Following more than five hours of debate and public comment, the Anaheim City Council voted yesterday to extend an entertainment tax exemption on Disneyland tickets for an additional 30 years in exchange for Disney’s agreement to spend at least $1 billion on new attractions and a new parking garage. The ban has been in place since 1996 and was set to expire next year.
As part of the agreement, construction at the Disneyland Resort must begin before the end of 2017 and be completed in seven years, otherwise the ban will expire.
Mayor Tom Tait voted against the plan because it “ties the hands” of future voters, adding, “I think, down the road, people will rue this day.”
Councilwoman Kris Murray disagrees with Tait, saying, “I think this will be remembered as a hallmark opportunity for economic development.”
Apart from the parking garage, which will be about half the size of the current Mickey & Friends parking structure, Disneyland has not indicated what attractions, lands or franchises are being considered for the expansion.
Source/Photo: Orange County Register
