Disneyland's $1.9 billion expansion plan in Anaheim is moving forward

ANAHEIM, Calif. – Disney has reached a major milestone in its nearly $2 billion, multi-decade plan to transform and expand the Disneyland Resort.

The Anaheim Planning Commission voted 5-1 after a nearly six-hour meeting Monday night to move the Disneyland Forward project to the Anaheim City Council for approval.

With the approval of the new zoning changes, Disneyland Forward could be a comprehensive historic renovation of the Disneyland Resort if passed by the City Council.

The decades-long project could bring new immersive lands and experiences found only at Disney's international parks to the Disneyland Resort in Anaheim.

Specific attractions or lands have not been officially named, but possibilities include immersive Frozen and Zootopia experiences similar to the Disneyland parks in China and Japan.

Disneyland Forward estimates the project could generate nearly nine thousand jobs during construction and more than 4,500 jobs during operations. The Anaheim City Council is expected to vote on the project in April.

In June 2023, Governor Gavin Newsom met with Disney CEO Bob Iger and Disney Parks President Josh D'Amaro to discuss Disney's decades-long plan to invest in the region.

Newsom's visit came on the heels of Cal State Fullerton's release Stady Which estimated the potential economic impact of expanding the Disneyland Resort.

The study showed Disneyland Foward Initiative It could generate more than $250 million annually in economic output and $15 million in tax revenue for the city of Anaheim.

The last time the city of Anaheim approved expansion plans for the Disneyland Resort was in the 1990s.

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