Disneyland News Upcoming Attractions

If you’re heading to Disneyland Resort in 2026, then you’re in for a treat. From new things in the parks to years’ worth of events, there is plenty you’ll want to know before you go! Whether this is just another Disneyland trip or your annual family vacation, here  are all the things that are New at Disneyland Park, California Adventure Park and Downtown Disney. 

With the completion of San Fransokyo Square over in Disney’s California Adventure Park, and the new Pixar Place Hotel up and running, there are plenty of reasons to head to the parks. Because while amazing things like the new Haunted Mansion area in Disneyland, and Tiana’s Bayou Adventure have arrived, there are even more Downtown Disney restaurants popping up to try. Add in Disneyland’s 70th Birthday running through August 2026 and you’ll see there is plenty to do on your next trip! Let’s dive into all the things happening at Disneyland Resort, from annual events, to new rides, and future plans with the DisneylandForward Project. We’ll be tracking all the new things at Disneyland Resort here. Take a look at the 2026 Disneyland Calendar for all the monthly events and annual happenings. 

Disneyland Birthday Celebrations | now through August 9, 2026

Happy birthday Disneyland! 70 looks pretty good. You can count on new entertainment, merchandise, snacks and more as part of the celebration. Here are the things in the lineup so far. Disneyland’s birthday is July 17th, but events will be going for a full year, through Summer 2026. Here is a look at the lineup of events for the celebration. 

• Special Entertainment
• “Celebrate Happy” the new theme song, by the Jonas Brothers. Available to stream May 13, 2025. 
• Mickey and Minnie get new 70th outfits. 
• 70th Anniversary decor and photo ops
• 50 foot sculpture inspired by the castle featuring glass panels and golden charms inspired by the 5 original lands. 
• Celebrate Happy moments at the Carthay Circle Restaurant
• Specialty 70th Celebration PhotoPass lenses, and enhancements. 

The Celebrate Happy Cavalcade  | Disneyland Main Street

Featuring Max from Goof Troop, Duffy and ShellieMay, and Mickey and Friends, this little dance party shows up along the parade route as part of the daily celebration. 

Wondrous Journeys | Disneyland Castle

This nighttime projection show on the Disneyland Castle is all about the magic. Filled with storytelling from Hercules, Moana, Princess and the Frog, Peter Pan, Frozen and more. Offered select nights throughout the birthday celebrations. 

Paint the Night Parade | Disneyland Main Street

Returning for the 70th Anniversary Celebration the Paint the Night Parade at Disneyland brings back Tink, Monsters Inc. Cars, Beauty and the Beast and more. Filled with colorful floats, lights and music, this nighttime parade also includes a float honoring Anna and Elsa, returning for the first time since it’s initial run. 

Better Together | California Adventure

This Pixar focused  parade features  characters from Luca, Turning Red, Up! and more. Celebrating friendship and love, this daytime parade is offered throughout the celebrations over at California Adventure.

Tapestry of Happiness | Disneyland Park Small World

Shown on the facade of it’s a Small World, this show features moment and memories inspired by Mary Blair. Complete with lights, colors and projections, this show will feature the “Celebrate Happy” song honoring the Happiest Place on Earth. 

World of Color Happiness Show | Paradise Bay

A brand new World of Color overlay is all part of the 70th anniversary magic at Disney’s California Adventure. Featuring the crew of Inside Out, this nighttime spectacular is all about Happy. The show will include other familiar Disney and Pixar stories as well with light shows, water features, and flame effects. Featuring songs by Boyz II Men, Fitz and the Tantrums, and The Muppets. You can even vote in the Disneyland App to add a spotlight in the show on a certain emotion, from Inside Out! 

A Tribute to the Sherman Brothers | Main Street Cinema

Starting July 17th, you can settle into the cinema for a short film ( 3.5 minutes) called The Last Verse. This short honors the song “it’s a small world” and shared their vision of connectedness. It also unveils a “last verse” to the song written by Richard Sherman, but never before shared in the ride. This last verse will also be present in the “it’s a Small World” ride, beginning July 17th. 

“Mother earth unites us in heart and mind
And the love we give makes us humankind
Through our vast wondrous land
When we stand hand in hand
It’s a small world after all.” 

Art Exhibit at the Opera House

Featured images, art and artifacts pulled together by the Walt Disney Archives take center stage starting July 17th. From audio animatronics beginning to present you can dive into the wonderful world of Disney. In the lobby of the Opera House you can also see special artifacts on loan from The Walt Disney Museum. Of them will be Walt’s rocking chair, lamp and table from his Fire House Apartment. 

Walt Disney A Magical Life | Main Street Opera House

Also opening July 17th, is the brand new attraction featuring an animatronic of Walt Disney himself. Sharing audio footage, video recordings, and more from the man himself, you can here Walt “talk” about the journey. This show plays in rotation with Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln at the theater. 

Bluey’s Best Day Ever | March 22, 2026

This new Bluey experience is a family friendly fun fair at Fantasyland Theater, featuring activities, songs, and games. You can see The Grannies, try foods inspired by Bluey, and watch your favorite Bluey characters on stage in an immersive musical show. There will also be a life sized Gnome Village and Fairy Garden, as well as themed snacks at Troubadour Tavern.

Millennium Falcon Mandalorian and Grogu | May 22, 2026

Just in time for the 2026 Disney Movie Mandalorian and Grogu film hitting theaters this summer, the Millennium Falcon gets a new storyline. Complete with all the thrilling action sequences and characters you know and love from the Disney+ Series, Mandalorian.

Soarin’ Across America | July 2, 2026

Celebrating the 250th Anniversary of the United States, you can soar across America on Soarin’ in Disney’s California Adventure. Only for a limited time during Disney Celebrates America 250.

Coco Ride | Disney’s California Adventure – Under Construction

Filled with characters, Coco, Dante, and Ernesto de la Cruz himself, this ride features an explosion of colors, and music as riders sail along in a boat. Advanced animatronic figures, and all the characters you know and love from the film are onboard. With Three Caballeros vibes, this ones promises to be a fun addition to the park, perfect for families. Most likely new at Disneyland sometime in 2027.

Pandora World of Avatar | Disney’s California Adventure – Under Construction

 As part of all that’s New at Disneyland, and most likely part of the DisneylandForward project, the new Pandora world at Disneyland Resort is different than the one at Walt Disney World, and includes a focus on the wide open seas. This area will include a New Attraction, and awe inspiring spaces that bring the natural world to the forefront. The new ride features a boat ride element showcasing all the wonders of Pandora.

Avengers Campus Expansion | Disney’s California Adventure – Under Construction

 When Avengers Campus was originally New at Disneyland, the crowds went wild! And now, doubling in size, the Avenger’s Campus area of Disney’s California Adventure Park is adding Two New Attractions. The new rides, Infinity Defense and Stark Flight Lab brings you up against the best of the Avengers, and Thanos too. Adding to an already robust area of the park.

Infinity Defense Ride at Avengers Campus Disney’s California Adventure

Featuring “technology that allows you to jump between worlds” this ride will bring you to locations like Asgard, Wakanda, and New York City as you zoom through the ride, helping the Avengers get back the tech that Thanos himself has stolen.

Stark Flight Lab Ride at Avengers Campus Disney’s California Adventure

This ride features two person pods that deploy to a test station. Giant robot arms grab your pod and whirls you around in this simulated flight ride. Luckily Tony Stark himself is on hand to help in the Stark Flight Lab to help get you back to safety.

The DisneylandForward Project – Under Construction

By far the biggest thing that is New at Disneyland is the pending expansion project. Taking over parking lots, free space and even cast member roads, the is part of  Disney’s $1.9 billion dollar commitment to Disney Parks and Experiences over the next 10 years. The DisneylandForward project in Anaheim, California has officially been greenlighted. So what does this mean for the Happiest Place on Earth? Whether you’re a regular Disneyland Resort visitor, or just looking for another reason to add Walt’s west coast park to your travel bucket list, there’s quite a bit coming to Disneyland Resort as part of the Disneyland Forward project. From new lands, and spaces, to how its going to affect your Disneyland trip now, here are all the details.

DisneylandForward Location

Tucked into the spaces between Katella Ave., Harbor Blvd., Ball Rd. and Disneyland Dr. the Disneyland Resort in Anaheim has had little stretching room. Maximizing every last inch of it’s 4800 acre footprint, it sometimes feel more “theme park” than the magical world we’re used to experiencing at Walt Disney World, covering 30,000 acres. 

Limited to what Anaheim would allow in terms of a Disneyland expansion, it’s helpful to remember that Anaheim is very much a working and functioning city in it’s own right. Any Disneyland visitor will tell you they pass shops, hotels, businesses, and even the Anaheim Convention Center on their way to the parks. Disneyland guests even often use Anaheim’s Public Transportation system, with an ART bus stop right at the entrance of the parks. 

Is a Third Park Coming to Disneyland?

There are currently no plans to add a 3rd park to Disneyland Resort. The DisneylandForward Project instead proposes an expansion of current parks. Utilizing adjacent areas near the Disneyland Hotel and Pixar Place Hotels, Downtown Disney and several parking lot areas.  

Where is DisneylandForward Going to Be?

Since DisneylandForward is not a park, but instead just a project name, it’s important  to remember that it’s not necessarily going anywhere. The project calls for changes, and demolition to current parking lots and nearby spaces to allow for new lands and rides. As you can see from the DisneylandForward Map above, and the current map below, the areas that are set to be overhauled will be the spaces near the current hotels, as well as possibly the Anaheim GardenWalk. 

What are the DisneylandForward Changes Affecting Disneyland Resort Now?

If you have a Disneyland Vacation planned anytime in the next few years, you can expect some disruptions, especially if you’re staying on Disney property. That said, if you’re visiting, we’d recommend hotels within walking distance of Disneyland parks instead, so that you’re not disturbed by construction projects that could take years. However, something else to consider is that due to this, you may be able to grab a discount on a Disneyland hotel. Fingers crossed. Spaces that will be affected by the Disneyland Forward project are. 

• Areas near Pixar Place Hotel, Disneyland Hotel and Downtown Disney
• The Toy Story Parking Lot ( Harbor Blvd.)
• Downtown Disney Parking Lot ( Magic Way)
• Cast Member Parking Lot ( Disney Way)
• Magic Way Rd. 

All of these spaces will be going under some sort of construction to move forward with the Disneyland expansion project. And most notably the parking situation will get overhauled. Transportation and Parking changes to expect at Disneyland Resort will include new ways to get around throughout the resort, more walkways, and new parking areas. 

• A new parking area on Disneyland Resorts east side. 
• Pedestrian bridges from the new parking area to the resort. 

With the potential of a pedestrian bridge that connects the parking to the resort area, most likely going over Harbor Blvd, there is an opportunity to instate that “Disney Bubble” experience that is so common at WDW. In Anaheim, however, Disneyland Resort has very much remained a place within the city that you walk to. And previously it has been difficult to “ignore” the city around you, as you seek the immersive experience of the parks. With a more developed transportation system, walkways and parking infrastructure, Disneyland Resort, may be able to further craft the guest experience and make for an all around better Disney Vacation. 

How Long will the Disneyland Expansion Take?

Plan for 10 years at least. While there will surely be things that open within that timeframe, the parks 2024- 2034 duration is for the “completion” of projects included. And if previous project timelines have shown us anything, it’s to not set too much by this. Throughout that time there will surely be new technologies that delay, speed up or reconfigure previous plans. 

Disneyland Resort Hotels

If you’re ready to plan your next Disney trip to the west coast parks, take a look at our Disney Resort reviews for Disneyland Hotel, and Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel and Spa. While we almost always recommend just staying at a Disneyland Hotel within walking distance of the parks instead, the newest Lightning Lane Multi-Pass changes have us wondering if on-property is best for busy times. Plus, catch up on the news of the newly refurbished Pixar Place Hotel, previously Paradise Pier, over in the Downtown Disney area. 

What’s New at Disneyland Resort?

There you have it! The plans, so far, for everything New at Disneyland that is the works. Be sure to check out the Disneyland Event Calendar for opening dates as we get them.