On August 24, Disneyland Resort officially broke ground on a new parking structure and transportation hub — a historic first step in the larger DisneylandForward expansion plan that will change how thousands of guests begin their Southern California theme park vacations.
The Groundbreaking Ceremony
On Monday, Disneyland Resort shared photos from the official groundbreaking ceremony. Theme park journalist Scott Gustin (@ScottGustin) posted the photos, along with concept art and a statement from Disneyland Resort President Jill Estorino, on X (formerly known as Twitter):
"Disneyland Resort President Jill Estorino called the project 'an exciting step forward for Disneyland Resort and the City of Anaheim.'"
Disneyland Resort had not previously announced plans to break ground this week. However, last week the resort began demolishing four ticket booths in the esplanade between Disneyland Park and Disney California Adventure Park to make way for a pedestrian bridge that will connect guests to the new parking structure and transportation hub.
What the New Parking Structure Will Include
The new eight-story parking structure, located off of Disney Way, will replace what was formerly known as the Manchester Parking Lot — a lot previously used exclusively by Disney cast members. Here's what guests can look forward to:
- 6,000 parking spaces
- 302 electric vehicle chargers
- A security headquarters
- A dedicated drop-off and pickup point for rideshares and shuttles
Part of the Bigger DisneylandForward Plan
Disneyland Resort unveiled this parking structure last year, and it serves as the opening act in the broader DisneylandForward expansion. The Walt Disney Company has pledged to invest millions in the Southern California Disney parks, including the construction of a Coco (2017) ride and an Avatar (2009) experience at Disney California Adventure Park. This new parking and transportation hub is designed to support those future theme park developments.
Disney has not announced when the parking structure or pedestrian bridge will open. Construction is expected to continue over the next several years, alongside the development of new and refreshed attractions and experiences at both Disneyland Park and Disney California Adventure Park.
Have you spotted any construction activity at Disneyland Park or Disney California Adventure Park? We'd love to hear about it in the comments below!