Disneyland Seeks Approval for Theme Park Renovations

A statue of Mickey Mouse at Disney California Adventure in Anaheim, Calif., on Feb. 1, 2021. (John Fredricks/The Epoch Times)

ANAHEIM, Calif.—Disney is seeking Anaheim’s approval for proposed Disneyland Resort renovations that include new attractions, restaurants, and shops.

The DisneylandForward Project vision for the theme park desires to transform current attractions. While the project is at the beginning stages of planning, city approval is necessary before moving toward the next step.

The project proposal was submitted to the city of Anaheim on Oct. 21, but the long-term planning process that involves public input, environmental regulation approval, and review can take years, according to Anaheim spokesman Mike Lyster.

“It will take place over 2022 and potentially beyond,” Lyster told The Epoch Times. “Nothing in the near-term. It will be a long time before it makes its way to council.”

While no plans for the project have been set, the plan proposes an update to the park to potentially hold attractions seen at Tokyo DisneySea and Shanghai Disneyland.

“We want to bring more Disney investment to Anaheim,” the DisneylandForward website states. “However, this simply isn’t possible under current inflexible planning restrictions unless we remove and replace treasured rides and attractions in our Parks today.”

Disney ensured the project will not require public funding.

The company further clarified that the resort’s expansion wouldn’t exceed the current theme park’s boundaries.

The inspiration to bring new Disney attractions comes nearly two years after the opening of the Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge themed area inside Disneyland in 2018. Inspired by the Star Wars films, the area is home to two technologically advanced rides—Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run, and Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance—as well as restaurants and shops.

Disney California Adventure Park recently launched its Avengers Campus in June. The area is home to the new Spiderman ride, Web Slingers. Similar to DisneylandForward’s intention to renovate old attractions, Avengers Campus was formerly known as A Bug’s Land.

Disneyland contributes $8.5 million to Anaheim and provides over 78,000 jobs, according to DisneylandForward. More jobs are anticipated to be created if the project is approved.

As Disney seeks public input, it’s unclear which current attractions will leave the park to make room for new storybook-inspired updates.

Potential updates include the land of Arendelle inspired by the Disney movie Frozen, Neverland from Peter Pan, and the addition of Rapunzel’s tower from Tangled, according to the DisneylandForward website.

The vision of DisneylandForward expands into Disney California Adventure Park. Ideas of Zootopia Land and Toy Story Land are circulating.

With Disneyland bringing in millions of guests each year, the theme park is considering expanding, as part of the Disneylandforward project, to possibly include live music, more shopping, ticketed shows, and additional restaurants.