D23 2026 Disneyland: Avatar, Electrical Parade & Fantasmic

We've put together a few lists (divided by location, division, etc.) of our top D23 predictions, with some more likely than others to happen. And, of course, there will always be some surprises. Nothing is certain until Disney makes a formal announcement, and even then projects are always subject to cancellation, as we have learned in the past.

For our Walt Disney World predictions, click here.

Here's what we are possibly expecting to hear for Disneyland Resort, where the magic began:

Details on Autopia Revamp featuring Electric Vehicles

Disneyland is moving forward with plans to replace the gas-powered cars at Autopia with a fleet of fully electric ride vehicles and will replace the attraction's current gas engines in early 2027. Disney is currently developing, engineering, and testing a prototype for a fully electric Autopia vehicle, and we could get details on those new ride vehicles. Perhaps, we can expect some show changes to the ride as well, but that might be a stretch.

Return of Main Street Electrical Parade for 55th Anniversary

The Main Street Electrical Parade debuted at Disneyland in 1972. It most recently had a six-year run at Magic Kingdom starting in 2010, followed by a return in 2022 to Disneyland for the 50th anniversary of the offering. The 55th Anniversary of the parade is approaching, and we could see an announcement bringing it back with some changes for 2027.

Return of Magic Happens Parade with New Units

The Magic Happens Parade debuted at Disneyland in 2020, but only performed for a few weeks before the COVID-19 Pandemic. It returned in 2023 and ran until 2024, but at this moment, it is one of the shortest-lived daytime parades in the park's history, at least of those intended to not be a limited-time offering.

While this parade is not one of the most beloved in history, it would make sense that Disney would want to get more use out of their investment. However, they could fix the issues by changing out some of the parade floats or even adding more to make this one of Disneyland's better entries. Hopefully they can adjust some of that if this returns in 2027.

New Dragon for Fantasmic!

After the dragon burnt to the ground in 2023, Fantasmic! has been without one ever since. We have heard there are maintenance issues throughout the rest of the show, so it was a relief to hear rumors that a multi-month refurbishment would be executed in 2027. However, we have since heard this was defunded. Either way, it sounds like a new dragon version of Maleficent has been ordered and is on the way, it just might not be a part of an updated version of the beloved nighttime spectacular.

A New Tomorrowland (Probably Not)

Another long-rumored project, it seems the failures of Lightyear at the box office and the Disneyland Forward project shelved any and all plans that existed a few years back. We believe a new Tomorrowland will come to Disneyland (with some version of the PeopleMover), but it seems like an unlikely announcement in 2026.

New Details on Avengers Campus Expansion

Avengers Campus will nearly double in size with the opening of two new rides, Avengers Infinity Defense and Stark Flight Lab, plus a new bathroom facility at Disney California Adventure. Construction kicked off in January 2025 and has been rapidly progressing. We should see more details on both the 3-D Infinity Defense ride and the dancing simulator arms, possibly coupled with an opening timeframe for some point in 2027.

Is Avatar Still Happening at Disney California Adventure?

Pandora – World of Avatar was confirmed to be headed to California in a 2023 earnings call. At D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event in 2024, a model and concept art were shown, and the boat ride was revealed. To make way for this new experience, Monsters, Inc. Mike & Sulley to the Rescue! was set to close in "early 2026." However, Disney has announced that it will remain open into 2027, with younger families in mind who have limited offerings at the park. Will we get an update on Avatar at D23, or does the delayed closure of Monsters, Inc. Mike & Sulley to the Rescue! point to a change of plans?

Zootopia Addition

According to some sources, there is the possibility of a Zootopia area in place of what was supposed to be the Avatar area, replacing a large portion of Hollywood Land. Disney certainly would want to strike while the iron is hot, and Zootopia 2 was one of the biggest hits the company has had post-COVID.

New Details on Coco Ride

We will likely get more details on this attraction, which will be located near Paradise Gardens Park and Pixar Pier, at D23. Right now all we really know is that it will be a boat ride through the Land of the Dead filled with audio-animatronics. Perhaps we can also find out how it will fit into the Pixar Pier story, if that area really even has one…

Return of the Original World of Color Show in 2027

The rumor is that the original World of Color show is finally coming back. It may not be deemed a "big enough" announcement for D23, but for those who love this game-changing, legendary version, it would be a very happy one to hear. We have been told that the fountain and light spectacle is set for an early 2027 return to Paradise Bay, and World of Color would come back with a few new bells and whistles that were introduced in later versions of the nighttime spectacular.

Third Gate

It doesn't feel like it's quite the right time for a third gate announcement. Maybe it will happen at the next D23, but there is still so much to be accomplished at Disney California Adventure and with the Disneyland Forward infrastructure project that it would feel extraordinarily premature. Maybe we'll get a tease, but nothing more.

What do you think will be announced? Let us know on social media.