Disney California Adventure: Avatar Land to Replace Monsters Inc. Attraction
- Disney has confirmed the development of a new Avatar destination at Disney California Adventure, which will replace a portion of the Hollywood Backlot area in the park's Hollywood...
- The new land will be inspired by the film Avatar: The Way of Water, as well as the upcoming third film, Fire and Ash, and subsequent entries in...
- To facilitate the construction of the Avatar-themed area, Disney will close the Monsters, Inc.
Disney has confirmed the development of a new Avatar destination
at Disney California Adventure, which will replace a portion of the Hollywood Backlot area in the park’s Hollywood Land section.
The new land will be inspired by the film Avatar: The Way of Water, as well as the upcoming third film, Fire and Ash, and subsequent entries in the franchise. This project represents a distinct experience from the existing Pandora – The World of Avatar located at Disney’s Animal Kingdom in Florida.
To facilitate the construction of the Avatar-themed area, Disney will close the Monsters, Inc. Mike &. Sulley to the Rescue! attraction. While initial plans indicated the ride would close in early 2026, Disney announced on February 20, 2026, that the attraction will remain open into 2027.
The decision to extend the operation of the Monsters, Inc. Ride was driven by a focus on younger families, who have limited attraction offerings within the park.
Project Details and Design
The Avatar destination is described as a dynamic, intense and an emotional experience on a grand scale
. Concept art shared via the Disney Parks Blog depicts guests on a boat traveling through a bioluminescent lagoon. The imagery also shows an encounter with a Tulkun, a massive whale-like creature that leaps from the water, suggesting the new attraction may be water-based.
Despite the demolition of the Monsters, Inc. Ride, Disney has confirmed that the Hyperion Theater will remain in place, allowing for the continuation of entertainment shows in the area.
The project is currently in the early stages of development. Disney has stated that the extended operation of the Monsters, Inc. Ride will not delay the overall timeline for the Pandora – World of Avatar project, although an official opening date for the new land has not yet been announced.
Context of the Hollywood Backlot Transition
The Monsters, Inc. Mike & Sulley to the Rescue! ride opened in 2006, having replaced the Superstar Limo attraction during the first phase of the reimagining of Disney California Adventure. The ride took guests through the streets of Monstropolis, recreating scenes from the 2001 film where Mike and Sulley rescue the character Boo.
While the Monsters, Inc. Presence will be removed from the West Coast, the franchise will continue in other Disney locations; a Monsters, Inc. Door coaster is planned for Disney’s Hollywood Studios in Florida.
The shift toward the Avatar franchise in Anaheim follows a 2023 earnings call where Disney confirmed a version of Pandora would come to California. Further details, including a physical model and concept art, were revealed during the D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event in 2024.