Disney Puts an End to Glaring Theme Park Mistake After 15 Years

After 15 years, Disneyland has received a much-needed update.

A marching band in blue uniforms parades down a street at the Disneyland Park. Mickey and Minnie Mouse, in their iconic outfits, wave to the guests. People, adhering to the dress code, watch from the sidewalks as buildings are adorned with patriotic bunting. — Credit: Renato Marzan on Unsplash

Disneyland veterans are used to seeing updates big and small all around the parks and hotels, though the resort recently fixed an issue many guests may have been walking by for close to two decades without ever noticing.

Finally, after 15 years, the Disneyland directory near Downtown Disney has been updated. According to WDWNT, this directory has been changed to accurately reflect what the Disneyland Resort actually looks like in 2025. The directory sign can be found on the esplanade between Disneyland Park and Disney California Adventure, the resort’s two theme parks.

For the last 15 years, each side of the directory displayed an incorrect map, including missing and outdated information and pictures. These range from references to the Timon, Lilo, and Pinocchio parking lots as well as the omission of the Pixar Pals parking lot, which has been a part of the resort since 2019.

The directory also did not include Cars Land, an expansion that significantly changed the layout and look of Disneyland Resort.

Guests will find these directories all throughout Disneyland and Disney’s theme parks in general. A lot of them have received updates over the years, now featuring mostly screen-based elements. This allows the markers to be updated more easily and accurately, but certainly takes away from some of the charm.

However, this directory was in desperate need of an update, which it thankfully received.

The updated directory now shows the Pixar Pals parking lot and has removed mentions of old trams and other lots. Accurately labeled bus stops and park information have also been added.

Credit: Disney

There’s a lot of excitement and buzz about Disneyland and its future. The Walt Disney Company shared a number of theme park updates during its D23 event last August, including the announcement that it is developing a Pandora for the West Coast.

Pandora – The World of Avatar has been a hit since it opened at Disney’s Animal Kingdom in Walt Disney World in 2017, making the decision to bring the world of James Cameron’s sci-fi series to Disneyland a no-brainer. It’s unclear what fans can expect to get out of Disneyland’s upcoming Avatar land, though concept art teased at least one attraction, a water ride, and several themed locations to explore.

To make way for Pandora, Disneyland will be saying goodbye to a different blue alien creature. In order to construct Pandora, Disneyland will close Monsters Inc., Mike & Sully to the Rescue. While not as beloved as Haunted Mansion or Pirates of the Caribbean, this classic dark ride has managed to cultivate a rather large and dedicated fanbase over the years.

Some fans aren’t all that thrilled with the project, going so far as to create a petition demanding that Disneyland halt its plans. However, the resort intends to close its Monsters Inc. ride soon, with the attraction set to close permanently in early 2026.

Significant changes are also happening on the East Coast, with multiple large-scale projects taking place inside Magic Kingdom, Animal Kingdom, and Hollywood Studios at Walt Disney World.

The Magic Kingdom is gearing up for its newest location to open, The Beak and Barrel, a Pirates of the Caribbean-themed bar. Similar to Oga’s Cantina at Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, The Beak and Barrel will allow guests to enjoy a set amount of time inside the highly detailed and immersive lounge, offering patrons fun and inventive treats.

Work continues on Magic Kingdom’s Piston Peak project, too. Like Disneyland’s Avatar expansion, Piston Peak was also unveiled during Disney’s D23 event last year. Inspired by Pixar’s Cars franchise, Piston Peak will call Frontierland its home. To make room, Disney closed Tom Sawyer Island and Liberty Square Riverboat, along with the Rivers of America.

Piston Peak is expected to open by 2027.

Over at Hollywood Studios, guests have watched as demolition continues inside the park’s former Muppets Courtyard. This area closed permanently earlier this summer to make way for a new Monsters Inc.-themed land named Monstropolis.

Just like Piston Peak, Monstropolis will feature several new areas for guests to explore. The highlight of the new land is a suspended roller coaster starring Mike and Sully.

Disney’s Animal Kingdom is getting upgrades, too. Half of the park’s DinoLand U.S.A. area closed in January as Disney began work on Tropical Americas. This will eventually replace DinoLand, including the land’s attractions, stores, and eateries.

The second half of DinoLand will close sometime in 2026, meaning guests don’t have too much time left with DINOSAUR, a thrilling “E-ticket” attraction, and Restaurantosaurus, one of the largest quick-service eateries at Walt Disney World.

Plenty more is in store for the Walt Disney World and Disneyland Resorts, so much so that it can be quite challenging to keep up with it all. For a full breakdown of what’s happening across Disney’s theme parks, click here.

Will you be visiting Disneyland soon? What is your favorite part of the Disney theme parks?