The Manchester cast member parking lot at Disneyland Resort will close beginning June 28th, according to the Workers United Local 50 union. The closure clears the way for a new parking structure and transportation hub on a portion of the lot, bringing roughly 6,000 spaces. Disneyland has yet to confirm the closure. If true, it would be a major milestone for the DisneylandForward expansion efforts.
Manchester Cast Member Lot to Close for New Disneyland Parking Garage
IN THIS ARTICLE:
- The confirmed June 28th closure date and what’s behind it
- What Disney is building on the cast member lot footprint
- The Harbor Boulevard pedestrian bridge and new esplanade arrival
- How this connects to Avengers Campus, Coco, and Avatar expansion
WHEN IS THE MANCHESTER LOT CLOSING?
The closure date is now set. Workers United Local 50, the union representing many Disneyland cast members, says the Manchester lot will close beginning June 28th, citing information from Disney Labor Relations. Disney itself has not publicly confirmed the date, so we’ll keep you updated when official word arrives. The union ties the closure to the resort expansion, and notes there is no information yet on whether Manchester will reopen for cast parking in the future.
PERMIT FOR BUILDING DEMOLITION
Earlier this year, Disney applied for a permit to demolish the building between the Manchester lot and Pumbaa lot. This building is known as Team Disney Anaheim East. Today, that permit was issued, clearing the way for work that Disney describes as the demolition of a 70,000 sqft office building, with the utilities to be capped and the foundation to remain.
WHAT DISNEY IS BUILDING ON THE LOT
Disney has detailed plans for a new parking structure and transportation hub on the east side of Disneyland Resort, situated on a portion of what is currently the Manchester cast member parking lot. The new area will provide approximately 6,000 parking spaces.
Additionally, Disney will add shuttle and rideshare areas, security screening, and dedicated access for traffic off of Disney Way. Overall, Disney frames the project as a way to improve parking and traffic flow throughout the resort area.
A PEDESTRIAN BRIDGE OVER HARBOR BOULEVARD
Beyond the parking itself, the hub will feature a pedestrian bridge over Harbor Boulevard, leading to an all-new esplanade arrival experience. The bridge will also provide public access to and from Harbor Boulevard, not just for resort guests.
To better visualize the parking lot closure, we’ve created the following graphic. The Manchester lot is seen in teal. The Pumbaa lot, also a Cast Member lot, is seen in green. The pedestrian bridge that will connect the new parking garage with the new Harbor Boulevard arrival experience will generally be where the red area is. At this time, it’s unclear if the Pumbaa lot will close at the same time as the Manchester lot.
THE FIRST STEP IN A BIGGER EXPANSION
Disney calls these enhanced parking, transit, and arrival offerings the first step in its next phase of construction. Specifically, the goal is to create the infrastructure needed to welcome more guests as new experiences come online. That growth includes two all-new attractions that will double the size of Avengers Campus, plus the new Coco-themed ride and Avatar destination coming to Disney California Adventure. Naturally, the parking comes first, making this hub the foundation for everything that follows.
WHAT WE’RE WATCHING NEXT
Disney has officially announced that construction on the parking garage and new gateway experience will begin in the Fall. A summer closing of the parking lot to allow for prep work makes sense. With the construction in the area of the Coco attraction underway, and the two Avengers Campus attractions well underway, it’s an exciting time of expansion for Disney California Adventure.
As always, keep checking back with us here at BlogMickey.com as we continue to bring you the latest news, photos, and info from around the Disney Parks!