Disneyland has big plans for its future, so big they’ve dubbed the project “DisneylandForward.” To set the stage for new rides, hotels, and a possible 3rd park, Disney is seeking the approval of the city.

On the evening of March 11th, 2024, the Anaheim Planning Commission made recommendations on several issues regarding DisneylandForward: an Environmental Impact Report (EIR), proposed re-zoning, and amendments to the existing Disneyland Resort-Specific Plan (DRSP) and Anaheim Resort-Specific plan (ARSP). The project will now advance to the full City Council for final approval.

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

DisneylandForward Anaheim Planning Commission Vote

Disney has spent years working with the community, city, and consultants to seek the approvals necessary for the reconfiguration of the resort to accommodate a near doubling of its capacity.

Here’s what they have asked the planning commission to recommend: 

DisneylandForward

As a result of the 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.

DisneylandForward

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 the commissioners. “It’s a tremendous responsibility and a privilege to be the steward of this vision for this very, very special place.”

DisneylandForward - Ken Potrock
Disneyland President Ken Potrock addressed the commissioners.

For those who pay attention to these things (and don’t we all?) Ken once again specifically mentioned 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.”

Dozens of Disneyland Cast Members; representatives from local businesses, trade unions, and hospitality organizations; and Anaheim residents attended the meeting to support DisneylandForward and urge the commissioners to approve the project; those who oppose expressed concerns about increased congestion in their neighborhood and the lack of a concrete construction timeline.

What is DisneylandForward?

Disneyland Resort is planning for a bold new future with a project dubbed “DisneylandForward!” Hot on the heels of the most challenging time in Disney’s history, the resort is thinking big and reimagining how it can expand within its existing boundaries. That means working with the community and city to update old permits and thinking about how to expand entertainment, including new attractions, lands, or even a possible 3rd park, into existing Disneyland-owned space.  

DisneylandForward, DISNEYLAND NEWS: Everything You Need To Know About DisneylandForward

The DisneylandForward team is already working with community leaders and city officials to get the permits and approvals needed to start planning the part fans really want to know about… the new rides! 

DisneylandForward, DISNEYLAND NEWS: Everything You Need To Know About DisneylandForward

On Jan. 23, 2024, the project conducted an Anaheim City Council Disneyland Development Agreement Workshop. This comes following the release of both an environmental impact report AND the details of Disney’s proposed development agreement with the city.

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

DisneylandForward, DISNEYLAND NEWS: Everything You Need To Know About DisneylandForward 

Below, we’ll share the general information about what DisneylandForward is, what it could mean for the future of the resort, and what steps are left to complete before Disneyland can share real plans for guest entertainment, hospitality, and more. There is lots of new info for you below…

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 up more land or build a second resort elsewhere, Disneyland wants to use its existing land in new ways. And that means rezoning 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.  

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).

DisneylandForward, DISNEYLAND NEWS: Everything You Need To Know About DisneylandForward

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 Stage Is The DisneylandForward Project Currently At?  

Disney hopes to obtain new zoning early this year. For the last several years, Disney has done extensive community outreach to gain support for the expansion. 

DisneylandForward, DISNEYLAND NEWS: Everything You Need To Know About DisneylandForward

They also released the Environmental Impact Report in late 2023 (more on that below). 

Here’s the current timeline: 

    • Jan. 23, 2024: City Council workshop with proposed development agreement overview
    • February 2024: Planning Commission workshop, including development agreement overview
    • March 2024: Planning Commission hearing on DisneylandForward
    • April and May 2024: City Council hearings on DisneylandForward

The City Council will need to approve the Environmental Impact Report, and the Development Agreement, as well as approve the zoning changes. If all goes well, Disney could get their new zoning and initial expansion blessing by early spring 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 was released on Sept. 14, 2023. The report reveals assumptions on sound, aesthetics, energy and water usage, and much more. However, it does not include any firm plans on exactly what Disneyland is planning to build. However, the report does estimate sound levels in the new theme park zone.

Current park noise:

DisneylandForward, DISNEYLAND NEWS: Everything You Need To Know About DisneylandForwardAnd noise for the proposed theme park expansion (likely to be a 3rd park): 

DisneylandForward, DISNEYLAND NEWS: Everything You Need To Know About DisneylandForward

But what we REALLY got out of this report was the specific show-building placements around existing Disneyland hotels.  That’s about 18 to 20 attractions. Not quite what you’d consider a full-day park experience. 

One thing we learned from the new 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).

DisneylandForward, DISNEYLAND NEWS: Everything You Need To Know About DisneylandForward

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:

DisneylandForward, DISNEYLAND NEWS: Everything You Need To Know About DisneylandForward

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 3rd 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, DISNEYLAND NEWS: Everything You Need To Know About DisneylandForward
Disneyland Resort west side expansion – possible 3rd park

Disneyland Resort West Side Expansion project zone is situated to the west of Disneyland Drive, where the Paradise Pier and Disneyland Hotels currently stand. If you scrutinize the concept art above, you’ll spot the existing hotels. It appears to showcase a sprawling theme park that extends from Katella Ave on the image’s far left to the Mickey and Friends parking structure on the far right.

During a community meeting on the evening of Jan. 22, 2024, and again with the City Council on the evening of Jan. 23, Disney teased new projects from Hong Kong Disneyland, Shanghai Disneyland, and Tokyo Disneyland as the sort of thing that could come to the Disneyland Resort if Disney obtains the approval it is seeking.  

Keep in mind that no projects have been officially proposed to the city yet. But these potential concepts are consistently shared with the community and used as an example of what Disneyland might build on the Resort’s west side.

Tokyo Disneyland’s upcoming Fantasy Springs has been used as an example of a mixed-use development that could be coming to the West Side expansion of Disneyland Resort. The project includes several themed areas and has an attached hotel. Frozen’s Arendelle (with ride), Tangled (with Snuggly Duckling pub), even a Peter Pan area (with Skull Rock) are all included in that project. You can see a similar-looking area in the DisneylandForward concept art above. Below is Tokyo’s Fantasy Springs for inspiration: 

DisneylandForward, DISNEYLAND NEWS: Everything You Need To Know About DisneylandForward
Tokyo’s Disney Springs is a prime example of what Disneyland is trying to accomplish with a mixed-use space

Shanghai Disneyland’s Zootopia project was also mentioned as an example of modern immersive Disney Parks storytelling. It packs a lot of visual appeal into a fairly tight space. 

DisneylandForward, DISNEYLAND NEWS: Everything You Need To Know About DisneylandForward

The Jan. 22 meeting also mentioned Hong Kong’s brand new World of Frozen: 

DisneylandForward, DISNEYLAND NEWS: Everything You Need To Know About DisneylandForward

I recently visited the new World of Frozen, and we’d be lucky to get any version of this beautiful space. 

Hoo Hoo, World of Frozen Debuts at Hong Kong Disneyland!

Finally, at previous meetings and discussions Toy Story Land and even a TRON coaster have been mentioned as the sorts of things Disneyland might be thinking about (again, we emphasize that it’s too soon for Disneyland to confirm specific projects).  

This project is certainly thrilling. However, we should temper our expectations, as specific details won’t come until after Disney is told they have the approvals to build anything at all. 

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. 

DisneylandForward, DISNEYLAND NEWS: Everything You Need To Know About DisneylandForward

Since that image was released, Disneyland has confirmed more details about the Downtown Disney transformation, including some restaurants coming to the resort later in 2024 (Our Downtown Disney coverage was updated on the evening of Jan. 22 2024, with yet another new restaurant confirmed and some new concept art): 

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. 

DisneylandForward, DISNEYLAND NEWS: Everything You Need To Know About DisneylandForward

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.

DisneylandForward, DISNEYLAND NEWS: Everything You Need To Know About DisneylandForward

The new parking structure is slated for the land behind the 3rd party hotels on Harbor Blvd.

On the Jan. 23 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. 

DisneylandForward, DISNEYLAND NEWS: Everything You Need To Know About DisneylandForward

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:

DisneylandForward, DISNEYLAND NEWS: Everything You Need To Know About DisneylandForward

Affordable housing projects, and support for local nonprofits: 

DisneylandForward, DISNEYLAND NEWS: Everything You Need To Know About DisneylandForward

City improvements: 

DisneylandForward, DISNEYLAND NEWS: Everything You Need To Know About DisneylandForward

And Disney will pay $90 MILLION to the city for 3 small roads around the resort + funding to improve roads and intersections. 

DisneylandForward, DISNEYLAND NEWS: Everything You Need To Know About DisneylandForward

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.  

DisneylandForward, DISNEYLAND NEWS: Everything You Need To Know About DisneylandForward

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! 

DisneylandForward, DISNEYLAND NEWS: Everything You Need To Know About DisneylandForward

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 3rd 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

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DisneylandForward, DISNEYLAND NEWS: Everything You Need To Know About DisneylandForward
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Let’s Hear From You

This is the biggest Disneyland news since the park sought approval for WestCot and Disney California Adventure in the 90s, folks. Let’s hear from you on Disneyland’s new mixed-use approach and community focus.  How much of this do you think will be built and what would YOU like to see from the Disneyland Resort in the future? The resort isn’t growing their land, just what they are doing on it. But they also aren’t ruling out future purchases and side projects beyond the DisneylandForward scope.  Let’s hear from you!!!

DisneylandForward, DISNEYLAND NEWS: Everything You Need To Know About DisneylandForward
Mickey Mouse and Disneyland President Ken Patrick at a community event in 2023

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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