DisneylandForward, a plan to allow new theme park, hotel, entertainment, and retail development around Disneyland’s existing theme parks, was approved by the Anaheim City Council in a 7-0 vote this week. This provides initial approval of DisneylandForward, with a second procedural vote expected at the next meeting on 7 May.
The multidecade DisneylandForward plan sets out where and how development can proceed on Disney-owned or operated territory around its Anaheim theme parks.
It calls for allowing theme park attractions and hotels on the west side of Disneyland Drive and new retail, dining, and entertainment on the southeast side of the Toy Story Parking Area at Katella Avenue and Harbour Boulevard. DisneylandForward also proposes Harbour Boulevard and Disneyland Drive footbridges and additional east and northeast parking near the theme parks.
Disney has talked about potential experiences based on Frozen, Tangled, Peter Pan, Zootopia, Toy Story and Tron, as well as an “Avatar”-based land.
This vote approves an updated mix of uses instead of a specific new piece of land, attraction, or use. The Planning and Building Department, along with other city departments, will continue to assess individual projects under city planning.
Disney continues to invest in parks
Disney must invest $1.9 billion in theme parks, accommodation, entertainment, shopping, and dining within 10 years under a development deal.
The development agreement requires Disney to provide $30 million for affordable housing in Anaheim, specifying $15 million in the first year and $15 million in five years. It must also provide $10 million for Katella Avenue sewer improvements and $8 million for Anaheim parks.
DisneylandForward also requires Disney to pay $39.6 million for Magic Way, a 1,150-foot road from Disneyland Drive to Walnut Street, and two entry roads into Disney parking at Hotel Way and at Clementine Street.
The City Council says that it had approved DisneylandForward because of what visitors mean to the city: “Visitors account for more than half the revenue we use to serve our residents with police, fire, libraries, community services and to pay down city debt. Much of the plan will take surface parking lots that generate little city revenue today and turn them into theme park attractions, hotels and entertainment that bring expanded funding for services for our residents.”
In November, Disney parks chairman Josh D’Amaro said the company has “enough room to build another Disneyland” in Anaheim. His comments came after Disney revealed plans to invest $60 billion in its parks, experiences and products division over the next 10 years to turbocharge growth.
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