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Disneyland Forward Expansion Plan Secures Unanimous Approval from Anaheim City Council
Disneyland Forward, the innovative initiative by the Walt Disney Company aimed at expanding its iconic theme park, has recently received a green light from the Anaheim City Council. According to Deadline, the extensive $1.9 billion expansion plan, expected to span over several decades, was granted unanimous approval.
Anaheim City Council’s Unanimous Vote
The decisive 7-0 vote took place early in the day following an extensive eight-hour public hearing that commenced on Tuesday night. During this hearing, Anaheim residents, Disneyland cast members, and officials from neighboring cities voiced both the advantages and challenges of the expansion plan. The proposal is now scheduled for a final city council vote on May 7.
Disney’s Future Attractions
Disney CEO Bob Iger has affirmed that the upcoming attractions will feature an Avatar-themed area inspired by James Cameron’s World of Pandora at the Disneyland Resort. In a recent presentation at Disney Imagineering, Iger expressed that Disney possesses the necessary land and intellectual property to create new, captivating experiences that will ultimately benefit shareholders.
Moreover, Disney is exploring the potential incorporation of other major intellectual properties like Frozen, Tron, Zootopia, and Tangled into its future Anaheim plans. With the Disneyland Forward initiative, the company aims to introduce new lands and adventures similar to those already underway at Tokyo DisneySea and Shanghai Disneyland.
Overcoming Decades of Obstacles
Disneyland’s expansion plans have faced numerous obstacles since its inception, with surrounding companies acquiring valuable land adjacent to the park. Past expansions, such as Disney California Adventure and Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, required creative reimagining of existing spaces. As part of the Disneyland Forward project, Disney will invest $40 million to purchase three roadways around the resort, namely Magic Way, Hotel Way, and a portion of Clementine Street, to enhance flexibility over existing infrastructure.
Labor Relations Developments
In a related development, the Los Angeles Times discloses that the Actor’s Equity Association and Disneyland Cast Member-led “Magic United” have petitioned the National Labor Relations Board for union recognition. With a collective majority of 17,000 employees, this move represents a pivotal moment for current and future cast members seeking improved pay and protections amidst Disneyland’s growth.
Disney’s commitment to creating new employment opportunities in Anaheim through Disneyland Forward is projected to generate 8,960 positions during construction and 4,584 jobs during operational phases, as per Deadline. Disneyland Resort president Ken Potrock has assured that construction jobs will exclusively hire union labor, with a focus on recruiting Anaheim residents and veterans.
Lastly, the development agreement, set to last until 2064, is expected to witness Disney investing approximately $2.5 billion by the project’s culmination. It is indeed an exciting time for Disney enthusiasts, anticipating the evolution and expansion of the legendary Disneyland Resort.
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