Disney Parks Double Down on New Rides, Lands, and Summer Perks Through 2027
Disneyland is still throwing a party for its 70th birthday, but the real news is what’s coming next. Three new rides are under construction at the California resort, along with a full-blown Avatar land. Down in Florida, Walt Disney World is building four new themed areas—including a Villains Land and a Pixar Cars expansion—and CNET got a sneak peek behind the construction walls.
Let’s start with what’s open now. The Rock ’n’ Roller Coaster at Hollywood Studios has swapped out Aerosmith for the Muppets, reopening May 26 with a new soundtrack and a story about The Electric Mayhem’s big show. Over at Disneyland, Bluey and Bingo are hosting a daily stage show in Fantasyland, complete with games like keepy uppy and a fairy garden. The Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge lands have added Luke, Leia, and Han Solo as roaming characters, plus new Mandalorian missions on the Millennium Falcon ride.
This summer’s deals are solid. Disneyland is selling kids’ tickets for $50 a day through September 7. At Disney World, a “Cool Kids’ Summer” package gives two free nights and two free park days when you book a four-night hotel-and-ticket deal, plus a free water park day on check-in and free dining plans for kids 3–9.
Looking ahead, the big builds are ambitious. Disneyland’s expansion will bring a boat ride through Pandora’s oceans, inspired by Avatar: The Way of Water. California Adventure is adding a Coco dark ride and doubling the size of Avengers Campus with two new attractions, including a robot arm that lifts riders into the air. In Florida, Magic Kingdom’s Villains Land draws on Gothic architecture from Paris and Barcelona, while a Cars-themed area called Piston Peak will feature off-road rally racing through geysers and mountains. Animal Kingdom’s Tropical Americas Land replaces DinoLand with an Encanto ride and an Indiana Jones adventure through a Maya temple.
Disney Cruise Line isn’t slowing down either. The Disney Believe, set to launch in late 2027, will feature areas themed to Encanto, Frozen, and Moana.
Other quick hits: Cinderella Castle is getting its original gray-and-blue paint job back. Buzz Lightyear’s ride at Magic Kingdom now has laser blasters you can actually see. And starting in July, you can book a morning wedding at Disneyland’s Haunted Mansion—just don’t expect a midnight ceremony.