Disney's Answers to the BIGGEST Disneyland Expansion Questions!

Disneyland theme parks aren’t fully reopening for another month, but we got some HUGE news out of Anaheim today: Disneyland Resort is trying to expand!

Disneyland

It’s dizzying to dissect everything Disneyland has released information about like theme parks, retail, and parking expansions, and to make sense of all these potential future plans, Disney launched a new website, DisneylandForward.

A Disneyland expansion may have you asking many questions, but to help temper all of the crazy rumors, Disney has launched a FAQ on the new website to address all of those burning questions!

Disneyland expansion concept art

As of now, it’s important to know this is all conceptual, and that Disneyland is asking the city of Anaheim to update development approvals from the 1990s to allow for a mixed use of theme parks, retail, dining, and entertainment. Here are the answers we know from Disneyland (for now).

**Why is Disneyland trying to get approval for mixed-use expansion now?**

Disneyland has been closed for a year due to the global health crisis and has only partially reopened for the A Touch of Disney event and other shopping and dining experiences on Buena Vista Street and at Downtown Disney. So, why announce plans for expansion now? According to DisneylandForward, it’s all about forward movement.

©DisneylandForward

“We realize that in order to invest in a way that makes sense, not just for Disney but our entire community we need to seek out ways to create integrated experiences. In order to do that, we need updated development approvals from the city. The public review and approval process will take time. Starting today this process will allow us to take the first step forward,” the website states.

What’s planned for Disneyland’s expansion?

New lands themed to Zootopia, Tangled, Peter Pan, or Frozen? What’s coming to Disneyland? That’s all POSSIBLE, but the truth is: Disney has not announced any additional details yet.

©DisneylandForward

“We are at the very beginning stages of the process. While the project will be refined over time, we hope to explore the creation of integrated experiences featuring new theme park attractions, dining, retail, hotel, and more. Right now, we don’t have any specific projects planned for the future,” DisneylandForward states. “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. Rather, we are simply asking to update our existing approvals to allow for integrated development to be located and built on Disney properties.”

Zootopia Concept Art ©Disney

So, Zootopia land in Shanghai or other themed lands could come to Disneyland Resort, but nothing is for certain yet!

Will Disneyland build another theme park?

Will WESTCOT finally become reality at Disneyland Resort?! After all, it’s been TWENTY years since Disney California Adventure opened!

Legacy Passholder Photo Op in Disney California Adventure for A Touch of Disney

WELL, not so fast.

©DisneylandForward

“We are not announcing any future projects at this time,” DisneylandForward states. “Currently, we are focused on meeting with the community to explain DisneylandForward and working with the City of Anaheim to review and ultimately approve the project. These updated approvals are necessary as they will allow us to explore new integrated and immersive experiences that could include adding new theme park attractions without having to remove and replace treasured rides and attractions.”

Avengers Campus construction in Disney California Adventure

Note that it says new theme park attractions, not a whole new theme park.

Is there going to be a new hotel at Disneyland Resort?

Disneyland currently has three hotels: The Grand Californian Hotel & Spa, Disneyland Hotel, and Disney’s Paradise Pier Hotel.

Disneyland Hotel

Could another hotel be coming to the area? Disney isn’t offering up specifics.

“With DisneylandForward, we will have the opportunity to bring integrated and immersive development to the Anaheim Resort area that could include hotels, dining, entertainment and theme parks, all in one area,” Disney stated. So, maybe yes, maybe no.

Donald Duck at the Grand Californian

There’s SO much to be determined about the expansions coming to Disneyland, if they even happen, and we’re keeping our nose to the ground for any and ALL updates. When there’s more Disneyland news (and when Disneyland reopens late next month!), make sure to come to DFB so we can break it all down for you!