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Orange County Bulletin (April 18th)

Orange County Bulletin (April 18th)

Eric Nguyen
April 18, 2024

Welcome to The Orange County Bulletin, a weekly newsletter where I send you news on upcoming events, local news, and more..

This is the only time I will be sending multiple emails this week. There’s a ton of things going on in Orange County, so I want to make sure you’re all informed.

Local News

Anaheim City Council unanimously approves $1.9 billion Disneyland expansion project

Disney's Southern California parks may soon transport visitors to the enchanting realm of Arendelle from "Frozen" or the bustling streets of "Zootopia," thanks to a park expansion initiative greenlit by the Anaheim City Council.

After an exhaustive eight-hour meeting beginning Tuesday night, the City Council unanimously voted 7-0 to approve the project, marking the first step. However, a final nod for Disney's plan is slated for a second council vote in May.

Under the proposed DisneylandForward Project, Disney aims to invest $1.9 billion over the next decade to revitalize the property. This includes a $40 million allocation to purchase streets from Anaheim, such as Hotel Way and sections of Clementine Street and Magic Way.

Furthermore, Disney has pledged $30 million toward affordable housing initiatives throughout Anaheim, encompassing park enhancements, street improvements, and transportation upgrades, with an estimated creation of 9,000 construction jobs.

The expansion won't enlarge Disney's footprint in Anaheim but will facilitate the addition of new attractions by allowing the company to relocate parking to a new multi-story structure and revamp existing lots, among other property adjustments.

Given the proximity of Disneyland, Disney California Adventure, and Downtown Disney to freeways and residential areas, Disney deems this plan essential for the creation of substantial new experiences.

Despite the council's approval, public sentiments varied during the meeting's comment section.

Numerous concerns were raised, particularly regarding Disney's proposal to acquire a public street near the theme park for pedestrian use and the addition of a crosswalk on a neighboring street.

"We're a Disney family, and I'm eager for new rides this expansion could bring. However, I feel disheartened by the potential sale of Magic Way," voiced one attendee.

"You're shutting down a street for private use. Our streets are already overrun by tourists avoiding Disney's parking fees - what benefit do we derive from it?" questioned another.

Ken Potrock, president of the Disneyland Resort, emphasized during the meeting, "We are poised to introduce the next era of immersive entertainment here in Anaheim," citing previous investments like Cars Land and Star Wars Galaxy's Edge.

Disney has yet to confirm which narratives will be featured, considering the project's multi-year timeline.

This marks Disney's first significant overhaul of its California theme parks since the 1990s, when it transformed Disneyland into a resort destination, later adding Disney California Adventure and Downtown Disney.

Pending final approval, the plan is set to take effect on June 7.

Upcoming Events

Here are some events that are happening in Orange County this week. This is a good mix between sports, entertainment, concerts, conferences, and more.

Sports

Orange County SC vs Sacramento Republic Championship Soccer Stadium Saturday April 20th | 7:00 PM | (more info)

Orange County SC vs Monterey Bay F.C. Championship Soccer Stadium Saturday April 27th | 7:00 PM | (more info)

Anaheim Angels vs Philadelphia Phillies Angel Stadium. Wednesday May 1st | 1:07 PM | (more info)

Entertainment

Fiesta Total 5 En Anaheim Xalos Bar, 480 N Glassell St Thursday April 18th | 7:00 PM (more info)