ANAHEIM : Disney Booklet Tells Park’s Special Status

A 20-page booklet recently circulated in the city by Walt Disney Co. talks of the company’s strong commitment to Orange County and Anaheim and affirms that Disneyland will always be the company’s flagship.

Describing the theme park’s relationship with the city and county as a “special kinship,” the publication comes as sensitive negotiations continue over Disney’s proposed Disneyland Resort project in Anaheim. The company has yet to determine whether it will invest $3 billion for its new resort in Anaheim or Long Beach,

“Our vision for the proposed Disneyland Resort exemplifies our promise to never stop dreaming and doing,” stated a passage signed by Chairman Michael Eisner, Disney President Frank Wells and Vice Chairman Roy Disney. “The dream that was to become Disneyland has grown to global proportions. But Disneyland will always be our flagship. And it will always be special because it is the only park Walt (Disney) dreamed, created and walked in.”

Disneyland officials could not be reached for comment Tuesday, and it was not immediately known when the 20-page booklet, “Disneyland Story,” was published, how widely it was circulated or the reason for its release.

Allan B. Hughes, executive director of the Chamber of Commerce, said he received copies about three weeks ago and believed part of its purpose was to reduce any community opposition to plans for the resort in Anaheim.

Last May, Disney unveiled its proposal for the Anaheim resort that included a new hotel district, 6-acre lake and Westcot Center theme park. But officials have said they would not decide until the end of the year whether they would build that or an equally expansive ocean-theme project in Long Beach.

Since the two proposals were presented, Disney officials have said that a key factor in the decision would be the level of community support.

“I think it’s a realization that they haven’t done a real good job in telling their story,” Hughes said of the publication. “Although they have enjoyed a good relationship with the community and press, they (Disney) don’t do much about tooting their own horn.”