Bring In the Dollars!

Lots going on in Anaheim in the near future.

Disney's California Adventure continues its $4billion overhaul, with the Orange Stinger being converted to the "Silly Symphony Swings", playing off the classic Mickey Mouse cartoon "The Band Concert", in keeping with the renovation taking DCA back to Disney's roots as he stepped off the train into early 20th Century Los Angeles. California Screamin is getting rock work, World of Color is slated for March 2010, and the Blue Sky Cellar has reopened. Hand in hand with the DCA overhaul is the addition of the Vacation Club timeshares, fueling the expansion of the amazing Arts and Crafts style Grand Californian Hotel, which I was thrilled to discover will feature pieces from our friends at Old California Lantern Company in Orange. Yep, the Mouse supports income all over the region, and we are all grateful to have our "company town".

Also drawing crowds to Anaheim, NBA stars Richard Jefferson and Luke Walton are hosting a basketball camp for kids, at the Anaheim Sports Centers. The camp is open to boys and girls, ages 7 to 17, and more information can be found at www.lwjrbballcamp.com. Cost is $300, but hey, "it's for the kids".

And April 2010 will see Wizard Entertainment bring Comic-Con to Anaheim, filling our Convention Center and surrounding hotels and restaurants with an expected 30,000 sunlight deprived 20 year olds. Sorry, did I say that out loud? I mean TOT paying visitors. (I have spawned an entire family of gamers, and they do not see the light of day unless I kick them out, you know I'm right!) These gatherings are just Reason #428 for expanding the Anaheim Convention Center, if we don't do it, San Diego will pick up these conferences. Yes, the City is hurting for dollars, but we are riding this downturn better than most, and that is without a doubt due to the visitors that create 50% of our General Fund revenue. Think about it, we could be Stanton.