Monsters Inc. Ride to Stay Open Until 2027 at Disney's California Adventure

The popular dark ride will continue operating as Disney prepares to build a new Avatar-themed land at the park.

Published on Mar. 1, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

Disney's California Adventure park has announced that the Monsters Inc. Mike & Sulley to the Rescue dark ride will remain open until 2027, a year later than originally planned. This extension will allow the ride to continue operating while Disney begins construction on a new Avatar-themed land in an underutilized section of the park's Hollywood Backlot area.

Why it matters

The Monsters Inc. ride is a long-standing favorite among Disney California Adventure guests, and its extended operation will provide continued entertainment for visitors as the park undergoes major expansion plans. The upcoming Avatar land is part of Disney's strategy to diversify its intellectual property offerings at the park.

The details

According to Disneyland Resort President Thomas Mazloum, the original plan was to close the Monsters Inc. ride in early 2026. However, the project management team has been able to organize the construction of new attractions like the Avengers Campus and a Coco-themed boat ride without requiring the closure of the Monsters Inc. attraction or delaying the timeline for these upcoming features. Walt Disney Imagineering is currently in the early stages of developing the Avatar project, which is anticipated to open sometime in 2028 or 2029.

  • The Monsters Inc. ride will now remain open until 2027.
  • The original plan was to close the ride in early 2026.
  • Construction on the new Avatar-themed land is expected to begin in early 2026.

The players

Thomas Mazloum

Disneyland Resort President.

Walt Disney Imagineering

The creative division of The Walt Disney Company responsible for the design and development of Disney theme parks, resorts, cruise ships, and other entertainment venues.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.

The takeaway

This extension of the Monsters Inc. ride's operation demonstrates Disney's ability to manage multiple construction projects at its California Adventure park without disrupting guest experiences. The upcoming Avatar land represents the company's continued efforts to expand its intellectual property offerings and diversify the park's attractions.