After a long night of deliberating and discussing Disney's plan to avoid the gate-tax on tickets at Disneyland the Anaheim City Council voted 3-2 to extend the gate-tax ban. In exchange Disneyland plans to invest $1 billion into both Disneyland and Disney's California Adventure. The stipulation is Disney must break ground by the end of 2017 and be completed with the expansion by 2024.
If Disney doesn't hit the deadline, the gate-tax ban expires but could be extended if Disney embarks on another $500 million project. Over 5 1/2 hours of debate and public comment finally ended amongst much discuss to Mayor Tom Tait. Tait voted against the bill along with Councilman James Vanderbilt. Tait said, "It ties the hands of future voters to enact a ticket-tax on Disneyland if Anaheim faces a financial downturn. This just shouldn't happen. I think, down the road, people will rue this day. Other people will look at us and say that we gave away the people's right to vote."
Disneyland President Michael Colglazier was in attendance at the meeting and said in a statement afterwards, "We applaud Anaheim's leaders for their continued foresight in ensuring the city remains a vibrant tourism destination by extending a proven policy that has created two decades of unprecedented economic and job growth. We are excited about what the future holds for Anaheim and the Disneyland Resort as we work together to ensure our city continues to thrive and grow."
Just what is Disney planning in the expansion. First, Disney plans to create a new 5000 space parking structure on the current Pumba parking lot and a pedestrian bridge over Harbor. The majority of the billion dollars will go to new themed lands and attractions in both parks focusing on recently purchased franchises Marvel and Star Wars.
Disney Infinity 3.0 Release Date Announced:
The time has come for the Disney Infinity 3.0 release date to be announced. Today, Disney Interactive announced the third version of the popular franchise will be August 30, 2015. The starter pack will be sold for $65 and include the Star Wars Twilight of the Republic Play Set, the Disney Infinity 3.0 base, Anakin Skywalker and Ahsoka Tano figures, and a code that unlocks even more content for PC and mobile.
Other play sets and figures will be available at release as well as some unannounced figures and play sets will be released this fall. Disney has also announced that Toy Box Takeover, the expansion of Toy Box mode, will be available at retail when the game is pre-ordered for free. After release Toy Box Takeover and Toy Box Speedway will be available in the fall and sold separately for $20 each.
Bill Cosby's Bust Removed from Disney World's Hollywood Studios:
The bust of a troubled former tv star and comedian is no longer a part of the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences Hall of Fame Plaze at Disney's Hollywood Studios. Last night, Disney removed the bust of Bill Cosby. The removal came just days after Cosby admitted to buying drugs for girls with whom he was having sexual relations with. This morning when the park opened all that remained was the pedestal that held the bust and the plaque which still bares Cosby's name. The bust had been at Hollywood Studios since 1994. Disney is no stranger to distancing themselves from controversial subjects, including entertainment personalities like Cosby.
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