Construction on the upcoming new Four Diamond Disneyland Resort Hotel is scheduled to start in summer 2018. The new luxury resort edition will add fourth Disney-themed hotel to the area and while that is really exciting several businesses that have been part of Anaheim’s Downtown Disney since it opened in 2001 will be demolished.
Disney is looking to expand lodging at the Disneyland Resort and to make room for a new 700-room hotel they will be tearing down several popular spots.
Here’s a breakdown on what is being demolished:
- Earl of Sandwich
- ESPN Zone
- Rainforest Cafe
- AMC 12 Theatres
- Alamo Rent-a-Car
- (west side) Starbucks
Basically, everything west of the Lego store and Disneyland Drive will be demolished making plenty of room for the resort. The addition of the new hotel shows Disney’s new strategy to try to attract more out-of-town guest as they have historically catered to local Cali residents, according to The Orange Count Register.
Here’s what’s closing at Downtown Disney to make way for a new hotel https://t.co/icJOMKnGTV pic.twitter.com/mSYOiOzCpI
— O.C. Register (@ocregister) March 27, 2018
It is the largest renovation in Downtown Disney District history clearing up 17 acres for the resort. Disney officials announced that the businesses will be closing by June 30 with demolition slated to begin in early July. Talks are ongoing and it is still possible that a few of the closed businesses will reopen inside the new hotel complex.
The new hotel will have a dedicated Monorail platform inside the hotel for direct transport into Disneyland park and a new restaurant that will offer a magical view of the Disneyland fireworks. Disney has yet to receive expected final approvals from the city of Anaheim for the new hotel.