aggressive expansion since 1955, fueled by the "DisneylandForward" initiative. We aren't just getting one or two shiny new things; the resort is basically being re-engineered. Between the new Coco attraction, the massive Avatar expansion, and the Avengers Campus doubling in size, the map you remember from three years ago is practically a relic.
The Mandalorian is Taking Over the Falcon
One of the biggest updates hits sooner than you might think. On May 22, 2026, Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run is getting its first major story overhaul. If you’ve grown tired of Hondo Ohnaka yelling at you to fix the ship, this is for you.
Disney is integrating a new mission featuring The Mandalorian and Grogu. This isn't just a tiny cameo. It’s a full mission tied to the release of the upcoming film.
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- Release Date: May 22, 2026.
- The Tech: Using Epic’s Unreal Engine to render new environments in real-time.
- The Twist: For the first time, the Engineer on the crew actually gets to choose the destination. You could end up on Tatooine, Coruscant, or even navigating the ruins of the Death Star.
It’s about time the Engineer role became more than just a button-masher, right?
Why the Coco Boat Ride is More Than Just a "Small World" Clone
There’s been a lot of chatter about the Coco ride coming to Disney California Adventure. Some folks think it’ll just be a colorful boat ride like Gran Fiesta Tour in Epcot. They’re wrong.
Basically, Disney is positioning this as a "spiritual successor" to Pirates of the Caribbean. Imagineering is using next-gen Audio-Animatronics that are supposed to move with a fluidity we haven’t seen before. Construction is already happening backstage near Paradise Gardens Park.
While we don’t have a firm opening day yet, groundbreaking happened in late 2025. Following typical Disney timelines—like the four years it took for Tiana's Bayou Adventure to go from announcement to opening—we are likely looking at a 2027 or 2028 debut.
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Avengers Campus is Finally Getting its "E-Ticket"
If you’ve visited Avengers Campus recently, you know it feels a little... light. It’s great for character meet-and-greets, but it lacks a heavy-hitter attraction to anchor the land. That's changing.
Construction is currently vertical for Avengers Infinity Defense.
In this ride, you’re jumping through the multiverse to stop King Thanos. We’re talking about a variant of Thanos who actually won. You’ll be "transported" to Wakanda, Asgard, and a ruined New York. Alongside this, there’s a second attraction called Stark Flight Lab. This one is weird—you sit in two-person pods, and a massive robot arm (similar to those used in car manufacturing) whips you around in a simulated flight.
The walkway between Avengers Campus and Cars Land is currently closed because of this. It’s a mess to walk through right now, but the payoff is two major additions to the disneyland california new rides lineup by 2027.
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The Avatar Problem: What’s Leaving?
This is the part that makes some fans a little salty. To make room for the new Avatar land in California Adventure, Disney is closing Monsters, Inc. Mike & Sulley to the Rescue! in early 2026.
The new land is specifically inspired by Avatar: The Way of Water. It’s going to be very different from the Pandora land in Florida. Instead of floating mountains, think "wide-open seas." The main attraction is a high-intensity boat ride that Disney promises will be "intense and emotional."
Key Upcoming Dates to Watch:
- March 22, 2026: Bluey’s Best Day Ever! debuts at the Fantasyland Theatre. (Yes, the kids are going to lose their minds).
- May 22, 2026: The Mandalorian update for Smugglers Run.
- July 2, 2026: Soarin’ Across America replaces Soarin’ Around the World to celebrate the U.S. 250th anniversary.
Practical Advice for Your Next Trip
If you’re planning a visit specifically to see disneyland california new rides, wait until at least late May 2026. If you go before then, you’re mostly going to see construction walls and miss out on the Mando mission and the new Soarin’ overlay.
Also, keep an eye on the "DisneylandForward" permits. Disney just filed for a massive 6,000-space parking structure (the Eastern Gateway). This sounds boring, but it’s the legal hurdle they have to clear before they can turn existing parking lots into a third theme park gate.
The landscape is shifting. Fast.
Your Next Steps:
- Check the refurbishment calendar specifically for Hollywood Land if you want one last ride on Monsters, Inc. before it closes forever in a few months.
- If you’re a Star Wars fan, hold off on your Galaxy’s Edge visit until after May 22, 2026, so you can experience the new mission tech.
- Budget for Lightning Lane Premier Pass if you’re coming in the summer of 2026; the crowds for the Bluey show and the Mandalorian update are going to be historical.
The resort is a work in progress, but the era of "static" Disneyland is definitely over.