A new development program is advancing across the Disneyland Resort in Anaheim, California, following the approval of DisneylandForward, a long-term planning framework that enables the most significant expansion of the resort in decades.
Approved unanimously by the Anaheim City Council in May 2024, DisneylandForward allows Disney to redistribute previously approved development rights across its existing Anaheim landholdings, creating flexibility for future theme park attractions, hotels, entertainment, dining, retail destinations and supporting infrastructure. The initiative does not expand Disneyland’s overall footprint, but instead changes how development can occur within existing resort properties.
Disney has committed to investing a minimum of $1.9 billion into Anaheim over a ten-year period as part of the approved framework. The program is expected to support multiple construction phases extending over several decades.
Statements
Anaheim City Council provided final approval of DisneylandForward on May 7, 2024, following an earlier unanimous approval in April 2024. The planning framework was supported as a long-term investment strategy for Anaheim’s tourism economy and resort district.
Disney has stated that DisneylandForward serves as a blueprint allowing future integration of theme park attractions, entertainment, shopping, restaurants and hotels across resort-controlled land.
Industry reporting and Disney presentations have identified Avatar-themed experiences, Coco-inspired attractions, expanded Avengers Campus opportunities and additional resort infrastructure as concepts being explored under the new zoning framework. Individual projects remain subject to separate planning and design review processes.
Key Development Details
- Minimum committed investment of $1.9 billion over ten years
- Multi-decade development framework extending up to 40 years
- Approved unanimously by Anaheim City Council
- Development remains within existing Disney-owned or controlled land
- New zoning flexibility for attractions, hotels, entertainment and retail
- Potential future themed lands based on Disney intellectual properties
- New transportation and parking infrastructure planned
- Additional pedestrian connectivity infrastructure proposed
- Multiple future construction phases anticipated across the resort precinct
Stage Development Details
Resort Expansion Framework
DisneylandForward enables development on several existing Disney-controlled sites including land west of Disneyland Drive and the Toy Story Parking Area. The framework allows attractions, hotels, entertainment venues and retail uses to be developed in configurations that were previously restricted by older zoning controls.
Eastern Gateway Infrastructure
Future infrastructure plans include major new parking facilities east of the resort together with pedestrian bridge connections that would improve visitor circulation throughout the district. The approved framework also identifies new transportation improvements and parking expansion opportunities.
Future Theme Park Development
While Disney has not formally announced every project that will proceed under DisneylandForward, company presentations and public reporting have referenced potential opportunities involving Avatar, Frozen, Coco, Black Panther, Zootopia and other Disney franchises. Disney has emphasized that the approval establishes development flexibility rather than final attraction approvals.
Site Information
- Development Area: Disneyland Resort
- Location: Anaheim, California
- Precinct: Anaheim Resort District
- Existing Uses: Theme parks, hotels, retail, entertainment and parking facilities
- Framework Coverage: Approximately 490 acres of existing resort landholdings
Application Information and References
- Project: DisneylandForward
- Location: Disneyland Resort, Anaheim, California
- Approval Authority: Anaheim City Council
- Initial Approval: April 17, 2024
- Final Approval: May 7, 2024
- Investment Commitment: Minimum $1.9 billion
- Status: Approved with multiple future construction phases progressing under the framework
References
- Anaheim City Council
- DisneylandForward Planning Documents
- Disneyland Resort Public Affairs
- Anaheim Resort Planning Framework
- Publicly available council and planning records
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News articles are presented in an unbiased manner from publicly accessible information that includes referenced links for the reader to obtain any further information. The facts of the proposed government projects, media releases, school upgrades and development applications are based on the available information at the time of the published date, with information sourced directly from company websites, media releases and development application material. We reference all our information at the end of the articles and promote the creators with website backlinks.