The “Happiest Place on Earth” is about to undergo significant changes.
A comprehensive restoration of Disneyland that will enable the construction of new attractions, stores, and restaurants within the theme park resort’s current grounds was unanimously approved by the Anaheim City Council yesterday. According to local officials, this is Disneyland’s most significant renovation since the 1990s.
Ted White, the deputy city manager and planning director, stated during the meeting that promoting Disneyland’s long-term success “ultimately translates into city revenues that help serve the residents of Anaheim,” which is a significant economic engine and the largest employer in Anaheim, the most populous city in Orange County. Final approval will require another procedural vote by the council, which is slated for May.
Disney has committed to investing a minimum of $1.9 billion in the resort over the next ten years as part of the 40-year plan. With the exception of Disney purchasing three public streets from Anaheim for $40 million, the theme park’s footprint would not grow.
The plan calls for remodeling park area to better accommodate accommodation, rides, and stores, as well as adding additional attractions on top of an existing Disneyland parking lot. A prototype of this new type of interactive experience is Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, which debuted at Disneyland in 2019. Disney representatives have discussed bringing Frozen, Zootopia, or Peter Pan parks, akin to those in Shanghai, Hong Kong, and Tokyo.
Anaheim would briefly experience noise and pollution due to construction activity on the project, according to city authorities. Concerns about rising traffic, rents, and living expenses due to the expansion were also voiced by the locals.
However, the City Council determined that the project was worthwhile due to the economic benefit the park provides to the city and the tax income it generates. Disney has also committed to donate $8 million to public parks and $30 million to the development of affordable housing.
Mayor Ashleigh Aitken addressed the group, saying, “As someone that has been quite the vocal critic in the past of some of these projects,” “I’ve been really surprised in doing my due diligence and reading thousands of pages of documents that this project will bring a benefit to our community, not just in the near future, but decades to come.”
Governor Gavin Newsom applauded the plan’s approval on Wednesday morning, stating that the project would generate 3,600 employment during operation and nearly 7,800 jobs through new construction over a four-year period.