Summer has arrived, and Disneyland keeps rolling out its year-long 70th anniversary events honoring the original Disney theme park that debuted back in 1955. Three fresh rides are under construction at the California Disney Parks along with an expansive new Avatar zone.

Meanwhile at Walt Disney World in Florida, four brand-new lands are taking shape, drawing from villains, Pixar stories and additional themes, with CNET securing an exclusive behind-the-scenes preview of several upcoming zones.

Here is the complete guide to Disneyland and Disney World, beginning with this summer's offerings before moving into plans for 2026 and later.

Watch this: Imagineers Share Secrets of Disney's New Ride Technology

09:28

Rock 'n' Roller Coaster starring The Muppets is now open

After MuppetVision 3D shut down last year to clear space for a full Monsters Pixar land at Hollywood Studios, the Muppets have relocated to the Rock 'n' Roller Coaster. The transformation wrapped quickly, with the Aerosmith version ending operations on March 1 and the Muppets edition launching Tuesday, May 26.

"The legendary ride roars back to life with a rock-charged remix that drops guests straight into the middle of The Electric Mayhem's biggest night yet. With high-speed thrills, a pulse-pounding soundtrack, and a VIP list like no other, this reimagined attraction hits all the right notes," the Disney Parks Blog shared on April 16.

CNET's Bridget Carey toured the updated technology that refreshed the Rock n Roller Coaster and animated the Muppets figures.

In place of the former Muppets section at Hollywood Studios, Monstropolis, drawn from the Monsters, Inc. films, shorts and Disney Plus series, will introduce Disney's first suspended roller coaster inside the laugh and scream factory.

"The first time I saw Monsters, Inc., all I wanted to do was ride on one of those doors like Mike and Sulley," Disney Experiences Chair Josh D'Amaro noted at D23 in 2024. "Remember in the movie how those claws grab the doors and hoist them up into the air to take them away? We're doing that too. And you're going along for the ride." This video shows the design concept for the Monsters Inc. ride.

MuppetVision 3D closed for good a year ago on June 8, 2025, though Monstropolis is not expected to open for another year or two. Bridget also toured the Monsters area while it was under construction, and her full video on the new land is available below.

Watch this: I Went Inside Disney's Monsters Land Under Construction. Here's What I Learned

01:25

Disneyland's 70th anniversary

Disneyland continues marking its 70th anniversary, which began in May 2025, throughout much of the summer. The final day falls on Aug. 9, 2026, after which the parks shift to Halloween themes on Aug. 21, then holiday decor on Nov. 18, before returning to standard presentation in early 2027.

Multiple 70th anniversary presentations are running, such as the Paint the Night parade, Celebrate Happy Cavalcade and the Wondrous Journeys fireworks and projection show on the castle. Mickey and friends appear in special 70th celebration attire.

Guests can also find 70th anniversary merchandise, food and drink options, a projection show at Carthay Circle and a 50-foot sculpture of Sleeping Beauty Castle on the esplanade between Disneyland and California Adventure, plus decorations across Downtown Disney, Main Street USA, Disney hotels and inside attractions.

Soarin' Across America, coast to coast

At Disney's California Adventure and Disney World's Epcot, the Soarin' Around the World ride receives a United States-themed update. Soarin' Across America arrives July 2, 2026, showcasing scenes, sounds and scents from more than a dozen urban and scenic locations.

Disney released a trailer featuring Patrick Warburton, the original Soarin' narrator and pilot, in which he promises guests will "sail across spacious skies" and may glimpse "amber waves of grain" and "purple mountain majesties." The change forms part of Disney's salute to America's 250th anniversary.

Juneteenth at Disneyland

On June 19, Downtown Disney hosts Disney on the Yard Presents Yardfest: Part of Celebrate Soulfully, honoring HBCUs with performances by drum majors.

This Juneteenth event launches the Celebrate Soulfully: Summer Vibes series running June 19 to July 19 to spotlight Black music, food, art and culture. Concerts take place on select days at Paradise Gardens in California Adventure, along with special character encounters and live variety acts on Fridays and Saturdays, according to Disney.

Bluey has arrived at Disneyland

Bluey and her family now present a stage show and themed zone at the original Disney park. Opening in March, Bluey's Best Day Ever sits at the Fantasyland Theatre beside Mickey's Toontown, reimagined as Bluey's school classroom and grounds complete with a gnome village and fairy garden.

Bluey and her sister Bingo appear multiple times daily alongside actors and musicians to recreate popular music and games from favorite Bluey episodes. Those games feature keepy uppy and the grannies, plus visits from Chattermax and Unicorse.

Puzzles, games and photo opportunities fill the Bluey area, and Disneyland offers Bluey-themed foods at Troubadour Tavern.

The popular Australian cartoon about a dog family has become a global success, and Disney plans a Bluey movie for 2027. Episodes and minisodes remain available on Disney Plus.

Star Wars Galaxy's Edge: Old characters, new Mandalorian missions

New figures have started appearing in the Star Wars lands at Disneyland as the area broadens its timeline to include Luke Skywalker, Leia Organa and Han Solo. The classic trio reached Batuu on April 29 and now interact with visitors and fellow characters.

To blend them with the modern Star Wars setting, new props, merchandise, graphics and music using the classic John Williams score have been added throughout Galaxy's Edge.

"Black Spire Outpost will roll back in time several decades, thoughtfully introducing beloved characters from across the Star Wars timeline," the Disney Parks Blog announced in April. "Each era will be brought to life with the same care and attention to detail that the land was originally designed with, masterfully weaving together stories from across time and space in one location."

Darth Vader has joined the lineup, while Ahsoka Tano, The Mandalorian, Grogu, Rey, Chewbacca and R2-D2 remain visible.

In Tomorrowland, Space Mountain has become Hyperspace Mountain for a limited run.

Disneyland and Hollywood Studios at Disney World have also introduced Mandalorian and Grogu missions to the Millennium Falcon: Smuggler's Run attraction in Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge, coinciding with the theatrical release of The Mandalorian and Grogu. The new missions began May 22.

Discounted summer Disney tickets

Disneyland offers a Kids' Summer Ticket deal, with a one-day Park Hopper ticket priced at $50 per child ages 3 through 9. It remains valid through Sept. 7.

Disneyland is also updating a Magic Key option: the Explore Key replaces the Enchant Key. All California residents can now purchase it, not only those in Southern California. It grants weekday access in June and July, periods previously blocked for Enchant Key holders. The Explore Key costs $999 with a $99 down payment and 0% APR financing over 12 months. Disney noted its full value can be realized in just four park visits thanks to Park Hopper admission, 25% off parking, Lightning Lane Multi-Passes and 10% off merchandise and dining.

For what Disney World calls Cool Kids' Summer, the resort provides two free nights and two free theme park days when purchasing a four-night, four-day Disney hotel and ticket package for stays from May 26 through Sept. 15. Savings of up to 30% are also available on select Disney hotels between May 1 and Oct. 4.

Additional Cool Kids' Summer perks include a free day at a Disney World water park (Typhoon Lagoon or Blizzard Beach) on check-in day for Disney hotel guests from May 26 to Sept. 8, plus a free dining plan for kids ages 3-9 when an adult dining package and Disney hotel room are purchased.

Apple has announced that with the arrival of iOS 27 later this year, users will be able to store Disney World tickets, reservations and events directly in Apple Wallet on iPhone.

California Adventure celebrates 25 years

The second Disney theme park in Anaheim marked 25 years on Feb. 8, 2001. While the park's appearance has evolved, California Adventure is marking the milestone by returning the Soarin' attraction to Soarin' Over California until July 1, outfitting Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse on Buena Vista Street with new sun-motif costumes, and offering anniversary-themed food, merchandise and drinks.

Disneyland expansion: Avatar area begins construction

Disneyland is finally expanding after plans were first revealed nearly five years ago. The project is expected to require a couple of years and will extend the park past Downtown Disney into nearby parking areas. It will also alter part of the current Hollywood Backlot zone, resulting in the permanent closure of the Monsters Inc. attraction in 2027.

The centerpiece of the expansion is a new Avatar-themed land based on the second film The Way of Water as well as Avatar: Fire and Ash. It will feature a dark boat ride similar to Pirates of the Caribbean that carries guests across the open seas of Pandora.

The development follows the success of the Pandora area, drawn from the original Avatar film, at Disney World's Animal Kingdom. Disney has not yet released dates or further details on completion.

Arriving ahead of the Avatar land is a new esplanade entry experience replacing the current east-side walkway at Disneyland, plus a new parking structure and pedestrian bridge over Harbor Boulevard. Construction on these elements starts in the fall.

A Coco ride is coming to California Adventure

Although it will not open this year, construction has started backstage at California Adventure on a new dark ride themed to the beloved Pixar film Coco and featuring audio-animatronics.

The Coco ride will be situated near Pixar Pier and Paradise Gardens in what is currently primarily backstage space. It will include characters and music from the movie as guests travel through the land of the dead alongside Miguel.

Two more Avengers Campus rides

Avengers Campus already features two attractions: Spider-Man Web Slingers and Guardians of the Galaxy. Disney will soon double that number by adding two new Marvel rides at California Adventure.

"We're doubling the size of the land with two new attractions," a structural engineer explained in a video posted to Walt Disney Imagineering's Instagram account on Feb. 26. The engineer displayed the current state of the Avengers Infinity Defense structure, highlighting its columns, foundations and a catwalk that will support projectors, speakers and other show elements.

Avengers Infinity Defense places guests alongside the Avengers battling King Thanos in a multiverse setting that includes appearances by Black Panther, Ant-Man and Hulk.

Stark Flight Lab, the second attraction, lets guests help test Tony Stark's latest technology.

"In Stark Flight Lab, guests will sit in 'gyro-kinetic pods' and roll along a track before stopping in front of a giant robot arm," Disney stated. "This robot arm will hoist you into the air where you'll make several high-speed maneuvers inspired by Iron Man and some other Avengers."