Long Beach : Disney Granted 6-Month Extension on Theme Park

The Walt Disney Co. has been granted six more months to provide Long Beach city and port officials with detailed plans for a water-based theme park the corporation is considering building but has thus far kept secret.

The agreement means Disney will hold on to its exclusive negotiating rights for the development of 256 acres of water around the Queen Mary and another 15 acres of land east of the harbor.

The plans, being developed by a team of “imagineers,” were due to be unveiled to Long Beach officials Wednesday. But Disney asked for more time, saying the project is complex and the plans are still conceptual.

The extension was enthusiastically granted by Long Beach leaders who say they are eager to negotiate a second theme park if the project does not interfere with the area’s quality of life. The park could bring millions of tourists and as many tax dollars to the city.

Disney officials announced last month that the park would be built in Anaheim or Long Beach, whichever city is willing to contribute most to the cost of transportation routes, sewers and other facilities necessary to serve such a large project.