According to a public notice issued on June 25, The Walt Disney Co.’s $1bn expansion plans for its Disneyland Resort may hinge on Anaheim’s agreement to forego taxes on theme park tickets for another 30 years.
A public meeting will take place on July 7, at which time City Council will take under consideration Disney’s request to extend the present entertainment tax exemption it has enjoyed since 1996. That 20-year agreement is set to expire on the last day of June next year.
The expansion being contemplated by Disney would add a 5,000-car parking structure, include new attractions, and make improvements to the massive park complex’s surrounding streets. Officials at Disney would not go into particulars about potential themed lands or rides, but the company owns the Star Wars, Pixar, and Marvel franchises, which provide it with numerous options.
In its announcement, the company indicated that it was undecided on whether the expansion would be at both parks, only at Disney California Adventure, or at the original Disneyland. One point that was made clear was that Disney has no plans to add a third theme park in the city. If a no admission tax agreement is reached, construction would commence no later than 2017.
A change in either or both of Disney’s Anaheim-based theme parks would trigger a new collaboration between brochure printers and the company, as well as with the city of Anaheim.
