Disney Tips Your Guide To A Great Disney Vacation
The ultimate weekend for Disney fans has officially kicked off in Anaheim, California. At D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event, Walt Disney Imagineering sent shockwaves through the theme park community by pulling back the curtain on the future of the Disneyland Resort.
While major news was anticipated, the detailed physical models and concept maquettes on the show floor exceeded all expectations. Fans were treated to an unprecedented first look at the oceanic Avatar experience coming to Disney California Adventure, alongside thrilling updates for Avengers Campus and a brand-new Coco attraction.
An Oceanic Adventure: The Avatar Experience
When Disney initially announced that an Avatar land was heading to the West Coast, many wondered if Anaheim would simply receive a clone of Pandora – The World of Avatar from Walt Disney World. The stunning model displayed at D23 provided a definitive answer: California’s Pandora will be a unique aquatic destination.
Unlike the East Coast version, Disney California Adventure draws heavy inspiration from Avatar: The Way of Water and its upcoming sequels. The sprawling physical model showcases a breathtaking coastal biome, featuring towering, wave-like rock formations and a central cascading waterfall that seamlessly blends an exotic alien forest with a massive aquatic environment.
At the heart of the land is a highly anticipated boat attraction. Imagineering displayed a detailed maquette of the ride vehicle, revealing a large, open-air boat with six rows of seating. With each row designed to accommodate four to five guests, this large vehicle suggests a high-capacity attraction built to handle Disneyland’s massive crowd levels. To make way for this immersive world, the new Avatar land will eventually take over the space currently occupied by Monsters, Inc. Mike & Sulley to the Rescue! However, Disney has noted that the classic dark ride will remain open into 2027 to accommodate families with young children while other resort construction progresses.
Avengers Campus Doubles in Size
Marvel fans also received monumental news, with Disney confirming two brand-new attractions that will effectively double the size of Avengers Campus.
- Avengers: Infinity Defense: This long-awaited Multiverse adventure finally has a name and a plot. Riders will battle King Thanos, a variant who has stolen the technology that allows the Avengers to travel between worlds. Guests will fight alongside iconic heroes across various realms, including Asgard, New York City, and Wakanda.
- Stark Flight Lab: Guests will soon be invited to test Tony Stark’s latest tech. Riders will sit in two-person “gyro-kinetic pods” that are scooped up by massive robotic arms and flung through the air in simulated flight maneuvers. With Robert Downey Jr. officially reprising his role as Tony Stark for the attraction, this is a massive win for MCU fans.
A Musical Journey: Disneyland’s New ‘Coco’ Attraction
The highly anticipated Coco attraction is also officially moving forward at Disney California Adventure. Taking over backstage space, the ride will be a vibrant, musical boat journey that follows Miguel into the colorful Land of the Dead. Fans were treated to stunning previews of the queue and attraction design, as well as character maquettes that tease the remarkably high-quality audio-animatronics that will populate the ride.
From exploring the bioluminescent oceans of Pandora to flying with Tony Stark to sailing through the Land of the Dead, Disney California Adventure is actively redefining immersive entertainment on the West Coast. The future of the Disneyland Resort has truly never looked brighter.
