Disneyland, the beloved theme park in Anaheim, California, has exciting plans for a massive expansion over the next several decades. The proposed $1.9 billion project, known as “DisneyForward,” aims to transform the original Disneyland park and add new immersive attractions and amenities.
The Disneyland Expansion Proposal
The DisneyForward plan involves loosening the zoning restrictions around the Disneyland Resort, which were established in 1994. According to Disney, these old zoning rules limit their ability to create the integrated, seamless experiences that modern theme park visitors expect.
In exchange for more flexibility, Disney has offered substantial benefits to the city of Anaheim:
- $30 million for affordable housing
- $8 million for parks
- $35 million for road improvements near the resort
What’s Included In the Disneyland Expansion Plan?
While specific new lands and attractions have not been confirmed, Disney has provided some tantalizing examples of what could be added, inspired by their other global theme parks:
New Disneyland Themed Lands
“Frozen” land, similar to the one at Hong Kong Disneyland
Hong Kong Disneyland’s Frozen Land, known as the World of Frozen, is the world’s first and largest Frozen-themed attraction.
It features flagship attractions such as Frozen Ever After, a family-friendly boat ride, Wandering Oaken’s Sliding Sleighs, a high-speed rollercoaster, and Playhouse in the Woods, an interactive show featuring Anna, Elsa, and Olaf.
“Zootopia” area, like the one in Shanghai Disneyland
Shanghai Disneyland’s Zootopia Land, the first-ever land inspired by the film, offers an immersive theme park experience that transports visitors into the vibrant and colorful world of Zootopia.
The main attraction, Zootopia: Hot Pursuit, is a trackless dark ride where guests are recruited to help the Zootopia Police Department solve the mysterious kidnapping of pop star Gazelle.
“Tangled” Themed Land
The possible Tangled Theme Land in Disneyland’s expansion is expected to be an immersive experience, transporting visitors into the world of Rapunzel. The centerpiece of the area would be a boat attraction, Tangled: The Ride, which would feature an incredible audio-animatronic of Rapunzel herself, and the rest of the land would be lit with lanterns in the evening and feature a restaurant, Tangled Tree Tavern.
“Peter Pan” Theme Land
A Peter Pan themed land in Disneyland’s expansion could whisk guests away to Never Land, with a thrilling flight alongside Peter Pan and Tinker Bell as a possible centerpiece attraction. The area could be teeming with Lost Boys’ hideouts, Skull Rock looming on the horizon, and opportunities to interact with mischievous mermaids.
New Disneyland Attractions
- Attractions based on popular franchises like “Toy Story” and “Tron”
- A new “Avatar” attraction, as confirmed by Disney CEO Bob Iger
Concept art released by Disney shows potential development areas to the west and southeast of the existing parks, currently used for parking.
Economic Benefits
An economic study conducted by Cal State Fullerton estimated that for every $1 billion Disney invests in the expansion, over 4,000 jobs and $1.1 billion in economic output would be generated during the construction phase alone.
Once completed, the investment could generate $253 million in annual economic output, $15 million in tax revenue, and 2,292 permanent jobs.
Disney itself has projected even higher numbers, with 8,960 jobs created during construction and 4,584 added during operations. The company has also promised that all construction jobs will be union labor, with a focus on hiring Anaheim residents and veterans.
Public Response to Disneyland Expansion
The DisneyForward plan has faced both support and opposition from the public. At a recent City Planning Commission meeting, union members, hoteliers, residents, and Disneyland employees voiced their approval, while others raised concerns about the potential environmental impact.
An environmental impact report released by Anaheim last September acknowledged that the expansion could significantly affect air quality, greenhouse gas emissions, and noise levels.
However, it also stated that the impact on transportation and neighborhood aesthetics would be minimal.
After a contentious six-hour meeting, the Planning Commission voted 5-1 to send the plan to the Anaheim City Council for review and potential approval before the end of 2024.
A Decades-Long Project
If approved, the DisneyForward expansion would unfold gradually over the next several decades, with an estimated completion date of 2064. The total investment from Disney is projected to reach $2.5 billion by the time the project is finished.
As Disneyland approaches its 70th anniversary in 2025, this ambitious plan promises to keep the park fresh, exciting, and at the forefront of theme park innovation for generations to come.