Coco, Avengers and a New Tomorrowland: What’s Coming to Disneyland Resort
Disney shared new details about upcoming attractions, returning entertainment, and the future of Disneyland and Disney California Adventure during its Horizons: Disney Experiences Showcase.
ANAHEIM - Disney fans got a look at what’s coming to the Disneyland Resort Saturday night during the Horizons: Disney Experiences Showcase, hosted by Neil Patrick Harris and streamed live from the Honda Center on Disney+.
The evening kicked off in true NPH fashion with a musical number dedicated to Disney Audio-Animatronics.
There were plenty of surprises along the way, from performances by Sheryl Crow, Beck, Los Lobos and Gloria Gaynor to special appearances by John Stamos, Jack McBrayer, Glenn Close, Tig Notaro, Paige O’Hara and more.
But the real question was: What’s coming to Disneyland Resort? Here’s what we learned from this year’s showcase.
A refreshed version of “Remember… Dreams Come True” nighttime spectacular will return to Disneyland park in February 2027 with projections on Sleeping Beauty Castle, new projections on the Rivers of America, the facade of “it’s a small world,” and Main Street, U.S.A. In time for summer 2027, “Magic Happens” parade will once again fill the streets with inspirational moments of magic from favorite Disney stories.
At Disney California Adventure, an updated version of the original World of Color will once again take guests on a journey through colorful worlds of Walt Disney Animation Studios starting February 2027.
Coco Attraction
Disney shared new details about the upcoming Coco attraction coming to the area near Paradise Gardens Park and Pixar Pier. The story will pick up a year after the events from the first film. The queue will begin in Pixar Pier next to the Inside Out Emotional Whirlwind will take guests to a “casa museo” that is dedicated to the music of Héctor Rivera who fans will remember as Miguel’s great-great grandfather. From there, they’ll join Miguel and travel by boat through his memories of the Land of the Dead. Imagineers are working closely with Pixar to ensure this family-friendly attraction nods to both the original and upcoming film.
For families, there's another notable detail: the attraction will have no height requirement.
Avengers Infinity Defense
New storyline details were also revealed for the Avengers Infinity Defense along with ride experience and featured heroes coming to California Adventure. New recruits will be welcomed to Avengers Infinity Defence with a pre-mission briefing from Ms. Marvel/Kamala Kahn played by Iman Vellani before your mission.
Along with Vellani, Jeremy Renner (Hawkeye), Anthony Mackie (Captain America), Chris Hemsworth (Thor) and Robert Downey Jr. (Iron Man) will also reprise their roles in the attraction.
The attraction will use a combination of “massive physical sets blending seamlessly with huge media scenes” placing fans in the middle of the action.
“The fun part about Avengers Infinity Defense is how we get to use every single trick in the Imagineering book – and inventing some new ones – to create this attraction.” You’ll travel to iconic locations like Asgard, Wakanda, and New York City, next to heroes you’ve come to know and love, while (spoiler alert!) coming face to face with King Thanos himself,” according to the Disney Parks Blog.
Stark Flight Lab
Robert Downey Jr. (Iron Man), Anthony Mackie (Captain America) and Brie Larson (Captain Marvel) will all reprise their roles in Stark Flight Lab attraction also coming to California Adventure. Guests will sit in two-person “gyro-kinetic pods” and roll along a track before stopping in front of a giant robot arm that would essentially give the feeling of what it’s like to train like an Avenger. It will make several high-speed maneuvers inspired by Iron Man and more t.hen will be sent to a test station to whirl around a simulated flight. Both attractions are set to open in 2028.
Tommorowland
Last and certainly not least, Disneyland will finally receive a reimagining of Tommorowland. The update is set to honor the legacy of the original land while introducing new experiences and possibilities for the next generation. Imagineers are already dreaming up new attractions and more open spaces. Plans for Tommorowland will aim to restore the spirit of optimism, innovation and possibility that inspired Walt Disney in 1955 to create “a vista into a world of wondrous ideas.” No opening date has been announced.
What stood out:
One thing that stood out from this year’s showcase was how much Disney is balancing the new with the familiar. There are plenty of new attractions on the way, including Coco and Avengers Infinity Defense, but Disney is also bringing back some fan favorites like Magic Happens and Remember… Dreams Come True while giving Tomorrowland a much-needed refresh.
For Disneyland fans, it feels like Disney is trying to give us a little bit of everything: new stories, new attractions and some of the experiences we already know and love.
One thing we didn’t hear about: Avatar
There was one notable omission from the showcase: an update on the Avatar-inspired attraction previously announced for Disneyland Resort at D23 2024.
Disney did not provide any new details about the project during this year’s presentation, so for now, fans will have to wait a little longer to find out what’s next for Avatar at the Disneyland Resort.