©Disney

Avengers Campus ©Disney

Avengers Campus

Construction

Avengers Infinity Defense ©Disney

We can’t wait

©Disney

Avengers Infinity Defense

Stark Flight Lab

©Disney

©Disney

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WE KNOW DISNEY.
YOU CAN, TOO.

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Oh boy, planning a Disney trip can be quite the adventure, and we totally get it! But fear not, dear friends, we compiled EVERYTHING you need (and the things to avoid!) to plan the ULTIMATE Disney vacation.

Whether you're a rookie or a seasoned pro, our insider tips and tricks will have you exploring the parks like never before. So come along with us, and get planning your most magical vacation ever!

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Filled with action, adventure, and an all-star lineup of iconic Super Heroes and villains, Disney Parks are home to legendary stories of endless courage and heroism. And while we all have our fair share of favorite well-known characters, that heroism can often be found in some truly unexpected places.

In an unlikely, surprise cameo straight out of a post-credits scene, Disney superfan John Stamos took over temporary hosting duties from Neil Patrick Harris, stepping onto the Horizons stage at D23: The Ultimate Fan Event presented by Visa to chat about new updates for Avengers Campus at Disney California Adventure park.

Stamos was joined by Walt Disney Imagineer Brent Strong and President of Marvel Studios and Chief Creative Officer of Marvel, Kevin Feige, discussing updates on the growing lineup of Avengers-themed experiences across Disney parks.

Protectors of Wakanda, wielders of Mjolnir, and those with the gamma-fueled strength of The Incredible Hulk, read on. As discussed at D23, learn more about new details for Avengers Infinity Defense and Stark Flight Lab at California Adventure, as well as new updates for Super Hero projects in development at Hong Kong Disneyland Resort and Shanghai Disney Resort.

Right now, Avengers Campus at the Disneyland Resort is in the midst of a major expansion that will double the size of the land, with construction in progress for two new attractions announced at D23 2024: Avengers Infinity Defense and Stark Flight Lab. Tonight, we shared that the land will soon reconnect with Cars Land.

We also announced that both of the new attractions will open in 2028!

New details on the storyline, ride experience, and featured heroes were announced for Avengers Infinity Defense.

When the new attraction officially debuts at California Adventure, you’ll be welcomed to Avengers Infinity Defense as new recruits, where your journey begins with a pre-mission briefing from Ms. Marvel, played by Iman Vellani.

Here, you’ll get your key mission: reassemble the Avengers to battle King Thanos, preventing the mad titan from wreaking havoc everywhere.

Some of your favorite on-screen heroes are reprising their roles for this attraction, including:

Once on board, you will be surrounded by massive physical sets blending seamlessly with huge media scenes, putting you into the middle of the action as you feel like you’re hurtling across many worlds. “The fun part about Avengers Infinity Defense is how we get to use every single trick in the Imagineering book – and inventing some new ones – to create this attraction.” You’ll travel to iconic locations like Asgard, Wakanda, and New York City, next to heroes you’ve come to know and love, while (spoiler alert!) coming face to face with King Thanos himself.

As previously shared at SXSW 2025: On this new attraction inside Avengers Campus, you’ll sit in two-person “gyro-kinetic pods” and roll along a track before stopping in front of a giant robot arm, essentially feeling what it’s like to train like a flying Avenger. Making several high-speed maneuvers inspired by Iron Man and more, you’ll be deployed to a test station, whirling around in a simulated flight that will have you eager to take a spin again and again.

This new Avengers pavilion under construction will soon be the home to Avengers Research Testing Labs at Hong Kong Disneyland Resort, and you’ll be able to step into a tower experience unlike any story you’ve seen before.

Here, Stark Industries and other brilliants minds like Peter Parker (a.k.a Spider-Man) work at Avengers Research Testing Labs. However, whenever you have powerful new tech, you’re bound to draw the interest of some evil forces, which is exactly where this adventure really starts to take off.

Using 120+ feet of storytelling tech, you’ll travel across realms like Wakanda, Asgard, and more, caught in the middle of the action alongside Spider-Man and your other favorite Super Heroes.

Nearby, a brand-new Quinjet landing platform will also be a great place to encounter heroes throughout your visit. Construction is well underway and once it goes vertical, it will truly make a statement on the towering skyline of Tomorrowland and beyond in Hong Kong.

Over at Shanghai Disney Resort, a new Spider-Man-themed land and thrill attraction is coming soon.

This will be the first land anywhere in the world dedicated exclusively to Spider-Man, home to the new Shanghai division of the Worldwide Engineering Brigade (W.E.B. for short, of course).

Inside the new land, Peter Parker and his friends have created a new set of Spider-Bots to help assemble their experiments and help them build their brand-new coaster.

In the spirit of W.E.B., Disney Imagineers are is collaborating with local artists to create more than 20 murals throughout the new land, celebrating all things science, Spidey, and the Avengers. If you’re in attendance at D23 this year, you may be able to even see a sneak preview of their work on display at the Imagineering Pavillion at the Anaheim Convention Center!

The final piece of the track for the attraction has now been installed – what could possibly go wrong with all these Spider-Bots around?

New look at Avengers Campus expansion!

New look at Avengers Campus expansion!

Infinity Defense!

Stark Flight Lab

Ride Vehicle!

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What do you think of this expansion so far? Let us know in the comments!

Disclosure: In nearly all circumstances, Disney Food Blog writers and photographers pay full price for their own travel, hotel, food, beverage, and event tickets. We do this because it’s important to us as journalists to ensure not only that we give you unbiased opinions, but also that you can trust us to do so since we’re paying our own way. On rare occasions, when we are invited by a company to attend a preview as media, and when we choose to accept that invitation, we will always make you, our readers, aware of that situation. Today, we were invited by Disney to attend their media preview of the Imagineering: Horizons Pavilion at D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event. Note that when we attend events as media we are 1) Not required to review that event/food on any of our channels, and 2) Not required to review that event/food favorably. You can always count on DFB to give you a 100% unbiased and honest review of any event that we attend, food that we eat, or beverage that we drink. You can see more in our Disclosure Policy. Thank you for reading. — AJ

Holiday Characters at Disneyland Resort

• At Disneyland park, Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, and their pals are debuting new holiday looks that put a festive spin on their 70th Celebration attire.
• Disney California Adventure park character entertainment includes ‘Mickey’s Happy Holidays,’ ‘The Story Time with Deadpool Holiday Special,’ and more.
• Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa and Disneyland Hotel are hosting holiday character dining.

Disneyland Resort is absolutely enchanting during the holiday season. The entire resort is adorned in twinkling lights and countless ornaments. Plus, characters at both theme parks and the Hotels of the Disneyland Resort don their festive finest for this joyous time of year.

If you’re excited to take holiday photos with characters or spot them in a seasonal show, here are some highlights to check out while visiting Holidays at the Disneyland Resort and Disney Festival of Holidays at Disney California Adventure park.

The fun begins November 14, 2025, and continues through January 7, 2026!

Direct from the North Pole, Santa Claus himself makes stops around Disneyland Resort for photo opportunities and to hear families’ holiday wishes. Say ho-ho-hello to St. Nick through December 24, 2025.

Redwood Creek Challenge Trail at California Adventure transforms into a jolly playground with games, festive activities, and a fun search for brightly colored presents along the trail.

From November 27 through December 24, Santa adds the Disneyland Hotel, Pixar Place Hotel and Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa to his route around the resort.

At California Adventure, some characters sport Santa hats, dress up in classic holiday outfits, or add festive accessories. These photo ops and sightings are unique to Holidays at the Disneyland Resort.

On Buena Vista Street, you may find classic Disney characters dressed in retro-inspired wintry wear. Their outfits complement the nostalgic décor on the park’s 50-foot-tall Christmas tree.

In Cars Land, Mater gets into the spirit by sporting a giant Santa hat. You “auto” stop by to see for yourself!

Holiday Characters on Buena Vista Street

• Mickey Mouse
• Minnie Mouse
• Goofy
• Donald Duck
• Daisy Duck
• Pluto
• Clarabelle Cow

Holiday Characters at Grizzly Peak

• Carl
• Russell
• Dug

After making his Disneyland Resort debut last year, Deadpool is back for more holiday hilarity and super special seasonal stories. You can see him during “The Story Time with Deadpool Holiday Special” near Avengers Campus.

This limited-time entertainment offering celebrates the season in the way only Deadpool can. At select performances, Wolverine may also stop by.

Culinary creations, cultural entertainment and, of course, many Disney characters can be found throughout California Adventure during the vibrant Disney Festival of Holidays, November 14, 2025, through January 7, 2026.

Groove along to magically merry rhythms of the Holiday Toy Drummers as they travel along the streets of California Adventure. You’ll also spot Disney friends and Pixar pals during this daily, high-energy holiday procession.

Featured Characters May Include:

• Mickey Mouse
• Minnie Mouse
• Joy
• Mr. & Mrs. Incredible
• Frozone
• Woody
• Jessie
• Bo Peep

The greatest holiday gifts are the memories created with people we love. On select days, Mirabel and her friends gather at Paradise Gardens Park for their own Fiesta de Navidad celebration.

During this whimsical returning street performance, sing along to “Surface Pressure,” “We Don’t Talk About Bruno,” and other catchy tunes from Walt Disney Animation Studios’ Encanto.

Also on select days, you may encounter Miguel from Pixar Animation Studios’ Coco at Carthay Circle as he joins Mariachi Alegría de Disneyland for heartfelt stories and holiday songs.

“A Musical Christmas with Mariachi Alegría de Disneyland & Miguel!” is an evening street performance with beautiful, bilingual renditions of holiday songs.

The daily cultural celebration at Paradise Gardens Park features live music, specialty dishes, and character appearances inspired by Latin American traditions – with a touch of Disney flair.

Meet Mirabel at the Paradise Gardens gazebo. On select days, other members of the Madrigal family may make appearances as well.

Sing, samba and shout “ay caramba!” On Saturdays and Sundays, The Three Caballeros – Jose Carioca, Panchito, and Donald Duck – are joined by folklorico dancers, mariachis, Brazilian samba dancers, and more during the “Disney ¡Viva Navidad! Street Party.”

Disney characters are dressed for the occasion at Disneyland park! When making stops at Main Street, U.S.A., Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, and their pals are wearing newly designed, festive outfits that put a “holiday spin” on their looks from the 70^th Celebration.

In New Orleans Square, Santa Jack and Sally are sharing season’s screamings at the Royal Courtyard through December 24.

A treasured tradition, “A Christmas Fantasy Parade” celebrates its 30^th anniversary in 2025. It features many Disney characters and a procession of prancing reindeer, marching toy soldiers, and dancing gingerbread cookies.

Characters in the Parade May Include:

• Buzz Lightyear and Woody
• Green Army Men and Jessie
• Anna, Elsa, and Olaf
• Max Goof
• Belle and Beast
• Snow White and The Prince
• Princess Aurora and Prince Phillip
• Cinderella and Prince Charming

This returning experience at the Fantasyland Theatre in Disneyland features festivities throughout each day through December 24. In addition to greeting Disney characters, you can watch animated shorts, sing along to holiday songs, and more.

Characters You May Spot at the Fantasyland Theatre

• Chip ‘n’ Dale
• Goofy
• Pluto
• Elsa
• Jiminy Cricket (on select days)

Dance along to holiday tunes and upbeat jams, while Disney characters appear on stage, during a holiday dance party for the whole family at Tomorrowland Terrace.

The dance party begins at 5:30 p.m. and continues through 9:30 p.m., daily during the holiday season. Drop by at different times throughout the party. Who knows which characters you’ll encounter and songs you’ll hear?

Characters You May Find at Tomorrowland Terrace

• Chip ‘n’ Dale
• Stitch
• Goofy
• Pluto

Select character locations and schedules are listed on the Disneyland app.* On the day of your visit, the app can be a helpful tool to find characters or check when a show is scheduled to perform.

For a limited time, Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa and Disneyland Hotel are hosting holiday buffets, with a selection of scrumptious, seasonal menu items. Disney characters make appearances throughout the meal, showing off festive outfits.

These experiences are an amazing value for all the delicious food you care to enjoy and the opportunity to meet multiple characters at one location. Advanced reservations are highly recommended.

At Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa from November 17, 2025, through January 6, 2026, Daisy’s Holiday Pajama Party breakfast and brunch features Disney friends in festive colors and plaid fabrics. You’re welcome to dine in your coziest fashion, including your pajamas.

For a memorable yuletide dinner, Storytellers Cafe presents Mickey’s Christmas Carol Feast from November 17, 2025, through January 6, 2026. Mickey Mouse, Scrooge McDuck, and more characters come together in looks inspired by the classic Christmas story.

Over at the Disneyland Hotel, Goofy’s Kitchen joins the seasonal festivities with a holiday breakfast, brunch, and dinner, November 17, 2025 through January 6, 2026. Goofy and his pals put on their merry best, mixing classic red and green colors with pastels, print, and snowy sparkles.

New this year, you may encounter Douglas Fir, a talking Christmas tree, roaming around Downtown Disney District daily throughout the holiday season.

Finding holiday characters is just some of the wintery wonderment that awaits during Holidays at the Disneyland Resort. Check out our guide to the décor, merchandise, nighttime spectaculars, and more to put on your itinerary.

For the foodies hungry for seasonal eats and peppermint treats, stay tuned! Disney Eats will release the full list of limited-time menu items for Holidays at the Disneyland Resort and Disney Festival of Holidays closer to opening day.

_{To enter a park, both a theme park reservation and a valid ticket for the same park on the same date is required. Park reservations are limited, subject to availability, and not guaranteed. Parks, attractions, entertainment, experiences, services, and offerings may be modified, limited in availability or unavailable, and are subject to restrictions, and change or cancellation without notice. Park admission and offerings are not guaranteed. Visit Disneyland.com/updates for more information about visiting the Disneyland® Resort.}

_{*Message, data and roaming rates may apply for the use of the Disneyland app. Availability subject to handset limitations and features may vary by handset or service provider. Coverage and app stores not available everywhere. If you’re under 18, get your parents’ permission first.}