Two stories worth acting on this week. The October 7 ticket price hike is 9 days out (last easy value window before the increase), and Disney dropped major new Coco ride details, including confirmation that Monsters Inc. will close in 2027 to make way for the Avatar land. Also, a correction on last week's Bluey scheduling story: the show actually expanded, not cut, its performance days. Here's what changes.
🚨 Trip-Planning Impact
October 7 ticket price hike is 9 days out. Historical pattern holds: Disneyland raised prices October 8, 2024, October 9, 2023, and October 11, 2022. The next round of increases on multi-day tickets, Park Hopper add-ons, Magic Keys, Lightning Lane Multi Pass, and parking is basically certain. If you have any 2026 or 2027 trip in mind, get tickets locked in before October 7. Get Away Today typically holds their bundle deals for a few days after Disney raises prices, but the underlying ticket cost still goes up.
Coco ride details dropped from Disney, and Monsters Inc. is officially closing in 2027. The Disney Parks Blog published new concept art and story details for the Coco boat ride at DCA on September 25. Key confirmed details for families: the queue starts in Pixar Pier next to Inside Out Emotional Whirlwind, the ride itself is being built in a backstage area near Paradise Gardens Park, and there is no height requirement, meaning kids of any age can ride. The story is set roughly one year after the movie, guests board boats and travel through the Land of the Dead with Miguel, Dante, Héctor, and others. No opening date announced, but Disney narrowed the timeline somewhat (best current guess is 2028 to 2029).
The bigger news buried in the announcement: Monsters Inc.: Mike & Sulley to the Rescue at DCA will close in 2027 to make way for the Avatar land. If your kid loves Monsters Inc., ride it in 2026 or early 2027 while you still can. This is a real "last chance" window for a beloved family-friendly ride.
Bluey's Best Day Ever! schedule expanded, not cut (correcting last week). Starting today, Monday performances are added. Starting Thursday, October 1, Thursday performances kick in. The show now runs Thursday through Monday. Dark days are Tuesdays and Wednesdays only. This is more show availability than before, not less. Practical impact: if you're specifically planning a Tuesday or Wednesday visit (historically the lowest-crowd days), Bluey won't be running. If any other day works, you're covered.
🎢 Ride Status This Week
| Ride | Status | What Parents Should Know |
|---|---|---|
| Mad Tea Party | Still closed, no reopen date | Extended closure into October |
| Monsters Inc.: Mike & Sulley to the Rescue | Closing in 2027 for Avatar land | Ride in 2026 or early 2027 |
| Fantasmic! | Weekend-only through September | Extended weekend-only likely into October |
| Bluey's Best Day Ever! | New Thursday to Monday schedule starts today | Dark Tuesdays and Wednesdays |
| Pixar Place Hotel Pool | ✅ Fully reopened | Slide and splash pad back this week |
| Mark Twain Riverboat | Still closed for refurb | Skip Rivers of America |
| Haunted Mansion Holiday | ✅ Open | Friendlier than regular Mansion |
| Autopia (gas-powered) | Active, closes early 2027 | Ride before conversion |
🎃 Halloween Time, Week 6
Halloween Time is in its final month. What's still delivering for families with young kids:
Plaza de la Familia at DCA remains the standout. Miguel meet-and-greets, Coco music, and authentic Mexican food across Paradise Gardens Park. This is worth planning a DCA day around through November 2 when the celebration ends.
Mickey and Friends Halloween Cavalcade continues to run at Disneyland. Halloween Screams fireworks continues weekend-only (Friday, Saturday, Sunday nights).
Oogie Boogie Bash officially wrapped for 2026 after last night's D23 Night event. The next chance to attend is Halloween Time 2027.
The last 4 weeks of Halloween Time (October 5 through October 31) will see crowds climb week-over-week. If you're doing an October trip, the first week of October is your best crowd window before Fall Breaks and Halloween week itself. Tuesday and Wednesday visits remain the lowest crowd days.
🍿 Food Worth Knowing
Minnie & Friends Breakfast at Plaza Inn is back to normal operations after returning September 20. Availability has settled into normal booking windows again.
The new Churro Hand Tart at Disneyland has become the sleeper hit of Halloween Time seasonal food. Filed pastry, cinnamon-sugar coating. Works for kids who like sweet snacks without the mess of a full churro.
Plaza de la Familia food at DCA continues to be the best Halloween Time eating. Rancho del Zócalo, cart offerings, all of it.
Alien Pizza Planet, Little Red Wagon corn dogs, and Ronto Wraps at Galaxy's Edge remain reliable kid-friendly picks.
Bopo Go! at Downtown Disney: still not open. Approaching 2.5 months of visible construction with no announced date.
💰 Deals & Tickets
Book tickets before October 7 to lock in current pricing. This is the last widely available window before the almost-certain price hike.
Disneyland Hotel Holiday Discount is live. Up to 20% off for bookings between October 11 and December 18. Worth pricing out for anyone considering a fall or pre-Christmas trip.
2027 Disneyland vacation packages remain open for booking.
8 Tier 0 days scheduled for November. The cheapest single-day pricing for the remainder of 2026 for anyone within driving distance.
👀 What We're Watching
Coco ride opening speculation now points to 2028 to 2029. Construction is actively underway. For families with a Coco-loving 3 or 4 year old, plan on riding this with them at age 5 to 7. That's the demographic Disney explicitly designed the ride for.
Monsters Inc. closes in 2027. No specific closure date yet, but the Avatar land groundbreaking timeline suggests mid-to-late 2027. If your kid loves Monsters Inc., prioritize a ride on any 2026 or early 2027 trip.
Disney announced 1,000 job cuts and early retirement packages for senior employees. Part of the broader cost cutting that MiceChat and other trade sources have been reporting on. Not trip-canceling, but expect operational and entertainment cutbacks to continue.
Mickey Mouse Clubhouse+ Season 2 launches October 1 on Disney+. Not park news directly, but relevant if your kid is Mickey Mouse Clubhouse age. Timing it with an October trip gives you a nice Disney-themed month at home and in the park.
Anzellan droidsmiths at Droid Depot still pending. No install date. Cast members continue to say "soon."
Tiana's Bayou Adventure opens November 15. 40-inch height requirement.
Tomorrowland reimagining scope expanding. Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage and Autopia both potentially in scope for the rebuild. If either is on your kid's must-do list, ride sooner rather than later.
Planning a Disneyland trip this fall, for the holidays, or in 2027? Start with our 2-day toddler itinerary and Lightning Lane strategy guide, both updated for Halloween Time, holiday season planning, and the October 7 ticket price hike math.