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For those familiar with the Downtown Disney District in Anaheim, California – The West End will be undergoing major renovations that will see the demolition of Starbucks, the former AMC Movie Theaters, The Earl of Sandwich shop, and Sugarboo. In their place will be a new midcentury modern-designed addition.
Ground will break in January and is planned to be a multi-year project intending to reimagine the Downtown Disney outdoor shopping center, said Josh D’Amaro, Disney Parks chairman, who made the announcement during the Destination D23 fan convention at Want Disney World in Florida back on November 20th.
The renovation project will be part of the existing development agreement with the city of Anaheim and is anticipated to not require as many city approvals as the fourth hotel project that was ultimately cancelled but was intended to go where this new project will be.
“As we’ve seen during the pandemic, people shopping, dining and visiting the Anaheim Resort is critical to what we do as a city,” City of Anaheim Chief Communications Officer Mike Lyster said in a statement send via email. “We welcome this project, which will take space now underutilized and bring new ways for people to shop and dine in Anaheim.”
D’Amaro also revealed some details about the Disney Vacation Club tower building under construction next to the Disneyland Hotel, which will feature a new pool inspired by an artist’s palette and rooms that include original art inspired by classic Disney films.