The Anaheim City Council has unanimously approved DisneylandForward, a $1.9 billion project that provides more flexibility for Disneyland Resort to use its existing property in Anaheim, Calif., to develop new theme park attractions and lands, as well as new hotels, shopping, dining and parking.
Unlike its Orlando counterpart, Disneyland is bordered on all sides by residential and commercial areas. While not technically billed as an expansion (since DisneylandForward does not involve the acquisition of any new land), the ambitious project provides new options for Disneyland to repurpose its existing property, including with mixed-use buildings and possibly even a third theme park.
“Guests today want more integrated experiences,” said Ken Potrock, president of Disneyland, in his presentation to the City Council. “We are ready to bring the next level of immersive entertainment to Anaheim, where lands, attractions, retail, dining and lodging are no longer separated, but can be integrated together in very exciting ways."
DisneylandForward allows the Disneyland Resort to develop new attractions, lands, hotels, shopping, dining and parking on its existing property.
Credit: 2024 Disneyland Resort
Sign Up for Our Monthly Family Getaways Newsletter
I accept the T&C and Privacy Policy.
In addition to building new theme park-related experiences, DisneylandForward includes Disney's commitment to invest millions of dollars in city infrastructure, including new police and fire substations, city parks and low-income housing; however, Disney is not asking for any funding from the city for the nearly $2 billion project.
We are ready to bring the next level of immersive entertainment to Anaheim, where lands, attractions, retail, dining and lodging are no longer separated, but can be integrated together in very exciting ways.
What’s Coming to Disneyland?
While Disney has deliberately not committed to any specific lands, attractions or experiences for the DisneylandForward project, Potrock has repeatedly pointed to the new World of Frozen in Hong Kong and new Zootopia-themed land in Shanghai as examples of the "types of experiences" that may be coming to California.
Immersive lands such as the new World of Frozen in Hong Kong may be coming to California.
Credit: 2024 Disneyland ResortThe one exception to that position is the recently confirmed Avatar land that Potrock said is directly connected to DisneylandForward.
“Avatar is at the top of the [Imagineering] list for Disneyland Resort, but what we can do with this experience regarding the size and scope is inherently influenced by DisneylandForward,” Potrock told the council. “We want to go beyond replacing and reimagining current attractions and lands, and bring new expanded experiences like Cars Land, Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge and Avengers Campus.”
What’s Next for DisneylandForward?
Following two 7-0 votes by the Anaheim City Council to approve DisneylandForward, Disney now has to wait 30 days before any work on the project can begin. Construction is expected to take four years.
Labeling DisneylandForward a “legacy project,” Potrock emphasized the successful partnership between Disney and Anaheim that began when Walt Disney built the original theme park in 1955.
“The relationship between Disney and Anaheim has worked because we’ve shared a bold collaborative vision for what this city could truly become,” Potrock said. “Tonight, we are making history together [again]."
Anaheim Mayor Ashleigh Aitken agreed, stating that “allowing Disneyland to grow ensures Anaheim thrives.”
Editor's Note: This story was updated May 8, 2024, to reflect the second vote by the Anaheim City Council.
