Disneyland Resort is officially entering a new era of expansion.
This week, the Disney Parks Blog released long-anticipated details about a multi-year expansion effort that will bring new attractions, a major infrastructure overhaul, and the groundwork for further growth in the years ahead. The announcement confirmed a new parking structure and pedestrian bridge on the east side of the resort, the placement of a Coco-themed attraction coming to Disney California Adventure, and newly revealed details surrounding Bob Iger’s long-promised Avatar destination now replacing part of Hollywoodland.
Sleeping Beauty Castle in 2019 after refurbishment. Photo Credit: CrispyCream27, CC BY-SA 4.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0>, via Wikimedia Commons
But while Disney’s blog post provided a surface-level overview, That Park Place can now share exclusive insider information from sources close to the project’s various design teams. Details that reveal what’s coming, what it will take to get there, and why this phase of Disneyland Forward is more complicated than it seems.
Eastern Gateway Resurfaces with a New Approach
Much of what Disney announced this week echoes the goals of a prior initiative: the Eastern Gateway Project. Originally proposed in 2016, the plan called for a massive new parking structure on the east side of Harbor Boulevard, a pedestrian bridge spanning the roadway, and a new security perimeter leading directly into the resort esplanade.
That project was cancelled in 2017 after major opposition from Harbor Boulevard businesses, who argued that the bridge would bypass foot traffic to their shops and hotels, cutting them off from the resort’s foot traffic. For years, the land and the plans sat dormant. Now, under the umbrella of Disneyland Forward, the expansion project has reemerged—with key changes to avoid past pitfalls.
Now, under the umbrella of Disneyland Forward, the expansion project has reemerged—with key changes to avoid past pitfalls.
According to concept art released by Disney and analysis from That Park Place sources, the security perimeter in the new version will begin on the Disneyland side of Harbor Boulevard, not at the parking structure. This change means foot traffic from Harbor-area hotels and businesses will still be able to enter the security area without being forced through the structure. It’s a crucial adjustment aimed at gaining public support and avoiding the litigation that doomed the original Eastern Gateway.
Disney’s Announced Plans
In their June 5th blog post, Disney confirmed several new developments.
A New 6,000-Space Parking Structure and Transportation Hub
Disney will build a brand-new parking structure on the current Manchester cast member lot east of the resort. This facility will add approximately 6,000 spaces and feature areas for shuttles and rideshare drop-offs; the latter of which is critical in fulfilling the modern needs of the hundreds of cast members and the thousands of guests who now utilize drive-share options to visit the resort.
Mickey walks down Main Street USA at Disneyland. (Credit: Mortimer Productions)
Most significantly, the plan includes a pedestrian bridge over Harbor Boulevard. That’s a key piece of infrastructure that will lead directly into a redesigned esplanade between Disneyland Park and Disney California Adventure. The project is scheduled to break ground in 2026.
Location for Coco Attraction Coming to DCA
Announced at D23 2024, a new attraction themed to Pixar’s Coco will be constructed in Disney’s California Adventure. In the blog post, Disney confirmed it will occupy the area near Paradise Gardens Park and Pixar Pier, taking up space that is currently backstage.
Concept art for the Coco attraction coming to Disney’s California Adventure at Disneyland Resort – Disney Parks Blog
According to Disney, construction will begin this fall.
Avatar Located in Hollywoodland
Disney also confirmed that a portion of Hollywoodland will be transformed into a new destination based on James Cameron’s Avatar franchise, a project originally announced by Disney CEO Bob Iger himself at his very first earnings call immediately following Bob Chapek’s removal.
Concept art for the Avatar-themed land coming to Disneyland Resort – Disney Parks Blog
To make room for this highly anticipated project, the ride Monsters, Inc. Mike & Sulley to the Rescue! will permanently close in early 2026. No timeline for the new land’s construction has been officially announced (more on that in a moment).
That Park Place Exclusive: Coco, Avatar, and What Disney Isn’t Saying
Sources close to the situation have provided That Park Place with detailed insight into the sequencing, limitations, and design strategies for this next phase of Disneyland’s expansion. Please note that this information comes from a third party source with knowledge of the situation, and should be treated as a rumor for the time being.
Coco: Smaller, Simpler, and Fast-Tracked
The Coco attraction will indeed be built in the southwest corner of Disney California Adventure, as announced, and our sources confirmed that no existing buildings will be demolished.
The characters from Coco in concept art for the Disney Starlight Parade at the Magic Kingdom in Walt Disney World – Disney
Instead, the attraction will occupy a compact backstage footprint, forcing designers to get creative with the ride layout. One source suggests the ride system may utilize a turntable element or non-traditional track routing to handle tight turns, as a full-scale more traditional water ride may not be feasible in the space.
While Disney has announced that construction will begin this fall, the pace of development will likely be dictated by available free cash flow, not just creative readiness.
Avatar Land: Dependent on Infrastructure and Constrained by Scale
As many assumed, the Avatar land will be built in the current Hollywood Backlot area. However, That Park Place sources reported that the project will also require land from the existing transportation plaza to the north—meaning that space must be cleared before construction can begin.
A screenshot from Avatar: The Way of Water – YouTube, Avatar
That clearance is not possible until the new parking structure and pedestrian bridge are completed and operational. Until that happens, Disney cannot displace its current transportation logistics and the project can’t move forward.
Additionally, sources indicate that the Disneyland Monorail track will not be impacted by the Avatar project. That constraint alone significantly limits the size of the new land—a notable departure from the original, much larger plans once envisioned for Marvel in the same area.
Timeline and Political Pressure
Timing is everything, and Disney knows it. According to internal sources, the resort is working under a narrow political window for this Disneyland expansion. The current city council is reportedly seen as favorable to the project’s approvals, so Disney is pushing hard to begin construction on the parking structure and bridge before any major turnover occurs.
A mock up of the Disneyland Expansion – Vash Sky
However, the company still faces potential obstacles. Easement issues or legal challenges from local businesses remain a concern. To mitigate that risk, Disney appears to be shifting its public posture.
A New Tone with Harbor Boulevard Businesses
Rather than repeat the adversarial approach that helped sink the Eastern Gateway years ago, Disney is reportedly now opting for collaboration. Sources tell That Park Place that the company is considering offering grants or subsidies to Harbor Boulevard hotels and businesses to help unify the area’s aesthetic—similar to how Downtown Disney presents a cohesive design.
The area of the Disneyland Expansion concept art that shows the relocated security checkpoint – Disney Parks Blog with Edits by Vash Sky
The goal is to install uniform lighting, signage, and landscaping to create a more welcoming arrival corridor. Internally, the idea has been described as crafting a “Downtown Disney East” along Harbor Blvd—something that benefits both Disney and its neighbors.
Design Homage and Theater Preservation
The new pedestrian bridge is reportedly being designed with inspiration from the old Disney Way entrance—the former east-side access to the resort that existed before Disney California Adventure was built. The pedestrian bridge, heavily redesigned from the initial Eastern Gateway concept, will serve as both a functional and nostalgic gateway to the parks.
The Hyperion Theater is safe. 👍 pic.twitter.com/ngmgXKNW7U
— Scott Gustin (@ScottGustin) June 6, 2025
Meanwhile, industry reporter Scott Gustin confirmed on X that the Hyperion Theater will be preserved. The 1,984-seat venue, which has hosted Broadway-style productions for years, will remain intact despite the changes coming to Hollywoodland.
Conclusion
The Disneyland expansion is an exciting next phase of development for the Happiest Place on Earth. It’s new rides, but it’s also a logistical, political, and strategic dance that’s been years in the making. While Disney’s official announcement points to exciting experiences like Coco and Avatar, the real story begins with a parking lot, a bridge, and a new relationship with the city and community that surrounds it.
Paint the Night Parade at Disneyland – YouTube, WDW News Today
If all goes according to plan, Coco could be the first to open—assuming funding allows. But Avatar, though highly anticipated, will have to wait its turn for quite some time.
For now, all eyes are on Fall 2026.
How do you feel about this Disneyland expansion? Sound off in the comments and let us know!
That Park Place YouTube and T3PO host Vash Sky contributed to this report.
