Theme Park Scope

Pandora is officially getting a West Coast address, and we’re finally getting a much better idea of what it will actually look like.

Disney has been teasing its massive new Avatar-themed destination coming to Disney California Adventure for quite some time, but most of what we’ve seen so far has existed in the form of concept art.

Now, that’s changing.

Walt Disney Imagineering has brought a detailed physical model of the upcoming Avatar project to D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event, giving us our best look yet at the enormous new environment—and the attraction that will eventually take guests deep into this very different corner of Pandora.

Our Best Look Yet at Disneyland’s Avatar Land

The new model is part of Disney’s Imagineering: Horizons pavilion at D23, where Imagineers are showcasing several projects currently under development around the world.

And the Avatar model is giving us significantly more detail than the concept art we’ve previously seen (and special thanks to friend of the vlog, @DrewDisneyDude on X for allowing us to borrow his photo coverage of the model at D23).

The sprawling environment appears filled with towering Pandoran rock formations, lush vegetation, extensive waterways, and massive otherworldly structures surrounding the attraction.

This also isn’t simply a copy of Pandora — The World of Avatar at Disney’s Animal Kingdom.

Disney previously confirmed that California’s version will draw inspiration from Avatar: The Way of Water as well as future films in the franchise, including Avatar: Fire and Ash. That means Disneyland’s Pandora will have its own identity, with a much stronger emphasis on the oceans and aquatic environments introduced in the Avatar sequels.

Take a Closer Look at the NEW Avatar Attraction

The centerpiece of the expansion will be a completely new attraction, and we’re getting a closer look at that, too.

Disney has previously described the experience as a dynamic boat attraction that will take guests through the beauty and danger of Pandora.

The newly displayed model helps illustrate just how extensively water appears to be incorporated throughout the land and attraction.

Imagineering is also displaying a model of the attraction’s ride vehicle alongside the larger land model at D23, giving fans another clue about how guests may eventually experience this new adventure.

Disney has said the attraction will take guests on a journey in search of majestic natural wonders that can only be found on Pandora.

And judging by the scale of what Imagineering is showing off, this doesn’t exactly look like your average leisurely boat ride.

This Isn’t Disney World’s Pandora 2.0

That’s probably one of the most important things to understand about this project.

Disneyland isn’t simply getting its own version of Animal Kingdom’s Pandora.

The existing land in Florida primarily takes inspiration from the original 2009 Avatar film, while Disney California Adventure’s destination is being designed around the expanded environments introduced through the newer Avatar movies.

That also means we shouldn’t expect Disneyland versions of Avatar Flight of Passage or Na’vi River Journey.

Instead, California is getting a new attraction and a different interpretation of Pandora designed specifically for Disney California Adventure.

For guests who have already explored Pandora at Walt Disney World, that distinction could make this expansion considerably more exciting — you won’t necessarily know what’s waiting around the corner simply because you’ve visited the Florida version.

Avatar Is Bringing BIG Changes to Disney California Adventure

Of course, building an entirely new corner of Pandora requires some significant changes to Disney California Adventure.

Disney previously confirmed the Avatar expansion will be constructed in an area encompassing portions of the current Hollywood Backlot, with Monsters, Inc. Mike & Sulley to the Rescue! closing to make way for the project.

The project is part of a much larger period of expansion underway at Disneyland Resort, which also includes a new Coco attraction, an expansion of Avengers Campus, and major infrastructure improvements designed to support the resort’s future growth.

When Will Disneyland’s Avatar Land Open?

That’s still one of the biggest questions Disney hasn’t answered.

Disney has not announced an opening date for the new Avatar destination at Disney California Adventure.

What we do know is that the project is moving forward, and this new Imagineering model gives us a much more tangible look at what’s eventually going to replace part of the Hollywood Backlot.

Between the towering Pandoran landscapes, water-filled environments, and an entirely new attraction, Disneyland’s version of Pandora is shaping up to be very different from what Disney World fans already know.

And now that we’ve seen it in three dimensions, we’re even more curious to see this one come to life.

Keep checking back with Theme Park Scope for the latest Disneyland expansion news, Avatar construction updates, D23 announcements, new attractions, and everything coming to Disney Parks.