Disneyland Resort 2028: What’s New, Best Times to Visit & When to Book
Already thinking about a Disneyland Resort 2028 trip? Good news: unlike a lot of “next year” planning, 2028 actually has some big, confirmed reasons to get excited. I’ve been following Disneyland crowd patterns, park updates, and seasonal events since my first visit to the park as a young teen, and 2028 is shaping up to be the year that Disney California Adventure’s long construction phase finally starts paying off.
Of course, it’s still early. Disney hasn’t released 2028 hotel reservations, ticket prices, or event dates yet, and some projects are still years away. But between the confirmed openings, the holiday calendar, and a very unusual summer in Southern California (hello, Olympics!), there’s already plenty we can plan around.
This guide breaks down everything we know so far about Disneyland 2028… what’s new, what’s still under construction, when bookings are likely to open, when to go, when to avoid, and how to start planning now. I’ll keep updating it as Disney shares more, so bookmark it and check back!
*This post may contain affiliate links. Click here to read my full disclosure policy.
Is Disneyland Resort 2028 Worth It?
Short answer: Yes! In fact, 2028 may be one of the most exciting years to visit Disneyland Resort in a long time.
The big-picture pros are real. Disney has officially confirmed that the two new Avengers Campus attractions, Avengers Infinity Defense and Stark Flight Lab, will open in 2028. They’re the first major new rides to come out of the DisneylandForward expansion, and they’ll roughly double the size of Avengers Campus. The new Eastern Gateway parking and transportation hub is also expected to come online around 2028, which should make getting to the parks easier. And 2028 has some fun bonus moments on the calendar, including Mickey Mouse’s 100th birthday.
The cons? New Marvel attractions mean big crowds, especially in the first few months after they open. Construction isn’t done, either. Coco, the Tomorrowland reimagining, and the Avatar project are all still to come. And with the 2028 Summer Olympics taking place in Los Angeles (with volleyball being played just down the road in Anaheim), summer hotel prices and traffic in the area could be unusually intense.
2028 is perfect for you if: You have Marvel fans in the family, you want to be among the first to experience the expanded Avengers Campus, or you love planning far in advance.
You may want to reconsider if: Your heart is set on the Coco ride or a new Tomorrowland. Neither is expected to be ready in 2028. And if you’re crowd-averse, you may want to avoid both the first weeks after the Avengers attractions open and the Olympic window in July.
Can You Book a Disneyland 2028 Vacation Yet?
Not yet. As of right now (fall 2026), Disney hasn’t opened 2028 hotel reservations or vacation packages for the Disneyland Resort, and 2028 ticket prices haven’t been released.
Here’s what to expect based on past patterns. Disneyland opened 2027 hotel reservations and vacation packages on August 25, 2026, so I expect 2028 bookings to open around late summer 2027. One thing to know: when 2027 bookings opened, Disney only allowed reservations up to 499 days in advance, so the very end of the year wasn’t bookable right away. Expect something similar for 2028, with late 2028 dates becoming available a little later.
What you can do right now: Choose a general travel window, start a Disney savings fund, decide whether you want to stay at one of the three Disney hotels or a Good Neighbor hotel nearby, and sign up for alerts so you know the moment 2028 bookings open. If you’re planning a summer 2028 trip, I’d also start watching off-site hotel prices early because of the Olympics.
What’s Expected to Be New at Disneyland Resort in 2028
This is where 2028 gets really fun.
Avengers Campus Expansion: Avengers Infinity Defense & Stark Flight Lab
The headliner of 2028 is the expansion of Avengers Campus at Disney California Adventure, which Disney confirmed at D23 2026 will open in 2028. The expansion roughly doubles the size of the land and reconnects it with Cars Land. Disney hasn’t announced a specific opening date yet, but there are two brand-new attractions to look forward to:
- Avengers Infinity Defense is the headliner… a dynamic, screen-based attraction where guests are welcomed as new recruits with a pre-mission briefing from Ms. Marvel (voiced by Iman Vellani), then join a lineup of heroes from across the Marvel multiverse on a mission to reassemble the Avengers and battle King Thanos. Robert Downey Jr., Anthony Mackie, and Chris Hemsworth are all confirmed to reprise their roles.
- Stark Flight Lab is the companion attraction… a flat ride using two-person gyro-kinetic pods attached to robotic arms that simulate the sensation of being launched and thrown through the air as test subjects for Tony Stark’s latest technology, with appearances from Robert Downey Jr., Anthony Mackie, and Brie Larson.
Because Disney hasn’t announced an exact date, I wouldn’t book a trip around a specific month just yet. But if your family loves Marvel, 2028 is the year to go. Just expect long lines (and a strong need for Lightning Lane) when these first open.
The Eastern Gateway
The new Eastern Gateway parking and transportation hub, with approximately 6,000 parking spaces, dedicated shuttle and rideshare areas, and a pedestrian bridge over Harbor Boulevard, is expected to come online around 2028. It’s not the most exciting thing on this list, but if you drive or rideshare to the parks, it could make your arrival a lot smoother. It also matters for the future, because it frees up space for upcoming projects like the Avatar Destination.
The Coco Ride: Still Under Construction
Construction on Disneyland’s first-ever Coco attraction is underway between Pixar Pier and Paradise Gardens Park. At D23 2026, Disney shared that the boat ride will take guests into Miguel’s memories of the Land of the Dead, about a year after the events of the original film, and Imagineers have compared its scale to Pirates of the Caribbean and Haunted Mansion. Disney hasn’t announced an opening date, and since the Avengers attractions come first, most predictions currently point to around 2029. It’s possible it could arrive late in 2028, but I wouldn’t count on it.
A Reimagined Tomorrowland: Early Stages
At D23 2026, Disney announced that Tomorrowland at Disneyland Park will be reimagined, and that this project is moving ahead of the Avatar Destination. Details are still very limited, and no timeline has been announced. Current speculation suggests work could begin in phases after the Avengers attractions open, which means you could start seeing construction walls or ride closures in Tomorrowland during 2028. Keep an eye on this one if Tomorrowland favorites are on your must-do list.
Avatar Destination: Not Until the 2030s
The Avatar-themed land planned for the Hollywood Land area of Disney California Adventure has been pushed behind the Tomorrowland project. Most estimates now put the start of construction around 2029 or 2030, with an opening in the early 2030s. This one is not a factor for a 2028 trip.
What’s Carrying Over That You’ll Enjoy in 2028
By 2028, these will all be part of the Disneyland experience:
- Remember… Dreams Come True (Disneyland Park): the refreshed nighttime spectacular that returned in February 2027.
- World of Color (Disney California Adventure): the original version of the show, back since February 2027.
- Magic Happens (Disneyland Park): the daytime parade that returned in summer 2027. Disneyland’s parades do rotate, so double-check what’s running before your trip.
- Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge Timeline Expansion (Disneyland Park): with Darth Vader, Luke Skywalker, Han Solo, and Leia Organa on Batuu.
- Bluey’s Best Day Ever! (Disneyland Park): live entertainment for families with younger kids.
- Downtown Disney: the expanded lineup of dining and shopping options.
Disneyland Closures & Construction in 2028
This is the section you’ll want to check again before you book.
Monsters, Inc. Mike & Sulley to the Rescue! is still officially slated to close sometime in 2027 to eventually make way for the Avatar Destination. But since the Avatar project has now been pushed back behind the Tomorrowland reimagining, many Disney watchers believe the ride may stick around into 2028. Nothing is confirmed either way, so if this is a family favorite, check its status before your trip.
Tomorrowland may begin seeing construction or attraction closures in 2028 as the reimagining gets underway. Disney hasn’t shared any details on which attractions will be affected or when.
Coco construction will still be visible near Pixar Pier and Paradise Gardens Park throughout most (if not all) of 2028.
How to plan around it: Always check Disneyland’s refurbishment calendar within 30 days of your trip, and verify the status of your must-do attractions close to your travel date. The good news? The core Disneyland experience (Main Street, Fantasyland, Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, Cars Land, Pixar Pier, and more) should be largely unaffected.
Big Moments on the 2028 Calendar
The 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles
The Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games run July 14-30, 2028, followed by the Paralympic Games from August 15-27, 2028. Even better (or worse, depending on how you look at it), Olympic volleyball will be played at the Honda Center in Anaheim, just a few miles from the Disneyland Resort.
What does that mean for your trip? Honestly, nobody knows exactly how the parks will be affected. Some locals may avoid the area altogether, while plenty of Olympic visitors will likely add a Disneyland day to their trip. What’s much more predictable is that hotel prices, flights, and traffic across Southern California will be higher than normal during the Games. If your summer dates are flexible, I’d plan around the July 14-30 window. If you want to combine Disneyland with the Olympics, book everything as early as you possibly can.
Mickey Mouse Turns 100
November 18, 2028 marks 100 years since Mickey Mouse made his debut in Steamboat Willie. Disney hasn’t announced any celebration plans yet, but it’s hard to imagine Walt’s original park letting Mickey’s centennial pass quietly. Mickey’s birthday falls on the Saturday before Thanksgiving, which is already one of the busiest weeks of the year.
A Leap Year Bonus Day
2028 is a leap year, so February 29 falls on a Tuesday, right in one of the quieter stretches of the year. Not a bad bonus day to spend at Disneyland!
Key 2028 Holiday Dates That Will Affect Crowds
Even before Disney announces a single event, the calendar tells us a lot. Here are the dates I’m already watching:
- New Year’s Day: Saturday, January 1
- Martin Luther King Jr. Day: Monday, January 17
- Lunar New Year: Wednesday, January 26
- Presidents’ Day: Monday, February 21
- Easter: Sunday, April 16 (a late Easter!)
- Memorial Day: Monday, May 29
- Independence Day: Tuesday, July 4
- LA 2028 Olympics: July 14-30
- Labor Day: Monday, September 4
- Indigenous Peoples’ Day / Columbus Day: Monday, October 9
- Veterans Day: Saturday, November 11 (observed Friday, November 10)
- Mickey Mouse’s 100th Birthday: Saturday, November 18
- Thanksgiving: Thursday, November 23
- Christmas Day: Monday, December 25
The big takeaway: A late Easter means spring break crowds will be spread out over a longer stretch, from mid-March through late April. And with Christmas on a Monday and New Year’s Day 2029 also on a Monday, the holiday rush at the end of the year will stretch across two long weekends.
Disneyland Resort Events & Festivals in 2028
Disney hasn’t announced 2028 event dates yet, but Disneyland’s seasonal events follow a very reliable pattern from year to year.
Lunar New Year Celebration (Disney California Adventure)
Lunar New Year falls on January 26 in 2028, so expect Disney California Adventure’s celebration to run from approximately late January through mid-to-late February. The event celebrates Chinese, Korean, and Vietnamese cultures with themed food marketplaces, special character appearances (Mickey and Minnie in traditional cultural attire), lantern displays, and specialty merchandise.
Disney California Adventure Food & Wine Festival
Expect the DCA Food & Wine Festival to run from approximately early March through late April. Culinary marketplaces themed around California flavors, local beer and wine, Sip and Savor Passes, and culinary demonstrations make this one of the most underrated times to visit. With a late Easter in 2028, spring break crowds will overlap with the festival for most of its run, so weekdays are your best bet.
Halloween Time & Oogie Boogie Bash
Halloween at Disneyland Resort typically runs from mid-to-late August through October 31 (Halloween Time kicked off August 21 in 2026), with Haunted Mansion Holiday, Guardians of the Galaxy — Monsters After Dark, and festive food and décor across both parks.
Oogie Boogie Bash — A Disney Halloween Party is the separately ticketed after-hours party at Disney California Adventure, running on select nights from mid-August through October 31. Tickets usually go on sale in late spring or early summer and sell out quickly. Halloween falls on a Tuesday in 2028.
Holidays at the Disneyland Resort
The holiday season at Disneyland typically runs from mid-November through early January and is included with regular park admission. Highlights include Haunted Mansion Holiday, it’s a small world Holiday, A Christmas Fantasy Parade, and holiday treats throughout both parks. If Disney celebrates Mickey’s 100th birthday in November, late 2028 could be an extra-special time to visit.
Month-by-Month Guide to Disneyland Resort in 2028
January
Crowds: Busy for the first couple of days as New Year’s (Saturday, January 1) crowds head home, then dropping significantly. MLK weekend (January 15-17) brings a short bump. Mid-to-late January is one of the quietest stretches of the year.
Weather: Mild and pleasant for Southern California. Highs in the low-to-mid 60s°F, with cooler evenings.
Events: Lunar New Year Celebration expected to begin in late January at Disney California Adventure.
February
Crowds: Generally low, with Presidents’ Day weekend (February 19-21) and the following week being the notable exception.
Weather: Mild, dry, and comfortable. Highs in the mid-60s.
Events: Lunar New Year Celebration continues through mid-to-late February. Leap Day falls on Tuesday, February 29.
March
Crowds: Building through the month. Because Easter is so late in 2028 (April 16), spring breaks will be spread out across March and April. Expect busier crowds starting mid-March, especially on weekends.
Weather: Warming up nicely. Highs in the upper 60s to low 70s°F.
Events: DCA Food & Wine Festival expected to begin in early March.
April
Crowds: High in the first half of the month. The two weeks surrounding Easter (roughly April 8-23) will be among the busiest of the spring, since many California school districts schedule spring break around Easter. Crowds should ease in the last week of April.
Weather: Beautiful. Highs in the low-to-mid 70s and sunny.
Events: DCA Food & Wine Festival continues through late April.
May
Crowds: Low to moderate on weekdays. With spring breaks wrapped up by the end of April, May is one of the most underrated months of 2028. Memorial Day weekend (May 27-29) is the exception.
Weather: Warm and bright. Highs in the mid-to-upper 70s. May Gray (coastal overcast mornings) typically burns off by midday.
Events: No major ticketed events. Parks in their standard daily mode.
June
Crowds: Summer season begins. Crowds build, particularly on weekends and once schools let out in mid-June.
Weather: Warm and sunny. Highs in the upper 70s to low 80s°F. June Gloom is common early in the month but burns off.
Events: No major ticketed events announced yet.
July
Crowds: High, with a big wild card this year. Independence Day falls on a Tuesday, so expect a four-day weekend (July 1-4) for many families. Then the Los Angeles Olympics run July 14-30, with volleyball at Anaheim’s Honda Center. Park crowds could go either way, but hotels, flights, and freeways around Southern California will be busier and pricier than usual.
Weather: Hot and sunny. Highs in the low-to-mid 80s°F in Anaheim, though significantly hotter during heat waves.
Events: Fourth of July fireworks and standard summer programming.
August
Crowds: High early in the month, beginning to ease in the second half as schools return. The Paralympic Games (August 15-27) may keep area hotels busier than a typical August.
Weather: The hottest month of the year in Anaheim. Highs regularly in the mid-to-upper 80s, with heat waves occasionally pushing into the 90s.
Events: Halloween Time expected to begin mid-to-late August. Oogie Boogie Bash expected to begin on select nights around mid-August.
September
Crowds: Low to moderate. After Labor Day (September 4), crowds drop sharply.
Weather: Warm and dry. Highs in the low-to-mid 80s early in the month, cooling into the upper 70s by late September.
Events: Halloween Time in full swing at both parks. Oogie Boogie Bash on select nights.
October
Crowds: Elevated, particularly on weekends. Indigenous Peoples’ Day weekend (October 7-9) creates a long-weekend bump, and the final weeks of Oogie Boogie Bash are especially popular.
Weather: Excellent. Highs in the mid-to-upper 70s, dropping toward the low 70s by late October.
Events: Halloween Time and Oogie Boogie Bash both run through October 31 (a Tuesday this year).
November
Crowds: Early November is quiet and excellent. Veterans Day weekend (November 10-12) brings a bump. Then Mickey’s 100th birthday (Saturday, November 18) leads right into Thanksgiving week (November 23), so the stretch from about November 18-26 could be one of the busiest of the year.
Weather: Beautiful. Highs in the low-to-mid 70s, dropping toward the upper 60s by month’s end.
Events: Holidays at the Disneyland Resort expected to begin mid-November. Possible Mickey 100th birthday celebrations (not yet announced).
December
Crowds: Escalating throughout the month. With Christmas on a Monday and New Year’s Day 2029 also on a Monday, expect peak crowds from about December 22 through January 1.
Weather: Mild and lovely through mid-December. Highs in the mid-60s, cool evenings.
Events: Holidays at the Disneyland Resort in full swing through early January.
Best and Worst Times to Visit Disneyland Resort in 2028
Wondering when to actually book your trip? Here’s the quick version, broken down by what matters most.
Best for low crowds: Mid-to-late January, early-to-mid February (before Presidents’ Day), and post-Labor Day September.
Best for weather: February, late April, May, September, and October.
Best for saving money: Weekdays in January, February, and September, when Disneyland’s lower ticket pricing tiers are most common.
Best overall balance: Early-to-mid May (thanks to the late Easter wrapping up spring break) and early-to-mid February.
Worst times to visit: Christmas through New Year’s, Thanksgiving week (especially with Mickey’s 100th birthday right before it), the two weeks surrounding Easter (roughly April 8-23), and, if you’re worried about hotel prices and traffic, the Olympic window from July 14-30.
Tips for Planning Your Disneyland Resort 2028 Trip
Pick a flexible window now, then lock in dates later. With 2028 hotel reservations not expected until around late summer 2027, now is the perfect time to choose a general time of year and start saving.
Be ready the day bookings open. Disney’s three on-site hotels (the Grand Californian Hotel & Spa, the Disneyland Hotel, and Pixar Place Hotel) can fill up quickly for popular dates. On-site guests currently receive one Lightning Lane Multi Pass entry during their stay, and the Grand Californian offers direct access to Disney California Adventure.
Plan your Lightning Lane strategy around Avengers Campus. Avengers Infinity Defense and Stark Flight Lab will have big lines when they open. If they’re a priority, plan to use Lightning Lane on at least one of them, and try to rope drop the other.
Don’t build your whole trip around an unannounced date. Disney has confirmed 2028 for the Avengers attractions, but not a specific date. If riding them is the main reason for your trip, wait until Disney announces the opening date before committing to non-refundable plans.
Think carefully about summer. If you’re visiting in July or August, factor in the Olympics and Paralympics. Book hotels early, budget for higher prices, and allow extra time for traffic.
Start saving now. Disneyland’s 2028 ticket prices haven’t been released, but prices have gone up nearly every year, so plan for that. Multi-day tickets offer much better per-day value, and you can save a bit by buying from reputable sellers like Undercover Tourist or Get Away Today.
For Oogie Boogie Bash, book immediately when dates open. Tickets typically go on sale in late spring or early summer, and popular dates sell out fast.
Ride Mike & Sulley while you can. If Monsters, Inc. Mike & Sulley to the Rescue! is still open during your 2028 visit, don’t skip it. Its days are numbered.
Final Verdict: Should You Visit Disneyland Resort in 2028?
Yes, absolutely if… you’re excited about the biggest new additions Disney California Adventure has seen in years. With Avengers Infinity Defense and Stark Flight Lab confirmed for 2028, the Eastern Gateway expected to make arrival easier, and the always-wonderful seasonal events from Lunar New Year to Oogie Boogie Bash to the holidays, 2028 is shaping up to be a fantastic year to visit.
Maybe wait if… you’re holding out for the Coco ride, a reimagined Tomorrowland, or the Avatar Destination. Those are still a few years away.
The bottom line: It’s never too early to start dreaming, and a Disneyland Resort 2028 vacation looks like it will be well worth the wait. Pick your window, start saving, and keep checking back. I’ll update this guide as soon as Disney shares new details.
Planning a trip sooner? Check out my complete Disneyland Resort 2027 guide!
