Disneyland to begin Avatar land construction in 2026
3 minute readPublished: Saturday, June 7, 2025 at 3:30 pm

Disneyland Announces Avatar Land Expansion
Disneyland is set to begin construction on a new Avatar-themed land in early 2026, as part of its $1.9 billion DisneylandForward expansion project. The new land will transform a portion of the Hollywood Backlot area in Disney California Adventure (DCA), replacing the existing Monsters Inc. Mike & Sulley to the Rescue dark ride. The project is expected to debut in either 2028 or 2029.
The new land will draw inspiration from the Avatar film franchise, specifically the second film, *The Way of Water*, and the upcoming third film, *Fire and Ash*. Concept art reveals a water-centric environment featuring a towering rockwork wall with a waterfall and cave-like tunnels. The design includes large, peacock-like plants and a Metkayina outrigger canoe.
Disney has revealed plans for a new boat ride that will take guests through a Pandoran rainforest. The ride will offer action and thrills on the open seas of Pandora. The rockwork will likely conceal an attraction building, similar to how other structures are hidden in existing themed lands. The Disneyland Monorail will also run through the new land.
The Hollywood Backlot area, which encompasses approximately 6 acres, includes several unused buildings. The new Avatar land is expected to be a significant undertaking, though smaller than the Pandora World of Avatar at Disney's Animal Kingdom. A pedestrian bridge over Harbor Boulevard is also planned, hinting at the expansion of an attraction building into the existing bus drop-off area.
BNN's Perspective:
This expansion highlights Disney's ongoing commitment to updating its parks with immersive experiences. While the project's scale is ambitious, it's important to consider the potential impact on existing attractions and the overall guest experience during the construction phase. Balancing innovation with operational efficiency will be key to the project's success.
Keywords: Disneyland, Avatar, Avatar Land, Disney California Adventure, DCA, Hollywood Backlot, DisneylandForward, Monsters Inc. Mike & Sulley to the Rescue, The Way of Water, Fire and Ash, Pandora, boat ride, attraction, expansion, theme park, construction, Imagineering, Emo OBrien