Anaheim approves DisneylandForward plan for more theme park lands and attractions

According to the city of Anaheim, “DisneylandForward is a multidecade plan to update where types of development can go and how they mix together on space Disney already owns or operates on around its Anaheim theme parks.”

Disney’s three-year process to this point involved numerous community outreach events and town hall-style meetings to speak to nearby residents and learn their concerns (one who attended more than 19 meetings said there were many more). Disney also conducted independent studies to ensure their proposal met (and, in many cases, exceeded) requirements for traffic mitigation, environmental impact, noise, and other factors.

What is DisneylandForward?

The Disneyland Resort lacks the elbow room of Walt Disney World in Orlando, Fla., so adding anything new meant replacing or reimagining an existing attraction or hotel. However, DisneylandForward includes zoning changes that allow Disneyland to repurpose land it already owns, providing more flexibility for adding new parking, attractions, lands, shopping, dining, and hotel rooms – and, in some cases, building mixed-use structures.

The plan includes:

• Theme park attractions and hotels on the west side of Disneyland Drive
• Attractions with new shopping, dining, and entertainment to the southeast (currently the Toy Story Parking Area at Katella Avenue and Harbor Boulevard)
• Expanded parking on the resort’s East side and new parking northeast of the theme parks (with potential new footbridges across Harbor Boulevard and Disneyland Drive)

As part of a development agreement, Disney must invest a minimum of $1.9 billion in theme parks, lodging, entertainment, shopping, and dining within ten years.

Disney is also required to provide:

• $30 million for affordable housing in Anaheim ($15 million in the first year and $15 million in five years)
• $10 million for sewer improvements along Katella Avenue
• $8 million for Anaheim parks within the first year

What’s Coming to Disneyland?

While Disneyland has made no official announcements about what new attractions and experiences will be coming to the Disneyland Resort, Disneyland President Ken Potrock has repeatedly pointed to World of Frozen at Hong Kong Disneyland and Zootopia at Shanghai Disneyland as examples of the “types of experiences” Disney wants to bring to Anaheim. With one exception.

During his presentation at last night’s City Council meeting, Potrock specifically said the recently-confirmed-by-Bob-Iger Avatar land at Disneyland is directly related to DisneylandForward.

“We’ve all heard about the Avatar experience that’s at the top of the list for Disneyland Resort,” he said. “But what we can do with this experience regarding the size and scope is inherently influenced by DisneylandForward.”

There’s also the potential for adding a third theme park to the Disneyland Resort, though Disneyland has not committed to that idea. But if they did add another theme park, that opens the door for new lands and attractions themed to Frozen, Zootopia, Toy Story, and many more.

Disney is Trying to be a Good Neighbor

The City Council’s vote came after three and a half hours of public comment from speakers, including Disneyland Cast Members, community leaders, representatives from local businesses and trade unions, and Anaheim residents.

Those who supported DisneylandForward pointed to benefits for the city, including investments in Disney infrastructure, construction and theme park jobs, and increased tourism revenue. Speakers who opposed DisneylandForward expressed concerns about noise, pollution, traffic, and congestion.

One item that has caused some of the loudest opposition from neighbors is the closure of Magic Way through traffic between Disneyland Drive and Walnut Street. DisneylandForward includes plans for Disney to purchase that 1,150-foot street from the city, which they plan to close to cars. To address concerns, Disney conducted an impact study (validated by the city traffic engineer) that determined that 99% of daily trips on Magic Way are Disney-related, not people using the street as a “cut-through.” Although Magic Way will be open to access the Disneyland hotel and parking structures, it will be closed to other traffic. However, Magic Way remain open for pedestrians, so neighbors can still walk to the parks and Downtown Disney District. Disney also promised that Magic Way would not be closed until all planned improvements to the surrounding streets and intersections were completed.

To specifically address noise concerns, Disney assured residents that they’re implementing requirements regarding setback (the distance between an attraction and residential property) and minimum height for noise barriers:

• Attractions inside a building (like Space Mountain or Haunted Mansion) must be 200 feet from the center of the attraction to the property line of any residents
• Outdoor family attractions (like Tea Cups or Mater’s Junkyard Jamboree) must be 400 feet away from a property line and have a 30-foot-high noise barrier
• Outdoor thrill rides and parades must be 550 feet from the center of the attraction within a wall with a 30-foot-high noise barrier.

Disney also announced a new hotline that will be manned 24/7 so residents can report excessive noise during construction. The hotline will remain active after the project is complete so neighbors can report noise from after-hours events and nighttime shows. Construction is expected to take about four years.

What’s Next for DisneylandForward?

Last night’s vote provided initial approval, but another procedural vote will be at the next City Council meeting on May 7, 2024.

If approved at that time (as expected), Disney would have to wait another 30 days before making any changes or beginning any construction, putting the official “start” date at June 6, 2024.

Potrock called DisneylandForward a “legacy project,” comparing it to Disneyland’s original construction in the 50s and the California Adventure expansion in the 90s, both of which benefitted the Walt Disney Company and the city of Anaheim.

Anaheim Mayor Ashleigh Airken agreed. In her closing statement just before the vote, she said, “allowing Disneyland to grow ensures that Anaheim thrives.” And now Disneyland is only one procedural vote away.