Will Disneyland expand after new land purchase?
The minds of Disney enthusiasts across the globe are running rampant with speculations today as the Walt Disney Co. purchases three parcels of land near the Anaheim resort. Located across from Disney's California Adventure, the land purchase adds an additional 14.7 acres to the sprawling Disney-metropolis.
What does this mean for Disneyland?
The latest purchase comes after the Walt Disney Co. purchased the Carousel Inn and Suites in March and two large office buildings last year. Unfortunately, the company has yet to formally announce their motives for the land purchaces.
"People have put two and two together and they know that something cool could be coming down the line," said Robert Niles, a Disney expert and founder of themeparkinsider.com.
Disneyland aficionados are hopeful the acquisition of additional land is a sign that Disney Imagineers are hard at work on a themepark expansion. Specifically, a themepark expansion with a Star Wars or Marvel's superhero emphasis. Disney gained the rights to Marvel and Star Wars characters through purchases of Marvel Entertainment Inc. in 2009 and Lucasfilm in 2012.
Devoted Disney bloggers are feeding into the expansion buzz
Todd Regan, founder of the Disney blog site MiceChat.com believes Disney has likely already designed the rides and attractions for a Star Wars expansion and a Marvel heroes addition to the park. "It's really a no-brainer that Star Wars will take over at Disneyland and Marvel will probably go into Disney California Adventure."
Although resort officials are remaining tight-lipped on any future expansion plans, there are some promising signs
Under an agreement that ensures the city of Anaheim will not impose an entertainment tax on the resort for the next 30 years, Disney has committed to investing at least $1 billion into the themepark by 2024. Secondly, Robert Iger, Disney Chairman and Chief Executive, hinted at plans of a Disneyland expansion during his shareholder address in March.
Contact Caitlin Lilly at clilly@reviewjournal.com. Find her on Twitter: @caitiesmith
