The Walt Disney Company confirmed the purchase of nearly 15 acres of land near its Anaheim Disneyland Resort, but said the land would not be used to expand rides or attractions, a company spokesperson said Wednesday.
Property records documenting the purchase of two large office buildings across from Disneyland on South Manchester Avenue last year, as well as the Carousel Inn & Suites on South Harbor Boulevard in March, set off a flurry of speculation from fans, who hope to see Disney's Marvel and Star Wars properties incorporated into the park.
Though Disney Chairman and Chief Executive Robert Iger told shareholders in March that there are plans to expand Disneyland, the Manchester Boulevard land purchase is designed to be used for warehousing and parking purposes, according to the company.
"There has been some minsinformation that this was a recent purchase, but it was purchased more than a year ago," Disney spokesperson Suzi Brown said. "We purchased two large buildings, both had tenants in them, and we just recently filed a conditional use permit with Anaheim so that we could move into one of those buildings.'
The permit indicates that the land will be used for offices and warehousing, and will eventually be expanded for additional parking needs.
"With the resort’s continued growth resulting in additional cast members and a record number of guests, this property will help to support additional infrastructure needs, including warehouse and office space and parking," Brown said.
Despite speculation that the recently acquired 14.7 acres was intended to be used for new rides and attractions, Disney has denied that the park will expand beyond its original parameters any time soon.
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"If we ever do an expansion, it would be within the footprint of the existing park," Brown said. "This is not next to the park, it's a short distance away."
In July, Disney agreed to invest at least $1 billion in the park by 2024, under an agreement that ensures the Anaheim will not impose an entertainment tax on theme park tickets for the next 30 years.
