ANAHEIM — After 71 years, there will be a new tomorrow for Tomorrowland at Disneyland.

The Walt Disney Co. is planning another multi-year wave of investments at the Disneyland Resort, including new Avengers-themed attractions, a Coco ride and a major overhaul of Tomorrowland.

“We are entering Disneyland’s next great chapter,” Thomas Mazloum, chairman of Disney Experiences at The Walt Disney Co., said during a D23 presentation held at the Honda Center on Aug. 15.

New Attractions Coming

During Disney’s biennial fan expo, held Aug. 14-16 at the Honda Center and Anaheim Convention Center, one of the biggest announcements was the planned makeover of Tomorrowland.

The area has been part of Disneyland since it first opened in 1955.

Walt Disney had previously described Tomorrowland as “a vista into a world of wondrous ideas, signifying man’s achievements … a step into the future, with predictions of constructive things to come.”

He hoped to allow visitors to walk through innovative, technological and futuristic concepts.

However, the land has fallen short of Disney’s futuristic ideals.

While electric and hybrid cars are common today, Autopia still runs on gas, enveloping the area in fumes. The Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage, which lets guests explore an underwater reef, also feels outdated.

Disney officials didn’t provide many details about what they are planning for Tomorrowland, only that the soon-to-be-revamped land would feature new attractions, more open space and other experiences.

The last time Disney renovated the area was in 1998, when it redesigned the land with a gold-and-bronze color scheme and introduced Rocket Rods. The ride, built on the old People Mover track, was plagued by frequent breakdowns and mechanical problems—prompting its closure in 2000.

“We’re going to be able to provide a reimagined Tomorrowland in Walt’s park while continuing to invest in Disney California Adventure to bring new stories to life over time,” Disneyland Resort President Jill Estorino told reporters during a media session at the D23Expo.

At Disney California Adventure, construction is underway on two new Avengers rides: Stark Flight Lab and Avengers Infinity Defense.

The rides will double the size of the six-acre Avengers Campus, which opened in 2021, and will reconnect it with nearby Cars Land.

The rides are scheduled to open in 2028.

Construction is also underway on Disney’s first attraction based on the Pixar film “Coco,” a family-oriented boat ride through the Land of the Dead, which is being built near Pixar Pier and Paradise Gardens Park.

“It will truly be a beautiful, moving experience full of fun and surprises, leaning heavily into the music and emotion of the cherished Pixar film while inviting you to live Miguel’s journey alongside your own friends and family,” according to the Disney Parks blog.

Disney has not announced an opening date for the Coco attraction.

While those attractions are moving forward, the highly anticipated Avatar Land planned for Disney California Adventure will not open anytime soon.

Disney officials said they are focusing on expanding Avengers Campus, building the Coco ride, and updating Tomorrowland before starting work on the Avatar-themed land.

The company opened Avatar Land at Animal Kingdom at Walt Disney World in Florida in 2017.

“We believe that delivering the projects this way is the right thing to do for our fans,” said Estorino, who was tapped to lead the Disneyland Resort in March.

Tourism Impact

The steady rollout of new attractions could have implications beyond Disneyland’s gates.

City officials say that big new attractions at Disneyland Resort often give both domestic and international tourists reasons to visit or come back to Anaheim.

This can lead to more hotel stays and more spending at nearby restaurants, shops, and other businesses, city spokesman Mike Lyster told the Business Journal.

Increased overnight stays and visitor spending could also produce additional transient occupancy and sales tax revenue for the city.

“Theme parks and other parts of our tourism economy drive about 55% of Anaheim’s $574 million general fund for public safety, community services and other city spending,” Lyster said.

“We expect to see a similar pattern with the buildout of Avengers Campus, opening in 2028, a Coco attraction being built now at Disney California Adventure, and an Avatar Destination still to come,” he added.