A rendering of what renovations could look like. (Photo: Disney)
Disneyland, which is set to reopen April 30, is hoping to add more magic within its property – eventually.
The Disney property in Anaheim, California, is beginning planning efforts with the city to add or renovate retail options, parking and the theme park within the park’s bounds, Disneyland announced Thursday. They expect the planning process to be complete in 2023.
“Thinking big and leading the way is both our legacy and our best path forward,” Ken Potrock, the president of Disneyland Resort, said in a statement. “Now is the time to be bold, to dream, to believe, and to lead.”
The public planning effort Disney has launched with the city of Anaheim, dubbed “DisneylandForward,” doesn’t include a lot of detail – in fact, all of the details it does include are currently “what ifs” according to a Disneyland spokesperson.
Those possibilities could come into play if the city gives Disney flexibility for new development within its current resort plan.
But one thing is for sure, Disneyland is not looking to expand its footprint. Some new attractions, entertainment or retail options, for example, could be located in Disneyland’s west side. On the east side, the same options could come into play and it could transform into something like Disney Springs in Walt Disney World or Disney Town in Shanghai.
“To be clear, Disney is not seeking any public funding for DisneylandForward, nor are we seeking additional square footage or hotel rooms beyond what is currently approved and allowed,” Disneyland said on its planning website.
“We are simply working with the city and community to update our existing approvals to allow for integrated development to be located and built throughout Disney properties,” the company continued.
While there isn’t much known, Disney laid out some possibilities for revamping the features in existence or replacing them.
“We want to bring more Disney investment to Anaheim,” Disneyland said on its website. “However, this simply isn’t possible under current inflexible planning restrictions unless we remove and replace treasured rides and attractions in our Parks today. Without updates, new Disney experiences and placemaking, created from our beloved stories, will likely never find their way to the Disneyland Resort as they have to other parks throughout the world.”
Here are some of the possibilities that Disneyland is considering:
Possible new attractions
Disneyland might be looking to Tokyo DisneySea for inspiration.
The planning site features illustrations of three projects in development at Tokyo DisneySea including a “Frozen” attraction for visitors to explore including a boat ride and a restaurant inside of a castle. Similar attractions for inspiration include a “Tangled” attraction featuring Rapunzel’s tower and for a “Peter Pan” area with another boat ride following the “Lost Boys” among other features.
Potential new adventures at Disney California Adventure Park
Disney California Adventure Park could become home to some cutting edge technology allowing for immersive, advanced entertainment taking inspiration from around the world, the plans suggested.
Shanghai Disneyland’s “Zootopia” attraction, which is currently under construction, could be an inspiration for Disney California Adventure Park, for instance. As could the “Toy Story Land” at Disney’s Hollywood Studios in Florida and Shanghai Disney’s “Tron,” a second version of which is under construction at Magic Kingdom Park in Florida.
Possible new Disney entertainment spots
Disney also hinted at a new type of experience to Anaheim using an illustration of Jock Lindsey’s Hangar Bar, a bar designed to look like1940s airplane hangar that is inspired by Indiana Jones’ “intrepid pilot” who first appeared in “Raiders of the Lost Ark” and located in Disney Springs at Walt Disney World, as an example. Something like it could be located in Disneyland’s east side in what is currently the Toy Story parking lot.
Disney hoping to invest in parking, transportation
On its east side, Disneyland also hopes to invest in parking, transportation, walkability and more.
“In the future, Disney envisions creating a new parking destination on the east side of The Anaheim Resort, which would include a pedestrian bridge with upgraded entrance accessibility for hotels and businesses located along Harbor Boulevard,” Disney said. “In addition, Disney will continue to work with area businesses and the city to invest in and encourage the use of public transit and ride-sharing for our cast and guests.”
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