Disneyland Executives Share UPDATE on Theme Park Expansion Project

There’s never a dull moment at the happiest place on Earth. From the moment you walk through the Disneyland gates in the morning to the moment you leave at night, you can pack in TONS of attractions, character interactions, and more! But compared to Walt Disney World in Florida, Disneyland is, well, small.

Sleeping Beauty Castle in Disneyland

Over the past few years, Disney created a new Avengers Campus at Disney California Adventure and opened new restaurants in Downtown Disney. What if Imagineers could bring even MORE new offerings to Disneyland Resort? Well, there are plans for an expansion, and Disneyland Resort President Ken Potrock recently provided an update on the project.

Disneyland President Ken Potrock met at Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel to discuss some BIG plans.

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A post shared by Ken Potrock (@kenpotrock)

It’s been a while since we’ve discussed the DisneylandForward project, so let’s break it down. In short, DisneylandForward is a collaborative project between Disney and Anaheim to expand Disneyland Resort. Tentative plans call for updating the existing theme park blueprints and boosting the local economy through new offerings. It is important to note that the plans remain within Disney’s existing 500-acre property; there is no physical expansion or additional acreage being added to Disneyland Resort.

DisneylandForward concept art ©Disney

During Potrock’s recent presentation, guests previewed several concept art renderings from Disney theme park projects around the globe, according to the Orange County Register. Potrock showed off concept art for some upcoming Tokyo Disneyland additions and the Zootopia-themed land planned for Shanghai Disneyland.

Zootopia-themed land!

In discussing those upcoming projects, Disney’s Global Development vice president Rachel Alde said, “What we would love is for those future innovations to have a spot here in Anaheim,” according to Orange County Register. Could this mean that Disney has plans to bring Tangled or Frozen-themed additions to Disneyland? We’ll have to wait and see!

World of Frozen Hong Kong ©Disney

In the meantime, the OC Register explained that “a draft environmental impact study is expected to be completed by the summer with the DisneylandForward proposal going before the Anaheim Planning Commission before the end of the year and the City Council in early 2024.” Before Disney can start any construction or move forward, it will need more flexibility and approvals from the city.

©Disney

As we’ve previously reported, current plans indicate that Disney is looking for “mixed-use” flexibility to allow hotel AND entertainment on the same parcel. The proposal also lays out plans for potential “new theme park attractions on the Downtown Disney and Lilo and Stitch parking lots woven amid the Disneyland Hotel and Paradise Pier Hotel,” according to Orange County Register.

©Disney

If the plans are approved, Disneyland could generate THOUSANDS of jobs, $11 million in tax revenue, and $1.1 billion in economic output in Anaheim for every billion dollars spent, according to a study reported in Orange County Register. (Credit to @ScottGustin on Twitter for additional details)

Disneyland President Ken Potrock spoke during a business luncheon on Wednesday to provide updates on the DisneylandForward project. The presentation included some familiar "possible" artwork, but the primary focus was on the potential economic impact to Anaheim and Orange County. pic.twitter.com/Ynd8Knf8dT

— Scott Gustin (@ScottGustin) May 18, 2023

While we wait for further updates, we can daydream about potential new dining and entertainment offerings in Disneyland. We’re keeping our fingers crossed for some EPIC new attractions! In the meantime, we’re always on the lookout for the latest Disney news, so stay tuned for more.