Disneyland Promises to Reduce Noise

In an effort to appease neighbors who are opposed to a new Disney resort and theme park, Walt Disney Co. officials said Wednesday that they will spend $500,000 to tone down noise already coming from Disneyland.

The announcement came during a City Council hearing on the proposed $3-billion Westcot project.

One of the obstacles to approval has been the potential for noise. Although the Planning Commission endorsed the proposed theme park and resort last month, several commissioners said they were troubled by the prospect of more noise.

They cited complaints from residents about late-night noise from Disney’s Fantasmic show, which features lasers and sound effects.

At Wednesday’s hearing, Disneyland President Jack Lindquist said the company will spend the money to “reconfigure (Fantasmic’s) sound system to address these concerns.”

City officials praised Disney’s action and said it was an indication of how the company wants to be a good neighbor.

“It shows a good-faith effort,” said Deputy City Manager Tom Wood.

Disney’s announcement was received cautiously by some neighbors who oppose the expansion.

“Hopefully, it’s a step toward reaching a compromise and not being compromised, which is our impression of the process so far,” said Jeff Kirsch. “Hopefully, it wasn’t done just to get the project approved.”

The public hearing was the final opportunity for supporters and opponents to express their opinions on the proposed resort and theme park’s environmental and planning documents.

More than 300 people attended, with many saying that the project would economically benefit the city, county and state. They said it would generate millions of dollars in taxes, hundreds of millions in commerce and thousands of jobs.

Critics said the project would snarl traffic and contribute to air and noise pollution.

Plans call for a second theme park called Westcot, several hotels, a 5,000-seat amphitheater and a retail shopping district.