by Donald Wood
Last updated: 10:25 AM ET, Wed May 8, 2024
Disney officials announced on Tuesday that the Anaheim City
Council approved plans for DisneylandForward, a theme
park expansion the company calls the “next era of Disneyland Resort.”
The DisneylandForward expansion plans will remain within the
confines of the current property and convert several parking lots—including
those west of Disneyland Drive in the resort area and at the Toy Story parking
lot on Harbor Boulevard—into a new 17,600-space parking garage.
As part of the 40-year agreement, Disney will use the
remaining portions of repurposed parking lots to develop attractions, hotels,
and retail stores. Earlier this year, Disney CEO Bob Iger teased an
Avatar-themed land as a possibility.
While overall plans and construction start and completion
dates have not been announced, Iger said the expansion plan could “increase the
size of Disneyland by 50 percent.”
“DisneylandForward will bring over 4,500 operational jobs to
Disneyland Resort, which is very exciting since more than 2,200 people apply
for hourly roles every week, along with nearly 9,000 construction jobs within
the first 10 years,” a Disney spokesperson said.
Rendering of DisneylandForward expansion plan. (Photo Credit: Disneyland Resort Media)
Anaheim had several of its demands for the city met by
Disney as well, with the company promising to invest at least $1.9 billion into
its theme parks by 2034. The brand will also provide over $100 million in community
benefits for the city.
In addition, Disneyland
will pay Anaheim $30 million for affordable housing, $8 million for parks, $10
million for sewer improvements and $45 million for street infrastructure work
around the resort.
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