ANAHEIM : City Seeks Disney Aid on Monorail Project

City officials, eager to push ahead with a $200-million monorail or people-mover system linking Disneyland with other downtown attractions, are calling on Disney officials for creative and financial help to plan the new rail service.

The system, long proposed to alleviate traffic congestion near the park and unite the city’s Convention Center with other attractions and transportation facilities, would also be an integral part of a possible new, $3-billion Disney amusement park in Anaheim, city officials said.

“We want to work with (Disney), and they want to work with us,” Mayor Fred Hunter said. “A second attraction can never occur unless people can be moved from off-site parking areas.”

Disney officials, however, say they are taking a wait-and-see approach.

Kerry Hunnewell, vice president of Disney Development Co. in Burbank, said Disney will wait until project studies are completed by a consultant, to be hired by Anaheim, before deciding whether the park will team up with the city to build the project.

After a week’s delay, the council is expected to approve a $200,000 contract Tuesday with Kimley-Horn & Associates of Orange to fund the first phase of a three-part project study.

The planning comes at a critical time for Anaheim because Disney has yet to decide whether to locate its second Southern California amusement park in Long Beach or Anaheim. The new transportation system has become something of a bargaining chip in the city’s bid to get Disney to build the so-called “second gate” attraction in Anaheim.

Plans for an additional Anaheim amusement park have not been made public, but Disney’s Long Beach plans, unveiled last August, include a park larger than Disneyland, five hotels, marinas, a cruise ship terminal and other attractions offered in a “Port Disney” theme.

Disney’s Hunnewell declined to reveal details about the Anaheim plan, but said the park is studying a variety of futuristic transportation schemes to expand its rail system that would move guests to different areas of the park.

“It’s much too early to comment on specific plans,” Hunnewell said.

Greg Trombley, the city’s project manager, said Disney’s input will be key in what he envisions as a possible extension of the park’s high-tech transportation system, linking the city’s convention center, Anaheim Stadium, sports arena and possible satellite parking areas.

“It would be nice to take that Disney experience and extend it to the border of Anaheim,” Trombley said. “Disney is going to be an integral part of everything we’re doing.”

In the coming months, Trombley said, the city also will explore financing proposals with Disney, the local hotel industry and other outside interests about helping foot the bill for the project.