Word is out from Garden Grove that they intend to sell or lease a prime piece of real estate to a California Indian tribe with the goal of building a casino resort. Steve Wynn, Las Vegas uber-mogul, has been mentioned as a possible developer. Garden Grove borders Anaheim about 2 miles south of Disneyland on Harbor Blvd and is home to the Crystal Cathedral, currently the town’s largest tourist destination.
Garden Grove has had previous designs for this property, including a ‘riverwalk’ entertainment center (around a fake river), a water park, a smaller themepark, even a project called "Oasis of Peace", a museum and cultural center dedicated to the late King Hussein of Jordan. None of these have come to fruition, although some hotel development has gone on.
While I personally am opposed to a Casino being built so close to Disneyland, I must say that this idea has the best potential to reach completion of all the previous ideas. Frankly, I’ve wondered why the themed resorts of Las Vegas haven’t spread to Anaheim. Maybe it’s a little gambling that will make that happen.
Here’s a little known fact about Disney and gambling. The Boardwalk Inn, an EPCOT area resort at Walt Disney World, was actually constructed with the capability to host slot machines and other gambling. The lobby and part of the convention center are prewired for machines and surveillence. So if Florida ever legalizes gambling, Disney is ready.