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Disney Expansion Effort Clears Final Hurdle
A rendering of a possible immersive theme park expansion on the existing surface parking area near the Disneyland Hotel, Downtown Disney District and Disney’s Paradise Pier Hotel.
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Courtesy of DisneylandForward
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Topline:
DisneylandForward, Disney’s $1.9 billion expansion effort, received final approval in a unanimous vote by Anaheim’s city council on Tuesday night. Changes to the resort can begin 30 days after the vote. And with this vote, Disney also takes control of three public streets, including Magic Way.
About the proposed expansion: Two of Disney’s current parking lots will give way to new theme park attractions, retail, dining and hotels and to accommodate the increased guests Disney anticipates the expansions will bring, they are set to construct a parking structure on the west side of the Disney property.
The DisneylandForward plan will not expand Disney’s footprint beyond its current area in Anaheim but instead allow for mixed use “immersive experiences.”
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What’s in it for the city? “Anaheim is projected to see $15 million to $244 million in additional yearly revenue at complete buildout of what’s allowed under DisneylandForward,” according to a city press release about the approval.
Disneyland’s expansion would also bring additional investments from Disney: $30 million for affordable housing, $8 million for Anaheim parks, as well as $45 million for street and transportation improvements and $10 million for sewer improvements along Katella Avenue, according to city staffers.
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