Walt Disney knew exactly what he was doing when he partnered with the city of Anaheim to build his one-of-a-kind theme park seven decades ago. Anaheim has always had a bold vision for its future. Almost 70 years after Disneyland opened, the city has developed beyond anything Walt could have imagined – two professional sports teams, a bustling convention center, over 180 hotels, nearly 70 parks, incredible entertainment and dining experiences, and a diverse, vibrant community.
All this thanks to the vision of Anaheim leaders who knew this special city could be more than just any ordinary town.
DisneylandForward, our collaborative, public planning effort to update Disneyland Resort’s existing land-use approvals, is the next step in Anaheim’s bold vision.
We’ve been here before, working with the city and dreaming big about how we could make a lasting impact in our community. The development approvals in the 1990s laid the groundwork for Disney California Adventure park, Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa and Downtown Disney District, and established the Anaheim Resort Area as the premiere, multi-day vacation destination in Southern California.
Since then, we’ve continued to invest, bringing awe-inspiring expansions to Disneyland Resort like Cars Land, Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, Avengers Campus, The Villas at Disneyland Hotel and our newly reimagined Pixar Place Hotel.
And we’ve built a best-in-class workplace experience for our thousands of cast members, with competitive-paying jobs, fully paid college tuition through our Aspire program for hourly cast, affordable healthcare and childcare for those eligible, and opportunities for mentorships, training and career advancement.
Now, it’s time to dream big again.
The theme park industry is evolving with guests seeking more integrated, immersive experiences where they can shop, dine, stay and play. The Walt Disney Company has committed to investing $60 billion in theme parks and experiences over the next decade – we have the chance to ensure a large portion comes to Anaheim.
With each new experience taking three to five years to come to fruition, DisneylandForward is an urgent need so we can determine what new stories could be told at “The Happiest Place on Earth.”
Maybe a land based on “Zootopia,” leveraging the incredible work at Shanghai Disney Resort, or the chance to celebrate Dia de Los Muertos in a “Coco”-themed experience, or as was shared during Disney’s recent shareholders meeting, the opportunity to enter the world of “Avatar” with a visit to Pandora.
DisneylandForward is not seeking any taxpayer funding from Anaheim. What we are asking for is flexibility on where and what we build on our own land using the square footage and hotel room capacity that already has been approved.
We have committed to investing a minimum of $1.9 billion in the first 10 years if DisneylandForward is approved. What could that bring Anaheim? Beyond thousands of new, competitive-paying jobs, Cal State Fullerton’s economic impact study projects increased revenues of about $15 million annually for Anaheim from each $1 billion we invest. This could help fund necessary community services including additional fire and police, parks and libraries.
But that’s not all.
We’re also committing to a unique benefits package for Anaheim and its residents, including $30 million for affordable housing, $8 million for parks, $85 million in traffic improvements and pedestrian safety, and continued investment in workforce development programs.
Over the past three years, we’ve been transparent about the project, providing many opportunities for the community to learn, discuss and provide input. And we’ve incorporated changes based on recommendations from neighbors who have made DisneylandForward a stronger project that will limit where theme park attractions can be built and require sound barriers.
In addition to robust community support, we’re thrilled that a bipartisan majority of the Orange County delegation in the California state legislature backs DisneylandForward.
I’m proud of this legacy project, which will have a positive impact on generations to come, boosting local businesses and enhancing benefits for residents as we welcome visitors from around the world to one of America’s greatest cities — a city with an unmatched vision for dreaming big.
Disneyland Resort and Anaheim have worked on a project of this magnitude only twice before, in the 1950s and 1990s — both times, we grew beyond anyone’s expectations.
The time is now for a new, bold vision – let’s make history together again.
