What's inside Disney's new $2 billion deal with the city of Anaheim?
Disney is getting serious about an expansion to Disneyland—nearly two billion dollars worth of serious.
Some time ago, Disney announced the DisneylandForward plan, a proposal to the city of Anaheim to provide expansion for Disneyland. While that was just a proposal then, Disney is now putting a money label on it with a whopping $1.9 billion.
The specifics are as follows: Disney plans to spend a minimum of $1.9 billion on new attractions, entertainment, and lodging within the first ten years after approval. In addition, Disney would commit $45 million for street improvements in Anaheim and $40 million to acquire Magic Way (which runs south of the Pixar Pals Parking Structure), Hotel Way (a driveway into the Pumbaa Parking Lot), and part of Clementine Street that runs through the Toy Story Parking Area.
On top of that, Disney would also have to pay an additional $5 million for street improvements if it did not spend a total of at least $2.5 billion on new attractions within the first ten years of the new agreement. In other words, the Anaheim board wants to make sure Disney actually goes ahead with their plans or pays up for construction.
Another part of the deal is that Disney will commit $30 million to affordable housing projects in the first five years, $10 million for sewer upgrades, and $8 million to city parks and programs to support worker and education development for both Disney employees and 10,000 Anaheim residents.
In short, the entire thing is meant as a way not just for Disneyland to expand but also aid the city of Anaheim, showing the symbiotic relationship the two have. It’s hit a few snags over the years, but both sides seem eager for this to go forward.
What does this mean for the Disneyland parks?
According to concept drawings they’ve been putting out, Disney’s plan is to expand sections of Tomorrowland and Adventureland via pedestrian bridges across Disneyland Drive and Harbour Boulevard. In the presentation, Disney suggested these areas could be used for U.S. versions of the Frozen and Zootopia lands that are located in the international parks. It was also hinted there may be attractions based on Coco and Black Panther.
The bridge system is unique, not unlike what one would see in Las Vegas and provides access to both Disney guests and Anaheim residents. Disney has emphasized this isn’t a third gate, simply expanding the parks.
There are scores of issues, such as the construction around the Disneyland resorts and Downtown Disney areas. It would also hardly be the first time Disney has announced huge plans for some development, but they never happen.
But with a price tag in place and the Anaheim government seemingly on board, it may be that in the next decade, Disneyland guests will see some amazing new attractions, and the park will expand bigger than it ever has before.