Disneyland to build new 700-room hotel to prep for Star Wars land (Galaxy’s Edge) opening

To prepare for the anticipated influx of visitors in the opening of their 14-acre Star Wars-themed land (Galaxy’s Edge) in 2019, Disneyland Resort is building a new four diamond hotel with 700 rooms at the west end of the Downtown Disney District.

Construction is set to commence summer of 2018, with the grand opening slated for 2021. Walt Disney Imagineering will design the hotel and it is expected to generate approximately $25 million in new taxes during its first five years of operations. The money will go directly into the City of Anaheim’s general fund.

The ground level will feature shops, restaurants and an expansive plaza with extensive landscaping and water features. It will be connected to the Disneyland Monorail with a dedicated platform inside the facility to provide direct transport going to the main park. Other amenities include an upscale rooftop restaurant overlooking Sleeping Beauty Castle, a fitness center, kids’ play area and two pools. Disneyland Resort has yet to decide on a theme for the hotel.

The hotel will be the fourth hotel inside the park grounds. It will be linked to the three other hotels by gardens and walkways. It is also the theme park’s first development in nearly 20 years.

To date, Disneyland Hotel and Grand Californian Hotel & Spa are the only two hotels in Anaheim that fit the city’s AAA guidelines for luxury four-diamond rating. Paradise Pier Hotel is only considered as a three-diamond property.

Additionally, Disneyland Resort is building a six-story parking garage as well. The structure, which has a capacity of 6,500 spaces, will be located on land presently occupied by Rainforest Cafe, ESPN Zone and AMC Theaters. It seeks to ease traffic on Ball Rd.