Disneyland Eastern Gateway Construction Now Runs Into 2029

If you’ve been looking forward to an easier arrival at Disneyland, you may need to be patient. According to a new report, Disneyland Eastern Gateway construction is expected to continue into early 2029. That would put the new parking structure behind two big milestones coming to Anaheim in 2028: the Avengers Campus expansion and the Summer Olympics.

The Eastern Gateway garage is the first major piece of DisneylandForward, and crews started building it this summer. Disneyland shared the updated timeline with nearby residents at a recent community meeting, according to the Orange County Register.

Here’s the new timeline, what the finished garage will include, and why the 2029 date matters for anyone planning a Disneyland trip over the next few years.

Quick Summary

• Disneyland told nearby residents that Eastern Gateway garage construction should continue into early 2029, according to the Orange County Register
• The structure will hold about 6,000 parking spaces
• That timeline puts the garage’s opening after the 2028 Avengers Campus expansion and the 2028 Summer Olympics
• Disneyland broke ground on the project on August 24, 2026, and still hasn’t announced an opening date
• The finished hub will include shuttle and rideshare areas, security screening, and a pedestrian bridge over Harbor Boulevard
• An October permit trims the garage from eight levels to seven and raises the EV charger count to 316

The New Timeline for Disneyland’s Eastern Gateway

Disneyland officials shared the timeline at a recent community meeting with nearby residents, according to the Orange County Register. Construction on the roughly 6,000-space parking structure is expected to continue into early 2029.

Officials said the timeline could change as construction moves along. Disneyland still hasn’t announced an official opening date.

For context, Disneyland broke ground on the Eastern Gateway parking structure on August 24, 2026. The ceremony marked the start of vertical construction on part of the former Manchester cast member parking lot. At the time, Disney said construction would take multiple years but didn’t name a completion date. An early 2029 finish would come about two and a half years after groundbreaking.

What the Eastern Gateway Will Include

The Eastern Gateway is more than a parking garage. It’s designed as a full transportation hub on the east side of the resort. Once it opens, it will include:

• About 6,000 parking spaces
• Shuttle and rideshare areas
• Security screening
• Dedicated access off Disney Way
• A pedestrian bridge over Harbor Boulevard connecting the garage to an all-new esplanade arrival area

The general public will be able to use the pedestrian bridge too. According to the Register, Disneyland’s existing bus drop-off and pick-up area on Harbor Boulevard will also move to the Manchester lot.

How the Garage Design Has Changed

The plans have shifted a bit since the first permit. Last December, Disney filed a permit for an 8-story, 3.2 million square foot parking structure with 302 electric vehicle chargers. An updated permit filed in October trims the garage to seven levels and raises the charger count to 316.

Why 2029 Matters: Avengers Campus and the Olympics

The new timeline means the garage will miss two major moments in Anaheim.

The Avengers Campus Expansion

This one matters most for Disneyland fans. At D23 in August, Disney said Avengers Infinity Defense and Stark Flight Lab will both open at Disney California Adventure in 2028. Disney says the expansion will double the size of Avengers Campus. We covered those announcements in our Disneyland D23 2026 recap.

When Disney first revealed the Eastern Gateway plans in June 2025, it described the garage as infrastructure needed to welcome more guests as new experiences open. If the current timeline holds, the Avengers expansion will open before the garage meant to help handle its crowds.

The 2028 Summer Olympics

Honda Center will host indoor volleyball for the 2028 Summer Games, according to the City of Anaheim. Matches will take place over two weeks in July 2028. That puts Olympic crowds a short drive from Disneyland Resort while the Eastern Gateway is still a construction zone.

What This Means for Your Disneyland Trip

If you’re planning a Disneyland visit between now and 2029, here’s how I’d think about it:

• Expect current parking for a while. The Mickey & Friends and Toy Story parking areas will keep doing the heavy lifting until the Eastern Gateway opens.
• Plan extra time in summer 2028. Between the Avengers Campus expansion and Olympic volleyball at Honda Center, July 2028 could be one of the busiest stretches Anaheim has seen.
• Watch for drop-off changes. The Harbor Boulevard bus area is set to move to the Manchester lot, so pay attention to updates if you use shuttles or rideshare.
• Consider staying close. A walkable hotel near Harbor Boulevard can save you a lot of parking stress during peak periods.

Eastern Gateway Timeline So Far

Here’s how the project has played out:

• June 5, 2025: Disney announced the Eastern Gateway parking garage and transportation hub as the first major project of DisneylandForward
• December 23, 2025: Disney filed a permit for an 8-story, 3.2 million square foot structure with 302 EV chargers
• June 9, 2026: Disney shared plans to close the Manchester cast member parking lot to clear the way for construction
• August 24, 2026: Disneyland broke ground on the Eastern Gateway parking structure
• October 2026: An updated permit trimmed the garage to seven levels with 316 EV chargers
• November 2026: Disneyland told residents construction should continue into early 2029

The Bottom Line

Disneyland Eastern Gateway construction is now expected to run into early 2029, according to the Orange County Register. That means the 6,000-space garage and its new Harbor Boulevard pedestrian bridge will likely open after both the 2028 Avengers Campus expansion and the 2028 Summer Olympics.

Disneyland says the timeline could still change, and there’s no official opening date yet. For now, plan on today’s parking setup for the next couple of years, and give yourself extra time if you’re visiting during the busy summer of 2028. We’ll keep tracking the project as it moves along.

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Meet the Author: Nate Bishop

I’m a die-hard Disney fan with 38 years of visits under my belt, having stepped into Disney World 120+ times. Proud to be a Disney Annual Passholder, a Vacation Club member since ’92, a Castaway Club Member, and a runDisney enthusiast. Oh, and I’ve graduated from the Disney College of Knowledge. Need Disney insights or planning tips? I’m your guy!