Disney has lastly revealed the place Pandora – World of Avatar and the Coco boat trip shall be situated at Disneyland Resort, together with when building will start and closures essential to make method for this new land and attraction. This put up shares particulars, idea artwork, and the whole lot we all know concerning the plan–plus commentary and our tackle this addition for the park.
By the use of recap, Pandora – World of Avatar and the Coco-themed boat trip have been each introduced final 12 months through the “Horizons: Disney Experiences Showcase” or Parks Panel presentation on the D23 Expo. Disney Parks Chairman Josh D’Amaro supplied a sneak peek at idea artwork for future growth plans at Disneyland. Or extra precisely, at Disney California Journey.
These have been simply two of a number of blockbuster bulletins for Parks & Resorts on the D23 Expo, throughout which D’Amaro revealed a number of ‘shovel to soil’ tasks that may come on-line within the subsequent 5 years, together with over a half-dozen additions that may debut earlier than the tip of 2025. He and head Imagineer Bruce Vaughn delivered on their promise to showcase concrete particulars and cease teasing ‘Blue Sky’ prospects.
Actually, the Coco boat trip and Pandora – World of Avatar are two of the tasks that felt “least actual” to me. Disney CEO Bob Iger had been teasing an “Avatar Expertise” for over a 12 months at that time, and there have been a number of items of idea artwork, a prolonged on-stage dialogue about Pandora, and even a partial mannequin on the present ground.
However, there was no opening 12 months given nor was there even a begin date for building. That plus the sensible actuality that there was no handy location for a large Avatar growth in DCA known as into query simply when it might start building. Or moderately, if it might. In any case, that is clearly a pet venture of Bob Iger, and his tenure is quickly coming to an finish.
Then there’s the Coco-themed boat trip. Though that sounded very promising to me and did have a begin date for building, it additionally had the fewest particulars of any main venture introduced on the D23 Expo. Not solely that, however the begin date was merely 2026. It was completely potential that one other D23 Expo would arrive earlier than building even started–once more, if it even started.
Fortunately, we now have some solutions to questions on each Pandora – World of Avatar and the Coco boat trip at Disney California Journey…
As Disneyland Resort continues so as to add new experiences to Disney California Journey, the corporate is worked up to share that the upcoming attraction themed to Pixar Animation Studios’ “Coco” shall be constructed close to Paradise Gardens Park and Pixar Pier, in areas which can be predominantly backstage in the present day. Building on this Coco attraction is ready to start backstage in Fall 2025!
A few issues to notice concerning the Coco boat trip. Before everything, plainly this venture is being fast-tracked, with building now starting in 2025 versus 2026.
Whereas it’s completely potential that this shall be shifting back-of-house services and different prep-work, that counts relating to Disney timelines. We’ve seen different tasks introduced at D23 get off to a gradual begin as this part of labor unfolded.
The opposite factor that’s fascinating right here is that the announcement suggests two totally different areas. Close to Paradise Gardens Park would appear to point that it’s changing Goofy’s Sky College, a repurposed wild mouse curler coaster that you’ll find at abnormal amusement parks. The previous Mulholland Insanity was given a brand new lease on life through the 2012 Disney California Journey redo, however even then, the belief was that it was a stop-gap measure. Over a decade later, its time might have lastly come.
This space has lengthy been rife for redevelopment, and this nook of the park, which is an odd mixture of old style Paradise Pier and newer Pixar Pier, could possibly be repurposed right into a Coco miniland. Jumpin’ Jellyfish and Golden Zephyr may each even be reimagined or changed fully. The one questions concern the parade route and whether or not that is truly sufficient area for a present constructing for a contemporary boat trip. Actually, I’m skeptical.
The opposite trigger for skepticism right here is that Disney indicated that the Coco boat trip would exchange “which can be predominantly backstage in the present day.” Nothing over right here is backstage. Disneyland Drive and Grand Californian Lodge are instantly behind the guest-facing areas at Paradise Gardens Park, which can also be why the present constructing measurement is proscribed.
I suppose it’s potential to place the doorway throughout from Foolish Symphony Swings and route the queue and present constructing backstage behind Incredicoaster. That is what the above idea artwork appears to recommend. However the issue with that’s it probably conflicts with the parade route, and I can’t see DCA ditching or re-routing that.
The opposite various is behind the Incredicoaster, Inside Out Emotional Whirlwind, and the boardwalk video games. There’s ample area backstage behind the Incredicoaster, and nothing of worth would must be misplaced to construct the Coco boat trip right here.
It wouldn’t shock me in the event that they constructed the doorway to the attraction the place the Pixar Promenade band shell is at present situated. That is essentially the most logical location, and one that might make it a pure win from a capability perspective. It’s additionally price mentioning that there’s a sliver of Incredicoaster within the new Coco idea artwork, and that wouldn’t be there if this have been changing Goofy’s Sky College.
The one subject right here is that behind Incredicoaster just isn’t close to Paradise Backyard Park. I’m guessing that was only a gaffe within the press launch. Right here’s hoping, not less than, as a result of this feature is method higher–and I’m not simply saying that as a result of I don’t wish to lose Paradise Backyard Grill. (This web site would additionally additional clarify the pausing of runDisney faces at Disneyland.)
If you happen to’re questioning what to anticipate from the Coco boat trip, the attraction shall be crammed with the characters and music from the beloved film, as you be part of Miguel on a visit to the land of the useless.
Walt Disney Imagineering will draw inspiration for the attraction from beloved classics, like Haunted Mansion and Pirates of the Caribbean. “We’re bringing our skeletal forged of characters to life in a giant method by way of the newest Audio-Animatronics know-how,” D’Amaro stated at D23 Expo. “These figures will seem in methods you’ll need to see to consider.”
I’m completely on board with a Coco attraction. It’s simply the most effective–and arguably the very greatest–animated movie in current reminiscence, rivaling Moana, Inside Out, Frozen, and Zootopia. Coco has gorgeous visuals and exquisite music–surroundings and sounds that appear tailored for a theme park attraction. The idea is tantalizing. Describing it as a non secular successor to Pirates of the Caribbean and Haunted Mansion positively captured my consideration and creativeness.
Actually, Coco completely would lend itself to such a trip, which is a giant a part of why that is so thrilling–as a result of you’ll be able to simply think about what a Pirates plus Haunted Mansion impressed Coco trip could possibly be like. My actual hope is that that is a kind of “good concepts that gained’t die” in Imagineering, and so they lastly discovered a house for it after making an attempt to create space in EPCOT.
Then there’s Pandora – World of Avatar. Right here’s what Disneyland needed to share about that:
“Moreover, we’re wanting ahead to remodeling a portion of the present Hollywood Backlot space into our Avatar vacation spot in Disney California Journey. This venture continues to be within the early levels of growth, and extra particulars shall be shared later, together with building timeframes.”
To make method for the brand new Avatar growth, Monsters Inc. Mike & Sulley to the Rescue! will shut in early 2026.
The very first thing to know concerning the Avatar growth is that the Japanese Gateway transportation hub is a vital prerequisite to Pandora.
To be able to have enough room for the present constructing and the whole lot {that a} fully-fledged Avatar land entails, Disney must demolish the outdated bus loops and construct into that area. However as you’ll be able to think about, that may’t occur till the brand new Japanese Gateway transportation hub is up and operating.
The brand new Japanese Gateway transportation hub doesn’t start building till Fall 2026, so it’s going to be some time–in all probability till 2028–earlier than that may open and unencumber the area wanted for Pandora – World of Avatar. That ought to clarify why Disney isn’t actually sharing a lot concerning the timeline for Pandora–as a result of it’s so distant.
Nonetheless, that does make us surprise why Monsters Inc. Mike & Sulley to the Rescue! will shut in early 2026. Does it actually want to shut then, or is it a matter of cost-savings to assist partially offset building. I can not think about a situation the place that Monsters, Inc. darkish trip is essentially within the earliest stage of labor on Avatar land.
As a substitute, this strikes me as akin to what’s occurring with MuppetVision 3D at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. It’s particularly egregious right here given the shortage of all-ages sights at DCA. I actually wish to be improper about this, and I hope particulars come out that make my cynicism misplaced.
For no matter it’s price, there are present (unused) soundstages and areas inside the present boundaries of the park that could possibly be utilized. Disney cleared out Stage 17 in Hollywood Land, which is a gigantic venue in part of the park that actually wants new life injected into it. Possibly work will start in, on or round these soundstages in early 2026!
Different questions stay about Pandora – World of Avatar, akin to why is Disney referring to it as a “vacation spot” versus a land? Our hope is that that is meaningless, and never an precise distinction–but it surely nonetheless looks as if an odd phrase alternative.
Additionally unknown is which trip system its marquee attraction will make the most of. The modern attraction is rumored to make use of the identical trip system as Pirates of the Caribbean: Battle for the Sunken Treasure at Shanghai Disneyland. This could make it considerably totally different from Na’vi River Journey in Pandora – World of Avatar at Animal Kingdom, even when the outline–minus the “hazard” half–sounds considerably comparable.
Pirates of the Caribbean: Battle for the Sunken Treasure is a wonderful attraction, arguably prime 10 in your complete world, and a giant a part of that’s its modern trip system. From a technological perspective, I can’t consider many sights that strategy Shanghai Pirates–in all probability Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance and now Harry Potter and the Battle on the Ministry. Not a lot else, although.
It’s truly a disgrace that it’s taken so lengthy for one more attraction to make use of the Shanghai Pirates trip system, as a result of it’s that good. A superlative use of know-how that melds bodily present scenes with screens and may flip a leisurely boat trip into an motion sequence, going from on the water to the sky or wherever. It’s truly the right trip system for combining the vibe of Na’vi River Journey and Avatar Flight of Passage!
Even with the “vacation spot” designation, our assumption is that Disney goes to guess massive on Pandora West. For one factor, the idea artwork suggests as a lot. It seems to be like a land that’ll rival the Animal Kingdom model, simply with totally different twists.
For one more factor, the approval of DisneylandForward comes with a requirement that Disney make investments not less than $1.9 to $2.5 billion over the course of the subsequent decade. Past that, there’s the truth that investing in Disneyland pays dividends, because the parks have been busier than ever and constantly crowded since reopening. Much more so than Walt Disney World. A part of that’s clearly demographics, however Disneyland clearly has room to develop as a bona fide vacationer vacation spot.
Not solely that, however as a part of the current earnings name, Disney shared a slideshow indicating that Pandora – World of Avatar is the #1 ranked land at Walt Disney World by way of visitor satisfaction. (Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge is #1 at Disneyland.) From that perspective alone, it is sensible that Disney would wish to construct a lavish model of Pandora – World of Avatar in DCA, and never only a smaller scale “vacation spot.”
There’s additionally the straightforward actuality that you just by no means guess in opposition to James Cameron. There are not less than 3 extra Avatar motion pictures (that we find out about!), and there’ll in all probability be much more launched between now and the tip of eternity if the subsequent 3 even make half as a lot as the primary two. Everybody’s at all times saying that Avatar is a “forgettable” franchise, and but, everybody additionally goes to see the flicks and the rides have lengthy strains, so it kinda looks as if it’s additionally in style.
It’s additionally price mentioning that Bruce Vaughn has returned to move Imagineering since Bob Iger first started teasing an Avatar expertise at Disneyland. Vaughn was the co-head of Imagineering throughout growth of the unique Pandora – World of Avatar, and could possibly be returning for his venture administration experience on that.
Between his involvement and that of James Cameron, who’s a perfectionist, we really feel fairly good concerning the prospects for Pandora at DCA. Even with out producer Jon Landau, who handed away final 12 months, and legendary Imagineer Joe Rohde, who retired however now could be doing one thing for Imagineering (my guess is that he’s consulting on Pandora, at minimal), it looks as if the franchise is in good palms.
Again when Pandora took so lengthy to get off the bottom at Animal Kingdom, rumors recommended that Cameron and his insistence on high-quality sights performed a task. We don’t anticipate this being an issue this time–as Cameron and Iger seem to have a very good relationship and belief in each other, and the identical is presumably true with Vaughn.
In the end, it’ll be fascinating to see how Pandora West performs out. The idea artwork for the brand new Avatar space seems to be breathtaking, and an attraction primarily based on Shanghai Pirates sounds excellent for Pandora. This trip system deserves to be skilled by company exterior of China, and I’m assured that if that is even 75% pretty much as good as Shanghai Pirates, it’ll turn into a prime 5 attraction at Disney California Journey. I may even see it surpassing Radiator Springs Racers and Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance.
Truly, there’s a good likelihood likelihood the Avatar attraction is even higher. Simply as Flight of Passage iterated on and improved Soarin, the identical may occur with this trip system. Shanghai Pirates isn’t truly that nice. It’s improbable–don’t get me improper–however the trip system actually carries it, and helps overcome some shortcomings by way of storytelling, emotion and environment. That’s precisely the place Avatar Flight of Passage excels, which is why I’m actually excited for this boat trip in Pandora West at Disney California Journey.
That’s, assuming rumors concerning the trip system are true within the first place. It’s additionally assuming the trip ever will get constructed. There’s nonetheless no timeline virtually a 12 months later, and the Japanese Gateway venture isn’t getting began till Fall 2026. On condition that, it’s completely believable–if not possible–that Pandora gained’t open at Disney California Journey till someday within the 2030s.
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Your Ideas
What do you consider the Coco boat trip and Pandora – World of Avatar coming to Disney California Journey? Ideas on these areas for the land and trip? Disenchanted that the Monsters, Inc. darkish trip is closing in early 2026? Do you agree or disagree with our evaluation? Any questions? Listening to your suggestions—even whenever you disagree with us—is each fascinating to us and useful to different readers, so please share your ideas under within the feedback!
