Credit: Inside the MagicDisney has some bad news for Avatar fans.
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Disney has lots of things planned for its theme parks at the moment, with Disneyland’s upcoming new Avatar expansion being at the top of the list for many fans.
The resort is set to get several new Marvel-themed attractions, as well as other fun new experiences. However, one of the most interesting projects currently in the works for Disneyland Resort is a new version of Pandora – The World of Avatar.
That’s right, West Coast guests can expect to see the world of Pandora make its way into Disneyland Resort, specifically Disney California Adventure. However, Disneyland recently made an official announcement regarding this project, confirming it’s still a long way from opening to the park-going public.
Disney recently updated its language regarding Disneyland’s Pandora, which can be read below:
“Avatar will expand its presence across Disney Parks, with the current Hollywood Backlot area at Disney’s California Adventure becoming home to a new Avatar destination. This project is still in early development, and additional details will be revealed at a later date.
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Disney revealed more details about this project during the company’s D23 event in August 2024. Alongside updates on projects like Magic Kingdom’s upcoming Piston Peak addition and the new Monsters Inc.-themed land coming to Disney’s Hollywood Studios, Disney Parks and Experiences Chairman Josh D’Amaro revealed that Disneyland is getting its own Avatar expansion.
Disney’s first version of Pandora opened in 2017 at Disney’s Animal Kingdom. Called Pandora – The World of Avatar, this richly detailed and highly immersive land set the bar high for Disney. Not only was this new land intended to capture the magic and wonder of James Cameron’s Avatar franchise, but it was also designed to compete with Universal’s Wizarding World of Harry Potter, which had opened a few years prior.
Pandora was meant to take Disney and its theme parks into a new age of visual storytelling, and so far, this experiment has been a huge success. Pandora is by far one of the most popular and well-rated areas in any of Disney World’s four theme parks, let alone in Animal Kingdom, making a West Coast version a no-brainer.
There has been some pushback to the idea of Disneyland getting its own Pandora, with fans worrying about what the future of the resort will look like. Some wonder if Avatar is a good fit for Disneyland, and others simply do not care about the franchise in the first place.
Another part of the controversy stems from the closure of Monsters Inc., Mike and Sully to the Rescue. This classic dark ride will shut down permanently in 2026 to make room for Disneyland’s new Avatar land.
“This new and thrilling excursion will bring all the action, excitement, and wonder of Avatar,” says Disney. “Taking guests all the way to the wide-open seas of Pandora. This is going to be a dynamic, intense, and emotional experience on a grand scale that we know our guests will love.”
Are you excited for Disneyland’s new Avatar land?