What Happens Now With DisneylandForward?
The Anaheim City Council just voted in favor of the DisneylandForward project.
But what does that mean for Disney fans, especially those on the West Coast?
Here’s what you need to know about the DisneylandForward project now that it’s official.
What Just Happened?
Honestly, after the past two Anaheim City Council/Planning Commission meetings, tonight was anticlimactic.
Seriously, the vote happened, and it took the audience a good minute to appreciate fully what had transpired.
As soon as awareness dawned on everyone, at least half the crowd stood up and exited the building.
For the next few minutes, the few remaining observers watched a discussion about Animal Control and stray cats. You can’t make this stuff up.
Anyway, part of the reason why the meeting ran short was that Disneyland President Ken Potrock had a plan when he arrived.
Even though a large percentage of the crowd had appeared in support of Disney, Potrock asked them not to speak.
Instead, in what I can only describe as a bit of trolling of anti-Disney residents, Potrock said the following:
“We thank you for your unanimous vote on April 16th, which showcases a unified vision for our community.
The feedback we’ve heard from an extraordinarily wide range of people has been nothing short of heartwarming and confirming of this project’s mass appeal.”
Later, Potrock added, “So many of our supporters wanted to share tonight and be a part of this important final step.
However, out of respect for your time, we’ve asked them to show their support by attending tonight’s meeting but not to speak.”
That’s part of why the meeting ran short. Only the detractors spoke…save for the dude who immediately followed Potrock.
That guy claimed he was a Cast Member, which flew in the face of what Potrock had just stated. That’s public discourse for you.
Anyway, after many of the same anti-Disney people as last time spoke, Anaheim’s City Council reaffirmed its support with a unanimous vote.
What Happens Next?
In January, I reported on the proposed $2.5 billion expansion at Disneyland Resort.
That’s the expected outcome of the DisneylandForward project in a nutshell.
Disney added a few caveats in the language, though. Technically, the company has guaranteed to spend “only” $1.9 billion.
The other $600 million in park updates will occur if the marketplace justifies the financial outlay.
Otherwise, Disney will pay a modest penalty to Anaheim in the amount of $5 million, a trivial sum.
The calculus there would be simple. Disney could feasibly save $595 million by paying the $5 million penalty rather than the extra $600 million.
I don’t expect that to happen, but it’s an essential distinction here.
In reality, some of the City Council speakers were already speculating on how Disney would spend the funds.
They referenced brands and projects like Avatar, Frozen, and Zootopia, all of which have been rumored at Disneyland Resort.
In the Parks Blog update, Disney highlights the benefits to Anaheim locals by saying residents will get:
“$30 million for affordable housing, $8 million for parks, $85 million in traffic improvements and pedestrian safety, and continued investment in workforce development programs.”
Meanwhile, Disneyland Resort will add 4,500 Cast Members jobs plus 9,000 more for construction workers during the expansion.
Notably, Disney chooses not to mention any projects or brands.
Even the pictures in the article show Pixar Pier Hotel and Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, recently completed projects rather than new ones.
So, we’re all flying blind with the speculation. Thankfully, I already did my homework last October…
The 16 Rides We Could Get
Here’s an article I wrote last year. None of these details is certain, but the DisneylandForward governmental filings included some details.
Disney suggested that it could build 16 new attractions at Disneyland Resort as part of DisneylandForward.
The Environmental Import Report (EIR) states that Disneyland could add seven indoor rides, seven outdoor rides, and two “round rides.”
The “round rides” are also known as flat rides, a kind of carnival-esque attraction like Dumbo the Flying Elephant or TriceraTop Spin.
Carousels aren’t even outside the realm of possibility for round rides, depending on what Disney decides.
The DisneylandForward paperwork also suggests that nine of the attractions will be family-friendly.
That statement is open to interpretation, but I take it to mean rides with no height requirements or, at least, minimal ones.
Notably, four of those rides would be indoors, while five would be outside.
I realize that’s oddly specific, but Disney was running point on the EIR. It likely has ideas in mind.
In fact, while executives stubbornly refused to make any public declarations during the council meetings, I suspect Potrock knows the plan.
Disney simply couldn’t implement the expansion it wanted unless Anaheim changed its zoning ordinances.
For this reason, I fully believe the EIR that five thrill rides are in the offing, and those will be the E-ticket attractions during this expansion.
We’ll get three indoor thrill rides and two outdoor ones. Disney’s images for the Avatar attraction hint that it’ll take place outdoors.
So, that’s the current list of DisneylandForward attractions as we know it.
Disney Gets What It Wants
I should add that Disney drove a hard bargain here.
After the 2017-2018 unpleasantness with the Anaheim City Council, the company played hardball.
Technically, Disney hasn’t guaranteed any of these attractions, just the $1.9 billion investment that could balloon to $2.5 billion.
What else do we know? Well, CEO Bob Iger has confirmed the Avatar experience is coming to Disney.
Other than one artist’s rendering, we still don’t know what that is, though.
Until Disney announces something, presumably at the 2024 D23 Expo, we’re all flying blind about which attractions Disneyland will get.
For now, the only thing we know for sure is that Disney is building “an eastern parking structure and multi-modal transportation center on Disney’s east-side surface parking lots.”
That’s pretty much the only thing guaranteed other than Avatar.
We’re all taking a lot on faith here, but we also trust Disney. In 1955, Walt Disney opened The Happiest Place on Earth.
Nearly 70 years later, Anaheim officials just voted to secure the future of Disneyland Resort. It’s a good day.
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