BRAND new plans for Disneyland Resort could see a brand new theme park built, as well as new worlds themed around some of the studio’s most popular films.
Earlier this year, it was revealed that a significant expansion project, worth $2bn (£1.5bn) was being planned for the park in California.
Now those plans have been given the go-ahead following a vote by the Anaheim Planning Commission.
The vote was held at a meeting in at Anaheim City Hall, during which Disney officials revealed some of their plans to Anaheim residents and Disneyland fans.
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There are some big ideas for the 490-acre property, with a mixture of attractions, restaurants and shops all in consideration.
However, there could even be a third theme park built on what is currently the Toy Story Parking Area over the course of the next decade, according to Inside the Magic.
Specific plans are yet to be revealed, but new lands celebrating some of the studio’s most popular recent films could feature.
Disney suggested that those lands could compare to places like World of Frozen, City of Zootopia, and Fantasy Springs that have been opened, or are due to open at to Hong Kong Disneyland, Shanghai and Tokyo DisneySea.
Rachel Alde, Disney’s Senior Vice President of Global Development and Finance, told the meeting: “We know there are stories out there we haven’t told yet, like Wakanda, or Coco, or Frozen, or Zootopia.
“We know what kind of stories we would love to tell. We need to get the guidance on what we can build there so we can understand how.”
Disney’s goal is to create what it calls more immersive experiences for tourists, similar to the attraction Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, which opened in California in 2019.
The park said creating an immersive feel to the parks could even see hotels built right in the middle of some of its lands, right next to attractions.
Suzi Brown, a spokesperson for Disneyland, told Fox: “We’d like to make it a more integrated experience because we know that’s what our guests are looking for.
“That means that you might have a hotel right next to an attraction and it really allows us to bring lands that are more immersive.”
Ken Potrock, president of the Disneyland Resort, said he wanted to “make history” with the expansion by creating something in keeping with the vision of Walt Disney.
Before the meeting he said: “Together we are unequivocally making history, just like Walt Disney did almost 70 years ago with the city of Anaheim and Disneyland.
Theme Park Tips
- Go to the back of the theme park first. Rides at the front will have the longest queues as soon as it opens.
- Go on water rides in the middle of the day in the summer – this will cool you off when the sun is at its hottest.
- Download the park’s app to track which rides have the shortest queues.
- Visit on your birthday, as some parks give out “birthday badges” that can get you freebies.
- If it rains, contact the park. Depending on how much it rained, you may get a free ticket to return.
“It’s a tremendous responsibility for all of us and a privilege to be a steward of this vision for this very, very special place.”
It’s not the only Disneyland theme park with plans for expansion, with Disneyland Paris also planning big things.
Paris
A special Frozen land is set to open at some stage in the near future, possibly as soon as next year, although no opening date has been officially announced.
When it opens, it will have Elsa’s castle, which will sit behind a huge lake.
There will also be a new restaurant, with views over the kingdom of Arendelle and new shops built in Nordic-themed huts.
Elsa, Anna and Olaf will be found milling around for character meet and greets too.
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