In a second unanimous vote, the Anaheim City Council voted tonight to give final approval to the Disneyland Forward initiative, clearing the way for a $1.9 billion expansion of the Disneyland Resort.
The vote was the final step in a three-year process, which included an environmental impact study and prior approval from the Anaheim planning commission. The Anaheim City Council gave preliminary approval to the project on April 17, 2024, following a lengthy meeting at which more than 90 people – Anaheim residents, Disney cast members, local business owners, labor organizers, trade association leaders and elected officials – shared their opinions for and against the project.
Far fewer people registered to speak at tonight’s meeting, but Disneyland Resort Ken Potrock did address the council again, saying, “Thank you for partnering with us on this legacy project.”
There were several motions related to Disneyland Forward included in the consent calendar portion of the agenda. One of these was a recommendation to deny a motion, filed by an Anaheim resident, to rehear the decision made on April 17. Several of the speakers during the public comment period asked the council members to remove all of the Disneyland Forward items from the consent calendar, and open them to further discussion. However, none of the council members moved to do so, and so the motions carried as written.
The vote approved amendment of the 1993 Disneyland Resort Specific Plan, (DRSP) to allow Disney to build new theme park, hotel, shopping and entertainment venues on land Disney already owns.
The DRSP, which paved the way for the construction of Disney California Adventure and Downtown Disney, set up land use and site development standards for the Disneyland Resort. Each parcel was designated for use in one of five “districts,” with specific rules governing each, including theme park, hotel, parking and future expansion.
In November, Disney Parks chairman Josh D’Amaro said there was enough room to build another Disneyland if they wanted, but that land was not properly zoned for the use they want. Disneyland Resort president Ken Potrock said the resort could expand by 50% if the city approved the proposal.
With final approval in hand, attention turns to the next steps. During his comments to the council on April 16, Potrock said that the Walt Disney company is currently evaluating how to allocate the $60 billion in capital expenditures it announced last September, and said he wants the Anaheim resort to get more than its fair share of the money. Potrock shared that the previously-announced Avatar Experience is at the top of the list for the Disneyland Resort.
Beyond that, Disney has been remarkably tight-lipped about their plans. The economic impact study estimates a four-year construction phase, so it will be some time before we see earth moved in the construction zones. The new development agreement calls for $1.9 billion in theme park, hotel, retail and dining in the next 10 years. Potrock said this will go beyond re-theming and re-imagining of existing attractions, and will bring “engaging new entertainment and experiences to loyal fans and new audiences.”
In addition to the $1.9 billion development agreement, Disney also has the following obligations to the city of Anaheim:
- $30 million contribution into an affordable housing trust which is to be managed by the city.
- $8 million contribution to improve city parks outside the Anaheim Resort district.
- $40 million to purchase the right of way to three existing city streets.
- $10 million contribution towards sewer improvements along Katalla Ave.
- Enter into a Fire Operations Agreement, which includes construction of a new fire substation.
- Enter into a Police Operations Agreement, which includes construction of a new police substation and satellite police office.
- Enter into a Staffing Reimbursement and Enhanced Services Agreement to cover the increased cost associated with DisneylandForward projects and on-going maintenance and improvement projects.
- Enter into an agreement to reimburse the city for costs associated with traffic control services.
- Continue to implement an Anaheim jobs and workforce development program.
