After a lengthy, and contentious at times, public meeting held by the Anaheim City Planning Commission, The Walt Disney Company received approval to send its DisneylandForward plan to the full Anaheim City Council.
The Details
The meeting first heard glowing public statements at the gathering from union members, hoteliers, residents, Disneyland castmembers, and Disneyland Resort President Ken Potrock about how DisenylandForward would not only benefit the resort, but Anaheim itself.
Then the Commission heard from public commentators against the project, which along with questions from Commissioner Luisandres Perez, sent the meeting into a sixth hour of debate.
But before the meeting ended, the Anaheim City Planning Commission voted 5-1 to approve sending the DisneylandForward plan to the full Anaheim City Council.
This would be the final step, and Disney hopes to receive approval before the end of 2024.
If they do approve the plan, Disney says it would also guarantee the city $30 million for affordable housing, $8 million for parks, and $35 million for nearby road improvements.
Last year, a Disney-sponsored economic study from Cal State Fullerton estimated that for every $1 billion Disney invests to update and renovate the resort, more than 4,000 jobs and $1.1 billion in economic output would be generated during the initial four-year construction period.
Then it would bring $253 million annually in economic output, $15 million in tax revenue, and 2,292 jobs.
Of course, area residents have concerns about things like noise and extra traffic in the area, that have to be taken into account.
About the Project
DisneylandForward, first announced in 2021, would transform Disneyland Resort over several decades, adding new mixed use areas with amenities and attractions.
It looks to add new developments west of the parks where the recently opened Pixar Place Hotel and the original Disneyland Hotel sit, as well as a separate area southwest of Disney California Adventure, which is currently overflow parking.
Here’s a map showing what they propose in the plan:
If approved, it’s possible one of these areas could be where Disney plans to add the new Avatar Land that Iger recently talked about.
For more details, visit DisneylandForward.com.