Disneyland has introduced a proposal for brand spanking new theme park, retail, and parking growth in California as Disney plans to work with Anaheim to reimagine the resort district over the following twenty years. On this submit, we’ll share information, particulars, and our commentary in regards to the tentative plans. (Up to date April 11, 2023.)
The proposal is being known as “DisneylandForward” and is a conceptual growth plan for Disney to work with Anaheim to develop the realm, replace the blueprint for the resort district, and facilitate the town’s financial rebound. Curiously, DisneylandForward doesn’t contain the corporate buying further property–it stays inside Disney’s present 500-acre footprint in Anaheim with no bodily growth or further acreage.
Reasonably, DisneylandForward is basically the corporate’s pitch to the general public and Metropolis of Anaheim for extra flexibility within the grasp plans from the Nineteen Nineties so as to add a mixture of new theme park lands & sights, lodge, purchasing, eating, and leisure venues on the jap and western perimeter of the prevailing Disneyland Resort. Right here’s a few of what that entails…
April 11, 2023 Replace: Over two years since its announcement, Disneyland Resort has not provided any substantive updates in regards to the DisneylandForward proposal. That’s regardless of Disney CEO Bob Iger and Parks Chairman Josh D’Amaro repeatedly touting bold plans for the long run, bullishness on parks, and want for capacity-expanding additions. We mentioned all of this in nice size in Bob Iger Desires Massive Expansions at Walt Disney World & Disneyland.
Throughout the newest earnings name, CEO Bob Iger revealed that an Avatar Expertise Is Coming to Disneyland. He has since made a number of media appearances and talked about this, whereas declining to supply further particulars in regards to the substance and nature of this. At this level, what that “expertise” will entail or the place it’ll be situated is anybody’s guess. It may very well be as small as a walk-through or as bold as Pandora – World of Avatar. Nobody is aware of.
One factor we do know is that on April 15, 2023 from 9 a.m. till 11 a.m. at Eucalyptus Park, the corporate shall be holding a DisneylandForward Neighborhood Espresso! Get pleasure from complimentary espresso and donuts whereas studying all about DisneylandForward. Based on the corporate, Solid Members shall be there to reply any questions you might have.
Simply don’t count on them to truly reply questions on what, particularly and of substance is deliberate for DisneylandForward. Additionally don’t count on any indication in regards to the funds for DisneylandForward growth or actually another significant concrete particulars. What you’re as an alternative more likely to obtain is potential concepts, ambitions, and inventive potential. A complete lot of fluff.
Which brings us to the actually large level that’s of paramount significance. DisneylandForward is not a 3rd gate at Disneyland Resort. Though an oversimplification, DisneylandForward is best seen as a zoning proposal. In essence, the pitch is to present the corporate extra autonomy over growth, after which they would possibly use that freedom to develop the parks. Examples of growth choices–however not particular plans–are contained within the DisneylandForward promotional supplies.
Reasonably than being a model new theme park, DisneylandForward affords the potential for growth to each Disneyland and Disney California Journey. (Even that isn’t assured, and isn’t the core of DisneylandForward, as defined beneath.) When seen in essentially the most favorable mild, DisneylandForward is considerably akin to Fantasy Springs at Tokyo DisneySea (which is evoked rather a lot on this proposal) proper all the way down to the probability that each are going to be incessantly misconstrued as standalone parks.
Right here’s a map of the realm to assist visualize how the growth would look relative to the prevailing Disneyland Resort:
Basically, there can be a westside growth with new theme park components on the Downtown Disney and Lilo & Sew parking heaps constructed round Disneyland Lodge and Paradise Pier Lodge. The idea artwork of the westside website reveals a mountain ridge that might separate the theme park from close by neighborhoods–form of like Vehicles Land.
This westside website growth would wrap round to Downtown Disney close to the unused AMC Theater and ESPN Zone. These beforehand closed for the posh lodge undertaking that didn’t get approval from Anaheim and was subsequently placed on indefinite maintain. (Extra on that later…)
The eastside growth would convey make the most of the Toy Story car parking zone subsequent to the Anaheim Conference Middle. Disney signifies that this property may very well be the proper location to cater to locals, conventioneers, resorts, and Disneyland Resort visitors.
It might characteristic eating places, resorts, stay music, purchasing, ticketed reveals, and theme park experiences modeled after the favored Disney Springs at Walt Disney World. One other piece of instance idea artwork options Jock Lindsey’s Hangar Bar, which might undoubtedly be standard with locals if that finally ends up being constructed.
Lastly, the DisneylandForward undertaking would revive the Jap Gateway parking storage off I-5 and its connection throughout Harbor Boulevard to the parks. This was additionally beforehand deserted, with the Pixar Buddies storage constructed as an alternative.
This may presumably be crucial as soon as once more since a lot different parking can be transformed to visitor area…and in addition attributable to elevated demand and attendance at Disneyland Resort. Disney additionally has some phrases of warning for these dissecting the idea artwork: the undertaking shall be refined over time and there aren’t any particular initiatives deliberate for the long run. In different phrases, actually all the things pictured is a placeholder.
Moreover, Disney notes that it isn’t searching for any public funding for DisneylandForward or further sq. footage or lodge rooms past what’s presently accredited and allowed. Disney is solely asking to replace present approvals to permit for built-in growth to be situated and constructed on Disney properties.
“Pondering large and main the best way is each our legacy and our greatest path ahead. Now could be the time to be daring, to dream, to imagine, and to guide! The world-renowned Disneyland Resort is poised to convey again jobs to our neighborhood in addition to new leisure and experiences to loyal followers and new audiences for generations to return.” stated Ken Potrock, President of Disneyland Resort.
For those who browse the DisneylandForward web site for even a couple of minutes (and it is best to!), it turns into patently apparent that that is Disney’s gross sales pitch to the general public and is about brokering a take care of the Metropolis of Anaheim. It’s not even thinly-veiled, it’s completely clear with the opening paragraph on the “Prospects” web page:
“We need to convey extra Disney funding to Anaheim. Nevertheless, this merely isn’t potential underneath present rigid planning restrictions except we take away and change treasured rides and sights in our Parks in the present day. With out updates, new Disney experiences and placemaking, created from our beloved tales, will seemingly by no means discover their solution to the Disneyland Resort as they should different parks all through the world. With DisneylandForward and extra flexibility inside our present properties, new lands and adventures like these underway at Tokyo DisneySea and Shanghai Disneyland may encourage new experiences right here.”
The crux of the problem is the Disneyland Resort Particular Plan No. 92-1 (“DRSP”). The DRSP was adopted in 1993 with subsequent amendments, and is an fascinating have a look at what was deliberate versus what got here to fruition. I’m very accustomed to the DRSP as a result of again when the Jap Gateway undertaking was proposed over 5 years in the past, I learn most of its 200+ pages.
Admittedly, I’ve forgotten a variety of that since. On the time, my evaluation of the Jap Gateway proposal was that Disney would face staunch opposition from native companies and should have a troublesome time constructing the Jap Gateway because of the phrases of the DRSP, which was true. In the end, I predicted that Disney would nonetheless reach muscling the Jap Gateway by way of after that battle, which was unfaithful.
Along with abandoning the Jap Gateway, Disneyland has since proposed and deserted a luxurious lodge undertaking to exchange a part of Downtown Disney (idea artwork above). Past that, a morass of political disputes did important injury to Anaheim’s and Disney’s 60+ 12 months relationship.
In just a few quick years, the stand-off between Disney and Anaheim prompted severe hurt to each side and the neighborhood. On the time, it wouldn’t have been hyperbole to name it “irreparable hurt.” Nevertheless, rather a lot has modified since then…
First, a extra Disney-friendly mayor and members of the Anaheim Metropolis Council have been elected since all of these plans had been cancelled or placed on indefinite maintain. Largely, that’s why Disney had no points getting the proposed Disneyland Lodge DVC wing accredited by Anaheim.
Second, the year-long closure of Disneyland that decimated the town’s economic system. Because of that, the Anaheim Metropolis Council approved borrowing $210 million to shut funds deficits attributable to tourism downturn. I’m undecided the lesson I’d study from the final 12 months is “let’s double down on tourism,” however it’s positively the quickest and best path to restoration, particularly given Anaheim’s present infrastructure and companies.
From my perspective, the unknown amount is the notion of Disney by residents of Anaheim. Now that we not stay in California, I haven’t saved my finger on the heart beat of public sentiment. Final I knew, animosity in direction of Disneyland had grown amongst Anaheim residents, however that might’ve modified after a difficult 12 months. Disney wouldn’t have introduced this if it didn’t have enough assist from the Anaheim Metropolis Council, and my guess is it’ll likewise have little concern gaining public assist.
Anaheim is in a weak place proper now, and Disney has a beautiful answer. It’s an opportunistic one, however it’s additionally sensible and viable. And to Disney’s credit score, they’re doubling-down on California after a 12 months that might pretty be described as “difficult” for the parks doing enterprise within the state. It thus isn’t actually truthful to color this in a rapacious mild. This shall be good for each Disney and the Metropolis of Anaheim. Even the struggling companies on Harbor Boulevard that beforehand would possibly’ve opposed one thing like this over a 12 months in the past now might need extra “readability” about how important Disney is to them.
With that stated, I’d nonetheless warning in opposition to taking a look at that prospects web page, seeing references to blockbuster Tokyo DisneySea and Shanghai Disneyland initiatives, and getting too excited. For one factor, each Fantasy Springs and the Zootopia land are colossal, and there merely is just not area for a number of additions of that measurement on the parcels in Anaheim.
As soon as once more, these are all placeholders–Disney is just not promising to construct any of this. Furthermore, Disney isn’t promising to speculate something–there’s a motive no greenback quantity hooked up to this proposal. It may very well be $3 billion, it may very well be $0. This isn’t at the same time as concrete because the plans for Port Disney or WestCOT, two Disney theme parks in California that you simply’ve probably by no means heard of as a result of they weren’t constructed.
DisneylandForward is all about paving the best way for future developments of some type by giving Disney extra autonomy over land use by stress-free the DRSP. Disney is basically saying, “give us authority to construct no matter we would like, then we’ll let you know what, if something, we’re going to construct.”
There’s a motive the phrases “like” and “impressed by” the Tokyo and Shanghai initiatives are used. You would additionally say the Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh is like Pooh’s Hunny Hunt. However it additionally very a lot is just not.
My assumption is that evoking the Asian parks was a deliberate transfer to generate assist amongst Southern California’s educated fanbase, and never consultant of what Imagineering intends to construct. For those who begin getting hyped for Neverland and find yourself with Alien Swirling Saucers, that’s going to really feel like a swift kick within the A.S.S.
In the end, this isn’t to be a buzzkill or rain on any parades. Simply attempting to chop by way of the advertising and marketing puffery to current a sensible synopsis of what’s really being proposed, why it’s being pitched this fashion, and whether or not it’ll seemingly come to fruition. With all of that stated, I’m very excited for DisneylandForward. It is a big step ahead for the evolution of Disneyland Resort that may seemingly occur in a kind bearing virtually no resemblance to the idea artwork on the prime of this submit. (The map, sure–however not the artwork.)
Setting all of that apart, what a approach for Disneyland Resort to bounce again?! This should be an enormous blow for these brazenly rooting for California’s failure, naively considering that Disney would possibly play Theme Park Tycoon and magically transfer the parks to Texas. (Don’t say we didn’t warn you–moist blankets had been repeatedly thrown on these delusions.) On the finish of the day, Disneyland continues to be conveniently situated close to thousands and thousands of individuals in Los Angeles and Orange Counties. The world is effectively positioned for development, and with the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics lower than a decade away–a catalyst for growth in each Tokyo and Paris beforehand–it seems Disneyland Resort is likewise primed for additional growth.
Planning a Southern California trip? For park admission offers, learn Suggestions for Saving Cash on Disneyland Tickets. Find out about on-site and off-site resorts in our Anaheim Lodge Critiques & Rankings. For the place to eat, take a look at our Disneyland Restaurant Critiques. For distinctive concepts of issues that’ll enhance your journey, take a look at What to Pack for Disney. For complete recommendation, seek the advice of our Disneyland Trip Planning Information. Lastly, for guides past Disney, take a look at our Southern California Itineraries for day journeys to Los Angeles, Laguna Seashore, and lots of different SoCal cities!
YOUR THOUGHTS
What do you concentrate on the DisneylandForward proposal? Excited and optimistic about this information, or have you ever been across the block earlier than with Port Disney and WestCOT? Any predictions as as to whether Disney shall be profitable in gaining assist for modifying the Disneyland Resort Particular Plan No. 92-1? Do you agree or disagree with our evaluation? Any questions we might help you reply? Listening to your suggestions–even if you disagree with us–is each fascinating to us and useful to different readers, so please share your ideas beneath within the feedback!