Disney to Invest $1 Billion into Disneyland Resort?

UPDATE: July 8, 2015 The Anaheim City Council has voted to extend the entertainment tax exemption for Disneyland Resort! This means over the next 10 years or so The Walt Disney Company will invest in a $1 Billion expansion!

One small secret about Disneyland Resort that many guests do not know is that admission tickets to Disneyland Park and Disney’s California Adventure Park are not taxed. This means guests do not have to pay sales tax when they purchase admission tickets. The Walt Disney Company made a deal with the City of Anaheim, California in 1996 giving them an entertainment tax exemption.  The exemption ends June 30, 2016, and Disney wants this deal to continue for at least the next 30 years.

The Orange County Register (OCRegister.com) is reporting that The Walt Disney Company is considering investing upwards of $1 billion into it’s Anaheim theme parks if the City of Anaheim will extend the entertainment tax exemption for 30 more years. It is no secret that this expansion of the Disneyland Resort has the potential to bring in thousands of jobs to the city and bring flocks of out of town guests!

“Anaheim has been an economic success story thanks to its policies and initiatives that allow businesses to invest and thrive,” said Michael Colglazier, president of Disneyland Resort. “We are asking city leaders to continue with a policy set two decades ago that has driven unprecedented job creation, growth, and prosperity, and enabled the city to invest in vital services that benefit every Anaheim resident.”

On July 7, 2015 City Council will hold a public hearing to consider extending the tax exemption for The Walt Disney Company.

Now the fun stuff… Imagining what the $1 billion expansion would entail! Just think of the new attractions, new rides and possibly new themed lands!

Bob Igar, Disney Chairman, made it well known that Star Wars will have a bigger presence in the Disney Parks, so could this mean a new Star Wars themed land is crashing down in one of Anaheim Disney Parks soon? (Are Mickey and Minnie Going to be Homeless in Disneyland)

Some of what we do know is there will be a 5,000 slot parking structure on the land east of Harbor Blvd that Disney already owns, and improvements to the street surrounding the Disneyland Resort.

Disney officials haven’t released any information on potential new lands or rides, but they did say that construction would begin no later then the end of 2017 and would be finished in 2024.

With the date for the City Council hearing nearing, all eyes will be on Disney’s biggest fan experience the 2015 D23 Expo for any breaking Disney Parks news and I will be there reporting live so all our Magical DIStractions reader will among the first to be know!