The documentation for DisneylandForward, a proposed theme park expansion plus retail, hotel, and parking projects for Disneyland Resort, was updated last week, and now a new discovery amongst the plans shows that Disneyland may extend its 1959 monorail route.
Disneyland Considering Extending Monorail Route
According to The Orange County Register, this potential expansion is buried in the 17,000-page Environmental Impact Report released last week by the city of Anaheim for DisneylandForward. The document suggests that Disneyland could extend its monorail to a proposed 17,000-car parking garage and the Toy Story parking lot as part of the expansion plans.
In addition to an extensive network of landscaped pedestrian thoroughfares, conveyance systems will transport Disneyland Resort guests around the project.
The monorail/guest transportation systems shall move guests from the Hotel District to the Theme Park District. Future connections may also be provided to the Future Expansion Southeast District.
Disneyland Forward Environmental Impact Report
In the excerpt, the “Southeast District” refers to the current Toy Story parking lot, which is currently being proposed as the “Theme Park East Overlay” for the project.
Per the Register, connecting Disneyland and Disney California Adventure to the Toy Story parking lot area via monorail would likely involve a route through Anaheim GardenWalk, which is an outdoor shopping district that Disneyland doesn’t own.
However, Disneyland does own land behind GardenWalk along Disney Way, which is utilized for Cast Member parking. That area is now being proposed as a future 17,000-space parking garage.
As we previously reported, the Environmental Impact Report also proposes potential use of a PeopleMover or Disney Skyliner-type transportation system to move guests between the theme parks and parking garages.
Though nothing is for certain, these documents offer a closer look at what Disney may or may not do with the allotted land, should the project move forward.
Disneyland Forward
“DisneylandForward” is Disney’s effort to work with the city to grow the Disneyland Resort post-pandemic. Disney is asking the city to approve plans to add a mix of theme park, hotel, retail, dining, and entertainment on the eastern and western edges of the existing Disneyland Resort.
The plans are designed to get zoning approvals for multiple potential uses. They are not a guarantee for the end product.
Disneyland Monorail
The Disneyland Monorail first opened in 1959 along with the Matterhorn Bobsleds and what is known today as Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage. At the time, the guest transportation system was the first daily operating monorail on the Western Hemisphere.
Most recently, the monorail reopened earlier this month following a near two-month-long refurbishment. The most noticeable changes from the renovation are an updated monorail station in the Downtown Disney District, and an overall smoother ride experience, thanks to track work and power-washing of the entire ride path.
For more Disneyland Resort news and info, follow Disneyland News Today on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. For Disney Parks news worldwide, visit WDWNT.