The Walt Disney Company plans to spend $1.9 billion to $2.5 billion over 10 years on an expansion of its Disneyland Resort in Anaheim, California, which it has dubbed “DisneylandForward.” The company aims to update its agreement with the city to relocate undeveloped developments that were permitted in the 1990s and build a new parking structure.
Disney has not publicly shared final plans for the expansion, but an environmental analysis completed last year and comments company representatives have made at city meetings reveal some details. Rachel Alde, vice president of global development for Disney Experiences, said during a Jan. 23 Anaheim City Council meeting that the company aims to create more “immersive experiences.” He pointed to examples at Disney parks in Hong Kong and Shanghai that combine attractions, hotels, restaurants and retail that share a single theme, such as the movie “Frozen” or “Zootopia.”
These immersive experiences are more expansive than traditional theme park attractions (one such park opening at Tokyo DisneySea this spring is 30 acres), but they’re necessary to keep Disneyland competitive with new innovations and continue to attract guests, he said. say Alde
“We want to prepare for the next 10, 20, 40 years,” he said.
With Disneyland surrounded by other occupied properties, its room for expansion is limited. But the company has suggested it could turn part of its hotel-only property west of the existing park into an immersive theme park and a parking lot southeast of the park into “a new kind of Disney entertainment “. He has also suggested building a parking structure on the site of another parking lot to the east of the park, as well as pedestrian bridges over public roads to link the planned parking garage and immersive park to the existing park.
Map courtesy of City of AnaheimTo do all that, Disney needs city officials to update its development agreement with the company, which they signed in 1996 and runs through 2036. Ted White, Anaheim’s deputy city manager and planning director , said during the recent council meeting that the proposal is to update the agreement and extend it to around 2064. The update would change some zoned uses, such as changing ownership of the hotel zone to to other uses of the theme park.
“Essentially, it all becomes one big district,” White said.
City staff has been working with Disney on a draft agreement. According to White, it includes millions of dollars that Disney would pay to the city, including $30 million for affordable housing, $8 million for city parks and up to $10 million for sewer infrastructure improvements . Disney would also continue its work and workforce development program and reimburse the city for public safety costs and planning, permitting and inspection services.
One aspect of the proposal in particular has sparked opposition from some residents. Disney is asking the city to give it control of parts of three streets near its property. In exchange, the company would pay the city the appraised value of the land, which White said was preliminarily estimated at $40 million. More than 200 people have signed an online petition opposing the move, and the proposal was the subject of numerous comments from residents at the recent City Council meeting.
The proposal may also face additional scrutiny after former Anaheim Mayor Harry Sidhu resigned in 2022 amid accusations that he promoted his own interests in his work for the city. Sidhu pleaded guilty to obstructing a public FBI corruption investigation and making false statements to FBI agents in connection with a federal investigation into the failed sale of the Angels of Anaheim stadium to the team of the MLB.
Anaheim resident Cynthia Ward said during a public comment session at the council meeting that many residents’ perception of how city hall operates has not changed since the scandal.
“I would love to welcome Disney’s investment in their property … but Disney’s heavy-handed behavior before and after Harry Sidhu’s misfortune has not left a bank of goodwill with neighbors,” Ward said .
There will be more meetings before city officials agree on any updates with Disney. White said he expects the Public Planning Commission to hold a hearing on the proposal in March, followed by a town hall hearing in April.
