The Disney Parks, both American and foreign, are always changing. Nearly every resort is in the midst of expansions and closures, big and small, with plenty more to come. With all of these projects, things get a little hard to keep track of. Many people want to book vacations, so knowing when these projects finish up is a useful tool. That’s why we have this blog post!

I’m going to go through every Disney Resort and give an estimated (or announced) opening date for each major project. Some of the smaller projects will be left off but feel free to ask questions about anything. There is also a chance that I will have left something off this list so drop me a comment if I have.

The expansion and project schedule around the world looks a little more normal in 2026 compared to a few years ago. The pandemic definitely took a toll from what could have been. That will still be felt for the rest of this year, but there are plenty of concrete things to looks forward to now. I should mention that projects can get canceled but until they do we’ll keep them on the list!

Each project listed below will include a brief description of what is going on, as well as a link for more information on the project. I’m going to stay away from rumors for the most part, sticking to what Disney actually has announced. I try to keep this post up to date, adding whatever is announced along the way. We just received another batch of information at the 2026 D23 Expo. That included plenty of updates as well as a few surprises. I’m sure more news is just around the corner!

We’ll go resort by resort, starting in Disneyland.

Disneyland

Fan Favorite Entertainment Returning to Disneyland Resort – 2027

Now that the 70th anniversary entertainment has ended, Disneyland Resort has announced a new batch of entertainment will return in 2027. Early in the year, the original World of Color will come back to California Adventure while Remember… Dreams Come True will return to the skies above Disneyland’s castle. Along with that, the Magic Happens parade will return for the summer. All of these offerings are said to have been updated and we’re thrilled to have these excellent options return.

Avengers Infinity Defense (DCA) – 2028

This project has lived many lives already, seemingly having been announced as much as a Thanos meme shows up on the internet. Work on this project began in 2025 and the attraction will (likely) use a similar ride system to Peter Pan’s Never Land Adventure in Tokyo DisneySea. At the 2026 D23 Expo, it was confirmed that this E-ticket will debut in 2028.

Stark Flight Lab (DCA) – 2028

The other Avengers Campus attraction coming to California Adventure takes you into a testing lab. You’re going to sit in two-person pods and deploy to a test station where a robot arm grabs your pod and starts whirling you around in a simulated flight. Like Infinity Defense, this ride was confirmed to open in 2028

Coco Attraction (DCA) – 2029

A new Coco boat ride is coming to California Adventure. The ride will be the first representation of the Pixar film in the parks and will take place after the events of the original movie. Work has begun but with the Avengers Campus not debuting until 2028, a 2029 opening date for Coco makes the most sense.

Eastern Gateway Parking & Transportation Hub – 2029

The long rumored parking and transportation overhaul is finally set to take place. This will be on the east side of Disneyland Resort, including a pedestrian overpass across Harbor Boulevard. This may not be the most exciting addition to some but it will add needed infrastructure and will ease traffic. At the 2026 D23 Expo, Disney confirmed that the project will begin shortly.

Tomorrowland Reimagining (DL) – 2030 & Beyond

In a surprise announcement at the 2026 D23 Expo, Thomas Mazloum announced that Disneyland’s Tomorrowland will be reimagined. This project is long overdue and we’re thrilled that the land will finally be getting some love. That said, the project will take some time. If Autopia isn’t replaced, the attraction will be the first to get an update. Following that, we’ll see what gets replaced, redone and what stays the same.

Avatar Expansion (DCA) – 2032?

Disney officially announced the Avatar expansion coming to California Adventure back in 2024. Now that DisneylandForward has passed, the project will also be moving forward. This new land would be using space opened up by the Eastern Gateway project. Disney has confirmed in 2026 that the Tomorrowland reimagining will take priority over Avatar. At this point, it’s fair to question if this expansion will ever happen.

Walt Disney World

Animation Experience at Hollywood Studios (DHS) – September 14th, 2026

In 2026, Star Wars: Launch Bay transformed into a place where kids and kids at heart can laugh, draw, dream, and explore animated new experiences. Topping the building is Mickey’s iconic Sorcerer Hat (just like the real building in California), which will cast a spell with pixie dust. Part of this project, namely the courtyard and Disney Jr. Show has opened but the final piece of the puzzle is coming on September 14th.

Carousel of Progress Update (MK) – Spring 2027

Carousel of Progress will have a brand new look beginning next spring. The classic attraction will receive brand new scenes as well as an introduction by a Walt Disney animatronic. After hearing several presentations about Carousel of Progress at the D23 Expo, we’re very optimistic about this reimagining.

Tropical Americas Coming to Animal Kingdom (AK) – 2027

Animal Kingdom’s next expansion is taking the place of Dinoland and beyond. Work is moving at a very quick pace. Late 2027 has long been the estimated timeline but any announcement on that was noticeably absent from the 2026 D23 Expo. This expansion will include an Indiana Jones attraction (replacing Dinosaur), an Encanto attraction, a large counter-service restaurant and a carousel. We are very bullish on this expansion!

Monstropolis Coming to Hollywood Studios (DHS) – 2027 & 2028

One of the biggest surprises of the 2024 D23 Expo was the announcement of a Monsters, Inc. Land coming to Hollywood Studios. This will include the oft-rumored Door Coaster! Work is moving along quickly and Disney World has announced that the land will open in phases, beginning in 2027. We expect everything outside of the Door Coaster to open then and then the thrill ride will open in 2028 with an outside chance of late 2027.

Piston Peak (Cars Land) Coming to Frontierland (MK) – 2029

Two new Cars rides are coming to Magic Kingdom’s Frontierland, replacing Tom Sawyer Island and the Rivers of America. One of these rides will be more thrill focused while the other will be a flat ride. Work is ongoing and moving quickly but this project will take quite some time. 2029 is a safe bet for this opening but it all depends on how aggressive Magic Kingdom gets with some of their new projects, 2028 isn’t completely out of the question.

Villains Land (MK) – 2030?

Beyond Piston Peak will be Magic Kingdom’s Villains Land. The space will be home to two major attractions – a Maleficent roller coaster and a dark ride. This land will also include dining, shopping and plenty of atmospheric space, as this will be on the scale of Galaxy’s Edge. This is another project that will take quite a bit of time due to the amount of work that needs to be done so I’d pencil in 2030.

Spaceship Earth Reimagining (Epcot) – TBA

At the 2026 D23 Expo, Disney announced that Spaceship Earth will be receiving a lengthy refurbishment and reimagining. Imagineers revealed that the redone attraction will showcase the internet age and beyond. There is no timeline for this attraction update yet, although we expect it to happen in the next couple of years.

Expedition Everest’s Yeti is Getting Fixed (AK) – TBA

One of the biggest surprises at the 2026 D23 Expo was Parks Chairman announcing that the animatronic yeti in Expedition Everest will be fixed. The massive figure broke just a year after the ride debuted and has been running in B-mode with strobe lights behind it ever since. Disco Yeti will be no more. There’s no timeline for this project yet.

Figment & Dreamfinder Get a New Ride! (Epcot) – TBA

In the closing moments of the 2026 D23 Parks Showcase, Disney revealed that Epcot’s Imagination Pavilion will be getting a new ride featuring Figment and Dreamfinder. The characters are fan favorites and many have wished for the ride to be restored to its former glory for years. There are no details at this time outside of what we’ve mentioned, I would expect this project to be a ways down the road.

Tokyo Disney Resort

Space Mountain Earthrise (TDL) – Spring 2027

Tokyo Disneyland’s Space Mountain has been rebuilt and when it opens in 2027 will be the most expensive attraction ever made. We expect it to open in the spring of next year. Along with it, there will be a courtyard leading into the redone attraction. The attraction will use a ride system similar to Epcot’s Cosmic Rewind.

Wreck-It Ralph Attraction – Sugar Rush: Sweet Rescue (TDL) – 2027

Along with the massive change to Space Mountain, Buzz Lightyear Astro Blasters in Tomorrowland will be changed to a Wreck-It Ralph attraction. While the IP will change along with all of the decor, the ride system will largely stay the same and it will keep a game element to the ride. Oriental Land Co. has announced that the attraction will open in the spring of 2027.

Aquatopia Closing, New Port Discovery (TDS) – September 14th, 2026

Tokyo DisneySea’s trackless water ride is closing permanently on September 14th. What will follow is a redone Port Discovery! We don’t have many details on the new port so we’ll keep this closure date for now. The only piece we have on the new Port Discovery is the concept art below.

Hong Kong Disneyland

Spider-Man Attraction – 2028?

Expanding Stark Expo, there’s an all-new attraction coming to Hong Kong Disneyland. Tony Stark has invited his friend, and new Stark Industries intern, Peter Parker to showcase some new inventions. Unfortunately, that also means this has caught the attention of one of Spidey’s most formidable villains. While trying to help Spider-Man protect the new tech, guests caught in the middle of the action! This expansion will include the new tower as well as a meet & greet space in front of the Quinjet. An opening timeframe is unknown but work is ongoing.

Shanghai Disneyland

Spider-Man Coaster – 2027

Webs at the ready, an all-new Spider-Man coaster is coming to Shanghai Disneyland! Peter Parker has gotten himself — and us — in a bit of a tight spot. Those darn Spider-Bots are at it again. We’re going to follow Spidey – at very high speeds – to get us out of trouble. The coaster track is now in place so a 2027 opening seems within reason.

Disneyland Paris

Lion King Ride & Land at Disney Adventure World – 2027

A new area of the park, Pride Lands, will be dedicated to the characters and stories from the film, including dining, shopping, and a chance to meet some favorite characters. Then, when you’re ready (you don’t have to wait to become a king for this one), head down to the caverns beneath Pride Rock. The new attraction will bring you alongside Simba’s journey from cub to king. I’ll stick with a late 2027 opening date for now but 2028 is probably a safer bet.

Space Mountain – De la Terre à la Lune Returning to Disneyland Paris (DLP) – 2028

The original Disneyland Paris Space Mountain is coming back. After a decade of running as Hyperspace Mountain, the resort will welcome Space Mountain – De la Terre à la Lune back into Discoveryland. Work on the project is set to begin in late 2027 so we’ll run with a 2028 opening year.

Those are the major announcements Disney has come out with for the next five (or so) years. Much like my life, Disney’s five-year plans hardly ever sticks to schedule so don’t take this as gospel, although we try to update periodically and after big announcements. Again, if I’ve missed something please let me know in the comments and if you have questions about a certain item on the list then let me know!

Which of these projects are you most excited for?  Let us know in the comments! Planning a Disney trip? Check out our Travel Guides to help you along the way! Thank you for reading Wandering in Disney.  Please subscribe to the blog and like our social media pages, all of which you can do on the right side of the page. Have a wonderful day!