The Disney Parks, both American and foreign, are always changing. Nearly every resort is in the midst of expansions and closures, both 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 2025 compared to a few years ago. The pandemic definitely took a toll from what could have been. That will still be felt in the next two years, 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’ll go resort by resort, starting in Disneyland.

Disneyland

Bluey’s Best Day Ever (DL) – March 22nd, 2026

This new show/meet & greet/interactive event will take place in the Fantasyland Theatre.  Join the fun of Bluey’s best day ever during the fair at Bluey’s school, where you can see The Grannies, dance with Chattermax, eat fave foods inspired by the animated series at Troubadour Tavern, and more. It’s unclear how permanent this show will be.

Millennium Falcon: Smuggler’s Run New Mission (DL) – May 22nd, 2026

A new mission is touching down in Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run at Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge in Disneyland park. The all-new story, centered around The Mandalorian and Grogu, arrives May 22, 2026, in time with the new Star Wars film, releasing in theaters the same weekend.

Soarin’ Across America (DCA) – July 2nd, 2026

Just in time for America’s 250th anniversary, Soarin’ will get a rebranding. The new film will take guests over some of the beautiful American landscape and will feature all of the things we love about Soarin’ – flying and a wonderful soundtrack. This attraction will also appear in Epcot at an earlier date.

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 will begin 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 will be set under the land’s Quinjet.

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.

Eastern Gateway Parking & Transportation Hub – 2028

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.

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 won’t begin on this until 2026 so we are being cautious with a 2028 opening date. New information has put this attraction in the Pixar Pier and Paradise Gardens area.

Avatar Expansion (DCA) – 2029?

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 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

Big Thunder & Buzz Lightyear Reopening With Upgrades (Magic Kingdom) – Spring 2026

The long closure of two Magic Kingdom attractions is coming to an end. The biggest of these is Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, which will reopen with new special effects and a twist on the classic story. Buzz will follow suit in the spring, opening with new handheld blasters!

Millennium Falcon: Smuggler’s Run New Mission (DHS) – May 22nd

A new mission is touching down in Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run at Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge in Hollywood Studios. The all-new story, centered around The Mandalorian and Grogu, arrives May 22, 2026, in time with the new Star Wars film, releasing in theaters the same weekend.

Soarin’ Across America (Epcot) – Late May, 2026

Just in time for America’s 250th anniversary, Soarin’ will get a rebranding. The new film will take guests over some of the beautiful American landscape and will feature all of the things we love about Soarin’ – flying and a wonderful soundtrack. Epcot’s version will open before California Adventure’s, promised sometime before Memorial Day.

Muppets Retheme of Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster (DHS) – Summer 2026

MuppetVision has closed in Hollywood Studios but the park won’t be completely Muppet-less now. Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster will be getting rid of the Aerosmith connection and will be taken over by Kermit, the Electric Mayhem and more. This project is set to open in 2026.

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. 

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. The rest of the attraction will be redone, as well, but to what extent is unknown. This has been radio silent ever since the announcement at Destination D23 in August of 2025.

Monsters, Inc. Land Coming to Hollywood Studios (DHS) – 2027?

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 will begin in the next year although we aren’t sure what space in the park it will take over.

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.

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

Tomorrowland Renovation (Tokyo Disneyland) – 2024-2027

Tokyo Disneyland’s Space Mountain has gone over an extensive renovation to include a new story and facade. Along with it, there will be a courtyard leading into the redone attraction. The project has continued in phases, with different attractions getting makeovers or changes. The biggest change is Space Mountain though.

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.

Hong Kong Disneyland

Spider-Man Attraction – 2026?

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

World of Frozen in Disney Adventure World – Spring 2026

The Studios Park, now being renamed Disney Adventure World, has a Frozen expansion in the works. My guess is that the land will be done in 2026 and look similar to Hong Kong Disneyland’s recent World of Frozen expansion.

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!