With a promise from Disney to invest $1.9-$2.5 billion in Disneyland’s largest expansion since the ’90s, Anaheim City Council unanimously approved plans for the park to enlarge it’s city footprint. With it, new hotels, rides and restaurants will soon be coming to Anaheim.
“When Disneyland grows, Anaheim thrives,” Mayor Ashleigh Aitken said in a statement. “Last night’s vote to approve the DisneylandForward Plan will benefit Anaheim for decades to come.”
Known as DisneylandForward, supporters of the expansion argued that without city plan updates, new Disney experiences would likely never find their way to the Disneyland Resort as they have to other parks throughout the world.
Of course, not all were in favor of the move, arguing the plans ultimately will drive up the already high cost of living in Orange County. In response, During the meeting, officials said Disneyland’s promise to also invest more than $100 million for road improvements and affordable housing in Anaheim showed a commitment to the community.
While exact details on park changes are minimal, the DisneylandForward plans mention the possibility of adding new attractions including immersive experiences and new “worlds,” modeled after fan favorites “Frozen,” “Tangled” and “Zootopia.” As for the hot button issue of traffic and congestion, Disney is proposing the closure of Magic Way to meet expansion needs while preserving pedestrian access through to Downtown Disney for residents.
Disney would pay about $40 million for taking over responsibility of the selected street segment abandonments and removal of future planned roadways as part of the Development Agreement. The traffic impacts of these public street closures were analyzed as part of the environmental analysis and subsequent environmental impact report, which concluded those impacts would be less than significant.
Be the first one to reply
Your Reply