On Tuesday, April 16, the ambitious proposal for the massive new expansion of Disneyland, called DisneylandForward, is now even closer to becoming reality. The project now has the preliminary approval of the Anaheim City Council after an 8 hour public hearing. The final council vote of 7-0 was unanimously in favor of the extensive Disneyland expansion project.
This $1.9 billion initiative, funded by Walt Disney Parks and Resorts, aims to optimize the use of Disney’s existing 490-acre land in Anaheim. The project focuses on reconfiguring permits and zoning to facilitate the introduction of new attractions and immersive experiences, as well as invest in the city of Anaheim.
What is the DisneylandForward project?
The DisneylandForward plan includes adding new attractions near hotels on Disneyland Drive’s west side, and transforming what is currently the Toy Story parking area into a hub for entertainment and dining to the southeast. Without expanding the overall land that Disney currently has, the proposal plan is to reallocate development rights within Disney’s existing properties.
While specific plans for new attractions are still in the conceptual phase, the proposal would open up more space to bring to life popular Disney franchises, including the worlds of TRON, Zootopia, Peter Pan, and more.
Notably, the proposal includes a $40 million payment to the city of Anaheim to purchase specific roads, including Magic Way, Hotel Way, and part of Clementine Street, which will be integrated into the resort’s expansion plans. Local residents have raised their concerns regarding the potential increase in traffic and the proposal to purchase and repurpose Magic Way, a move some fear could impact local traffic.
The plan proposes the construction of additional pedestrian bridges over Harbor Boulevard and Disneyland Drive. For Disney employees, the proposal also includes the addition of 4,376 new parking spaces.
The project aims to create a greater impact on both the community and local economy, which includes creating new job opportunities – an estimated 8,960 new roles during construction and 4,584 new roles during operations – while also supporting local businesses through increased tourism. As part of their Disneyland Forward proposal, Disney plans to invest $30 million in affordable housing in Anaheim over five years, and invest $40 million in street and transportation upgrades.
What’s next for the DisneylandForward project?
The proposal now progresses to a final Anaheim City Council vote on May 7. However, even if the DisneylandForward project is fully approved at that time, the proposed land use changes wouldn’t go into effect until 30 days later.
For more details on what’s coming and how to stay updated, Anaheim residents and Disney fans can read more at the city of Anaheim’s Disneyland Forward proposal site.