The year 2024 marks the commencement of an ambitious project, DisneylandForward. The first significant milestone is slated for next week with a City Council Workshop. This initiative seeks to broaden the horizons of Disneyland Resort theme parks and entertainment venues. Although the exact attractions and features are still under wraps, the primary goal is to facilitate expansion through rezoning approval from the City of Anaheim.
The Workshop and the Development Proposal
The City Council Workshop, which is the second for DisneylandForward, is set for January 23, 2024. The workshop will shed more light on the project and unveil a proposed development agreement. Open to all, those interested can register via the DisneylandForward website or express their support for the project through a letter.
Key Milestones in 2024
Here’s a snapshot of the pivotal events for DisneylandForward in 2024:
- January 23: City Council Workshop
- February: Planning Commission Workshop
- March: Planning Commission Hearing
- April: Second City Council Workshop
- April-May: City Council Hearing and Vote
DisneylandForward at a Glance
DisneylandForward is primarily about rezoning to allow for Disneyland Resort’s expansion. The proposal includes the creation of new attractions, hotels, dining facilities, and entertainment venues. Additionally, it envisions a dynamic community beyond the park boundaries, complete with retail outlets, residential zones, and recreational amenities.
New Lands and Attractions
DisneylandForward aims to bring novel experiences to Disneyland Resort. The project seeks inspiration from exciting new lands and adventures in development at Tokyo DisneySea and Shanghai Disneyland, with hopes of replicating their success.
For instance, guests might soon be able to visit Arendelle, the home of Elsa and Anna from ‘Frozen’, or embark on Rapunzel’s “best day ever” in a charming forest overseen by her tower. Perhaps they could even journey to the middle of Pixie Hollow, where Tinker Bell and her fairy friends reside, or follow the Lost Boys down a river in Neverland.
New Entertainment
DisneylandForward also looks to introduce some of Disney’s most advanced and immersive entertainment to California Adventure Park. This could include attractions currently under construction at other Disney parks around the globe.
For example, the Zootopia attraction at Shanghai Disneyland, which uses state-of-the-art technology to bring the fan-favorite movie and its characters to life, or the TRON Lightcycle Run roller coaster, a high-speed race for survival that exists in both Shanghai Disneyland and Magic Kingdom Park in Florida.
Possible Map & Legend
A Disney Entertainment Destination
With updated approvals, Disneyland Resort could transform into an all-round entertainment destination, much like Disney Springs at Walt Disney World Resort. The property could house restaurants, hotels, live music venues, shops, ticketed shows, and theme park experiences, catering not only to resort guests but also locals and conventioneers.
Parking & Transportation
To support future development over the next few decades, DisneylandForward plans to significantly invest in transportation, parking, transit, and pedestrian safety measures to improve mobility throughout The Anaheim Resort. The vision includes a new parking destination on the east side of The Anaheim Resort, complete with pedestrian bridges for enhanced entrance accessibility for hotels and businesses along Harbor Boulevard. Disney also plans to work with local businesses and the city to promote public transit and ride-sharing for cast and guests.
Looking Beyond the Horizon: The Future of Disneyland Resort
As DisneylandForward embarks on its journey in 2024, the future of Disneyland Resort looks promising. The project intends to elevate the theme parks, widen the resort, and foster a flourishing community. While the finer details remain under the veil, the proposed development agreement and forthcoming workshops signal a step forward towards a more enchanting and immersive visitor experience. Keep an eye out for more updates on this thrilling venture.
Stay tuned to the DVC Shop blog for all the latest developments for Disney fans, whether that’s what’s happening in the Disney theme parks or around Disney Vacation Club resorts!
Written by
Rachel Van Norman
Contributing Writer
Rachel fell deeply in love with all things Disney as a little girl. Now as a wife and a mother herself, she shares this Disney obsession with her son and everyone around her. From her love of princesses to eating all the Disney food, Rachel spends her time radiating Disney magic and keeping everyone up to date on Disney news.
