How Disneyland Will Officially Undergo the Biggest Expansion in Its History — Without Growing Its Footprint

Disneyland is about to become even more magical!

Now that Disney’s $1.9 billion expansion plan known as DisneylandForward was officially approved by the Anaheim City Council on May 7, the theme park can begin preparing for some big changes.

Disney has committed to fully funding the additions the proposal calls for, including new theme park attractions, potential new lands, lodging, entertainment, shopping and dining. The company will invest in these changes over the next 10 years, with development taking place over four decades, according to the city of Anaheim’s official website.

Despite the massive undertaking, the proposal confirms that the park’s footprint will not increase to complete the transformation.

Disneyland is moving forward with a $1.9 billion expansion project after the Anaheim City Council approved the plan

Concept art for DisneylandForward.

Disney

According to a press release from the city, “The proposal does not require the construction of new floor space, square footage or hotel rooms.”

Instead, the company plans to redesign certain areas that already belong in the theme park to make room for these additions.

“DisneylandForward calls for allowing theme park attractions adjacent to hotels on the west side of Disneyland Drive and theme park attractions adjacent to new shopping, dining and entertainment to the southeast in the present Toy Story parking lot at Katella Avenue and Harbor Boulevard,” according to the release.

The initiative, first unveiled in 2021, also sees an expansion of parking to the east and new parking to the northeast of the theme parks, with the possibility of pedestrian bridges over Harbor Boulevard and Disneyland Drive.

In addition, Disney plans to pay the city $36.9 million to take full responsibility for Magic Way, a 1,150-foot-long public road located on the west side of the resort.

Disneyland’s proposed $1.9 billion expansion could include rides for Black Panther, Frozen, Coco in the next 10 years

Disneyland entrance sign.

Collection Smith/Gado/Getty Images

DisneylandForward also suggests structures that can be built even higher.

According to the resort plan, Disney would be allowed to build “three additional structural themed elements (for a total of four) that would be up to 300 feet tall” within Disneyland and Disney California Adventure.

Parks were previously allowed to build one structure up to 250 feet tall.

On March 11, the Anaheim City Council Planning Commission approved zoning and planning changes to the proposal, after which the city council unanimously approved the entire proposal on April 17. The city council’s vote on May 7 officially marked the final approval for DisneylandForward. However, according to the statement, the changes cannot take effect for another 30 days after that.

Disneyland can build new attractions up to 300 feet — their largest ever — if the new zoning is adopted

Tron Lightcycle at Walt Disney World.

Abigail Nilsson/Disney

Now that the proposal has been approved, park guests can look forward to seeing some beloved franchises finally make their way to Disneyland.

In September 2023, Disney Products president Josh D’Amaro teased the possibility of introducing themes from Frozen, Coco, Black Panther, Tangled, Peter Pan, Zootopia, Toy Story and Throne at Disneyland in the next decade.

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Pandora – The world of avatars in Walt Disney World.

Steven Diaz/Disney

Disney CEO Bob Iger also confirmed that the new land will be coming to Disneyland during the Morgan Stanley Technology, Media and Telecommunications Conference in March.

“We have one Avatarheadquartered in Pandora, Florida. We’re going to put another one in California,” he said at the time.

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Source: HIS Education