By The Big Magazine Staff
The Anaheim City Council has given its preliminary approval of a measure allowing for the massive, $1.9 billion expansion of Disneyland, known as DisneylandForward proposal, Disney committed to spending $2.5 billion on an expansion of Disneyland Resort. $1.9 billion of that would be spent within the first 10 years. $30 million would go toward affordable housing in the area, $10 million would be for sewer improvements along Katella Avenue, and $8 million would be given to Anaheim parks.
City council members voted 7-0 in favor of the proposal early Wednesday morning following an 8-hour public hearing. Once it reaches complete approval, the DisneylandForward project will allow Disney to choose where it will build new lands, resort hotels, and more within its already existing footprint. One such offering that has already been proposed is a new “Avatar” experience, which had its first piece of concept art revealed earlier this month during Disney’s 2024 Annual Meeting of Shareholders.
It will face a final city council vote on May 7. Should the proposal be approved then, land use changes related to DisneylandForward wouldn’t be implemented until 30 days later.
Many people, ranging from Anaheim residents and Disneyland cast members to officials from neighboring cities, took the opportunity to speak at Tuesday’s hearing, expressing both support and opposition to the expansion.
The DisneylandForward proposal is a 40-year agreement that would guide where and how future developments would occur, allowing for new attractions, shops and restaurants to be built within areas of the resort that Disney already owns and operates.
"Thinking big and leading the way is both our legacy and our best path forward. Now is the time to be bold, to dream, to believe, and to lead! The Disneyland Resort is poised to create new jobs and revenues for our community as well as new immersive entertainment and experiences for loyal fans and new audiences for generations to come." said Ken Potrock, President of Disneyland Resort, via DisneylandForward.com
During the meeting, Potrock spoke about potentially expanded experiences to Star Wars: Galaxy Edge, Avengers Campus and Cars Land. Tiana’s Bayou Adventure is also slated to open later this year at Disneyland.
Park attractions, hotels on the west side of Disneyland Drive, along with additional buildings, shopping, dining and entertainment would be built where the Toy Story Parking Area at Katella Avenue and Harbor Boulevard stands today. Investments for parking, road improvements and bridges would be separate. The expansion plans could also benefit the city outside of the theme park resort since Disney's budget has set aside millions of dollars for improvements to city infrastructures, roads, and other areas around the Disney resort.
$30 million would be spent on affordable housing, $8 million for city parks, and continuing workforce programs in Anaheim. $40 million of the expansion budget would be allocated to buy Magic Way, Hotel Way and a part of Clementine Street from the city. Magic Way serves drivers using the Pixar Pals Parking Structure and visiting the Disneyland Hotel.
The new experiences and attractions coming to the resort, Disneyland fans have speculated new rides and attractions based on “Tangled,” “Zootopia” and “Tron” and expanded areas based on “Peter Pan” and “Toy Story,” will be in the works.
Disney Parks Chairman Josh D’Amaro teased the possibility of bringing Frozen’s Arendelle, Black Panther’s Wakanda and Coco’s Santa Cecilia to life in some capacity at the “Happiest Place on Earth” and potentially its sister park in Orlando last year.
Disney CEO Bob Iger also commented on, an “Avatar”-themed experience is expected to come to the resort at some point in the future.
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