Disney gave its final pitch for its DisneylandForward proposal Tuesday evening, April 16, at the Anaheim City Council meeting, where the company is hoping to get approval to grow its theme parks in the city and invest at least $1.9 billion into new attractions, hotels and other amenities.
The proposed agreement maps out where new theme park development could occur over the next 40 years, giving Disney flexibility to determine what exactly would be built – though all still within the footprint of its current properties. The goal, Disney officials say, is to use underutilized land around the resort to build immersive experiences in Anaheim as the company has done elsewhere around the world.
“We are ready to bring the next level of immersive entertainment here to Anaheim,” Disneyland Resort President Ken Potrock said at the meeting, describing a mixing of rides and attractions with hotels, dining and more not seen yet at the Anaheim parks.
The city’s staff is recommending the City Council approve the development agreement, with Planning Director Ted White saying new lodging and entertainment has significant economic benefit for the region and drives general fund revenue. White said the city’s staff believes the project continues the city’s long-term vision to grow and expand as a nationally recognized tourist destination.
Much of the development would occur in the parking lots bordered by Walnut Street and Disneyland Drive. The company has said it may also develop the Toy Story parking lot on the southeast corner of the resort with an eye toward catering more to locals with shopping and experiences modeled after Disney Springs in Walt Disney World.
Disney CEO Bob Iger has teased an “Avatar”-themed land to investors as a possibility to be built and said Disneyland could increase in size by 50%. Potrock said Tuesday night that “Avatar” remains at the top of the list for what could be built, but “what we can do with this experience regarding the size and scope is inherently influenced by DisneylandForward.”
“Let me be clear, the time is now,” he told councilmembers, asking for their support. “The Walt Disney Company has committed to investing $60 billion in its theme parks worldwide over the next decade. Let’s bring a large portion of that investment here to Anaheim.
“It takes three to five years for Imagineers to bring an idea to fruition and the company is deciding which parks will receive funding right now. Right now. We want to make sure we get part of this investment, I would kindly say more than our fair share, part of this investment,” he said, adding later, “We want to go beyond replacing and removing current attractions and lands. We want to bring new experiences to the Disneyland Resort.”
The city’s Planning Commission already approved land-use elements of the project at a March meeting. What the Planning Commission didn’t vote on was community benefits the city would receive and whether the city should sell some streets to Disney.
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Residents on Tuesday held up signs outside of City Hall that asked the council to not sell Magic Way, an 1,150-foot street on the west side of the resort that serves the Pixar Pals parking garage and the Disneyland Hotel. Residents say they use that road as a shortcut to get onto the 5 Freeway.
The council’s vote would sell Magic Way and sections of two other roads to the company for $40 million.
Disney wouldn’t take over Magic Way until the city completes intersection improvements on Ball Road at Walnut Street and Disneyland Drive, which Councilmember Norma Campos Kurtz, who represents the area, said would be important.
Kurtz said that wasn’t a part of the original agreement, but was added to address resident concerns about traffic congestion.
Pedestrians and emergency vehicles would still be able to access Magic Way if sold.
The council is also considering more than more than $100 million from Disney in community benefits for the city. Disney, if approved, would give Anaheim $30 million to use to help build affordable housing, $8 million for city parks and tens of millions more to support infrastructure improvements, such as sewers and roads.
A new 17,600-space parking garage would be built to accommodate the millions of more visitors that Anaheim would likely get a year.
Nearly 100 speakers have lined up to speak on the proposal.
DisneylandForward will need two votes from the City Council to be fully approved. If the council voted yes Tuesday night, it will have to vote again at its next meeting on May 7.
City Manager James Vanderpool said the consideration and processing of the DisneylandForward proposal took effort from all city departments.
“Few cities in the world will ever see a proposal like this presented for your consideration tonight,” Vanderpool said. “But in Anaheim, this is what we do.”
This is a developing story, check back for updates.
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