Prepared by Gehl for
the City of Anaheim
September 2026
Anaheim
Resort 2.0
Vision & Big Ideas
DRAFT
Sep 29 2026
Anaheim Resort 2.0: Big Ideas 2
The Anaheim Resort is a place built on big dreams, a world-class standard of hospitality, and a spirit of pure optimism. From the iconic, towering palm trees to the global venues, the district is a premier stage for world-class wonder.
Anaheim Resort 2.0 outlines a series of big ideas to blur the lines between the famous attractions and the city streets — to make the entire district look and feel like one continuous, extraordinary experience.
This document is a playbook to co-create a unified, seamless destination. On the pages that follow are six "Big Ideas" — a series of bold, interconnected catalysts designed to unlock new private investment, revolutionize how visitors get around, and cultivate a network of safe, joyful social spaces to slow down, play, and linger.
Anaheim Resort 2.0 sets a brand-new bar for the City’s next era of growth — welcome to the next chapter of the resort.
Contents
Anaheim Resort 2.0
Vision and
Experience
Drivers
1 2 3
The
Big Ideas
Strategic
Implementation
Framework
p. 04
Vision Framework
Resort 2.0 Vision
Experience Pillars
p. 16 p. 68
This document serves as a practical guide to turning a shared vision for Anaheim Resort 2.0 into reality. The first chapter outlines the framework for the vision and public realm experience, followed by the six big design moves that will reshape the physical landscape, and a strategic framework for implementation. Together, these pieces form a unified playbook to guide the district’s next great era of growth.
Harbor & Katella
Landmark
The Greenway
Resort Ribbon
East-West Connector
Public Realm Playbook
Unlocking
Development
Making it Real:
The Implementation
Framework
3 Anaheim Resort 2.0
Vision &
Experience
Drivers
1 4
Anaheim Resort 2.0
About this Framework
The North Star that defines the goal.
Four core lenses that
define the guest experience.
Specific objectives that guide
how a project should perform.
The final Yes/No filters used to test the
"Big Ideas" for alignment with the vision.
Vision
“The Why”
Experience Pillars
“The What”
Strategic Drivers
“The How”
Decision Hierarchy
Performance Tests
“The Proof”
Framework Purpose
This framework provides a common language for the City and resort destinations to co-create a cohesive Anaheim Resort 2.0.
The strategies and concepts outlined within this document are intended to illustrate potential public realm, mobility, and placemaking opportunities for future exploration.
What this Vision is Not
This framework does not hand down a rigid list of specific things to build. Instead, it serves as a guide for how any new project should perform, feel, and elevate the guest experience.
This is not a rebrand. It is an evolution in how to manage, move through, and experience the district as a unified whole.
All conceptual improvements in the big ideas will need further study for engineering feasibility, traffic operations, accessibility considerations, emergency response, utilities, drainage, right-of-way impacts, environmental review, lifecycle costs, and City standards.
How to Use this Framework
5 The Anaheim Resort is a world-class destination where global attractions and the spaces between them
coalesce into a singular visitor experience.
Anaheim Resort 2.0 catalyzes public and private
investment while creating an environment where every
space inspires, every journey delights, and every visit invites further exploration.
Anaheim Resort District 2.0 Vision Statement
Experience Pillars
Anaheim Resort 2.0
1. Create
Memorable
Social Spaces
Prioritize infrastructure of comfort –
safe, shady, quiet – making The
Anaheim Resort a neighborhood
for its guests and enabling play and
easy stops along the way.
Movement
2. Make
Movement Safe,
Easy & Joyful
Getting around will be safe,
intuitive, and stress-free, turning
everyday transit into a highlight of
the visit, from morning surges to
evening strolls.
Growth & Development
3. Catalyze
Private
Reinvestment
Facilitate public and private
reinvestment as the district grows –
spark joy, maintain charm, and
create excitement within a
backdrop of high quality landscape
and amenities.
Place & Growth
4. Broaden
the District’s
Appeal & Offer
More to Explore
Diversify the district's offerings and
spark curiosity to explore by
layering in sophisticated
destinations to complement
existing family magic.
7 Place
Anaheim Resort 2.0
The Anaheim Resort is is a highly stimulating experience. Between the crowds and the California sun, visitors need places along their way to unwind, decompress and meet everyday needs.
Shade, climate-protected hubs, and infrastructure upgrades that prioritize both safety and experience give visitors the comfort they need to linger, play and recharge.
Pillar 1: Create
Memorable Social Spaces
8 Anaheim Resort 2.0
❏ Does this space offer adequate shade, seating, and
lighting to encourage people to pause, rest, and
spend time comfortably outside of major
destinations?
Provide a Variety of Experiences in the Public Realm: Define a distinct pace for the public realm that offers both vibrant activity and secure respite — creating safe, well-lit social spaces. Through clear sightlines, comfortable seating, public art, and active management, these spaces remain welcoming environments for visitors.
Pillar 1 Create Memorable Social Spaces
Make Infrastructure Multi-Functional: Design movement
corridors as safe, multi-use destinations — integrating safety, lighting, and amenities for play, rest, and social interaction.
Provide Human-Scale Comfort: Prioritize user comfort by providing consistent shade, screening from traffic noise, and including native landscaping as a nod to the site’s history.
Performance Test
Strategic Drivers
9 Anaheim Resort 2.0
Make getting around a highlight of the resort experience. Movement between hotel accommodations, the Disneyland Resort, the Anaheim Convention Center, dining, and city destinations further afield is supported through a mobility network that is effortless, secure, and intuitive.
Elevate the district journey by pairing frictionless, comfortable pedestrian flow with clear sightlines, protected crossings, and all-hour visibility. By embedding safety and ease of movement as the baseline across every corridor, we transform ordinary transit paths into inviting, stress-free connections for visitors of all ages and abilities.
Pillar 2: Make Movement
Safe, Easy & Joyful
10 Anaheim Resort 2.0
Implement Frictionless & Safe Mobility: Establish direct, high-quality transit links (such as a "fast and fun" gondola or people mover) that remove the financial and physical barriers to exploration.
Design for the Rhythm of the District: Design movement
corridors and public realm improvements for existing daily use surges. Enable safe high-capacity flow and intuitive wayfinding to ensure that movement is effortless even during peak times. Comprehensive pedestrian lighting, clear
sightlines, and passive surveillance ensure the public realm feels well-managed, welcoming, and safe at all hours.
Play Along the Way: Integrate play into the everyday
experience through landscaping, playscapes, and
programming.
❏ Does this design turn getting around from a
logistical necessity into an everyday amenity?
❏ Does this intervention make moving through the
district safer, more intuitive, and effortlessly
accessible for visitors of all ages and abilities?
Performance Test
Pillar 2: Make Movement Safe, Easy & Joyful
Strategic Drivers
11 Anaheim Resort 2.0
The Anaheim Resort has a world-class reputation for safety, cleanliness, maintenance, and comfort; this pillar builds on that success for the next generation of growth and development.
This pillar is about creating the right economic and regulatory conditions to encourage property owners to continuously reinvest in their assets and invite new high quality investment.
Pillar 3: Catalyze
Private Reinvestment
12 Anaheim Resort 2.0
Incentivize Density & Variety: Establish clear policy levers (e.g., density bonuses, height step-backs, air-rights transfers) that reward developers.
Align New Growth with the Resort Identity, but don’t
lose the Charm: Ensure private developments contribute
to the continuous resort experience. Don’t lose the quirky and unique moments that visitors love.
Bridge Private Investment and Public Life: Private
developments and reinvestments should connect with and
enhance the adjacent public realm. By designing fluid
transitions, flexible setbacks, and accessible edges,
developments boost district safety, support continuous foot traffic, and expand the usable public network for all visitors. ❏ Does this initiative align market realities with policy to unlock private reinvestment?
❏ Does the development integrate with and enhance
the surrounding district infrastructure through public
space, connectivity, or civic amenities?
Performance Test
Pillar 3: Catalyze Private Reinvestment
Strategic Drivers
13 Anaheim Resort 2.0
The Anaheim Resort is where a new experience is always around the corner. Visitors are enticed to explore Anaheim after reaching their core destination. The Anaheim Resort District, the nearby Platinum Triangle, and the City Center offer complementary but different attractions — sophisticated, adult-forward, and dynamic.
A layer of SoCal cool (rooftops, breweries, and hidden gems) makes exploring Anaheim a do-not-miss.
Pillar 4: Broaden the District’s
Appeal & Offer More to Explore
14 Anaheim Resort 2.0
Curate a Sophisticated District Pulse: Expand appeal by developing diverse, well-managed commercial amenities (e.g., rooftops, culinary hubs, and spas) that run in lockstep with family anchors to create a safe, vibrant, all-ages environment.
Evolve the Garden District Palette: Take Anaheim
Resort’s signature, high-quality landscape foundation
and push it into fresh, more contemporary expressions.
This means layering visitor amenities and unexpected
social spaces directly into the greenery visitors already love.
❏ Does this expand the district's audience and offer
compelling reasons to stay longer, visit during
off-peak hours, or return?
Performance Test
Pillar 4: Broaden the District’s Appeal & Offer More to Explore Strategic Drivers
15 Anaheim Resort 2.0
The Big Ideas
2 16
Anaheim Resort 2.0
Resort District Overview
The Anaheim Resort District boundaries
17 Disneyland
Resort
Anaheim
Convention
Center
Disney’s
California
Adventure
Anaheim
GardenWalk
Katella Ave
Harbor Blvd
Disney Way
Disneyland Dr
r
Manchester Ave
Clementine St
Clementine St.
Disney Way
Harbor Blvd
r
Santa Ana Fwy I-5
Anaheim Resort 2.0
The Big Ideas
04 East-West
Connector
03 Resort
Ribbon
Unlocking
Development
06 02
The
Greenway
Harbor & Katella
Landmark
01 Public Realm
Playbook
05 The six interrelated “Big Ideas” are intended to turn vision into reality. These moves are split between Spatial Moves — physical projects that reshape the city’s streets and public spaces — and Playbooks & Guidelines, which establish the design guidance, district identity, and development incentives to unify the district. Together, they form an actionable toolkit for the City to use as a guide for further exploration around cultivating a seamless and vibrant Anaheim Resort.* Spatial Moves:
Playbooks & Guidelines:
18 *All proposed projects are conceptual and subject to further study for engineering feasibility, traffic operations, accessibility considerations, emergency response, utilities, drainage, right-of-way impacts, environmental review, lifecycle costs, and City standards.
Katella Ave
West St
Harbor Blvd
Disney Way
Disneyland Dr
Anaheim
Convention
Center
Grand Plaza
GardenWalk
Future East Parking
Structure Downtown Disney
Future Disney
Destination
Disney’s
California Adventure
Disneyland
Disney Entry Gates
Anaheim Resort 2.0
I-5
Plan Overview
Harbor & Katella Landmark
Greenway
Resort Ribbon
Public Realm Playbook
Manchester Ave Clementine St
This plan framework brings individual spatial moves together into a single, highly integrated public realm ecosystem. From the central crossroads to the resort loop, every element works in tandem to expand district capacity, elevate visitor experience, and catalyze reinvestment.
19 Orangewood Ave
01 Anaheim Resort 2.0
Harbor & Katella
Landmark
20 Anaheim Resort 2.0
Harbor & Katella Landmark
From intersection to landmark
The Opportunity
The intersection of Harbor Boulevard and Katella Avenue is the bustling heart of The Anaheim Resort. While over 85% of visitors arrive in the district by car, internal circulation is pedestrian-driven — with over 70% of overnight resort guests making their daily trips on foot, according to City of Anaheim Pedestrian Circulation Data. Every day, thousands of visitors cross this intersection as part of their journey.
Today, this crucial crossroads is designed primarily for vehicles rather than pedestrians. Long wait times, tight crossing windows, a lack of shade, and exposed corner setbacks create a harsh, unprotected environment next to fast-moving traffic.
There is an opportunity to transform this functional intersection into a safe, dynamic, and iconic gateway — turning a momentary pause into a world-class arrival experience for both vehicles and people.
How might Resort 2.0 transform the intersection into a safe, dynamic, and iconic experience for visitors on foot?
21 Public Life Observations
Wide and car-dominated intersection
Lack of shade for waiting
Limited curb cuts for families with strollers
and mobility devices
Vehicular traffic is close to pedestrians
Crowded corners & crosswalks
Anaheim Resort 2.0
Harbor & Katella Landmark
Strategies
1. Human-Scale Intersection
Strengthen the pedestrian experience
and visual identity at the District’s core
street crossing.
➔ High-visibility crosswalks with
accent paving to clearly define the
pedestrian crossing.
➔ Signal phase adjustments for
longer pedestrian walk times during
peak hours.
2. Iconic Landmark
Make the intersection a landmark by
anchoring the visitor experience with
world-class branding, public art and
streetscape design.
➔ Signature public art installation and
custom lighting to anchor the
gateway.
➔ Custom accent paving, bollards,
native landscaping, and shade
structures that double as public art.
➔ Tall tree canopies across all corners
to establish a prominent visual
terminus.
1. Reclaim the Corners
Expand waiting spaces and upgrade
materials to make the intersection an
amenity.
➔ Utilize existing corner setbacks to
create welcoming public plazas
distinct from standard streetscapes.
➔ Introduce active ground-floor uses
along the north corners when
longer-term redevelopment
opportunities arise.
➔ Short-term rest seating at the south
corners designed as convenience
amenities for shoppers.
1 3
2 22
Anaheim Resort 2.0
Intersection Design Refresh
Big Idea 1: Harbor & Katella Intersection
Harbor Blvd
Katella Ave
Art bollards
Re-green the Intersection
Extend landscape zones along building faces to reduce hardscape and incorporate seating.
Wider crosswalk
Build up the understory planting to
make north corners more grand
Custom Shade
Structures
Shaded Seating Shaded Seating
Expanded
landscape zone
Existing Condition Improvements
Trees in sidewalk
grates are an
obstacle for
pedestrians
Thin landscape
zone along
building face
Maintain 8’
wide walkway
Expand landscape
zone and create
seating zones for
visitors
N 0 50 100’
Hotel with Retail Hotel with Retail
Hotel with Retail
Replace trees with
mature date palms
for shade and
character
Trees lack
shade and
scale on corner
23 Hotel with Retail
Implement coordinated paving
and streetscape palette to
activate north corners
Expanded
landscape zone
Anaheim Resort 2.0 24
Landmark Art Piece Options
Big Idea 1: Harbor & Katella Intersection
Suspended
Create a visible landmark and memorable
arrival moment above the intersection
Shade as Art
Use art in the public realm to create shade
and district landmarks
At-Grade
Durable patterned paving creates a permanent
ground-plane artwork within the intersection
Credit: SWA Group - Bill Tatham
Functional artwork for
identity and shade
Bollards
Expanded landscape and
seating zone
Wider & more
visible crosswalk
Expanded waiting zone &
pavement change
Anaheim Resort 2.0
02 The Greenway
26 Anaheim Resort 2.0
The Greenway
The Opportunity
Walking along Harbor Boulevard is an essential daily routine for almost every visitor to the Anaheim Resort. The crucial corridor today hums with activity — families with strollers, anticipation for the day ahead, and a wide range of ages and abilities. Today, however, this crucial corridor is designed to move people through quickly and without pausing.
However, the high activity level also impacts the experience of walking along Harbor — tight sidewalks with little passing space, few places to rest, and intense pedestrian surges during park opening and closing hours can create a crowded sensory overload.
The Greenway changes that experience by transitioning the sidewalk into a vibrant linear park system. By converting passive landscape edges into a series of active, amenitized, shade-lined pathways, the energy of a trip to Disney extends to the street — ensuring the guest experience remains continuous, comfortable, and inspiring.
How might transitioning between the Disneyland Resort and Harbor Boulevard feel less like a ‘jolt’ and more like an extension of the visit? The journey becomes part of the
destination
27 Public Life Observations
Crowded sidewalks are typical
Users of all ages and walking paces
Many users are families with children
Nowhere to step off the path for a
moment to rest or pass
Shaded paths provide baseline comfort
Dense shrubs indicate this is a place to
move through quickly
Anaheim Resort 2.0
The Greenway
Strategies
1. Moments of Respite
Convert passive landscape into
functional space to relieve sidewalk
crowding and allow for more diverse use.
➔ Expand sidewalk capacity and
create new spaces for conversation,
play, and photos.
➔ Deploy seating elements in a
regular cadence within landscape
zones so visitors can step off the
main path to rest.
2. Play-Along-the-Way
Embed playful, multi-sensory moments
to engage visitors of all ages.
➔ Interactive play elements to turn a
routine walk into an engaging
experience
➔ Responsive lighting and subtle
soundscapes embedded in the
greenery to maintain a safe, magical
atmosphere during peak evening
return hours.
Network Expansion & Scaling
Balance multi-modal flow and long-term
options to expand the Greenway.
➔ Establish visual and physical
transitions between the direct route
of the existing sidewalk and new
greenway program space.
➔ Maintains flexibility to
accommodate increased foot traffic in
the future by repurposing a vehicular
travel lane into greenway space.
1 3
2 28
*The Greenway alignment utilizes Southern California Edison (SCE) rights-of-way and utility easements. All proposed spatial improvements, landscaping elements, and public amenities within this corridor remain subject to review, and approval by Edison and underlying property owners.
Anaheim Resort 2.0
Big Idea 2: The Greenway
Three Segments with Distinct
Characters and Approaches
Katella Ave
Harbor Blvd
Disney Way
Segment 3: North side of Disney Way
and Edison Easement
East of Harbor, West of GardenWalk
Segment 1: West Side of Harbor Blvd
South of Disney East Entry, North of Disney Way
Segment 2: West Side of Harbor Blvd
South of Disney Way, North of Katella
N 0 250 500’
29 Opportunities
Dual sidewalks provide additional space for
pedestrian flow, but create two distinct and
disconnected walking experiences. Trees
are young but well-maintained, but
inaccessible for shade or respite along the
way. Hedges and ground covering prevents
users from stopping along the way out of
foot traffic.
Anaheim Resort 2.0
Segment 1: Harbor North of Disney Way
Existing Conditions
Big Idea 2: The Greenway
1 Utility box to remain
N 0 25 50’
Disconnected east and west sidewalks
Non-traversable surface beneath central trees
Private Disney Service Road
Harbor Blvd
Walking north towards Disney along Harbor’s western
sidewalk and adjacent to Disney service road
Hedges prevent pausing ‘one step off’ the path
Utility pole creates awkward ‘hard left
turn’ for pedestrians
30 Existing rideshare pick-up/drop-off will be
relocated to the East Parking Structure.
Private Disney Service Road
Anaheim Resort 2.0
Segment 1: Harbor North of Disney Way
Design & Programming
Big Idea 2: The Greenway
1 Future Segment 1
The Greenway will become a place to pause
off path, wait for a ride, or relax under the
trees after a long day at Disney. Without
disturbing existing power infrastructure, tree
locations, or primary pathways, Segment 1
expands movement space for pedestrians
and creates space to pause along the way.
Expanded hardscape
plaza with seating
Decomposed granite surface beneath trees
allows for flexible pedestrian use
Moveable metal chairs
ADA Accessible hardscape seating zone
Integrated seating at edge
Expanded pedestrian queuing space at intersection
Public art
Water filling station
Re-route sidewalk to consolidate pedestrian
traffic east of utility pole
Harbor Blvd
N 0 25 50’
Moveable metal furniture creates a flexible seating zone beneath the trees on a decomposed granite surface
31 Existing rideshare pick-up/drop-off, not
included in Greenway project area
Anaheim Resort 2.0
Segment 2: Harbor South of Disney Way
Existing Conditions & Baseline Improvements
Big Idea 2: The Greenway
2 Disney Way
Private Disney Service Road
N 0 25 50’
Utility poles with overhead lines
“Walk of Fame” to remain
8 trees identified as prospects for removal to create
space for Greenway improvements
Opportunities
One of the highest trafficked segments
between Katella and Disney Way, movement
space is constrained, and the green setback
is nearby but inaccessible for shade or
pause.
Harbor Blvd
Walking towards the park along Harbor Blvd sidewalk
32 Non-traversable surface beneath trees
and utility easement
Hedges prevent access to shade and nature
between sidewalk and Disney property
Anaheim Resort 2.0
Segment 2: Harbor South of Disney Way
Design & Programming
Big Idea 2: The Greenway
2 Expanded landing zone at intersection
Play-along-the-way zone
Benches along existing pathway
Harbor Blvd
Disney Way
Private Disney Service Road
Public art
New path for movement weaves between existing trees
Seating zones along path to rest along the way
Water filling station
Water filling station
Water filling station at southern edge of segment
Future Segment 2
A secondary path adds space for pedestrian
movement, joyful seating, play, art, and water
stations. Shade becomes immersive, and the
journey becomes a joy rather than a chore.
N 0 25 50’
Play elements and seating are integrated along the new path to invite movement, pause, and social interaction.
33 Segment 3: Disney Way Easement
Existing Conditions
Big Idea 2: The Greenway
Anaheim Resort 2.0
3 Harbor Blvd
Disney Way
Trees and pathway along Grand Legacy Hotel
Edison easement
Pedestrian desire line (cut-through path)
from parking to GardenWalk
Utility pole & overhead lines
Opportunities
While other easement zones have been
planted and beautified, the Edison
easement along Disney Way remains an
unimproved area with separated paths and
desire lines to cross but limited access.
Empty open space along Disney Way on the Edison easement 0 25 50’ N
Parking lot / future Disney transportation
center location
34 Harbor Blvd
Disney Way
Segment 3: Disney Way Easement
Design & Programming
Big Idea 2: The Greenway
Anaheim Resort 2.0
3 Shade structure
Orange grove with trees in decomposed granite
Benches along walkways
Orange grove with trees in decomposed granite
Big kids play zone
Little kids play zone
Landscape mound buffers street
Flexible lawn
Landmark art
Future Segment 3
A place to gather outside the theme park
gates, Segment 3 provides free play space,
flexible seating, shade, and comfort
amenities for Resort District visitors.
As traffic patterns on Disney Way evolve,
adjacent vehicular lanes represent a potential
future opportunity to expand the public realm
and integrate greenway programming.
0 25 50’ N
Recreation space for all ages - play zones, shade, and flexible open space for all ages.
35 The Greenway Experience
Precedents for shade, respite, and play
Big Idea 2: The Greenway
Anaheim Resort 2.036
Interactive tactile art wall along pedestrian path Shaded swing lounge chairs integrated with planting beds
Flexible green lawn with casual lounge seating and
tree canopy
Sculptural play structures for family and child
engagement
Accessible water refill station and pedestrian
fountain
Tree-lined promenade with natural stone seating
pockets
Play zone
Trees along Harbor
Boulevard remain
New movement path
between existing trees
Play zone with
integrated seating
Water filling station
Existing sidewalk on Harbor
Boulevard remains
03 Anaheim Resort 2.0
Resort Ribbon
38 Anaheim Resort 2.0
Resort Ribbon
The Opportunity
As The Anaheim Resort visitor foot traffic grows towards peak capacity volumes, the City needs alternatives to keep the district moving safely and comfortably. While the Harbor and Katella corridors handle foot traffic along the direct route between nearby hotels and park gates, streets lack continuous comfort and easy wayfinding to link the Convention Center, all hotels and future developments.
The Resort Ribbon addresses this by creating a dedicated, high-quality loop that flows effortlessly between Resort District destinations. The loop thoughtfully elevates the pedestrian experience, crossing high-traffic streets and returning to grade to rejoin the energy of the district, and avoiding the disjointed journey of standard pedestrian bridges. It turns moving through the district into a curated experience, giving visitors a premium, stress-free alternative while bypassing traffic, discovering hidden gems, and experiencing Anaheim from a completely new vantage point.
How might an inviting, connected corridor create a seamless visitor experience while increasing pedestrian capacity in the Resort District? An iconic pedestrian
alternative for the district
39 Public Life Observations
Protected pedestrian crossings do not
follow key desire lines
Driveways create breaks in the
continuous pedestrian experience
Lack of wayfinding at key decision
moments
Anaheim Resort 2.0
Resort Ribbon
Strategies
1. Strategic Route
Expand choice and capacity for
pedestrians between key destinations.
➔ Provide choice and intuitive
pathways so visitors can easily
customize their route and pace.
➔ Increase capacity by creating an
open, fluid pedestrian network.
➔ Use gentle ramps and vertical
mobility for effortless transitions
between elevated and ground levels.
➔ Conclude ongoing Resort Mobility
study of grade-separated pedestrian
crossings along Harbor Blvd and
Katella Ave.
New Destination
Transform the Resort Ribbon into a
premium, park-like district anchor.
➔ Create a park rather than a utility
bridge by designing wide elevated
spans with integrated planting and
seating.
➔ Unify the architectural identity into
a single ecosystem using consistent
materials, lighting, and design.
Economic & Ground-Floor
Integration
Connect the elevated network directly to
street-level commercial vitality.
➔ Place elevated touchdown points
next to key commercial entries to
route visitors directly into local retail
and dining.
➔ Encourage developments to build
direct, upper-level connections to
the Resort Ribbon.
1 3
2 40
Anaheim Resort 2.0
Concept Plan
Big Idea 3: Resort Ribbon
Existing Public Realm
Grade-Separated Crossings
Long Term Resort Ribbon Route
Core Implementation Area
Katella Ave
West St
Harbor Blvd
Disney Way
Disneyland Dr
I-5
Manchester Ave Clementine St
Disney Entry
Gates
Downtown Disney
East Esplanade
Future East Parking
Structure
Grade-Separated Disney
Way Crossing at GardenWalk
GardenWalk
Grade-Separated
Katella Crossing at
GardenWalk
Future Disney
Destination
Grade-Separated
Harbor Blvd Crossing
Grand Plaza
Anaheim
Convention Center
N 0 500 1000’
Core Implementation Area
41 *Resort Ribbon route and
grade-separated crossing designs and
locations are subject to final
determination in coordination with
DisneylandForward projects.
Anaheim Resort 2.0
The Ribbon Experience
Big Idea 3: Resort Ribbon
Accessible ramp connection
How the Ribbon Meets the Ground
The ribbon feels like an extension of the public realm – it is unique and iconic while remaining accessible for the everyday journey
Variety of seating
What’s Happening on the Ribbon
Water fountains Expanded pedestrian
movement space
Social Seating
+ Stair Access
Continuous recreation
space
42 Anaheim Resort 2.0
Grade-Separated Crossing Concepts
Big Idea 3: Resort Ribbon
The Continuous Ribbon
There are two primary ways the ribbon crosses roadways the prioritize pedestrian safety and a continuous movement experience.
Soft incline
Activation
opportunities
Ramp, stair or
elevator access
Ribbon bridges
over traffic
Traffic routed
under ribbon
43 Continuous movement path
Planters with integrated seating
Shaded moments of respite
Water filling station
Ribbon bridges over traffic
Anaheim Resort 2.0
East-West
Connector
04 45
Anaheim Resort 2.0
East-West Connector
The Opportunity
Anaheim’s world-class destinations are growing rapidly, but moving between them today relies heavily on the friction of individual vehicles, parking garages, and rideshare queues. While ACC, Disney, and other destinations provide incredible experiences on-site, the physical transition between the magic of the Anaheim Resort and the energy of the Platinum Triangle (including ARTIC, Honda Center, Angels Stadium, and OCVIBE) can feel like a logistical hurdle for visitors. Current transit options don't capture the imagination of theme park and convention guests, turning a simple dinner trip or stadium transfer into an inconvenient chore.
The East-West Connector bridges this divide by delivering an intuitive, high-frequency transit experience that feels like a resort ride. By utilizing novel modes of transit and providing an immersive resort-quality experience, the journey across town can become a memorable highlight of a visit to Anaheim.
How might Resort 2.0 seamlessly connect Anaheim Convention Center and the rest of the Anaheim Resort District to ARTIC and the Platinum Triangle? The commute becomes an
attraction
46 Public Life Observations
Getting in and out of the Anaheim
Resort District is not seamless
Cars are primary mode of travel
Driving and parking are barriers to
exploration
Transit That Feels Like a Ride
Transform a logistical necessity into a core
memory of the Anaheim visit.
➔ Utilize distinctive vehicles and unique
transit modes to set a tone of excitement
and discovery.
➔ Feature premium materials and
integrated art to make the trip feel like a
direct extension of the resort.
➔ Add interactive onboard engagement
to turn the commute into a featured
attraction.
Anaheim Resort 2.0
East-West Connector
Strategies
1. Frictionless Connection
Prioritize intuitive movement within The
Anaheim Resort District and the
Platinum Triangle to simplify the visitor
journey.
➔ Offer high-frequency service and
low-cost access to make riding an
easy choice.
➔ Eliminate transit stress using
real-time updates and seamless
digital integration.
➔ Position hubs at key destinations
and use intuitive wayfinding so
guests can navigate without a map
➔ Design scalable routes that can
easily expand to connect additional
surrounding destinations over time
➔ Integrate passenger safety &
security into system design for a
continuous feeling of safety across
day and nighttime operations.
2. Arrival & Waiting Experience
Welcome visitors even before they
board.
➔ Turn waiting areas into
comfortable high-quality, resort
amenities.
➔ Build iconic gateways that deliver a
world-class first impression of the
district
1 3
2 47
Anaheim Resort 2.0
Big Idea 4: East-West Connector
Anaheim
Convention
Center
Disneyland
Resort
Angel Stadium
ARTIC
Resort
District
Platinum
Triangle
Why this connection matters
Great destinations deserve great arrivals. Currently, the transition between the magic of the Resort District and the energy of the Platinum Triangle is interrupted by the friction of getting in and out of a vehicle. The East-West Connector bridges this hurdle with a connection that prioritizes both excitement and efficiency. By creating a seamless, high-frequency link, the city will ensure that the guest experience does not pause at the district line. This new connection makes the journey an integral part of the Anaheim adventure — easy, convenient, and world-class.
Overview
OC VIBE
Honda Center
48 Anaheim Resort 2.0
1. Frictionless Connection
Key Considerations
Convenience
● Establish a service frequency with short
wait times so that guests do not need to
check a timetable.
● Prioritize no-cost or low-cost rides to
remove the friction that deters casual
riders.
● Enable universal "one-tap" access
across the transit network using
contactless credit cards or digital pay.
Reliability
● Display real-time information on trip
frequency and destinations.
● Maintains consistent, high-frequency
service throughout the day, with minimal
disruptions or gaps in service
Stops & Route
● Co-locate stations and stops near main
destination hubs and transit facilities,
ensuring a short walk for users.
● Use physical cues (like distinct lighting or
ground-paving patterns) that orient users
toward transit stations.
Big Idea 4: East-West Connector
49 Anaheim Resort 2.0
2. Arrival & Waiting Experience
Big Idea 4: East-West Connector
Key Considerations
Comfort
● Prioritize deep shade and integrated
cooling (such as fans or misters) to
protect riders from the sun and heat.
● Provide a variety of social seating
options (benches for individuals, clusters
for families, and short-term leaning
perches) using premium materials that
embody the resort identity.
● Implement level boarding platforms and
vehicles designed for strollers, luggage,
and groups.
Terminus Experience
● Treat the main east-west connector
terminuses at ARTIC and the Resort
District as architecturally distinct grand
civic portals that signal you have arrived
somewhere special.
● Every terminus should offer civic
amenities like clean restrooms, hydration
stations, interactive wayfinding, and
curated grab-and-go retail or snacks.
● Utilize a distinct resort district design
language including unique lighting,
paving, and materials to clearly
differentiate the east-west connector
from the Anaheim bus system.
50 Anaheim Resort 2.0
3. Transit that Feels Like a Ride
Big Idea 4: East-West Connector
Key Considerations
Novelty
● Prioritize transit modes that offer a
unique vantage point ( panoramic glass
ceilings, open-air configurations, or
elevated paths) that allow guests to see
the district landmarks from a "front-row"
seat.
● Utilize futuristic, clean-tech modes like
autonomous shuttles or sleek, modern
pods that signal Anaheim as a hub of
innovation.
Immersive Experience
● Use onboard elements (curated ambient
soundscapes, resort-style lighting, and
premium materials) to maintain the
vacation state of mind.
● Integrate subtle digital layers that
highlight upcoming events at OC Vibe or
share the story of Anaheim as guests
glide through the district.
Fostering Play
● For families, incorporate physical
"play-along" elements, like
non-functional "driver" consoles for
children in the front car or scavenger
hunt prompts that encourage looking out
the window at the city.
51 05
Anaheim Resort 2.0
Public Realm
Playbook
52 Anaheim Resort 2.0
Public Realm Playbook
The Opportunity
Most visitors to the Resort District spend a significant portion of their stay on foot, whether walking to the Anaheim Convention Center, heading toward theme park entries, or venturing out to local dining. However, while streets accommodate pedestrian traffic, they are rarely designed to prioritize human comfort or climate resilience. Sidewalk capacities, crossing intervals, and basic amenities are routinely outpaced by peak demands, while heat-absorbing paving and ornamental landscapes can make walks feel uncomfortably hot and uninspiring.
The Public Realm Playbook addresses this by establishing human-scaled, resilient standards for streetscape and frontage improvements. By integrating continuous shade criteria, sustainable landscaping that prioritizes native species, integrated stormwater management, and improved drainage, this playbook mitigates urban heat while ensuring every public space performs as a high-functioning extension of the resort experience.
How might Resort 2.0 improve the everyday experience of getting around the Resort District on foot?
Setting a new standard for
district life
53 Public Life Observations
Lack of ground floor activation
Dynamic lighting on Katella Ave
Palm trees provide shade and character
Lack of space to sit, stop, or rest
Sidewalks fill up quickly
Anaheim Resort 2.0
Public Realm Playbook
Public Realm Quality
Criteria
Regardless of typology, all great public spaces meet
three core criteria: safety, comfort, and enjoyment
From weather
From traffic
From noise
Safety Comfort Enjoyment
To converse
To sit & rest
To walk To stand
Without safety and
protection, no one will
come. It is essential for
any public life to happen.
Comfort and convenience is
what makes a place attractive to
use and linger. Without comfort,
no one will spend time in a place.
These qualities make the difference
between good and great places - where
people happen to be versus where they
seek out.
Human scale
Be active
Play
Hierarchy of Needs
The user needs of safety,
comfort, convenience, and
enjoyment work together to
reinforce a positive public realm
experience. There is a
hierarchy to the way the needs
are experienced — without
safety, the higher
order needs of comfort,
convenience
and enjoyment cannot
be met.
Safety
Comfort &
Convenience
Enjoyment
1 2
3 Enjoy climate
Rest
54 To find your way
Anaheim Resort 2.0
Public Realm Playbook
Strategies
Safety
Promote comfortable, well-defined, and
maintainable public spaces through
thoughtful design and placement of
amenities.
➔ Enhance intersections with
clearly defined crosswalks, stop
bars, and design features that
create more comfortable pedestrian
crossing distances.
➔ Use bollards, landscaping, and
other streetscape elements to
create clear separation and
definition between pedestrian and
vehicular areas.
➔ Design seating, amenities, and
gathering spaces to support open
sightlines, appropriate lighting, and
natural visibility.
Comfort
Make walking the most comfortable
way to get around.
➔ Standardize sidewalk widths to
absorb peak visitor surges and
integrate dedicated spots to rest.
➔ Apply a consistent shade
standard using canopy trees or
structures for unbroken thermal
relief along primary sidewalks.
➔ Deploy a unified lighting palette to
enhance nighttime pedestrian safety
and the magical resort ambiance.
➔ Install human-scale wayfinding
that serves as a functional guide for
visitors navigating on foot.
Enjoyment
Transform underutilized public
right-of-way into continuous, vibrant
places for rest and play.
➔ Apply standardized materials,
finishes, and colors to civic
infrastructure for a cohesive public
realm and strong sense of place.
➔ Create human-scale identity markers
to reinforce place identity.
➔ Place a flexible mix of fixed benches
and moveable seating for resting and
meeting up along key routes.
➔ Introduce a unified public art program
to build a district identity and create joyful
visitor moments.
➔ Deploy dedicated district
ambassadors to keep the public realm
clean, welcoming, easy to navigate, and
lively.
➔ Coordinate long-term maintenance,
operations, and public safety
management in high-touch amenity
areas.
3 1
2 55
Anaheim Resort 2.0
Big Idea 5: Public Realm Playbook
Public Realm Playbook Opportunities
Intersection & Crossing Improvements
Public Realm Improvements
56 Katella Ave
West St
Harbor Blvd
Disney Way
Disneyland Dr
Manchester Ave Clementine St
Orangewood Ave
Anaheim Resort 2.0
Big Idea 5: Public Realm Playbook
1. Safety
Crosswalk Enhancements
Small, coordinated design moves — safer corners, more visible crossings, and landscape buffers — transform the intersection into a more comfortable pedestrian environment.
Stop Bars
Increase distance
between vehicles and
pedestrians
Protective Street Edges
Unique planting palettes align with the Resort District identity, improve sustainability, urban heat mitigation, and durability while protecting pedestrians from traffic.
Improved Corners
Bollards, tactile strips, and
space for groups to wait
Crosswalk Enhancements
Materiality, color, and unique wayfinding elements create better visibility and navigability for both cars and pedestrians crossing the street while maintaining durability.
Expanded
Crosswalk Width
Increase crossing widths to
accommodate peak
pedestrian flows
57 Anaheim Resort 2.0
Big Idea 5: Public Realm Playbook
2. Comfort
Shade Structures
Create shade structures to complement the existing
canopy experience and ensure continuous shade.
Maintain sightlines to maintain safety and security.
Lighting Levels
Use appropriate lighting levels to enhance comfort and
safety at night in variety of environments. Combine
overhead, catenary, and bollard lighting features.
58 Anaheim Resort 2.0
Big Idea 5: Public Realm Playbook
2. Comfort
Vary Sidewalk Rhythms
Maintain continuous pedestrian paths while strategically expanding walking zones to accommodate capacity. Incorporate gentle curves to create seating and respite areas off the main flow, preserving sightlines and ‘eyes on the street.’ This design allows visitors to rest or gather without impeding mobility, enhancing safety and comfort throughout the public realm. 59 Anaheim Resort 2.0
Big Idea 5: Public Realm Playbook
2. Comfort
60 Human-Scale Wayfinding
Introduce a custom network of intuitive information kiosks and pavement markers designed for people on foot, turning simple neighborhood navigation into a seamless, welcoming part of the resort experience.
Custom pavement markers and embedded
directional graphics applied directly to the sidewalk
can provide intuitive, low-profile navigation along
primary pedestrian routes.
Anaheim Resort 2.0
Big Idea 5: Public Realm Playbook
3. Enjoyment
61 Expanded palette
Current palette
Resort District Elements
The refreshed palette builds upon the district’s
established identity by retaining green copper
hues for civic infrastructure — such as lighting
standards and transit shelters — while
introducing warm terracotta, soft pink, and
vibrant orange tones to bring fresh energy to
human-scale street furniture, accents, and
placemaking elements.
Cool / Green Tones: Primary Civic Infrastructure (Lighting, Transit Stops, Structural Posts)
Warm / Accent Tones: Public Realm Activation (Benches, Planters, Pedestrian Signage)
Pedestrian Identity Markers
Human-scaled gateways or identity
markers at key locations celebrate
arriving on foot and complement
existing roadway gateways.
Anaheim Resort 2.0
Big Idea 5: Public Realm Playbook
3. Enjoyment
Diversity of Seating
Offer a managed, flexible mix of integrated benches, moveable chairs, and solo/family accommodations along primary footpaths. Pairing intentional seating design with active district management ensures public spaces remain welcoming, well-maintained, and comfortable for all visitors throughout the day.
Restful Seating
High-turnover seating along
sidewalks, offering
breaks on long walks
Social Seating
For small group
gathering spaces and
play spaces in highly
visible, well-lit
corridors.
62 Movable Seating
ambassador-maintained
seating options that allow
for dynamic configurations
and active space
management
Anaheim Resort 2.0
Big Idea 5: Public Realm Playbook
3. Enjoyment
63 Art for Identity
Define a district-wide art strategy that turns
everyday public assets into unmissable,
photo-worthy landmarks — creating a world-class,
celebratory destination brand.
Infrastructure as Art
Turn everyday necessities — like protective crash
bollards — into bold, custom-branded design
installations that protect city streets while adding
personality to the sidewalk experience.
Vibrant, site-specific public sculpture serves as a
memorable photo-op and landmark that anchors
district identity.
Playfully painted, custom-colored bollards along a
pedestrian street transform standard safety barriers
into a cohesive, cheerful design element.
Anaheim Resort 2.0
Big Idea 5: Public Realm Playbook
3. Enjoyment
Active Edges
Encourage ground-floor private commercial activation
to transform static building fronts into lively, engaging public pedestrian spaces.
Ambassador Program
A city-coordinated network of visitor hosts that creates a safe and welcoming presence at critical locations. A
dedicated city liaison ensures consistent operations
while leveraging passionate local volunteers.
64 Anaheim Resort 2.0
06 Unlocking
Development
65 Anaheim Resort 2.0
Big Idea 6: Unlocking Development
The Opportunity
While the City of Anaheim can upgrade streets, sidewalks, and public rights-of-way, the overall experience of the Resort District is also influenced by the look and feel of private property. Today, standard zoning rules often encourage inward-facing building design, surface parking lots, and deep setbacks that separate buildings from the street. Property owners who want to introduce innovative concepts like rooftop dining, outdoor patios, or multi-level pedestrian entries often face regulatory hurdles and lengthy approval timelines that can stall creative ideas.
The City can change this dynamic by introducing a proactive incentive framework. By offering clear development bonuses, streamlined design reviews, and parking requirement relief in exchange for resort district amenity contributions, it will become highly attractive for the private sector to build active, beautiful, and connected environments.
How might Resort 2.0 transform the City’s regulatory toolkit from a system of restrictions to a catalyst for private partnerships that enrich the visitor experience?
Incentivise private innovation
and investment
66 Public Life Observations
Structured parking frees up space for
hotel rooms and amenities
Open-air dining brings hotel energy
and visibility to the public sidewalk
edge
Publicly accessible amenities
improve walking experience
Opportunities for Future Policy
Analysis
Explore the deployment of new
land-use and partnership frameworks.
➔ Consider updating Structural
Height Maps to increase height
limits for properties, while protecting
park sightlines.
➔ Air rights and density transfers
that allow narrow, constrained sites
to sell unbuilt height and density
rights to adjacent parcels.
➔ Leverage flexible financing,
impact fee relief, and
value-capture tools to incentivize
private public-realm investment.
➔ City framework pairing legacy
landowners with developers to
unlock new hotel builds while
preserving family land wealth.
➔ Explore targeted density
increases to incentivize the
redevelopment of smaller parcels
and/or aging hotel and motel
properties.
➔ Evaluate performance-based
Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT)
rebate structures and Economic
Development Agreements (EDAs)
to bridge financing gaps for catalytic
hotel developments.
Anaheim Resort 2.0
Big Idea 6: Unlocking Development
Strategies
Immediate Wins (Existing Tools)
Drive awareness of existing,
underutilized code incentives.
➔ Merge adjacent parcels to unlock
progressively higher allowable
densities.
➔ Drive adoption of the existing 50%
parking reduction by integrating
rideshare drop-offs on-site.
➔ Leverage code-permissible
mechanical stackers to cut parking
footprints and reduce excavation
costs.
➔ Establish shared parking
agreements with over-parked assets
across the district.
➔ Calculate density based on full
original lot footprints when owners
dedicate land to public amenities.
➔ Leverage the city’s fast-track
entitlement and permitting process
to streamline hospitality project
delivery.
1. Regulatory Fixes (Zoning
Updates)
Modernize zoning to promote active
spaces.
➔ Evaluate additional density for the
ARSP Low-Medium density category
for parcels along Harbor Boulevard.
➔ Consider eliminating parking
requirements for ground floor retail
uses fronting onto a public street and
integrated into a hotel building.
1 2
3 67
Anaheim Resort 2.0
Project Planning
& Implementation
3 68
Anaheim Resort 2.0
Making It Real:
The Implementation Framework
A collaborative path to implement a bold vision. This implementation framework takes the six Big Ideas and organizes them into an illustrative roadmap designed to help the City and Resort stakeholders align, conceptualize, and explore opportunities effectively over the coming years.
To provide a sense of scale and pacing, the framework outlines potential opportunities across three flexible horizons:
➔ Activate | Create the conditions and begin the work (Near-Term): High-impact, adaptable strategies focused on updating policy guidelines, testing pilot concepts, and establishing toolkits. These foundational efforts set the stage and provide direction for future projects and programs without significant near-term capital obligations. ➔ Invest | Incremental and opportunistic place-making (Mid-Term): Physical improvements in public spaces — begin implementation of the Public Realm Playbook, Greenway improvements, and intersection enhancements as funding and opportunities align; and, advance East/West Connector modes, routes and partnerships. ➔ Transform | Realize the long-term vision (Long-Range): Aspirational and transformational long-range projects and programs that require further engineering and feasibility study, partner alignment, and capital allocation to complete the district-wide vision.
By framing the Big Ideas within a flexible roadmap, the Anaheim Resort community can align around shared goals, celebrate early wins, and collaboratively shape the generational framework needed to future-proof the district. 69 The Investment Scale
Because this document is designed to provide flexible guidance for long-range implementation, cost parameters are framed as illustrative, order-of-magnitude estimates to reflect relative project scales:
$: Low / Operational (Under $250k) – Planning, planning documents and code amendments, or pilot programs.
$$: Moderate ($250k – $1M) – Smaller-scale physical interventions, sign improvements, or smaller scale public realm playbook improvements.
$$$: Significant ($1M – $5M) – Street-scale public realm improvements, placemaking amenities, and/or street intersection improvements.
$$$$: Major ($5M – $20M) – District-or corridor-scale enhancements, transit infrastructure, and/or landmark intersection or gateway improvements. $$$$$: Transformational ($20M+) – Larger-scale infrastructure or district-wide capital improvements.
Anaheim Resort 2.0 70
In addition to capital cost, up front investment is paired with an order of magnitude for recurring operational and maintenance (O&M) costs:
OM1: Low, minor routine municipal upkeep, code updates, or administrative monitoring.
OM2: Moderate, recurring physical maintenance, lighting/hardware repair, specialized surface washing, or tree care.
OM3: High, significant ongoing operational funding, dedicated staffing, or vehicle fleet management
Making It Real:
The Implementation Framework
Big Idea Activate (Near-Term)
Focus: Policies & Quick Wins
Invest (Mid-Term)
Focus: Capital Builds & Activation
Transform
(Long-Range)
Focus: Major
Infrastructure
01: Harbor & Katella
Landmark
$, OM1 Consider a
pedestrian-priority signal timing
pilot project.
$, OM1 Develop and adopt
enhanced corner streetscape
designs, including public art,
landscaping and shade features.
$, OM1 Continue safety bollard
installation program.
$, OM2 Develop crosswalk
ground-plane designs incorporating
enhanced safety and art.
$$, OM2 Reconfigure intersection to
enhance pedestrian safety and comfort,
including widening crosswalks and
implementing vehicle stop-bar markings.
$$$, OM2 Install intersection
enhancements, including public art,
shade, landscaping, and place-making
components consistent with adopted
corner streetscape designs.
$$, OM1 Coordinate edge
alignment (art incorporation,
active edge & public realm)
with surrounding private
properties when redeveloped.
02: The Greenway $, OM1 Develop and adopt design
guidelines and standards for the
Greenway.
$$, OM1 Develop detailed concept
design for Greenway segments.
$$, OM2 Design and deploy pilot
temporary seating and improved lighting
amenities (Segments 1 & 2).
$$$, OM2 Design & construct Greenway
improvements as opportunities and
funding allow, consistent with adopted
design guidelines.
$$$$$, OM3 Complete
Greenway improvements,
including water stations, public
art, seating, lighting, expanded
sidewalks and pathways, etc.
consistent with adopted design
guidelines.
03: Resort Ribbon $, OM1 Update city-adopted
planning and regulatory documents
to incorporate Resort Ribbon
concepts and opportunities, as
appropriate.
$, OM1 Develop feasibility and
engineering studies for elevated
pedestrian crossings.
$$$$$, OM3 Build out Resort
Ribbon elevated crossings and
at-grade walkways in
coordination with future
build-out of Disneyland
Forward projects.
04: East-West
Connector
$$, OM1 Define mobility needs,
potential users, desired service
outcomes. Evaluate technologies,
alignment, and delivery methods,
including potential Public/Private
Partnership (P3) model.
$$$$, OM3 Advance preferred
technology and alignment through
technical studies, funding analysis, and
phased project development
$$$$$, OM3 Launch and
consider alignment expansion.
Anaheim Resort 2.0 71
Making It Real:
The Implementation Framework
Big Idea Activate (Near-Term)
Focus: Policies & Quick Wins
Invest (Mid-Term)
Focus: Capital Builds & Activation
Transform
(Long-Range)
Focus: Major
Infrastructure
05: Public Realm
Playbook
$$, OM1 Develop and adopt public
realm design standards for
streetscapes consistent with
human-scale design concepts.
$, OM2 Develop and deploy a
Resort Ambassador Pilot Program
$, OM2 Deploy playful, low-cost
district identity art programs to
engage pedestrians on long walks
$$$, OM3 Iteratively deploy streetscape
upgrades, including but not limited to
sidewalk expansions, improved tree
canopies, and integrated public seating in
public realm.
$, OM2 Transition Resort Ambassador
Pilot Program to permanent program.
$$, OM1 Launch a district-wide
Infrastructure as Art campaign, wrapping
safety assets like bollards and lighting in
custom finishes .
$$, OM2 Install human-scale wayfinding
kiosks and path-integrated catenary
lighting. (O&M cost dependent on kiosk
complexity—e.g. digital screens require
higher maintenance and data/content
curation than static application)
$$$$, OM3 Implement
district-wide streetscape
enhancements.
$$$$, OM3 Commission
high-impact public art
installations at landmark
intersection and/or district
gateways.
06: Unlocking
Development
$, OM1 Conduct review of existing
zoning codes to identify barriers to
property activation and
development.
$$$, OM1 Conduct environmental
and technical studies and update
planning documents to modify
development standards, such as
parking standards, setback
requirements, and maximum
development intensities and
structure height limitations.
$ - $$$, OM1 Evaluate development
incentive programs, such as:
•development rights transfer programs,
shared parking facilities, lot consolidation
incentives, performance-based TOT
incentives, density bonus incentives,
impact fee programs, hospitality fast-track
entitlements and permitting, economic
development agreements, etc.
$, OM1 Monitor, refine, and
adapt incentive structures to
match shifting lifestyle and
market trends.
Anaheim Resort 2.0 72
*All conceptual improvements remain subject to engineering feasibility analysis, including traffic operations, accessibility requirements, emergency response, utilities, drainage, right-of-way, environmental review, lifecycle costs, and City standards.
*All conceptual changes to roadways and intersections requires further study including detailed multimodal traffic, transit, and emergency response analysis.
*Implementation recommendations for public realm improvements may require ongoing operations and maintenance funding in addition to capital investment.
*Greenway conceptual improvements require further study for operational impacts, pedestrian circulation and queueing, maintenance responsibility, and coordination with both future Disney improvements and California Edison utility access requirements, and underlying property owners.
Making It Real:
The Implementation Framework
Prepared by Gehl for
the City of Anaheim
September 2026