In 2025 Disneyland will celebrate its 70th anniversary, and while there are many opening day attractions still at Disneyland today, so much of the park has changed. And that doesn’t even touch on the fact that the Disneyland Resort now has a second theme park and a shopping and dining district, making it a true vacation destination.
The last 70 years have been great, but with DisneylandForward on the way, the next decade may be the most exciting yet. We only have the slightest hint of what’s to come at Disneyland Resort, but if you’re planning a trip soon, here’s a run down of what’s new, what’s coming, and what’s scheduled to close.
What’s New And Coming Soon To Disneyland Park
From significant updates to classic attractions, to entirely new additions to Disneyland, there's a lot planned for the future. Significant updates are planned in 2024, and even more will be coming in the future.
New Star Tours Additions - 4/5/24
Star Tours has existed at Disneyland, in one form or another, since 1987. When Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge was built, dedicating an entire land to the galaxy far far away, fans wondered if the original Star Wars ride would go away. Not only is it not leaving, but Star Tours received new content in 2024. The attraction, which has so many different potential combinations it's impossible to do the same ride twice, now includes sequences that bring Cassian Andor, Ahsoka, and the Mandalorian and Grogu into the attraction.
New Entrance Gates (2024- 2025
Sometimes the new cool thing coming to Disneyland is a fun ride, and sometimes it's just something the park desperately needs to make it a better overall experience. Disneyland (and Disney California Adventure) are set to get new ticket gates in 2024. Both parks still use traditional turnstiles, but they will reportedly be replaced with plexiglass doors that open automatically when your ticket is scanned. This will hopefully fix one of the biggest current headaches at Disneyland: just getting into the park. Work will be done in phases, beginning October 7, 2024, and finishing sometime in 2025.
Tiana’s Bayou Adventure (November 15, 2024)
The biggest new addition to Disneyland Park in 2024 will be Tiana’s Bayou Adventure. Splash Mountain has been redesigned into a Princess and the Frog-themed attraction, following fans demanding just such a ride. Tiana’s Bayou Adventure is now open at Magic Kingdom in Orlando, and the version of the attraction that is under construction at Disneyland is currently testing with plans to open in November.
Walt Disney: A Magical Life (2025)
One of the biggest swings we’ve seen from Disney Parks in a long time will come in 2025 when the Disneyland Opera House gets a new tenant. A new show, Walt Disney: A Magic Life, is set to debut, and will star an animatronic version of Walt Disney himself. We’re being promised that the technology behind the character will be at a level we’ve never seen before. The show will reportedly only use existing audio from Walt, allowing him to tell his own story.
Mandalorian & Grogu on Millennium Falcon: Smuggler’s Run (TBA/2026?)
Because Millennium Falcon Smuggler’s Run is primarily a digital experience, many have wondered if the story of the ride may get swapped out in the future for something new. That will happen in the future as it has been confirmed a new story with the Mandalorian and Grogu is set to debut on the attraction at some point. An exact date was not announced but since a Mandalorian & Grogu movie is coming in 2026, seeing the attraction debut around that same time is likely.
Disney California Adventure is often overlooked sitting next to Disneyland, but the park has incredible attractions, delicious food, and in some ways is honestly better than Disneyland.
Avengers: Infinity Defense (TBA)
When Avengers Campus was first announced, guests were promised a major E-ticket attraction would come as part of a phase 2 for the new land. Then a pandemic happened. Originally planned to be mostly set in Wakanda, we learned in 2022 that the ride had been re-conceived as a Multiverse adventure with King Thanos. At D23 in 2024 it was confirmed that ground will break on the new attraction in 2025, though when that work will be done is anybody’s guess.
Stark Flight Lab (TBA)
While the new Avengers ride is one that fans have been waiting years to see, another new attraction is on the way to Avengers Campus that nobody saw coming. Stark Flight Lab sees two-person pods that are lifted up by KUKA robotic arms, swung around, and then returned to a track. Most surprisingly Robert Downey Jr. will reprise his role as Tony Stark for the new attraction.
Avatar Land (TBA)
In early 2023, Bob Iger revealed that an “Avatar Experience” was coming to Disneyland. At D23 in 2024 we finally got a bit of clarity to what that meant and it’s all a bit more than just an “experience.” A new Avatar land is being added to DCA. The land will be primarily based on Avatar: The Way of Water but will also include elements from later films. A major E-ticket boat attraction has been announced and another attraction is planned but has not yet been revealed.
Coco Attraction (TBA)
The first attraction based on Pixar’s Coco was announced for Disney California Adventure at the last D23 event. Beyond the fact that it’s a boat ride themed to Coco, little is known. We know groundbreaking is planned for 2026 so this one is still going to be a wait.
What’s New And Coming Soon To Downtown Disney
While the theme parks get all the attention, Downtown Disney is a place worthy of attention. It's got great dining and shopping and all of ther resort's wonderful hotels. Sometimes you need a break from the rides.
Pixar Place Hotel - Now Open
Back in 2018, Disney California Adventure’s Paradise Pier became Pixar Pier, so it only made sense that the accompanying Paradise Pier hotel would get a similar makeover. The Pixar Place hotel opened at the end of January 2024, with a complete renovation inside and out to fill it with Pixar fun.
Hey, Disney (2024)
Digital assistants are popular with a lot of people, and now you’ll have one to help you plan your time at Disneyland Resort. A special version of Alexa has been rolling out at Walt Disney World resort hotels, and the same “Hey Disney” system is expected to begin arriving at the three Disneyland Resort hotels throughout 2024, and possibly beyond.
Parkside Market (TBA)
Downtown Disney has been undergoing a massive revitalization over the last few years and one of the biggest new additions will be Parkside Market. It will bring four different dining locations under one roof, including Seoul Sister, a fast-casual Korean eatery, Sip & Sonder, a cafe with Caribbean-inspired bites, lattes, and frozen drinks, GG’s Chicken Shop, and a second-story bar on top of it all.
Avengers Reserve (Winter 2024/25)
Merchandise is obviously a big deal for Disney, and if you're an Avenges fan and you want some of the merch without needing to buy a theme park ticket too, that option is going to be available soon. Avengers Reserve is set to open at Downtown Disney this winter. Similar to the Star Wars Trading Post, it will be full of gear that was previously only available inside the parks.
Disney Wonderful World of Sweets (Winter 2024/25)
The former Marceline’s Confectionery has been undergoing a facelift for the last few months that will also result in a name change when it reopens this winter. The Wonderful World of Disney Sweets should have all the treats of the previous location, with a brand new look.
The D-Lander Shop (TBA)
If you're looking to improve your style, but add a Disney flare, then the D-Lander Shop may be the place to check out. It promises "trend forward fashions" in a Southern California boutique.
Earl of Sandwich/Carnaby Tavern (TBA)
Ever since Earl of Sandwich closed to make way for a Disneyland hotel that never happened, the popular Earl of Sandwich has bounced around numerous temporary locations. It is now set to get a new permanent home in a brand new building, which will include a second floor bar, the Carnaby Tavern.
Chef Joe Isidori's Steakhouse/BBQ (TBA)
Ever since Steakhouse 55 at the Disneyland Hotel closed, the resort has been lacking a quality steak restaurant. Chef Joe Isidori, creator of Black Tap, already successful at Downtown Disney, will fix this problem when he opens a new steakhouse at Downtown Disney. The new location will also include a quick service BBQ restaurant as well.
What’s Closed And Scheduled For Refurbishment At Disneyland Park
Ride closures are never fun, but to keep everything at the theme parks working most of the time, regular maintenance is always necessary. And if you have a beloved attraction you don't want to miss, you can always schedule your trip around refurbishments.
Fantasmic (Sept. 30-Oct. 3, Oct. 7-10, Oct. 15-17, Oct. 21-24 and Oct. 28-31)
Nighttime shows are a huge draw at Disneyland and for decades Fantasmic has been one of the best. Unfortunately, the show will be closed for several dates over the next month, likely due to another significant refurbishment.
Sailing Ship Columbia (Sept. 30-Oct. 3 and Oct. 7-10)
The Sailing Ship Columbia shares Rivers of America duty with the Mark Twain Riverboat. It's not always available anyway, so it going down for some refurbishment shouldn't be a major problem. However, it going down also means that Fantasmic, which uses the ship, can't run.
Disneyland Railroad (August 5, 2024 - TBA)
The Disneyland Railroad has been down one station for months due to the construction taking place at the Haunted Mansion. In August the rest of the Railroad will close for refurbishment, which will at last at least through early October
Great Moments With Mr. Lincoln - (April 16, 2024- TBA)
Originally designed for the 1964-65 New York World's Fair, Mr. Lincoln was the most advanced audio-animatronic yet created. While Lincoln has been updated and upgraded in the past, work still needs to be done to keep him in working order. Even though a new Walt Disney animatronic show has been announced in the same spot, we know that Lincoln will return, he and Walt will reportedly rotate in the space, but that means it may still be a long time before we see Lincoln again.
Critter Country/Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh - Closed May 1 - TBD
One corner of Disneyland Resort is already a mass of construction walls thanks to both the Haunted Mansion queue construction and Splash Mountain being transformed into Tiana's Bayou Adventure. That part of Disneyland is going to become a no-go zone entirely for a little while. Beginning May 1, all of Critter Country closed so that the former Splash Mountain merchandise locations could get a Princess and the Frog facelift. It's unclear how long it will be closed, but it means that the one attraction in the area that was still available, The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh, is now inaccessible. The Hungry Bear Restaurant and the Critter Country Fruit Cart are also closed.
Jungle Cruise (September 16 - October 3, 2024)
The world famous Jungle Cruise will be going down between mid-September and early October for a standard refurbishment.
It's a Small World (September 15- November 15/ January 21, 2025- TBA)
The iconic It's A Small World has not one but two closures currently scheduled. The ride closed down on September 15 for its annual transition into It's A Small World Holiday. It's expected to reopen on November 15, when Disneyland officially launches its Christmas season offerings.
The attraction will close again on January 21, but rather than simply transition back to its standard version, the attraction is set to undergo scheduled maintenance, which will keep it closed for a few more months.
Meet Tinker Bell in Pixie Hollow (September 27 -October 14)
Tinker Bell will be unavailable for a couple weeks between late September and mid-October, but this looks to be a standard refurb so she won't be gone too long.
What’s Closed And Scheduled For Refurbishment At Disney California Adventure
Disney California Adventure doesn't have quite the classic attractions that Disneyland has, but it still some E-ticket experiences it would be a shame to miss. Here's what the current downtime schedule looks like.
The Little Mermaid - Ariel's Undersea Adventure (November 4-TBA)
Disney California Adventure doesn't have many dark rides and it will be down by one for a while in November. Starting November 4, Ariel's Undersea Adventure is undergoing refurbishment. It likely won't be a long closure but an official reopening date has not been announced.
World Of Color - One (September 9, 2024 - TBA)
Alongside Disney’s 100th anniversary Disney California Adventure debuted a new version of its popular World of Color nighttime spectacular. World of Color One is set to go down for refurbishment in September. No return date is currently posted, but a special holiday version of World of Color usually debuts with other holiday events, so one hopes that version of the show will return by November. Perhaps World of Color - One will return in January.
What’s Closed And Scheduled For Refurbishment At Downtown Disney
Downtown Disney is actually where a lot of the energy of redevelopment has been focused recently. A lot of changes and additions have been made just in the last year, and a lot more is still to come.
Tortilla Jo’s Closed - April 7, 2024
Tortilla Jo’s has been a mainstay of Downtown Disney for 20 years, but two decades of service will come to an end in March when the Mexican restaurant closes for good. Exactly what is planned for the space is unclear, though this could be where the new Parkside Market is planning to go.
California Sole Closed - May 1, 2024
In May footwear shop California Sole was listed as a temporary closure, but shortly thereafter the owners confirmed the store was closing permanently. The location is currently still vacant so we have no idea what might replace it or when that might happen.
All of the new additions to Disneyland resort are expected to occur within the existing park boundary, which means the planned expansion of the resort whenever it actually begins, will bring even more to Disneyland.
