Boom Predicted From $3-Billion Second Gate : Reaction: Merchants and hoteliers expect guaranteed busloads of tourists into the next century. Anaheim officials see a chance to revitalize a seedy part of the city left from the Eisenhower era.

For civic officials and business leaders, the naming of this city as the next site of a Disney theme park Thursday generated a surge of hometown pride.

It was as if the Rams had won the Super Bowl.

“It’s probably the best news that could happen,” said Bill O’Connell, general manager of the Stovall motel chain surrounding Disneyland. “It will be a big boost for the entire area.”

The prospect of a new $3-billion resort project seemed to hold something for everyone. For merchants and hoteliers, it would guarantee busloads of souvenir-hungry tourists well into the next century. For city officials, it represents a chance to revitalize a downtrodden section of the city left over from the Eisenhower era. And regional planners view the project as the focal point for Orange County’s vital tourist trade.

“The really important thing is the economic impact of new jobs, new business, stimulation of the economy,” said Allan Hughes, executive director of the Anaheim Chamber of Commerce. “We’ve been in a downturn, a recession for some time, and this is the first meaningful move of a positive nature.”

Rick Cerney, whose family owns the Subway sandwich shop next to Disneyland, said he had been hoping for this announcement since Disney first proposed the expansion.

“I might hurt for a little (period) while the park is under construction, but in the long run I’m going to be all right,” Cerney said. “Half of my business comes from Disneyland, the other half from the convention center. Anything that brings more people to this area has to help me.”

Angelo Zaby, who operates a motel near Disneyland, said he expects the new park will mean that people will stay longer and spend more money while at his family’s motor lodge just south of the park.

Patrick Hynes, spokesman for the Anaheim Hilton and Towers next to Disneyland, said the project is a “wonderful boost for the whole Anaheim community. We’ve always enjoyed a close relationship with the neighbors at the park.”

Even competitors were impressed. Stuart Zanville, spokesman for Knott’s Berry Farm in Buena Park, said his company stood to benefit, whether the choice was Long Beach or Anaheim.

“We think that anything that brings out-of-town visitors to Southern California is good for the the area and good for our industries,” he said.

“Great! Great!” Mayor Fred Hunter said. “The economic benefit to the city is going to be tremendous. It helps so many things going on.”

Councilman Bob D. Simpson said the announcement is “every bit as exciting as when Disney first came.”

He added that he is “glad to have the waiting period over. It’s a lot easier to negotiate something that’s solid instead of abstract.”

Disney Development Co. President Peter Rummell said the timing of Thursday’s announcement was partly based on the company’s need to cut its development cost, which had already reached $20 million in both cities. Also, it allowed Long Beach to trim its costs and free its planning staff for other project, he said.

It is “critical to all cities that they move on,” Rummell said.

After the Disney announcement, other local officials pledged to support the project as it winds through a series of governmental checks.

Assemblyman Tom Umberg, who represents the area and lives near Disneyland, said he is “very excited” about the announcement.

“It will be great for the community and great for Orange County,” said the freshman Democratic legislator from Garden Grove. “I look forward to working with the people at Disney to make sure concerns of local residents or business (owners) are all resolved.”

Supervisor Don R. Roth, a former Anaheim mayor who wears a Mickey Mouse wristwatch and carries a Disney writing pen, said the decision could not have come at a better time.

“This is a great announcement, as we are seeing a great amount of job losses in California,” he said. “We are seeing industry moving to Nevada and Arizona. Here we have a chance to enhance job opportunities in California.”

Roth said Anaheim’s selection also means that Disneyland’s vast present parking lot, on real estate worth about $1 million an acre, will be put to better use. At present, it is “underutilized property if I have ever seen any.”

Disneyland visitors were receptive to the announcement, as well.

Mike Margolis, 30, a Mission Viejo airline pilot who took his wife and their two young sons to Disneyland, said they are looking forward to the expansion.

“I was very impressed with Epcot in Florida, and if the expansion is like that I’ll be all for it,” Margolis said. “The only concern I can see is with the parking. If they solve that, it will be great.”

Mike Risley, 29, a sales manager from London, said a new theme park in Anaheim could enhance Disneyland’s image throughout the world.

“I think when they get (the expansion) built,” Risley said, “the company will promote the park more, and people will hear more good things about it. They will come from all over to see it.”

Times staff writer Kevin Johnson contributed to this report.