After a lengthy three-year approval process, the Anaheim City Council unanimously voted to approve DisneylandForward, a massive expansion project for the Disneyland Resort. The plan includes new rides, theme park lands, additional hotel rooms, and possibly a third theme park on existing resort property. Disney President Ken Potrock described the initiative as a legacy project honoring Walt Disney’s partnership with Anaheim since 1955.
The proposal addresses significant community concerns through comprehensive mitigation measures including noise barriers, setback requirements for attractions, and improved traffic patterns. Disney committed to building structures visible from outside in 360 degrees and established a 24/7 hotline for residents to report construction or event-related noise. The project will require no city funding while generating millions in revenue and thousands of jobs over its multi-year timeline.
DisneylandForward involves re-zoning the entire resort area to allow more flexible development within existing boundaries rather than acquiring new land. Specific plans include transforming the Toy Story parking lot into a mixed-use entertainment zone and expanding Downtown Disney as a corridor connecting both parks. The project also includes constructing a new parking structure with pedestrian bridges to replace current parking facilities behind third-party hotels.
The approval marks a significant shift from previous failed expansion attempts, with Disney adopting a more cooperative approach that prioritizes community integration and environmental responsibility. This represents the largest Disneyland project since Disney California Adventure opened in the 1990s and sets the stage for future development within the resort’s existing footprint.