Official: Disney Confirms Timeline for 4 Major Disneyland & Disney World Expansions
The countdown for several of Disney’s biggest projects now has an actual timeframe attached.
Disney has spent the last several years announcing ambitious additions for its parks around the world. Construction is moving forward, attractions are taking shape, and Disney is gradually revealing what guests will experience when these projects finally debut.
More importantly, we now know which years to circle.
Four major projects across Walt Disney World, Disneyland Resort, and Tokyo Disneyland are targeting 2027 or 2028. Not everything will arrive at once, though, and one major expansion requires a longer wait than some fans may have expected.
Monstropolis Won’t Arrive All at Once
Disney’s Hollywood Studios will begin welcoming guests into Monstropolis in 2027, but the land’s biggest attraction won’t be ready for its initial debut.
Disney is developing a suspended door-vault coaster inspired by Monsters, Inc. (2001). The attraction will recreate the movie’s factory sequence and include a vertical lift that raises riders roughly 40 feet in four seconds.
While work continues on the coaster, other parts of Monstropolis will open first.
The initial lineup includes The Glob Theater and its “Welcome to Monstropolis” show, hosted by Mike and Sulley. Guests will also find Archie’s Scare Pig Pizza, the Monsters University Alumni Club, Scareporium shop, and Harryhausen’s restaurant.
Final Timeline: 2027 for the first phase. Disney hasn’t announced a month yet, though summer has been discussed among fans as a possibility. The coaster will follow on a separate timeline.
Tokyo Disneyland Has Two Attractions Coming
Tokyo Disneyland is preparing for a major Tomorrowland transformation featuring two new experiences.
Space Mountain Earthrise will reinvent the park’s former Space Mountain while maintaining the concept of an indoor roller coaster.
The attraction will launch riders into space before surrounding them with lighting, audio, and effects inspired by cosmic phenomena. The Earthrise concept focuses on viewing Earth from beyond the moon.
Sugar Rush Sweet Rescue will replace Buzz Lightyear’s former attraction.
Inspired by Wreck-It Ralph (2012), the interactive experience will have guests join Ralph and Vanellope to save Sugar Rush from bugs created by King Candy. Riders will use blasters to transform the creatures back into sweets.
Final Timeline: 2027. Sugar Rush Sweet Rescue is officially scheduled for spring, while Space Mountain Earthrise currently has a broader 2027 window. An April or May start remains speculation.
Animal Kingdom Is Preparing for a New Era
At Walt Disney World, Tropical Americas will transform part of Disney’s Animal Kingdom into Pueblo Esperanza.
Antonio’s Fiesta de Encanto will take guests inside the Madrigal Casita. Inspired by Encanto (2021), the attraction follows Antonio after he receives his ability to communicate with animals.
The ride will have no height requirement, include returning members of the original voice cast, and feature 50 different animals.
Indiana Jones and the Myth of the Jade Serpent will replace DINOSAUR. Set in the 1950s, the attraction follows Indiana Jones into a South American temple before sending guests into the Mayan underworld.
The adventure includes bats, scorpions, fire, and snakes, while Harrison Ford’s likeness will appear on the Indiana Jones Audio-Animatronic.
El Carrusel de los Animalitos will add another option with 22 Disney characters, including Heimlich from A Bug’s Life (1998), Pua from Moana (2016), and Kevin from Up (2009).
Final Timeline: 2027. Disney hasn’t announced a month. A fall or winter opening is possible, but that remains speculation.
Avengers Campus Requires a Longer Wait
Disney California Adventure is also expanding Avengers Campus with two major attractions.
Avengers Infinity Defense will send guests through the Marvel Multiverse as the Avengers battle King Thanos. Disney will combine physical environments with screen-based effects, with Chris Hemsworth and Anthony Mackie among the returning Marvel actors.
Stark Flight Lab takes a different approach. Guests will travel through Stark Labs before their ride vehicle connects to a robotic arm designed to simulate flying with Iron Man-style technology.
Robert Downey Jr. will return as Iron Man, Brie Larson will appear as Captain Marvel, and Anthony Mackie will return as Sam Wilson.
Despite construction already moving forward, Disney has confirmed both attractions for 2028.
Final Timeline: 2028. Disney hasn’t announced an opening month, so anything more specific remains speculation.
Disney’s Expansion Calendar Is Getting Clearer
Disney still has plenty of exact dates left to announce, but guests now have a much better idea of what the next two years will bring.
Monstropolis, Tropical Americas, and Tokyo Disneyland’s Tomorrowland overhauls are targeting 2027. Disneyland Resort’s Avengers Campus expansion is set to open in 2028.
Now, the biggest unanswered question is exactly when during those years each new experience will welcome its first guests.
