What’s New at Disneyland California 

Just as Walt Disney promised, Disneyland will never be completed. As long as there is imagination left in the world, it will continue to grow. And grow it has.  

Since opening in 1955, Disneyland California has continued to refresh and expand, with new attractions, updated experiences, and seasonal moments that keep each visit feeling slightly different from the last. 

There’s something special about being here. Walking down Main Street with the original park all around you, dipping between lands filled with classic rides and newer additions, and having both Disneyland Park and Disney California Adventure just a short stroll apart makes it easy to explore at your own pace. 

Whether it’s your first visit or you’re returning to see what’s changed, there’s always something new to discover. 

If you’re ready to start planning your California holiday, take a look at what’s new at Disneyland right now, and what’s still to come. 
 

What’s New at Disneyland California for 2026 

2026 brings exciting updates to Disneyland California, with new character experiences, updated ride storylines, and returning seasonal overlays.  
 

Bluey Arrives at Disneyland 

If your kids are even slightly obsessed with Bluey, this is a big one. For everyone else, Bluey is an inexhaustible blue heeler puppy and the main character of the popular Australian animated children's television series, Bluey.  



From 22nd March 2026, Bluey will make her Disneyland debut in Fantasyland, appearing for meet-and-greets and starring in her own show, Bluey’s Best Day Ever, at the Fantasyland Theatre. It’s a rare chance to see one of the world’s most-loved children’s characters brought into the Disney parks, and it’s likely to be one of the most popular family-friendly experiences of the year. 
 

New Star Wars Characters Take Over Galaxy’s Edge 

From 29th April 2026, Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge shifts its timeline, bringing in characters from across the original trilogy and beyond.

You can expect to see the likes of Luke Skywalker, Princess Leia, Han Solo, and Darth Vader roaming Batuu, alongside newer favourites like Ahsoka, The Mandalorian, and Grogu. Even the music changes, with John Williams’ iconic scores filling the land. 

It’s a subtle change, but in reality, it completely transforms the feel of the land, especially for long-time Star Wars fans. 
 

Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run Gets a New Mission 

From 22nd May 2026, one of Disneyland’s most popular rides is getting a major update. 



Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run introduces a brand-new mission featuring The Mandalorian and Grogu, with new destinations including Tatooine, Bespin, Coruscant, and even the ruins of the Death Star.

For the first time, the crew on board will have more control over the journey, making each ride feel slightly different depending on the choices made during the mission. 
 

Hyperspace Mountain Returns 

Just in time for Star Wars Day celebrations, Hyperspace Mountain returns from 28 April 2026. 



This popular overlay transforms Space Mountain into an intergalactic battle, with X-wing starfighters, TIE fighters, and high-speed chases through space. It’s one of those returning experiences that fans look out for each year, and it never really loses its appeal. 
 

Soarin’ Across America Debuts 

Over in Disney California Adventure, Soarin’ is getting a fresh update for summer 2026. 

Launching on 2nd July, Soarin’ Across America replaces Soarin’ Around the World with a new journey across the United States, showcasing iconic landscapes and cityscapes as part of Disney’s “Celebrate America” offerings. 

It’s a familiar ride with a different perspective, and a good excuse to experience it again, even if you’ve ridden before. 
 

Downtown Disney Continues to Expand 

Beyond the parks themselves, the Downtown Disney District continues its multi-year expansion into 2026. 



New restaurants, shops, and experiences are opening gradually, including the much-anticipated Porto’s Bakery & Café, known for its pastries, desserts, and Cuban-inspired dishes. There’s also a growing mix of new dining concepts and retail spaces, giving the area an updated destination-like feel. 
 

What’s Coming to Disneyland in 2027 and Beyond 

The next few years are where things really start to scale up. From major new rides to entire land expansions, Disneyland Resort has some big plans in motion. 
 

Avengers: Infinity Defense (Opening TBC) 

One of the most anticipated additions is Avengers: Infinity Defense, a brand-new “E-ticket” attraction currently under development in Avengers Campus. 

This large-scale ride will take you into the Marvel multiverse, where you’ll join the Avengers as they battle King Thanos, a variant who succeeded in another timeline. The story is expected to take you across multiple worlds, including Wakanda, Asgard, and New York City. 


 

Stark Flight Lab (Opening TBC) 

Also coming to Avengers Campus is Stark Flight Lab, another next-generation attraction announced at D23. 

This experience puts you inside Tony Stark’s lab, where you’ll test out flight simulations in a two-person pod attached to a robotic arm. Expect spins, swoops, and different “test flights” depending on your mission, which should make it one of the more re-ridable attractions in the park. 

Together, these two new rides will effectively double the size of Avengers Campus, turning it into one of the biggest and most immersive areas in Disney California Adventure. 
 

First-Ever Coco Ride (Construction Begins 2026) 

A brand-new attraction inspired by Pixar’s Coco is officially on the way to Disney California Adventure, with construction set to begin in late 2026. 

The ride will take guests on a journey with Miguel into the Land of the Dead, featuring familiar characters, music, and vibrant visuals from the film. Disney has hinted that advanced Audio-Animatronics technology will be used to bring the story to life in a more dynamic way. 

While an opening date hasn’t been confirmed yet, it’s already one of the most anticipated additions for families. 
 

Continued Evolution of Galaxy’s Edge 

Following the 2026 timeline shift, Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge is set to keep evolving in the years ahead. 

The introduction of characters from different eras, from Darth Vader and Luke Skywalker to Ahsoka and The Mandalorian, opens the door for more flexible storytelling within the land. This means future updates, new encounters, and evolving storylines are likely to continue shaping the experience. 

It’s a different approach to expansion, but one that keeps the land feeling alive rather than fixed in time. 
 

Now is the best time to book your California adventure 

With new experiences arriving and even more on the horizon, Disneyland California continues to evolve while staying true to what makes it so special. Whether it’s your first visit or you’re returning to see what’s changed, there’s always something new to discover. 


If you’re planning your next trip, explore our California package holidays and start building an itinerary that blends classic Disney moments with everything else the West Coast has to offer.