Disney’s theme parks are entering one of the most aggressive expansion periods in the company’s history. New lands, rides, and entire themed areas are planned across the United States, with executives promising billions in investment across Walt Disney World Resort and Disneyland Resort.
But not every project appears locked in place.
As Disney continues reshaping its parks, one previously announced expansion at Disneyland Resort may already be facing second thoughts — with insiders suggesting the company could pivot to a completely different franchise.
The Walt Disney Company has pledged roughly $60 billion toward its parks, cruise ships, and experiences division over the coming years. A significant portion of that investment is expected to flow into its domestic parks.
Several large-scale projects are already underway.
At Walt Disney World Resort, Magic Kingdom is expected to receive a Cars-themed land and a long-discussed Villains expansion. The projects are part of a wider push by Disney Experiences chairman Josh D’Amaro to expand park capacity and introduce new franchises.
Animal Kingdom is also being reshaped. DinoLand U.S.A. is being replaced by Tropical Americas, a new land inspired by Encanto and Indiana Jones — marking one of the park’s most significant thematic overhauls.
Disney’s Hollywood Studios is preparing for its own addition. A new Monsters, Inc. land is in the works, and Rock ’n’ Roller Coaster will be rethemed to The Muppets following the closure of Muppet*Vision 3D.
Disney California Adventure is likewise preparing for expansion. Avengers Campus will grow with two additional Marvel attractions, including the long-delayed Avengers: Infinity Defense ride.
Yet one previously announced project for the California park may no longer be guaranteed.
Disney had confirmed plans to build an Avatar-themed land at Disney California Adventure — designed as a West Coast counterpart to Pandora — The World of Avatar at Disney’s Animal Kingdom.
Construction was expected to begin in 2026.
Recent reports, however, suggest Disney may be reconsidering whether Avatar is the right franchise for the expansion.
Questions Surround California Avatar Plans
The shift comes as the Avatar franchise enters a complicated moment.
Avatar: Fire and Ash (2025) still generated significant global revenue, but its performance reportedly sparked internal conversations about the long-term direction of the series.
According to The Wrap, insiders say discussions are underway about making future Avatar films shorter and cheaper to produce, reducing financial risk.
Paul Dergarabedian, head of marketplace trends at Comscore, noted how unusual the franchise’s expectations have become.
“It’s all about compare-and-contrast – ‘Fire and Ash’ made half of what the first movie made. And ticket prices in 2009 were not what they are in 2025. That’s the level that James Cameron and the ‘Avatar’ films are operating in,” said Paul Dergarabedian, head of marketplace trends at Comscore.
“When an $89 million domestic opening weekend and almost $1.5 billion worldwide would be seen — in any stretch — as a disappointment. That’s why there’s that perception. These are high-class problems to have.”
Those conversations may also extend into Disney’s parks business.
The planned Avatar expansion at Disney California Adventure had been positioned as a companion to the wildly popular Pandora land in Florida.
However, the site designated for the project has reportedly become a topic of debate among theme park insiders and former Imagineers.
Why Some Believe Zootopia Could Replace Avatar
Former Imagineer Jim Shull believes Disney may ultimately pivot away from Avatar in California.
“Disney doesn’t do anything without a reason. The reality is that ‘Avatar 3’ did OK but as a cultural force, it’s exhausted. Nobody is demanding to see more. They like what they have and if they really like it, they can go to Florida and see it,” Shull told The Wrap.
“California does not have a lot of land. If ‘Avatar’ had been a huge success and people were demanding ‘4’ and ‘5’ and beyond, that would change the equation. But there’s not a lot of demand.”
Shull suggested Disney could instead turn to another franchise that has recently shown stronger momentum.
“‘Zootopia 2’ exceeded expectations in terms of money and laid the groundwork for more ‘Zootopia,’” Shull said. “If I were Josh D’Amaro, in the seat, looking at the stock, I know that I could go to the board and say, ‘I’ve changed my mind for the stronger property,’ and there would be no pushback.”
He also pointed to the lack of visible progress on the Avatar project.
“The only time you do something like that is when you have second thoughts,” Shull said.
Operational factors may also play a role.
One source familiar with Disneyland Resort planning told The Wrap that operations teams favor a Zootopia attraction because it would use a ride system similar to Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway.
That system is already widely used by Disney and is considered easier to maintain.
The originally proposed Avatar ride, by contrast, was designed as a boat attraction that would require dedicated water-treatment infrastructure.
Disney has recently highlighted the success of Zootopia attractions in its international parks.
A company press release noted that Zootopia: Hot Pursuit at Shanghai Disneyland is the park’s highest-rated ride, with “one in four guests” reportedly visiting the park specifically to experience the land.
Meanwhile, construction timelines around Disney California Adventure remain fluid.
The closure of Monsters, Inc. Mike & Sulley to the Rescue has been pushed back to 2027 — suggesting Disney may still be deciding what ultimately replaces it.
Even if the Avatar concept disappears from California, it may not be gone for good.
Shull suggested the ride could potentially be relocated elsewhere.
Possible locations include an expansion pad behind Pandora — The World of Avatar at Disney’s Animal Kingdom, a park frequently criticized for having relatively few attractions.
International parks could also be contenders.
Shanghai’s rumored second gate, internally known as Project Atlas, has reportedly shifted toward an adventure-focused concept featuring major franchises like Avatar.
Tokyo Disney Resort has also been linked to discussions about a possible third gate — sometimes referred to as DisneySky — where a large-scale attraction could potentially fit.
There are also rumors that Disney Adventure World, the newly rejuvenated second gate at Disneyland Paris, could eventually receive an Avatar land. However, if reports over the franchise’s future are accurate, this could also change.
Would you prefer Avatar or Zootopia at Disneyland Resort?
