ANAHEIM, Calif. — Disney is marking a major milestone after the Anaheim City Council approved its nearly $2 billion, decades-long plan to invest in and expand the Disneyland Resort.
The city council unanimously approved the DisneylandForward initiative 7-0 following a nearly eight-hour meeting that stretched into the middle of the night. Disney’s $1.9 billion project now moves to the Anaheim City Council for a final vote in May.
The addition of Disney’s most popular stories from “Frozen”, “Avatar” and “Zootopia” to the Southern California theme parks is all possible under the company’s ten-year investment plan.
“Disney is making it clear that California is its home because we provide the welcoming and supportive environment where businesses want to expand and create more jobs,” Gov. Gavin Newsom said. “We look forward to cultivating more Disney magic and building opportunities for all as this investment drives billions of dollars in revenue for our state and local communities.”
The Disneyland Forward project is meant to expand development and add hotel rooms to the theme park by utilizing about 57 acres of parking and unused land.
The plan is essentially a shuffling around of previously approved zoning to allow for more attractions, hotel rooms and other entertainment and attractions without expanding the theme park.
During the public hearing, Anaheim residents, Disneyland cast members, and officials from nearby cities spoke about the advantages and problems of the plan.
Part of the proposal calls for Disney to pay $40 million to buy Magic Way, Hotel Way and a part of Clementine Street from the city, roadways around Disneyland.
Disney officials want to build new theme park attractions next to hotels west of the theme park and Disney California Adventure and to add entertainment, shopping, restaurants and theme park attractions in what's now known as the Toy Story parking lot.
The development is expected to be done over the next 40 years. Disney has pledged a minimum $1.9 billion investment in the theme park and its retail businesses within 10 years.
PHOTOS: Disneyland Forward
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