Disneyland Inches Closer Towards Disneyland Forward with Eastern Gateway, Avatar, and Coco Projects
Disney's late-night announcements have major implications for Disneyland Forward.
In an unexpected announcement this evening, Disney announced the resumption of the long-delayed Eastern Gateway expansion, which will see a new 6,000-space parking lot built across Harbor Blvd., pedestrian bridge, and the relocation of the Resort’s transportation hub.
This seemingly small infrastructure reshuffling is actually rather significant because it will give Disney the space to place the long-awaited Avatar-themed land where Monsters, Inc. Mike & Sulley to the Rescue! is currently located, only impacting the Backlot section of Hollywood Land, leaving the street with the Hyperion Theater and Animation Academy in place.
The Avatar themed land (new concept art pictured above) will be based on elements from “Avatar: The Way of Water,” creating a totally different experience from what guests visiting Animal Kingdom in Florida experience. It’s likely that this land will feature a ride utilizing the omnidirectional boat ride system that debuted in Shanghai for that park’s Pirates of the Caribbean attraction.
Monsters, Inc. will close in early 2026 to allow for construction to commence.
Disney also announced that the park’s Coco attraction will be built in what it describes as “predominantly backstage areas” near Paradise Gardens Park and Pixar Pier. With construction beginning later this year.
Most interesting is that none of these projects technically fall under the “Disneyland Forward” umbrella, although they are important puzzle pieces as Disney looks at its larger multi-decade expansion plans.
This is a developing story…