Disney unveiled major plans for its theme parks during a packed D23 presentation at the Honda Center in Anaheim, California. The announcements included new Marvel attractions, a long-awaited Tomorrowland transformation and fresh details about an Indiana Jones adventure featuring Harrison Ford.
Avengers Campus Will Add Two New Attractions in 2028
Disney’s California Adventure will expand Avengers Campus with two attractions scheduled to open in 2028: Avengers: Infinity Defense and Stark Flight Lab.
The projects will feature several actors returning to their roles from the Marvel Cinematic Universe, bringing familiar characters into the park’s next generation of superhero experiences.
Marvel Stars Join Avengers: Infinity Defense
In Avengers: Infinity Defense, Iman Vellani will reprise her role as Ms. Marvel. Her character will explain how guests must travel around the world to assemble the Avengers and defeat King Thanos.
The attraction’s cast will also include Jeremy Renner as Hawkeye, Anthony Mackie as Captain America, Chris Hemsworth as Thor and Robert Downey Jr. as Iron Man.
The storyline appears to operate outside the strict continuity of the Marvel films, allowing Disney’s Imagineers to bring together characters from across the franchise.
Robert Downey Jr. Returns for Stark Flight Lab
Downey will also appear in Stark Flight Lab, alongside Mackie and Brie Larson as Captain Marvel.
The attraction is expected to place guests inside a high-tech testing facility inspired by Tony Stark’s inventions. Disney has not yet released complete operational details, but the concept suggests an interactive experience built around advanced flight technology.
Disney also previewed additional Marvel attractions planned for its international resorts, including Hong Kong Disneyland and Shanghai Disney Resort.
Disneyland Plans a Major Tomorrowland Transformation
Disney confirmed that a substantial transformation is coming to Tomorrowland at Disneyland in Anaheim, although the company did not announce a construction schedule or provide detailed concept art.
According to Disney, the project will “honor the legacy of the original land while reimagining its future. Disneyland Resort will strive to preserve what guests cherish most, while also introducing new experiences and possibilities for the next generation of fans.”
Tomorrowland has received smaller modifications over the years, but it has not undergone a comprehensive redesign in some time. The announcement immediately raised questions about the future of major attractions and facilities, including Space Mountain and the former Star Wars Launch Bay area.
Disney has announced updates to versions of Space Mountain at other international parks, but it has not confirmed whether the Disneyland attraction will receive similar changes.
No completion date was provided. However, Disneyland will celebrate its 75th anniversary in 2030, making that milestone a possible target for at least part of the transformation.
Harrison Ford Will Inspire a New Indiana Jones Animatronic
Disney also shared new information about the Indiana Jones attraction under development at Disney’s Animal Kingdom in Orlando, Florida.
The ride will be called Indiana Jones and the Myth of the Jade Serpent. It will take guests beneath a Maya temple on a dangerous expedition involving a massive jade serpent.
In one of the presentation’s most notable announcements, Disney confirmed that Harrison Ford will serve as the visual model for the attraction’s Indiana Jones animatronic. It will mark the first time a Disney Parks animatronic of the character has been modeled directly after Ford.
The attraction is part of Disney’s broader redevelopment plans for Animal Kingdom, bringing another well-known adventure franchise to the Florida resort while maintaining the park’s focus on exploration and discovery.
Disney Parks Prepare for Their Next Era
The D23 announcements demonstrate Disney’s effort to update its parks with recognizable characters, new technology and expanded storytelling. Although several details and construction timelines remain undisclosed, the Avengers Campus expansion, Tomorrowland overhaul and Indiana Jones attraction represent significant investments in the company’s U.S. theme parks.
Charles Dickens is a contributor to Highlands Today, covering news, politics, business, technology, sport, entertainment, and lifestyle. He focuses on clear, accurate reporting and useful information that helps readers stay informed about current affairs and developments affecting their communities. His work highlights relevant stories, emerging trends, and important issues, presenting them in a balanced, accessible, and reader-friendly manner.
