California Governor Gavin Newsom paid a special visit to the Disneyland Resort yesterday to meet with Disney CEO Bob Iger and Disney Parks, Experiences, and Products Chairman Josh D’Amaro to discuss the upcoming DisneylandForward expansion project as well as attend the very first Disneyland After Dark: Pride Nite event.

Gavin Newsom Visits Disneyland

During the day, Gov. Newsom met with Iger and D’Amaro to discuss the highly-anticipated DisneylandForward project. The resort first pitched their project in 2021, right around the time their extended 14-month closure due to the COVID-19 pandemic ended. The presentation today served as a way for Disneyland to pitch their vision Orange County business and civic leaders detailing the tourism, tax revenue and employment benefits of the proposal, before the proposal goes before the Anaheim Planning Commission later this year and the City Council next. An environmental impact study is currently underway, with a draft expected this summer.

Cal State Fullerton’s Anil Puri to spelled out the economic impact of every billion dollars invested by Disneyland. During an average four-year construction period, Disneyland would generate 4,500 jobs, $11 million in tax revenue, and $1.1 billion in economic output in Anaheim for every billion dollars spent, according to his study.

The aim of the DisneylandForward project is to obtain more flexibility for land Disneyland received approval to develop in the 1990s, ideally adding a mix of theme park, hotel, retail, dining, and entertainment on the eastern and western edges of the resort.

Last month at a meeting of Orange County business leaders, Disneyland Resort President Ken Potrock said “Back in the early ’90s, Disney and the city of Anaheim worked collaboratively on their vision for the next three-plus decades. Together, we built this unique tourism engine and the vision we had for the continued growth of this community is quite honestly a marvel. This is a very unique, special and advantageous benefit to the city of Anaheim, Orange County and in fact, the entire state. We are incredibly excited about the opportunity to do it again as we look to the next 10, 20 and even 30 years ahead.”

Later that night, Gov. Newsom appeared at Disneyland After Dark: Pride Nite to greet guests.

Speaking earlier that day in Glendale, Gov. Newsom said “In California, we don’t just tolerate our diversity – we celebrate it and all the ways it makes us stronger. Our inclusivity and acceptance attract new talent and ideas that drive our economic growth and make California a hotspot for world-leading companies to grow and prosper. We’ll continue to advance California values to build an inclusive economy that embraces opportunity for all.”

Did you get a chance to meet Gov. Newsom while he was at Disneyland? Let us know in the comments below!

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