Since August 2017, Disney has been issued more than $202.6 million in construction permits for the top ten most expensive new attractions and additions. By analyzing the building permits filed with the city of Anaheim for the Disneyland Resort, we can see what new projects will be redefining the parks’ biggest attractions over the next few years.
Disney has recently announced significant updates and additions to the Disneyland and Disney California Adventure (“DCA”) theme parks in Anaheim, California. With Disneyland’s “Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge” under construction with an expected opening of 2019, a Marvel superhero land in the works for DCA, and significant changes to the hotels and parking structures underway, the complex will look significantly different than it did during its grand opening in 1955. The following projects represent the ten most expensive permits issued for the Disneyland Resort attractions since August 2017.
1. Disney’s “Cleo” Parking Structure
Permit Value: $100,000,000
As earlier reported in our May article, Disney announced plans to upgrade, improve, and add new parking to the resort. The centerpiece of the project is an all-new, 6500-spot parking garage adjacent to the Mickey and Friends garage.
On May 11, permits valued at $100 million were issued to begin construction on the new code-named “Cleo Parking Structure” to be located at 1351 South Disneyland Drive. The Disneyland Resort will gain a 2.3 million square foot parking garage, spread over six stories. The structure will also include 5.1K square feet of office and restroom facilities, and a transportation terminal.
2. Disneyland Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge Possible Battle Escape Attraction
Permit Value: $55,746,094
Permits were issued in July 2018 to begin construction on a new attraction and backstage office building for the Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge land, scheduled to open in 2019. MiceChat insiders believes this project to be the two-story “Battle Escape attraction.” The permit calls for the new commercial construction of a 115,206 square foot, two-story “Amusement Building” including offices, a break room, cast member bathroom, maintenance and equipment areas, and “decorative rock works.”
3. Grand California Hotel Renovation
Permit Value: $22,908,477
The exact scope of work covered by the permit, issued October 2017, is somewhat difficult to parse from the project description (as follows): “Dtd – building j – tenant improvement: 30, 107 s.ft existing mechandise location part of (e) grand california hotel installation of new light blx and replacing existing light box remove existing merchandise bays with new wood sheathing or gypsum boa” [sic].
Our best guess is that this permit covers the $22.9 million interior updates to the Grand California Hotel in Downtown Disney. With recent Arts-and-Crafts styled updates made to the furniture, carpets, wall treatments, and lighting in the guest rooms, lobby space, restaurants, pool area, and lounges, we cannot isolate exactly what portion of the changes this permit covers, but we do think the Charles Rennie Mackintosh-inspired updates are worth exploring!
4. DCA Pixar Pier Enhancements
In June, DCA’s former Paradise Pier reopened as the reimagined Pixar Pier after undergoing Pixar-themed updates and additions. For example, DCA’s high-octane roller coaster, California Screamin’, received an Incredibles-themed makeover and is now known as the “Incredicoaster.” In January, months before the attractions reopened, a $6.6 million permit was issued to make final site enhancements and additions during the re-theming.
The permit added 70 retaining walls, 40 new light poles, a fountain, and arches for the new Incredibles Neighborhood, Toy Story Mania, and Fun Wheel. A “Jessie Figure structure and pad” was also added.
5. Disneyland Star Wars: Galaxy Edge ‘Iconic Theme Prop’ – (Millennium Falcon? AT-ATS?)
Permit Value: $4,400,000
In August 2017, permits were issued to add a “new steel iconic theme prop” in front of “Attraction #2”. While we can’t definitively say whether the prop will be in front of the Battle Escape or the Millennium Falcon attraction planned for Galaxy’s Edge, we can theorize that this permit may allude to a set of full-scale ATS-ATS, a Millennium Falcon, or a pair of X-Wings, all of which are depicted in the renderings and concept art for the new land.
6. Downtown Disney – Naples Ristorante Expansion and Remodel
Permit Value: $3,894,000
In May 2018, permits were issued to add 1,781 square feet to the first and second floor of the Patina Restaurant Group owned Naples Ristorante and to reconfigure the existing 8,926 square foot facility. The expansions adds space to the lobby and entrance, restaurant, and kitchen, and converts the outdoor terrace to indoor dining.
7. Disneyland Star Wars: Galaxy Edge – Guest Sorting Area and Queue
Permit Value: $2,834,645
In September 2017, permits were issued for a 953 square foot steel structure guest sorting area and a 817 square foot steel structure queue hall-way. Like any queuing experience at the Disneyland Resort, you can expect the wait to be as visually engaging as the attraction itself!
8. DCA Pixar Pier – Lamplight Lounge
Permit Value: $2,500,000
In November 2017, permits were filed to make alterations and additions to turn the restaurant previously known as Ariel’s Grotto bar and restaurant into the new Lamplight Lounge, themed after the eponymous lamp that hops across the screen in every Pixar title sequence. The permits will add a new 192 square feet private dining room, a gazebo, and canopied space to the outdoor dining area. Interior improvements will also be made to both the upper and lower levels.
9. Pixar Pier – Incredicoaster Show Spaces
Permit Value: $2,000,000
The permits, issued December 2017, cover the commercial construction for the two new show-space scenes added to the re-themed Incredicoaster. What is unknown is whether the permits covered the cost of the Edna Mode and Jack Jack figures or the svelte mid-century furnishings in the scenes.
10. Disneyland – Enchanted Tiki Room Updates
Permit Value: $1,700,000
Issued December 2017, this permit covers the modifications to the 410 square foot wood deck outside of Disneyland’s Enchanted Tiki Room to create The Tropical Hideaway, a new dining area which will offer the “sights, sounds, and flavors of the tropics”. The project will also add 150 square feet and guardrails to the attraction, likely borrowed from the now-closed Aladdin’s Oasis, and covers the interior remodel of an existing unisex restroom. The updated attraction is scheduled to reopen in early September.
Notes:
If you’d like more information about the permits, please send us an email at [email protected].
Please note that permit valuations are pre-construction estimates and may not reflect final costs.
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