“Rogers: The Musical” Arrives in About a Week at Disney California Adventure

 by Beth Keating

News

DisneyBizJournal.com

June 24, 2023

 

Oh, you lucky West Coasters! You will be able to assemble for the premiere of “Rogers: The Musical” at the Hyperion Theater in Disney California Adventure Park in about a week!

Courtesy of Disney Parks Blog

As part of the Disney100 celebration at Disneyland Resort, a limited-time run of the one-act show will kick-off June 30, and play through August 31, 2023.  “Rogers: The Musical” is scheduled for Tuesdays through Saturdays, several times each day (Check park guides or the Disneyland app for show times on the day of your visit.  On opening day, the show times happen to be 12:30 p.m., 2:00 p.m., 4:00 p.m. and 5:30 p.m.)

 
This event promises to be extremely popular, so Disney is recommending joining the virtual queue that will be set up for the show, though it isn’t strictly required (but grab it if you can!). Special viewing areas for “Rogers: The Musical” will be accessible through the virtual queue system via the Disneyland app.  Disney advises, “Distribution for the complimentary virtual queue will begin at 10:30 a.m. PT for the first two show times of the day and 2 p.m. PT for the remaining show times of the day.” Once the virtual queue reaches capacity, any remaining walk-up viewing options will be available by checking in at the Hyperion Theater.

If you absolutely have to make sure you get a seat for the show, you can also purchase a special “‘Rogers: The Musical’ Premium Viewing Experience” package. Available in limited quantities, the $29.00 package at the Studio Catering Co. in Hollywood Land includes a ‘Rogers: The Musical’ popcorn bucket with kettle corn and choice of bottled beverage, plus access to lounge seating before the show, priority choice of seating in the theater, a souvenir lanyard and access to a unique photo opportunity.”

For those who aren’t in-the-know, this somewhat tongue-in-cheek Broadway-style extravaganza is a retelling of the story of Captain America, supported by a super-sized cast of singers and dancers including appearances by Peggy Carter, Nick Fury and select members of the Avengers.

 
If you watched the Disney+ series Hawkeye, you caught a glimpse of the show in episode 1 of the series, where a somewhat embarrassed Hawkeye takes his kids to see the fictional Broadway musical featuring singing and dancing versions of his fellow Avengers.  The 2022 D23 convention also treated audiences to a full-on blast of the show, and now California Adventure guests can get in on the action.

 
The new musical includes original choreography, and five all-new songs with music by Grammy-winning composer Christopher Lennertz and lyrics by Jordan Peterson, Christopher Lennertz and Alex Karukas. Not to worry, “Save The City” from the Hawkeye version of the musical (written by Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman), and “Star Spangled Man” from the Captain America: The First Avenger film (written by Alan Menken and David Zippel) will be there as well.

Courtesy of Disney Parks Blog

And because any new Disney venture requires snacks and merch, there will be limited time food and beverage offerings, including the “Patriotic Punch,” a Sprite and white cranberry juice with blue raspberry and cherry syrups topped with whipped cream; or the “Red, White and Blue Shake,” a vanilla shake with wild cherry and blue raspberry slushes at select locations across Disney California Adventure Park. The “Cap'n Everything Dog” is a hot link wrapped in pizza dough, topped with everything bagel seasoning; and the “Apple Pizza Pie” is a cinnamon-sugar fried pizza crust, topped with apple and cranberry filling, streusel, and cream cheese frosting. Oh, and if your fandom leans toward Ironman, you might be interested in the “Shawarm-izza” at Shawarma Palace, an Italian sausage, pepperoni, mozzarella, and pepperoncini concoction in a garlic-parmesan wrap with marinara dipping sauce.

Courtesy of Disney Parks Blog

Popcorn bucket collectors take note: There will be a special “Rogers: The Musical” popcorn bucket available for sale outside the Hyperion Theater, and it comes with red, white and blue kettle corn.

  
The Super Store Featuring Avengers Campus shop in Hollywood Land will be your headquarters for Avengers merch and apparel, but t-shirts, magnets and ornaments for musical merch will be available near the Hyperion Theater.

And to further help you remember this moment for eons to come, PhotoPass photographers will be around to help you commemorate your visit to the show - two Magic Shots will be available for a limited time.  You’ll even be able to pose with Captain America’s shield in front of the Hyperion Theater marquee.

 
If a visit to the West Coast is in your summer plans, you can check for future show times on Disneyland.com or the Disneyland app. (And just a reminder, you will need park tickets/admission and park reservations to enter the park and get to the Hyperion Theater.)

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Beth Keating is a theme parks, restaurant and entertainment reporter for DisneyBizJournal.

 

Yet More Ticket Pain for Disneyland Guests

 by Beth Keating

News

DisneyBizJournal.com

October 25, 2021

 

Our sympathies go out to our fellow Disney fans on the West Coast. They have not been having a good run lately.  On top of the fact that their park was closed much longer than all the other parks (thirteen months!), passholders on the West Coast have been struggling to find theme park reservation availability right now.  As in, booked pretty solid for the next two months… There are currently only 2 days open for Disneyland Park, and less than two dozen weekdays available for California Adventure for the highest tier through the end of the year. Even fewer days are available at the lower tiers.

 

That’s a painful reality on top of the thousands some have shelled out for their new “annual passes,” now called “Magic Keys” on the California shores.

Now comes word that Disneyland’s Dream Level Magic Key (annual pass) has sold out. While that is likely a disappointment for those guests looking for a Key that would allow them unlimited access to Disneyland, it potentially provides some relief for the jammed-up search for open theme park reservations for Key holders.  

 

Dream level ($1,399) was the highest tier of Magic Key passes, giving guests admissions with no block-out dates and entry to both theme parks on any day of the year, as well as 20% off some merchandise, and 15% off some dining. Dream Key guests could hold up to 6 theme park reservations at a time, and standard theme park parking was included.  

The Believe, Enchant, or Imagine Keys are still available at this time, with lower tier perks.

 

For those guests without parking included in their Key passes, it was also announced that the cost of parking at Disneyland Resort will increase from $25 per day to $30 per day.

 

In other distressing news for guests,  Disneyland has changed its ticket tier system, moving from a 5-tier “demand pricing system” for single day tickets to a new 6-tier system. Ticket pricing varies with the time of the year and the day of the week.  The highest demand travel times will now be the Tier 6 level, with the highest ticket costs. For example, Tier 6 will cost a whopping $164 for a 1-day, 1-park ticket. Add on the Park Hopper option for the day, and you hit a single day high of $224.

 

1-day, 1-park tickets on Tier 1 days will stay the same at $104. However, all of the other ticket combinations have been increased by anywhere from $5 to $25. According to the Los Angeles Times,“Daily ticket prices are jumping 3% to 8%, with standard daily parking rates going up by 20%. The parks last raised ticket prices by as much as 5% in February of 2020.”

 

(The Los Angeles Times also notes that the inflation rate in the U.S. was 5.4% for the 12 months that ended in September.)

 

Price increases for 1-day adult tickets include:

• Tier 1: $104 (previously $114)
• Tier 2: $119 (previously $114)
• Tier 3: $134 (previously $124)
• Tier 4: $149 (previously $139)
• Tier 5: $159 (previously $154)
• Tier 6: $164  (new tier)

 

Price increases for single day Park Hopper tickets are:

• Tier 1: $164 (previously $159)
• Tier 2: $179 (previously $169)
• Tier 3: $194 (previously $179)
• Tier 4: $209 (previously $194)
• Tier 5: $219 (previously $209)
• Tier 6: $224 (new tier)

 

Price increases for 1-park per day/multi-day adult tickets are:

• 2-Day tickets: $255 (previously $235)
• 3-Day tickets: $330 (previously $310)
• 4-Day tickets: $360 (previously $340)
• 5-Day tickets: $380 (previously $360)

 

Prices increases for multi-day Park Hoppers:

• 2-Day Park Hopper: $315 (previously $290)
• 3-Day Park Hopper: $390 (previously $365)
• 4-Day Park Hopper: $420 (previously $395)
• 5-Day Park Hopper: $440 (previously $415)

 

Head to the Disneyland website for prices for specific days and calendars for your travel plans, (or ask your friendly travel agent for assistance in maximizing your travel plans as the Disney tiers and reservations systems get more complex). 

 

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Beth Keating is a regular contributor to DisneyBizJournal.

 

Please support the efforts of DisneyBizJournal.com to bring news, analysis and commentary on Disney to readers such as yourself. Make a contribution right here via PayPal. Thanks!

Dates Set for Holiday Festivities at Disneyland

 by Beth Keating

News

DisneyBizJournal.com

September 2, 2021

 

Christmas is starting November 12, 2021, at Disneyland and Disney California Adventure, and it has been a long time coming!  Disneyland was closed last year because of the pandemic (though Downtown Disney and Buena Vista Street were open for shopping), so this year’s celebration will be especially joyous.  In fact, it will last for two months, until January 9.

 

Among the returning celebrations will be “A Christmas Fantasy” parade, with Disney characters sharing the parade route with prancing reindeer, brightly colored toy soldiers, dancing gingerbread men, and Santa himself.  

 

The “Believe… in Holiday Magic” fireworks show will also be back, bursting with color over the top of Sleeping Beauty’s Winter Castle.  Each night, the castle will come awake in stages for a breath-taking spectacle as snow falls, holiday music fills the air, and shimmering icicles and thousands of twinkling lights shine in the dark.  Wintry projections will also wind their way down the buildings of Main Street U.S.A. during the show. A 60-foot-tall Christmas tree will grace Disneyland’s Main Street U.S.A., and a 50 foot tree will dazzle on Buena Vista Street at California Adventure for your family’s holiday photos.

 

Eight food booths will also serve the holiday flavors celebrating Christmas, Hanukkah, Diwali, Kwanzaa, and Three Kings Day during Disney California Adventure’s Festival of Holidays. Visitors can dance along with Mickey and the Holiday Toy Drummers during Mickey’s Happy Holidays, or listen to the wide variety of musical and dance styles from the Mariachi Divas, Mostly Kosher, Blue13, Phat Cat Swinger, or the Suffragettes while they enjoy the food booths.  Sip and Savor passes will be available.

 

During the celebrations, the “Disney Viva Navidad” street party will take place at Disney California Adventure’s Paradise Gardens, with Mickey and Minnie in fiesta outfits, and festive Mexican folklórico and Brazilian samba dancers, live music, papel picado banners, piñatas, and giant mojiganga puppets. Enjoy authentic holiday music and décor as you celebrate the customs of Mexico and Brazil.

 

Holiday overlays will make the rides and attractions a special experience as well, with Cars Land at Disney California Adventure getting a unique “automotive” themed overlay at “Luigi’s Joy to the Whirl” and “Mater’s Jingle Jamboree.”  The “Haunted Mansion” will show off the much-loved 20th year of its “Nightmare Before Christmas” overlay, and “it’s a small world” will light up the night each evening, celebrating holidays around the world with its bright and festive overlay.

 

Mickey, Minnie and friends will be dressed in holiday costumes, and guests can take socially-distanced selfies throughout the season.  Among the special appearances this year will be Mirabel from the upcoming animated release Encanto, who will be making her theme park debut.  Guests stopping by California Adventure’s Redwood Creek Challenge Trail will be able to see Santa Claus and participate in seasonal games and activities there.

 

For ticket prices and complete information about the events, visit the Disneyland website. 

 

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Beth Keating is a regular contributor to DisneyBizJournal.

 

Please support the efforts of DisneyBizJournal.com to bring news, analysis and commentary on Disney to readers such as yourself. Make a contribution right here via PayPal. Thanks!

 

An Update on Disney Re-Starts and Re-Openings

 by Ray Keating

News

DisneyBizJournal.com

June 18, 2021

 

As life moves ever closer to greater normalcy thanks to COVID-19 vaccines, more magic is returning to the Disney parks.

 

For many Disney parks lovers, a biggie is the return of fireworks shows. Nightly fireworks performances are coming back to the Magic Kingdom and EPCOT in Walt Disney World on July 1. And in Disneyland in California, the fireworks return on Independence Day, July 4th.

Of course, for those in France, Disneyland Paris re-opened on June 17. With this, now all of the Disney parks around the world are open to guests.

 

Regarding Walt Disney World resorts, the Boardwalk Inn re-opens on July 2, the Polynesian Village Resort in late July, and the Animal Kingdom Lodge on August 26, along with the Animal Kingdom Villas – Jambo House.

 

Also, Tusker House in Animal Kingdom is scheduled to re-open on June 20, with character dining modified.

 

More food options are coming online as well.

 

At Disneyland…

 

• Alien Pizza Planet reopened on June 17, offering breadsticks and pizza.

 

• On June 24, Edelweiss Snacks will return with turkey legs among the delicious treats.

 

• Also on June 24, Maurice's Treats, the snack wagon named for Belle’s father, will be serving pastries and drinks. 

 

• Rancho del Zocalo Restaurante reopened on June 17 to meet cravings for Mexican cuisine.

 

• The Tiki Juice Bar re-opened on June 17 as well, so you can grab a Dole Whip just outside the Enchanted Tiki Room.

 

• Your favorite Star Wars places to grab drinks and/or grub – Oga’s Cantina and Docking Bay 7 Food and Cargo – re-opened in Galaxy’s Edge on June 17.

 

At California Adventure…

 

• Wine offerings once again could be found at Mendocino Terrace as of June 17.

 

• If you prefer beer over wine, Bayside Brews reopened on June 17 offering assorted, well, brews.

 

• June 24 will bring the return of Jack-Jack Cookie Num Nums – cookie lovers alert!

 

• The Cozy Cone Motel’s Popcone also re-opens on June 24.

 

• Water views, a pub-style menu and a wide range of drinks will be available on June 24 at the Lamplight Lounge – with Lamplight Lounge Brunch starting on July 9.

 

• On June 17, Wine Country Trattoria re-opened with its offerings of Napa Valley wines and seasonal fare.

 

Meanwhile, over at Hong Kong Disneyland, a new Castle stage show – described as a “unique, live outdoor 20-minute daytime musical party … created as a continued celebration of the resort’s 15th anniversary” – starts on June 30.

For good measure, debuting on Disney+ on July 21 will be a 10-part series titled “Behind the Attraction.” According to Disney, it will provide “an exclusive peek ‘behind the curtain’ of the most beloved attractions and destinations at Disney Parks and Resorts around the world, from Jungle Cruise to ‘it’s a small world’ to the Haunted Mansion to Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge.”

 

More to come, no doubt.

 

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Ray Keating is the editor, publisher and economist for DisneyBizJournal.com, and author of the  Pastor Stephen Grant novels and assorted nonfiction books. Have Ray Keating speak your group, business, school, church, or organization. Email him at raykeating@keatingreports.com.

 

The views expressed here are his own – after all, no one else should be held responsible for this stuff, right?

 

Keating has two new books out. Vatican Shadows: A Pastor Stephen Grant Novel is the 13ththriller/mystery in the Pastor Stephen Grant series. Get the paperback or Kindle edition at Amazon, or signed books at www.raykeatingonline.com. Past Lives: A Pastor Stephen Grant Short Story is the 14th book in the series. Get the paperback or Kindle edition at Amazon, or signed book at www.raykeatingonline.com. And pre-order the 15th book in the series What’s Lost? A Pastor Stephen Grant Short Story.

 

Also, check out Ray’s podcasts – the Daily Dose of Disney, Free Enterprise in Three Minutes, and the PRESS CLUB C Podcast.

 

You also can order his book Behind Enemy Lines: Conservative Communiques from Left-Wing New York  from Amazon or signed books  at RayKeatingOnline.com. His other recent nonfiction book is Free Trade Rocks! 10 Points on International Trade Everyone Should Know. 

 

Please support the efforts of DisneyBizJournal.com to bring news, analysis and commentary on Disney to readers such as yourself. Make a contribution right here via PayPal. Thanks!

 

Disneyland Soon Welcoming Back Guests from Outside California

 by Ray Keating

News

DisneyBizJournal.com

May 26, 2021

 

Disney has announced that guests from outside of California will be welcomed back at Disneyland and Disney California Adventure on June 15, 2021.

Courtesy of Disney Parks Blog

Disneyland has been closed to out-of-state residents since March 14, 2020. The gates to the “happiest place on earth” reopened to California residents on April 30, 2021.

 

In addition, Disney has expanded its window for theme park reservations to 120 days. 

 

Disney noted, “And with the all-new land of Avengers Campus opening at Disney California Adventure park on June 4, plus the reopening of Disney’s Paradise Pier Hotel on June 15 and Disneyland Hotel on July 2, there couldn’t be a more exciting time to visit Disneyland Resort.”

 

The announcement on the Disney Parks Blog also highlighted ongoing safety measures: “The State of California strongly recommends that all guests be fully vaccinated or obtain a negative COVID-19 test prior to entering the theme parks. In addition, all guests will be required to wear an approved face covering throughout their visit at the Disneyland Resort. As always, our procedures may change as we continue to update our health and safety processes based on guidance from the state of California and local health officials.”

 

For good measure, on March 21, California Governor Gavin Newsom announced that theme parks in California can return to full capacity – if they choose to do so – on June 15. 

 

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Ray Keating is the editor, publisher and economist for DisneyBizJournal.com, and author of the  Pastor Stephen Grant novels and assorted nonfiction books. Have Ray Keating speak your group, business, school, church, or organization. Email him at raykeating@keatingreports.com.

 

The views expressed here are his own – after all, no one else should be held responsible for this stuff, right?

 

Keating has two new books out. Vatican Shadows: A Pastor Stephen Grant Novel is the 13ththriller/mystery in the Pastor Stephen Grant series. Get the paperback or Kindle edition at Amazon, or signed books at www.raykeatingonline.com. Past Lives: A Pastor Stephen Grant Short Story is the 14th book in the series. Get the paperback or Kindle edition at Amazon, or signed book at www.raykeatingonline.com. And pre-order the 15th book in the series What’s Lost? A Pastor Stephen Grant Short Story.

 

Also, check out Ray’s podcasts – the Daily Dose of Disney, Free Enterprise in Three Minutes, and the PRESS CLUB C Podcast.

 

You also can order his book Behind Enemy Lines: Conservative Communiques from Left-Wing New York  from Amazon or signed books  at RayKeatingOnline.com. His other recent nonfiction book is Free Trade Rocks! 10 Points on International Trade Everyone Should Know. 

 

Please support the efforts of DisneyBizJournal.com to bring news, analysis and commentary on Disney to readers such as yourself. Make a contribution right here via PayPal. Thanks!

Ticket Sale Dates Announced for Disneyland and Disney California Adventure

 by Beth Keating

News

DisneyBizJournal.com

April 6, 2021

 

Disney fans – at least the ones in California – start your engines!  Disney has released the dates for ticket sales for Disneyland and Disney California Adventure.  Theme park ticket sales will resume on April 15 at 8 AM Pacific Time.

 

At this stage, California state guidelines still limit attendance to California residents only.  The parks are scheduled to reopen on April 30.

In addition to valid theme park admission tickets, park guests must also make mandatory theme park reservations.  Advanced online reservations will open on April 12, no earlier than 8 AM Pacific Time, for visitors with previously purchased tickets. Other guests may begin making park reservations after they purchase tickets, beginning April 15.  Guests with multi-day tickets must make a park reservation for each date of their visit.

 

Guests must also abide by mask and social distancing guidelines to enter the parks.

 

Park Hopping will be available when the parks reopen. According to Disney, “Guests who purchase or have a Park Hopper ticket and an appropriate park reservation may visit the second park on the same day beginning at 1 PM. Please check the Park Hours calendar and the Disneyland app for the most up-to-date Park Hopper hours, as they could start earlier at a later date, depending on the day and park. Guests with Park Hopper tickets must make a park reservation for the first park they plan to visit AND enter that first park prior to visiting the other park. At this time, a park reservation is not required after the first park, however, reservation requirements are subject to change. Please note that the ability to visit the other park will be subject to that park’s capacity limitations.”

 

FASTPASS, Disney MaxPass services, Magic Morning and Extra Magic Hour offerings are suspended at the current time as Disney manages the State’s theme park/COVID reopening guidelines and attendance capacities.

 

For detailed and up-to-the-minute instructions, check the Disneyland website.

 

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Beth Keating is a regular contributor to DisneyBizJournal.

 

Please support the efforts of DisneyBizJournal.com to bring news, analysis and commentary on Disney to readers such as yourself. Make a contribution right here via PayPal. Thanks!

 

California’s Orange County Theme Parks Can Move to 25% Capacity

 by Beth Keating

News

DisneyBizJournal.com

March 31, 2021

 

This week’s news may be a cause for celebration for some California theme parks, while fostering jealousy at others. Los Angeles County and Orange County will be moving into California's Orange/Tier 3 COVID status. For the eligible theme parks, this means they now have the option to reopen at 25% capacity.  Disneyland is located in Orange County, and Universal Studios Hollywood is located in Los Angeles County. 

 

Orange/Tier 3 is labelled “moderate” risk, a less restrictive tier under California's pandemic rules, and while Disneyland and Universal are in that zone, other theme parks such as SeaWorld San Diego and Legoland are still in counties that are labelled “red,” or “substantial” risk, and they currently remain at 15% capacity.

Orange County’s move to the Orange/Tier 3 designation will take place today, March 31, while Los Angeles County will make the change on April 5.

 

Disneyland and Disney California Adventure were scheduled to open under Red/Tier 2 on April 30 with a 15% attendance capacity. This change would allow them the option to reopen at 25%. Disney is still planning an April 30 opening for both parks. 

 

California theme parks were permitted to begin operations on April 1, but Disney opted for an end of the month reopening. However, the Downtown Disney District is already open, and the sold-out “A Touch of Disney” festival at California Adventure will be underway until April 19.

 

According to the 13-page Covid-19 Industry Guidance: Amusement and Theme Parks bulletin, restrictions under the moderate, Orange/Tier 3 include:

• Parks must limit visitors to a maximum of 25% capacity.

 
• Indoor capacity limited to a maximum of 25%.

 
• Indoor dining limited to a maximum of 25% capacity.

 
• Walk-up ticket sales allowed. Park operators must collect complete name and contact information (including a phone number) of the ticket purchaser for necessary contact tracing.

(Note that while walk up ticket sales are permissible under California’s guidelines, Disney’s managed attendance system requires that in order to enter a park, guests must have both an advance park reservation and valid admission for the same park on the same date, a procedure similar to what is already in place in Disney World in Florida.)

Additionally, California theme park reopening guidelines limit attendance to California residents only at this time. The standard social distancing and mask requirements remain in effect. Weekly employee COVID testing will also be in place.

 

For California’s tiered guidelines blueprint, check here.

 

For details on what’s open and when at Disneyland and Disney California Adventure, head to Disney’s website. 

 

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Beth Keating is a regular contributor to DisneyBizJournal.

 

Please support the efforts of DisneyBizJournal.com to bring news, analysis and commentary on Disney to readers such as yourself. Make a contribution right here via PayPal. Thanks!

DisneylandForward Plans for Disneyland Expansion Seeks Flexibility by Government

 by Ray Keating

News

DisneyBizJournal.com

March 25, 2021

 

Apparently, the business and Imagineering minds at Disneyland haven’t exactly been dormant during the COVID-19 pandemic. Far from it. Disneyland made a splash today with big expansion plans for the resort. Or more specifically, the company announced plans for a path to major expansion.

The Walt Disney Company’s DisneylandForward plan appears to be chock full of potential for those who enjoy Disneyland, but the central effort, at this point in time, is to gain flexibility from local government, i.e., the City of Anaheim, so that investments by Disney – investments that would help the region’s economic recovery and growth – are able to move ahead. That kind of common-sense flexibility, however, often is in short supply in politics and government, especially in places like California. So, time and negotiations in coming months will tell the tale. But initial responses should please Disney and other local business representatives.

 

As Ken Potrock, president of Disneyland Resort, put it, “Thinking big and leading the way is both our legacy and our best path forward. Now is the time to be bold, to dream, to believe, and to lead! The world-renowned Disneyland Resort is poised to bring back jobs to our community as well as new entertainment and experiences to loyal fans and new audiences for generations to come.”

 

Disney is looking for Anaheim to essentially shift its zoning from traditional, specific-use approval to zoning that allows for increased flexibility and integration in terms of uses, such as hotel and entertainment. As Disney explains, “While Disney has the development rights and the desire to continue investing in Anaheim, the space to develop integrated offerings is severely limited. Without broadening the uses allowed within each district or demolishing and replacing many beloved theme park attractions, further integrated development and theme park investment are not possible.”

 

Considering that most plans like this from large companies seek taxpayer backing, Disney states that this is not the case. The goals are summed up as follows:

 

“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 working with the city and community to update our existing approvals to allow for integrated development to be located and built throughout Disney properties.”

 

Where might such increased zoning flexibility take Disneyland? Well, there’s a great deal to consider in what Disney put forward today, but at the same time, the company said, “We are not announcing any future projects at this time.” Still, possibilities have been dangled: “With DisneylandForward and more flexibility within our existing properties, new lands and adventures like those underway at Tokyo DisneySea and Shanghai Disneyland could inspire new experiences here.” Mentioned were lands coming to Tokyo DisneySea, such as Frozen, Repunzel’s tower from Tangled, and Peter Pan’s Neverland, along with Shanghai’s Zootopia and Tron ride, and Hollywood Studio’s “Toy Story Land.” 

 

The following is a general map of possibilities presented by Disney.

Regarding the new Disney entertainment area, the company put forth: “This property could be the perfect location to cater to locals, conventioneers, hotel and Disneyland Resort guests with restaurants, hotels, live music, shopping, ticketed shows and theme park experiences modeled after the popular Disney Springs at Walt Disney World Resort.”

 

The plan also calls for enhanced parking, transportation and transit options.

 

Disney does in fact hit on the need for investment to get the economy moving again. It specifically addresses the impact of the pandemic, and what’s needed:

 

“While no one could have predicted just how far-reaching the job loss and economic impacts would be as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, we know this past year has been incredibly difficult. It has taken a major toll on our cast, The Anaheim Resort, Anaheim residents and families, Orange County, and California. But, with time, we will recover, and we’ll do it together. We believe in the future of this great city, and we are ready to join hands as even stronger partners. With continued investment, we can make an even larger impact on short-term recovery, enhance long-term growth, and help address some of Anaheim’s more difficult problems in the future.”

 

The Orange County Register quoted Anaheim Mayor Harry Sidhu saying: “In the past year, we have seen what the Disneyland Resort means to Anaheim’s economy and the role it plays in helping us provide vital public services for our residents, neighborhoods and businesses… I welcome fresh thinking about how the Disneyland Resort evolves and how we best maximize this resource for our city.”

 

Flexibility by government in allowing private investment to move ahead would, indeed, be fresh thinking – and that’s needed in Anaheim, in the rest of California, and across the nation.

 

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Ray Keating is the editor, publisher and economist for DisneyBizJournal.com, and author of the  Pastor Stephen Grant novels and assorted nonfiction books. Have Ray Keating speak your group, business, school, church, or organization. Email him at raykeating@keatingreports.com.

 

The views expressed here are his own – after all, no one else should be held responsible for this stuff, right?

 

Keating has two new books out. Vatican Shadows: A Pastor Stephen Grant Novel is the 13ththriller/mystery in the Pastor Stephen Grant series. Get the paperback or Kindle edition at Amazon, or signed books at www.raykeatingonline.com. Past Lives: A Pastor Stephen Grant Short Story is the 14th book in the series. Get the paperback or Kindle edition at Amazon, or signed book at www.raykeatingonline.com. 

 

You also can order his book Behind Enemy Lines: Conservative Communiques from Left-Wing New York  from Amazon or signed books  at RayKeatingOnline.com. His other recent nonfiction book is Free Trade Rocks! 10 Points on International Trade Everyone Should Know. 

 

Please support the efforts of DisneyBizJournal.com to bring news, analysis and commentary on Disney to readers such as yourself. Make a contribution right here via PayPal. Thanks!