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. I’m going to stay away from rumors for the most part, sticking to what Disney actually has announced. I will try to keep the post updated every year, adding whatever is announced along the way. We expect another batch of announcements to come in August with the 2026 D23 Expo. For now, this post has been updated as of July 2026 with some fresh summer openings having been taken off the list.

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

Disneyland

Avengers Infinity Defense (DCA) – 2027?

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 we think it will use a similar ride system to Peter Pan’s Never Land Adventure in Tokyo DisneySea. My guessing of 2027 might be a little optimistic (2028 is more likely) but it’s feasible that this E-ticket attraction will be done by then. Avengers Infinity Defense is making impressive progress and we hope they push for a 2027 opening.

Stark Flight Lab (DCA) – 2027?

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. Then a robot arm grabs your pod and starts whirling you around in a simulated flight. I’m going with 2027 here but we aren’t sure how detailed this ride will be.

Coco Attraction (DCA) – 2028

A new Coco boat ride is coming to California Adventure. The ride will be the first representation of the Pixar film in the parks. Work has begun but hasn’t gone vertical so we’re going with a 2028 guess here. New information has put this attraction in the Pixar Pier and Paradise Gardens area.

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.

Avatar Expansion (DCA) – 2030?

After a couple of years of teasing, Disney has officially announced the Avatar expansion coming to California Adventure. Now that DisneylandForward has passed, the project will also be moving forward. This new land will be taking the spot of Hollywood Land. My opening date guess is a shot in the dark here but we do know that building Avatar themed lands takes some time and that this will likely have to wait until the Eastern Gateway project is completed.

Walt Disney World

Animation Experience at Hollywood Studios (DHS) – Summer 2026

In 2026, the current home of Star Wars: Launch Bay will transform into a place where kids and kids at heart can laugh, draw, dream, and explore animated new experiences. Topping the building will be Mickey’s iconic Sorcerer Hat (just like the real building in California), which will cast a spell with pixie dust. Part of this project has opened but some is still to come.

Tropical Americas Coming to Animal Kingdom (AK) – 2027

Animal Kingdom’s next expansion will take the place of Dinoland and beyond. While teasing the project for a few years, work has begun in earnest for this addition. While I have a 2027 date written down, I could see this land opening in phases. This expansion will include an Indiana Jones attraction (replacing Dinosaur), an Encanto attraction, a large counter-service restaurant and a carousel. More details will come, I’m sure!

Walt Disney Animatronic and Attraction Makeover for Carousel of Progress (MK) – 2027?

This project is a little short on details but we know that a Walt Disney animatronic will be coming to the classic Magic Kingdom attraction, introducing the Carousel of Progress. We now know that the whole attraction will be receiving a remodel and work has begun on this. 2027 seems logical as an opening although 2028 is also possible.

Monsters, Inc. Land Coming to Hollywood Studios (DHS) – 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 this has an outside chance of opening in late 2027.

Cars Attractions in Magic Kingdom (MK) – 2028?

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 family ride. The river and surroundings are now closed but this project will take quite some time. 2029 is a safer bet for this opening but it all depends on how aggressive Magic Kingdom gets with some of their new projects.

Villains Land! (MK) – 2029?

Beyond those Cars rides and likely connecting to Fantasyland will be Magic Kingdom’s Villains Land. The space will be home to two major attractions, dining, and shopping on an incredibly twisted grand scale. This is another project that will take quite a bit of time due to the amount of work that needs to be done.

Tokyo Disney Resort

Space Mountain – 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 project has been completed in phases, with different attractions getting makeovers or changes.

Wreck-It Ralph Attraction – 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, 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 now open in 2027.

Aquatopia Closing – 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 as a closure for now. I expect more will be announced at the next D23 Expo or at D23 Asia.

Hong Kong Disneyland

Spider-Man Attraction – 2027

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!

Shanghai Disneyland

Spider-Man Coaster – 2026?

Webs at the ready, an all-new Spider-Man thrill attraction is coming to Shanghai Disneyland! Peter Parker has gotten himself — and us — in a bit of a tight spot. We’re going to follow HIM – at very high speeds – to get us out of trouble. While ground has been broken on the project, 2026 may be too optimistic.

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.

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!