For many Disney fans, the magic isn’t just about the rides — it’s about the memories. And few experiences in the world tap into nostalgia the way a visit to a Disney theme park does.
The Walt Disney Company has managed to keep this mojo going for generations. The company has also figured out how to make fans mourn attractions that close down, but also feel excited to return to see whatever is next.
It’s a pretty good trick.
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Even some of the more recent additions to Disney California Adventure — like Monsters, Inc. Mike & Sulley to the Rescue!, the family-friendly dark ride tucked into Hollywood Land — are now familiar to at least two generations of park visitors.
The “Monsters, Inc.” movie came out in 2001 and the ride, which reimagines the plot of the movie, opened in 2006.
The ride is a whimsical and not-at-all-scary journey through Monstropolis, and for almost two decades, it has given kids and adults a chance to relive the joy of Mike, Sulley, Roz, and Boo’s adventures.
But beyond the humor and hijinks, the ride represented a simpler time in the park’s evolution.
It also led the way for the billion-dollar film franchises and immersive, tech-heavy lands that now dominate Disney’s development plans.
And while the attraction didn’t have visitors lining up the way they do for Radiator Springs Racers or Guardians of the Galaxy – Mission: BREAKOUT!, it held its own as a fan favorite and a reliable escape from summer heat.
Now, the closet door is closing on Mike & Sulley.
Mike and Sulley are two beloved characters from the Pixar movie “Monsters, Inc.” The attraction starring them will close at Disney California Adventure in Anaheim.
Image source: David Livingston/Getty Images
‘Monsters, Inc.’-inspired ride will be replaced by an ‘Avatar’ experience
The Walt Disney Company confirmed that Monsters, Inc. Mike & Sulley to the Rescue! will permanently close in early 2026, as reported in the Los Angeles Times.
The ride’s closure is part of a broader transformation of the Hollywood Land section of Disney California Adventure, which will make way for a brand-new land inspired by James Cameron’s “Avatar” universe.
This new “Avatar” experience will take inspiration not from the floating mountains of Pandora seen in Walt Disney World’s Animal Kingdom, but from the oceans of “Avatar: The Way of Water,” the most recent film in the multi-billion-dollar franchise.
Related: Here’s one of the few ways to get a Disney World ticket discount
The decision to bring “Avatar” to Anaheim is part of Disney’s ongoing strategy to update older parts of its parks and invest in major IP-based attractions that drive foot traffic and merchandising.
“Disney Experiences is embarking on an accelerated path of ambitious growth and innovation,” Disney Experiences Chairman Josh D’Amaro said at last year’s D23, the Disney fan convention. “With so many great Disney stories to tell, we’re excited to bring an unprecedented number of new projects to life in the near future.”
While Disney hasn’t released many details on what the new attraction will include, artist renderings suggest bioluminescent landscapes, water features, and likely some kind of next-gen ride experience.
Although this news is bittersweet for fans of Mike, Sulley and all the other “Monsters, Inc.” characters, the pivot to “Avatar” represents a significant investment in Disney California Adventure, a park that has often played second fiddle to its next-door neighbor: Disneyland.
What’s next for Disney California Adventure
The closure of the Mike & Sulley attraction signals a broader revitalization effort for Hollywood Land, one of Disney California Adventure’s least cohesive areas. Originally intended as a tribute to classic Hollywood, the land has struggled to find its identity.
With Disney doubling down on immersive worlds rooted in blockbuster franchises, an “Avatar” theme attraction is a logical fit. The franchise has grossed over $5 billion globally and continues to expand, with new sequels already in the works.
Related: Disney World adds an adults-only after-dark experience
The move is part of Disney’s plan to invest billions into its domestic and international parks over the next decade.
CEO Bob Iger has said that Disney will be “turbocharging” its theme park offerings, pointing to untapped potential in franchises like “Avatar,” “Frozen,” “Coco,” and “Zootopia.”
For California Adventure, which has successfully introduced hits like Cars Land and the Avengers Campus in recent years, the addition of Pandora could be a game-changer— in terms of both visitor traffic and thematic cohesion.
As Disney continues to reshape its parks to reflect the scale and ambition of its media empire, guests should expect more updates, closures, and dramatic reimaginings ahead.
Still, for longtime fans, it’s worth taking one more ride with Mike and Sulley before they clock out for good.
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