Anaheim Must Get Going
Ideas for new theme parks in Anaheim and the region have been floated with some regularity by the Walt Disney Co. To the one that actually has made it into production, the California Adventure slated to open in February, now add plans for a third theme park at a 78-acre site just south of Disney’s existing complex on Harbor Boulevard.
There are lots of questions about what exactly this new park would be, but it is no surprise that the site has been picked for some kind of expansion. This has been clear from the time that the strawberry field in the environs of Disney’s real estate was purchased.
The concept also squares with the prevailing thought on Anaheim and the objectives of the biggest entertainment game in town. That is furthering the city as a tourist destination, where people come and spend vacation time at various attractions rather than making it a day trip.
The city is often criticized for being little more than a facilitator for whatever Disney would like to do. In this instance, congestion from current construction is fresh in the minds of residents and commuters making their way through Anaheim. The city, anticipating even more development, needs to plan now for adequate oversight if this project goes forward. It must make every effort to minimize the disruption already occurring because of years of reconstruction in the area of the Convention Center.
The big unknown, of course, is how this project will take shape. Officials have said that the park could borrow from existing rides at other locations, and potentially contain a water park, retail center and needed hotel space. It appears unlikely that there will be any bold new departures.
For most of the 1990s, Anaheim was looking for ways to get different elements of the entertainment, sports and convention attractions to create a geographical synergy.
If this new Disney proposal helps get elements working together, it will contribute to that end.
This section of Anaheim would be a step along in its transition from a seedy environment to the hoped-for urban resort. On this model, the original Disneyland park would be a kind of base camp from which other attractions would build. Visitors would come and stay awhile, as they do in Florida’s Disney World area.
All of that sounds good for Anaheim, but nearby Garden Grove has made it clear that it wants to be in on the tourism action as well. It shrewdly has capitalized on the opportunity of nearby Disney expansion by adding 1,657 hotel rooms less than a mile from Disneyland.
The city took a look at what was coming, anticipated the difficulty Anaheim would have building affordable hotels, and made hotel development a component of its community development strategy.
Thus, the extensive planning now envisioned by Disney potentially is a plus for several communities, and Orange County as a whole. Anaheim Mayor Tom Daly seems to have the right regional attitude, rather than wanting the benefits only for his city. He envisions the replacement of rundown buildings in Garden Grove as a good thing for that city and for the county.
Anaheim has invested hundreds of millions of dollars in public improvements, and now is behind schedule on its plans. It needs to get moving if it wishes to attract a mix of hotels, restaurants and entertainment spots it says are needed to complete the vision for the entire area.
It has spent heavily for improvements, including a $90-million, five-story garage. Since the profits from that project will go to Disney, it must be wary of putting the taxpayers at risk under the guise of private-public partnership.
Other issues include housing for workers, and care that quality of life for those who make Anaheim their home is preserved. The city has committed to being an entertainment town, but it is also a place of neighborhoods where ordinary folks deserve to share in the benefits of new development.
