Disneyland Resort Expansion Continues with New Parking Lot Opening

Parking lot transportation provided through a public-private partnership that puts OCTA buses and drivers back on the road

ANAHEIM, CALIF. March 19, 2010 – As part of its current expansion, Disneyland Resort celebrated both the opening of its new Toy Story Parking Lot today as well as a unique public-private partnership that will utilize idle Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA) buses and provide employment opportunities for OCTA bus drivers.

Transportation to and from the new parking lot is being provided through a partnership with the Anaheim Transportation Network (ATN), which is leasing OCTA buses that were not in service due to recent reductions in bus service. ATN is utilizing 20 buses and has hired 15 former OCTA bus drivers to date.

“We are fortunate to be part of a community with leaders who are willing to roll up their sleeves to figure out a way to creatively address issues,” said George Kalogridis, president of the Disneyland Resort. “This is a wonderful example of a public-private partnership at its best.”

“OCTA’s partnership with ATN and Disneyland Resort is an ideal example of how government and the private sector can successfully work together to deliver transportation solutions at a time when we are forced to reduce service because of state funding cuts and declining sales tax and ridership,” said OCTA Chairman Jerry Amante, mayor of Tustin. “We are very pleased to see that these buses, bought with taxpayer dollars, will continue serving the public and generating revenue to support OCTA transit operations.”

“As we continue working through a challenging economy, it’s vital for government to find new ways to support business and the private sector to ensure future success for all of us. This collaborative effort between OCTA, Disneyland Resort and the Anaheim Transportation Network is a great example of just that,” said Anaheim Mayor Curt Pringle, also an OCTA director. “I applaud the leadership of all those who brought this partnership together for the benefit of our community.”

“The ATN’s commitment to our customers and to the community at large, is an asset toward further improvement the transportation experience in-and-around the entire Anaheim Resort destination. The Anaheim Resort Transit system’s goal is to provide an outstanding experience for Anaheim Resort guests, while meeting our goals of enhancing mobility,” said ATN Chairman Paul Sanford.

The new lot, located on Harbor Boulevard just south of Katella Avenue, is slated to operate daily and adds 2,678 parking spaces to 1,000 already existing spots. In addition, four portable kiosks staffed by Disneyland Resort Cast Members will be open while the lot is being parked, enabling Guest to purchase park tickets and pay for stroller rentals with a credit card and proceed directly to the park gates upon arrival.

Disneyland Resort announced a significant multiyear expansion in 2007. The expansion began with the 2008 opening of Toy Story Mania! in Disney’s California Adventure. In early 2009, Mickey’s Fun Wheel reopened along with the Games of the Boardwalk. Last year, the Resort also unveiled a stunning new addition to its Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa, including 203 new guest rooms and 50 two-bedroom equivalent Disney Vacation Club villas, the first Disney Vacation Club property on the West Coast. Opening in 2010, World of Color will bring nighttime excitement to Paradise Pier at Disney’s California Adventure with a panorama of spectacular water effects, dancing fountains and music that will bring Disney animation to life with an entirely new creative and technical approach. The first major attraction based on Disney’s classic “The Little Mermaid” debuts in 2011. Culminating the expansion in 2010 is the entirely new, 12-acre addition of Cars Land, which recreates the town of Radiator Springs as inspired by the hit Disney-Pixar film “Cars.”