Port Disney Becomes DisneySea to Avoid Confusion
On these shores, the name “Port Disney” was intended to conjure images of water cruises, amusement-park rides and fancy hotels built in a relatively tiny corner of the Port of Long Beach. But halfway across the world, something was lost in the translation.
“A lot of our customers overseas thought we were changing our port into Disneyland,” said Steven R. Dillenbeck, port executive director.
So this week, Disney and the port put an end to the confusion. They changed the name.
Effective immediately, the proposed $3-billion resort of six hotels, a cruise ship terminal and an amusement park will be officially known as DisneySea. Previously, DisneySea was the name used to refer only to the theme park, which will not be renamed, Disney officials said.
“It was just a working title, something everybody felt was OK,” said David Malmuth, a vice president with Disney Development Co. who is in charge of the Long Beach project. “But the port indicated (it) had some concern, so we said fine.”
Half of the proposed Disney resort would take up a small corner of the massive port, and the other half would be built across Queensway Bay in downtown Long Beach. But clients in Japan who heard the name envisioned somewhat of a port invasion by Disney.
“It’s just one small area of the port, but some clients didn’t understand the location or the size,” Dillenbeck said.
Start your day right
Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
