Community Corner
Massive $2B Disneyland Expansion Approved By Commission
The 10-year plan received its first round of approvals Monday on the park's first major expansion project since the '90s.
ORANGE COUNTY, CA — California officials to approved a $1.9 billion, 10-year plan to expand its Disneyland theme park — the park's first major expansion plan since the '90s.
The City of Anaheim's planning commission assessed the proposed upgrades to Disneyland in a lengthy meeting that took place Monday.
The project — which would require Disney to invest at least $1.9 billion in the theme park, lodging, entertainment and related uses over the next decade — still must be approved by the city council before taking effect.
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The council is expected to consider the project next month.
Any agreement struck between the city and Disney would require the company to invest millions in street improvements, affordable housing and other infrastructure in the city.
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Disney's goal is to create what it calls more immersive experiences for tourists, similar to the attraction Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge, which opened in California in 2019.
“We know there are stories out there we haven’t told yet, like ‘Wakanda’ or ‘Coco’ or ‘Frozen’ or ‘Zootopia,’” said Rachel Alde, Disney’s senior vice president of global development and finance. “We know what kind of stories we would love to tell. We need to get the guidance on what we can build there so we can understand how.”
The proposed expansion wouldn't increase Disney's 490-acre footprint in Southern California, but it could help the company develop new attractions.
According to Disney, they could build ride and entertainment options on what is currently a 50-acre parking lot.
"[The project] will allow us to continue Walt's legacy of bringing Disney stories to life, right here in Anaheim," Ken Potrock, president of Disneyland Resort, told the commission during the meeting.
AP News contributed to this report.
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