APPROVED(ish) – DisneylandForward Moves Forward!

Disneyland’s plans for new rides, lands, hotel rooms, and even a possible third park – called DisneylandForward – has required a three-year journey towards approval from the city of Anaheim. And today they’re one step closer to their destination.

Following a recommendation from the Anaheim Planning Commission on March 11, 2024, DisneylandForward advanced to the full Anaheim City Council on April 16, 2024, who voted 7-0 to approve Disneyland’s ambitious $1.9 billion project.

In her closing remarks, Anaheim Mayor Ashleigh E. Aitken noted that “allowing Disneyland to grow ensures that Anaheim thrives.”

Below, we’ll explain EVERYTHING you need to know about DisneylandForward and the potential future of the Disneyland Resort.  

Current Status of DisneylandForward

As a matter of procedure, the City Council will vote on DisneylandForward again at its next meeting on May 7, 2024. If approved in May (which it almost certainly will), Disney then needs to wait 30 days before they can actually begin the project, which repurposes Disney-owned land for additional attractions, hotels, parking, and shopping. It was stated construction will take about four years.

During his presentation to the City Council, Disneyland President Ken Potrock once again referred to DisneylandForward as a “legacy project,” stressing the ongoing partnership between Disney and Anaheim that began in 1955 with Walt Disney. But he also dropped the “A word” – Avatar.

“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.”

Here’s what we know (so far) about the Avatar experience at Disneyland:

Everything We Know About Disneyland’s Avatar-Themed Land

A concern of many local residents continues to be the closure of Magic Way to through traffic (between Disneyland Drive and Walnut Street). In response, Disney conducted an impact study that determined 99% of daily trips on Magic Way are Disney-related rather than people using that street as a “cut-through” from Walnut to Disneyland Drive (and the city validated the study). Disney also confirmed that Disney Way will remain open for pedestrians.

To further address the Magic Way concerns, Disney amended their proposal to ensure planned city improvements of the Ball Road-Walnut Street and Ball Road-Disneyland Drive intersections are completed before Magic Way is closed, something Mayor Pro Tem Norma Campos Kurtz directly acknowledged.

“That has been such an important issue for residents west of Disneyland and I know it took extra effort to get there because it wasn’t part of the original agreement,” she said. “Thank you for hearing the residents.”

Similarly, addressing community concerns for noise, Disney reiterated plans to implement minimum requirements for setback (how far an attraction can be from resident property lines) and height as follows:

• 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

We also got new information from Disney about a new hotline residents will be able to call to report noise, which will be manned 24/7 through construction and beyond. That means residents will be able to call the hotline to report construction noise but also excessive noise from nighttime spectaculars or after-hours events after the project is complete.

DisneylandForward Anaheim Planning Commission Vote

Disney has spent several years working with the community, city, and consultants to complete the necessary impact reports for the the project that would nearly double Disneyland’s capacity.

On March 11, 2024, Disney asked the Anaheim Planning Commission to recommend the following to the full City Council:

As a result of the Environmental Impact Report (EIR), DisneylandForward includes accommodations for attraction noise reduction (including minimum setback requirements and noise barriers) and reconfiguring traffic patterns on surrounding streets. Construction noise and pollution is also addressed in the EIR.

Worth noting is that several structures inside Disneyland Park (the Disneyland Railroad Main Street Station, Pirates of the Caribbean, and Hungry Bear Restaurant) are considered “historic resources” by the state of California, which may impact some of the mitigation measures outlined in the EIR. Disneyland Park itself could also potentially be designated as a “historic district,” which would require certain documentation to be submitted to the city before mitigation measures could be implemented.

Disney points to millions of dollars in revenue, thousands of jobs (both during and after construction), and infrastructure improvements (including new fire and police operation agreements) as significant benefits to the city of Anaheim. In addition, the $1.9 billion multi-year project will require no city funding.

“Together we are making history, just like Walt Disney did almost 70 years ago with the city of Anaheim,” Disneyland President Ken Potrock told commissioners at the March 11th meeting. “It’s a tremendous responsibility and a privilege to be the steward of this vision for this very, very special place.”

For those who pay attention to these things (and don’t we all?) Ken continues to specifically mention World of Frozen in Hong Kong and Zootopia in Shanghai as examples of ways DisneylandForward will “continue Walt’s legacy of bringing stories to life in Anaheim.”

As with previous sessions, dozens of Disneyland Cast Members; representatives from local businesses, trade unions, and hospitality organizations; and Anaheim expressed support for DisneylandForward and urge the City Council to approve the project; those who oppose expressed concerns about increased congestion, pollution, and noise (both during and after construction).

What is DisneylandForward?

Hot on the heels of the most challenging time in Disney’s history, the resort is reimagining how to expand within its existing boundaries. That means working with the community and city to update old permits and expanding entertainment, attractions, lands, or even a possible third park on existing Disneyland-owned space.  

Throughout the ongoing process, the DisneylandForward team has worked with community leaders and city officials to get studies, permits, and approvals needed to start planning the part Disney fans really want to know about… the new rides! 

On Jan. 23, 2024, an Anaheim City Council Disneyland Development Agreement Workshop followed the release of an environmental impact report and details of Disney’s proposed development agreement with the city.

Here’s an overview of the minimum commitments Disneyland made at this meeting (Keep in mind the actual spend could be much higher): 

DisneylandForward Details

The DisneylandForward project is a general rethinking of what the Disneyland Resort will look like in the future. Disneyland is out of room. But rather than buy more land or build a second resort elsewhere, Disneyland wants to use its existing land in new ways. And that means re-zoning the entire resort area.

Under Disneyland’s current zoning and development agreements with the city, which were intended to continue until 2036, the Resort would be limited to what they could build. Therefore, Disneyland wants everything (except for parking) re-zoned for general use, which could allow Disney to build attractions under or next to hotels and restaurants or merge shopping and entertainment districts. The new zoning and development agreement would extend until 2064.  

One specific example given to the City Council had to do with hotel rooms. Disney pointed out that 5,600 hotel rooms had been approved in the 1990s, but Disney only constructed about 2,300 of those, so part of that re-zoning is “the flexibility of where to build” the remaining approximately 3,200 rooms that have already been approved.

The DisneylandForward project encompasses the entire Disneyland Resort, including the parks, Downtown Disney, hotels, current Toy Story Lot, and a significant parcel of land behind the hotels on Harbor Blvd (as seen in this map shared by Disney).

Ultimately, Disney would like to build new theme park experiences around the hotels on the west side of the resort. They’ve also discussed building an addtional entertainment zone on the current Toy Story parking lot. All of that would require new parking, which is in the plan as well.  

What Happens Next?

Now that the Anaheim City Council has approved DisneylandForward, a second vote is required on May 7, 2024. Even if the project is approved at that meeting (and it’s expected to), Disney still can’t make any changes or begin construction until June 6, 2024.

Curious just how big a Disneyland expansion could be? Let’s look to the Environmental Impact Report for clues…

DisneylandForward Environmental Impact Report

A 17,000 page Environmental Impact Report released on Sept. 14, 2023, reveals assumptions on sound, aesthetics, energy and water usage, and much more. While it does not include any firm plans for exactly what Disneyland is planning to build, the report does estimate sound levels in the new theme park zone.

Current park noise:

And noise for the proposed theme park expansion (likely to be a third park): 

But what we REALLY got out of this report was the specific show-building placements around existing Disneyland hotels (about 18 to 20 attractions), which is not a full-day park experience. 

We also learned from the report is that Disney is committed to building any structures that can be seen outside of the resort in 360°. The Matterhorn, for example, is built in 360°, but Cars Land and Galaxy’s Edge were only completed on the sides guests can see inside the park. That’s a substantial commitment. 

If you’d like to dive into the plan yourself, here’s a link: DisneylandForward environmental impact report

What might Disneyland build if the DisneylandForward zoning and new development agreement are approved?  Some exciting concept art teases new attractions, entertainment zones, and parking…

DisneylandForward: Toy Story Parking Lot Transformation (East Side)

First, let’s start with the easiest of the projects for Disney. The existing Toy Story parking lot on Harbor Blvd, across the street from the Anaheim Convention Center, was described to us as a potential mixed-use shopping and entertainment area not unlike Shanghai Disney’s Disney Town (that project even includes a Broadway-style theater).

An example of the type of venue Disney might build here is a version of Jock Lindsey’s Hangar Bar, inspired by the version out at Disney Springs in Florida:

The vague project design above would be targeted to serve convention, tourist, and local visitors. A hotel could wrap around the top of the project, with shopping and entertainment buildings integrated into the square-shaped site. A lagoon and greenbelt tie the area together.  

This spot was once pegged for a third theme park, which the concept above clearly isn’t. But don’t despair. What we’ll show you next will scratch that itch in a much larger space.

DisneylandForward: West Side Entertainment Expansion/Possible 3rd Park

Let’s start with a caveat: Disney isn’t entirely sure about the future of this space. It could be utilized as an expanded attraction area for Disneyland and California Adventure, or as a unique attraction and shopping zone. BUT, it might also become a third theme park and a gate of its own. The development process and community interaction will significantly influence the direction this project takes. However, the image below suggests that this repurposed space could house attractions, shopping venues, dining facilities, and hotels.

DisneylandForward: Downtown Disney Transformation

Downtown Disney will also get an update as it becomes the corridor tying together the East and West sides of the resort and connection to the two existing Disney Parks. In the blurry image below, you are looking at the space currently occupied by the Downtown Disney bridge in the lower right corner and the old ESPN Zone, Rain Forest, and AMC Theater buildings in the center section. New buildings and what appears to be a circular fountain take up most of that spot in the image below. If you follow that path upward toward the upper left you’ll see the Disneyland Hotel. 

Since that image was released, Disneyland confirmed more details about the Downtown Disney transformation, including the restaurants coming to the resort this year.

Check our Downtown Disney coverage for the most up-to-date news: 

Downtown Disney Shakeup Continues – Splitsville Expansion, Construction, Future Plans!

DisneylandForward: New East Side Parking Structure & Streets

This one won’t sound new to you. Disneyland is reviving the parking structure project off Harbor Blvd. The project would include a pedestrian bridge to safely transport guests from the large parking facility to the Esplanade between Disneyland and California Adventure. 

The East Side parking expansion is critically important as the resort needs to replace the Toy Story lot parking spaces and the spaces behind the Pixar Place Hotel, which will be turned into entertainment zones.

The new parking structure is slated for the land behind the third party hotels on Harbor Blvd.

On the Jan. 23rd workshop with the Anaheim City Council, Disney committed to at least one bridge from this new structure and as many as three bridges over Harbor Blvd, to protect guests from the busy traffic on Harbor Blvd. 

As an aside, Disney could build up to two additional bridges over Disneyland Drive (the road which runs between the Disneyland Hotel and Downtown Disney.  

DisneylandForward Overcoming Previous Objections

In 2017 and 2018, Disneyland struggled to obtain city approvals for a new parking structure and a hotel and canceled the projects. The projects caused a rift with the city and local businesses which Disneyland has been working hard to correct. So, how will things be different now? 

The city of Anaheim had a harsh reality check when Disneyland closed for over a year in 2020. The likely $100,000,000 revenue the city would have received from Disney’s operations vanished. There is surely a more profound understanding of just how important Disneyland is to Anaheim’s success and growth. In fact, the City seems to be supporting Disneyland’s expansion efforts this time around.  

Disneyland is also changing its financial strategy. This time, they’re not asking for public funding or tax breaks – a significant departure from past practices. While the city could still offer grant money for certain things, Disney isn’t demanding tax breaks this time around. 

Disney aims to integrate the resort better into the community, offering workforce development programs:

Affordable housing projects, and support for local nonprofits: 

City improvements: 

And Disney will pay $90 MILLION to the city for three small roads around the resort + funding to improve roads and intersections. 

Disney to pay $40 million market value for existing streets and removal of street expansions:

• • Magic Way: 1,150 feet in
    length from Disneyland Drive
    to Walnut Street
  • Clementine Street: 575 feet
    into Toy Story Parking Area
  • Hotel Way: 125-foot entry
    drive to Disney’s Pumbaa
    Parking Lot
  • Extension removals:
    – Clementine Street from
    – Katella Avenue to Orangewood Avenue and Gene Autry Way from
    – Haster Street to Harbor Boulevard

Disneyland is also committed to creating thousands of new jobs, prioritizing unionized labor, diverse hiring practices, and environmentally responsible techniques.

That’s all a big departure from previous failed expansion plans, and the city itself has been driving much of the messaging on DisneylandForward, which is a very good sign this project will happen in some form.  

But at the end of the day, it’s all about money, and the city has determined that every $1 billion that Disney invests in Disneyland results in $15 million in annual tax revenues and $253 million in economic output in the community.  It’s hard to walk away from a project that could easily cost $2.5 to $3 Billion to build.  

When Disney adds new things to the Disneyland Resort, historically, there are increases in hotel revenue as well. The chart below also explains the growth in attendance. If the parks feel busier and busier each year, that’s because they have been! 

The important thing to remember here is that Disney isn’t promising to build anything just yet. They are seeking the approvals from the city to begin the planning. But, without the proposed changes, new attractions would mostly have to replace older ones, and only new hotel towers would be built on all that space on the west side.  So, if we want to see Disneyland increase the number of attractions and possibly build a third park, they need to convince neighbors, local business leaders, and the city council to approve this plan. 

But if the city does give Disney the approvals, as expected, Disney will need to start building. They are committed to building: 

• • Minimum of $1.9 billion invested, with the potential for up to $2.5 billion
    invested within the first 10 years of approval
  • If the investment doesn’t reach $2.5 billion in 10 years, Disney will pay an additional
    $5 million for street and transportation improvements
    • The investment would go toward theme park attractions, entertainment, lodging,
      shopping and dining, including west of Disneyland Drive and at what’s today
      the Toy Story Parking Area
  • The minimum investment only covers visitor attractions — spending on parking,
    road improvements and bridges would be separate

Let’s Hear From You!

This is the biggest Disneyland project since Disney California Adventure was built in the 90s. But now that Anaheim has given Disney the (first) green light, we’d love to hear what YOU would like to see come to the Disneyland Resort in the future. Keep in mind the resort isn’t adding new land but they are changing what they’re doing with land they already own. That being said, Disney hasn’t ruled out future land purchases and projects beyond DisneylandForward, so we’ll definitely be keeping our eye on that.

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More Disneyland News & Projects

Track the upcoming projects at the Disneyland Resort in our frequently updated Project Tracker: 

UPDATED! Disneyland Resort Project & Rumor Tracker

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