MONDAY, APRIL 26, 1999

Disney's expanding empire

The Walt Disney Co. is perhaps the most powerful entertainment conglomerate on the planet. It owns TV networks ABC and ESPN, two professional sports franchises and several theme parks throughout the world - just to name a few.

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Tom Harshbarger

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Does Disney own the city of Anaheim? Perhaps not, but it is at least a major stockholder. The Orange County Register has uncovered many of Disney's exploits in Anaheim including the corporation's influence on the city council.

Disneyland is Anaheim's biggest cash cow. At the same time, residents near the park complain about noise, construction and traffic. But no one seems to be listening.

Disney's plans for expanding on its already mammoth park are underway. The new theme park, California Adventure, will be across the street from Disney-land. The company also recently purchased enough land to build yet a third theme park within a couple of blocks of these.

It's no surprise to most that the Walt Disney Co.'s influence in Anaheim is pervasive.

When Disney began its purchase of the then California Angels baseball club from Gene and Jackie Autry, it began negotiating the remodeling of Anaheim Stadium with the city. Disney asked city hall to put up $30 million of the estimated $100 million it would take to refurbish the ballpark. But the company also wanted an escape clause that would allow it to move the team out of Anaheim in 6 years if it was not making money.

Apparently Anaheim officials did not care for that part of the deal. Why put up that much money only to have a chance, however unlikely, it would all be gone in a few years? The city council said no - It wanted a long-term lease, and Disney called off the purchase of the team.

Hooray for Anaheim's government, right? Not really. The two sides got back together and put together a deal, and Disney purchased the Angels from the Autrys. Whether or not the giant got its escape clause was not reported. But the city ended up contributing $54 million in various forms. And Disney runs the stadium.

So what does all this mean? On the surface, it seems like a win-win situation economically. Disneyland turnstiles whirl away, the Angels and Mighty Ducks hockey team sell plenty of tickets and the city of Anaheim reaps a tax windfall from it all.

On the other hand, noise and traffic are reaching insane levels. Anaheim has not had an identity separate from Disneyland since 1955, when it first lowered the drawbridge to Sleeping Beauty's Castle. While the Walt Disney Co. hasn't done anything overtly crooked, anyone with that much money has to be kept under a watchful eye - No matter how much we enjoy the product.

Tom Harshbarger is the assistant city editor of the Daily Forty-Niner.