UPDATE: Disney is one step closer to executing Disneyland Forward, the proposed $1.9 billion expansion of its California amusement park. Last month, the Anaheim Planning Commission passed the proposal, sending it to city council. After an eight hour public hearing this Tuesday, the Anaheim City Council passed the Disneyland Forward project with a unanimous vote of 7-0. According to Deadline, the hearing included perspectives from the city’s residents, as well as Disneyland cast members and city officials. The Disneyland Forward Project is now pending a final vote, scheduled for next month.
“Largest expansion ever” coming to Disney’s Magic Kingdom
The following was originally published March 14, 2024:
UPDATE: Disney’s $1.9 billion expansion has broken through one of its final barriers by receiving a 5-1 approval by the Anaheim Planning Commission earlier this week. The project’s approval comes after a laborious three years of review.
“Together we are unequivocally making history, just like Walt Disney did almost 70 years ago with the city of Anaheim and Disneyland,” said Preisdent of the Disneyland Resort Ken Potrock before the vote, according to the LA Times. “It’s a tremendous responsibility for all of us and a privilege to be a steward of this vision for this very, very special place.”
The expansion project, known as Disneyland Forward, will see Disney invest in new theme park lands, attractions, and resorts over what is currently a 50-acre parking lot. Disney had previously committed to the investment of nearly $2 billion, as well as additional costs to cover additional costs including pedestrian walkways and parking lots. After its approval from the planning commission, the project is now awaiting review by the City Council.
The following was originally published January 30, 2024:
An informational workshop for Disneyland’s proposed expansion has resulted in new details about the project. The workshop, which took place on January 23, made it known that Disney has committed to spending $1.9 billion, at minimum, over the next decade towards the park’s growth.
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The report revealed that this monetary investment would go toward “theme park lands, attractions, hotels, shopping and dining west of Disneyland Drive and on the Toy Story parking lot.” Also covered in the report is that Disney would separately be covering costs not included in the $1.9 billion proposal, which includes the numerous pedestrian bridges and parking lots previously covered in reporting on the massive project.
The following was originally published September 19, 2023:
There has been talk of Disney expanding their Disneyland park and resort for some time now, but it seems that the plan has finally started to get rolling now that the city of Anaheim has released a lengthy report on the environmental impact of the expansion.
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The proposed expansion, which is known as Disneyland Forward, has been meticulously analyzed in a 17,000 page report from the city of Anaheim. While the report analyzes the expansion’s impact on energy, greenhouse gasses, and noise pollution, it also offers insights into the effort’s water conservation and waste reduction plans. Disney would have to abide by some restrictions placed both during construction and after the expansion is complete, including constructing temporary sound barriers during construction, as well as 12 foot tall noise barriers that would permanents surround the site’s property lines.
The report also gives a peek into Disney’s plans, including installing large pedestrian bridges that would allow visitors to access new areas of the resort, as well as possibly installing new “alternative ride systems” such as Disney Skyliner and the Tomorrowland Transit Authority PeopleMover to help the flow of pedestrian traffic. The media giant has proposed zoning changes for the areas it already owns around the resort, so it could utilize these areas for additions to its theme park, resort, and dining options. Disney reportedly looks to have their expansion plans approved by the Anaheim City Council by the end of next year.
