Everything We Know about Avatar Coming to Disneyland

Back in February of 2023, Disney CEO Bob Iger announced during a Quarterly Earnings Call with investors that a new “Avatar experience” would be coming to the Disneyland Resort in California, based on the massive film franchise from director James Cameron. No other details were given by Iger or Disney at the time – until now.

On November 13th, during a Walt Disney Imagineering Lunch & Learn gathering at the 2023 IAAPA Expo (International Association of Amusement Parks & Attractions), Disney revealed that the upcoming “Avatar experience” will be located at Disney California Adventure Park (DCA) at the Disneyland Resort.

No other details were given by Disney about what this “experience” may entail or where exactly in DCA it is set to be located. However, Disney confirming that the experience is indeed still coming to the Disneyland Resort is great news in itself, and speculations have begun about where this new project may fit inside Disneyland’s sister park.

Where Will Avatar Go?

Although Disney has given no information about where it may be located inside of DCA, there seem to be 3 main options available:

1. Hollywood Land Backlot – There are multiple open & unused soundstages here of massive size that could fit a unique, technology-driven experience, though space for anything beyond the soundstages would be at a premium
2. Grizzly Peak Airfield – This land currently has no IP (Intellectual Property) attached to it, and is home to the Redwood Creek Challenge Trail, which could fit a nature-based attraction similar to “Journey of Water Inspired by Moana” at Walt Disney World’s EPCOT, though any new rides here would be unlikely
3. DCA Expansion – As part of the DisneylandForward proposal, Disney could utilize “Avatar” as an anchor land to the new expansion, though this would likely be 10+ years down the road

While none of these locations seem like sure-fire hits for an “Avatar” expansion, there is no denying that Disney California Adventure Park could badly use the added capacity of a new attraction or land. While Disney has yet to explain what the “experience” may entail, a D23 blog post from March of 2023 promised that the expansion would be “as amazing” as the World of Pandora at Walt Disney World’s Animal Kingdom – widely regarded as one of the greatest theme park lands ever built.

Whatever Disney’s new “Avatar experience” may entail – and wherever it may end up inside Disney California Adventure – remains to be seen, but Bob Iger did promise “more details” would be on the horizon “very soon” regarding the expansion. Be sure to stay tuned to Theme Park Professor, as we have our ears on the ground for any news surrounding Avatar’s future at the Disneyland Resort & will keep you updated immediately!