Disneyland to expand theme parks in California: What will be the main changes?
The Anaheim City Council has approved Disneyland’s plans to expand its theme parks in California. What are the main changes that the company will make?
The location that has been dubbed the “happiest place on Earth” will be expanding in California.
The Anaheim City Council reported that they have voted to approve the DisneylandForward plan, which will allow the development of new theme parks , hotels, entertainment and retail stores around Disneyland’s existing theme parks.
“This is a historic moment for Anaheim. We are at the beginning of an era of unprecedented investment that will be the largest Anaheim has ever seen. That, in turn, will bring us millions in new annual revenue to serve our community,” said Mayor Ashleigh Aitken.
“In a few years, we will look back as we do at the expansion of Disneyland in the 1990s and the addition of the Honda Center, the debut of the stadium and convention center in the 1960s and even the 1955 opening of Walt Disney’s original Disneyland,” she added.
Development under the DisneylandForward plan, including new theme park lands and attractions, would unfold over decades.
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Disneyland to expand theme parks in California: What will be the main changes?
The plan does not provide new acreage or square footage for development. Instead, it moves development already approved by the city to other land where Disney now operates. The zoning changes would allow the construction of an additional theme park and other visitor attractions in Anaheim.
The development of theme park attractions along with hotels is expected on the west side of Disneyland Drive. Other theme park attractions along with new shopping areas, dining and entertainment venues are expected to the southeast along the zone which today is the Toy Story parking area at Katella Avenue and Harbor Boulevard.
DisneylandForward also envisions expanded parking to the east and new parking to the northeast of the theme parks, as well as possible pedestrian bridges across Harbor Boulevard and Disneyland Drive.
According to the Anaheim City Council, Disney must invest a minimum of $1.9 billion in theme parks, lodging, entertainment, shopping and restaurants over 10 years as part of the development agreement.
The contract also requires Disney to provide the following:
- $30 million for affordable housing in Anaheim, $15 million in the first year and $15 million over five years
- $10 million: for sewer improvements along Katella Avenue
- $8 million for Anaheim parks in the first year
DisneylandForward also demands that Disney pay $39.6 million to assume responsibility for Magic Way, a 1,150-foot-long road from Disneyland Drive to Walnut Street, and for two driveways to Disney’s parking lot on Hotel Way and Clementine Street.