Theme parks are big business and most of the big parks are expanding, which is expected to have a big impact on the real estate markets in their communities.
“Great parks can increase demand for local housing by creating jobs, attracting workers and tourists, and attracting investors,” it said. Jiayi Xueconomist at Realtor.com®. “They tend to increase the prices of nearby properties, encourage the development of short-term rental and hospitality projects, and support economic growth that supports housing demand.”
That’s exactly what’s happening at Disneyland in Anaheim, CA—the popular theme park is expanding its footprint.
In 2024, the Anaheim City Council unanimously approved DisneylandForward, a 10-year plan to modernize the development rules of the Disneyland Resort. This paved the way for a new theme park, retail, and parking expansion—all within Disney’s existing 500-acre property in Anaheim, without purchasing additional land.
“Disneyland has always been closed, and this is a well-thought-out plan that uses every square inch of land they’re expanding on,” Dennis SpeigelCEO and founder of International Theme Park Services, a consulting and amusement park management company, tells Realtor.com. “It’s good, it’s well planned, and it’s going to be well done.”
A representative for Disneyland tells Realtor.com that a new parking structure and three Disney California Adventure attractions are in the works.
“The approved expansion of DisneylandForward is expected to generate more jobs and commercial activities, which may increase demand for housing and put more pressure on prices, especially in nearby areas,” Xu said.
As of January 2026, the median list price in Anaheim was about $912,000, about 45% higher than six years ago, compared to about 27% growth nationwide over the same period.
“Housing conditions in Anaheim have been very tight in recent years, with prices rising faster than in many parts of the state,” Xu said. “Limited availability, the city’s strong base in tourism and employment and investor interest all contributed to the price gains.”
As part of the DisneylandForward program, Disney has agreed to contribute $30 million to fund affordable housing projects in Anaheim over the first five years.
“Disney’s expansion, and their $30 million commitment to affordable housing, is likely to have a major impact on the area,” said an Orange County real estate agent. Dear Ameer. “They want to provide affordable rental housing for local workers, as well as down payment assistance programs for first-time buyers. This will create great interest and demand from people who want to live or already live in the area.”
There have been rumors that Disney will build a third park at the current Downtown Disney location, but they have not been confirmed.
Speigel says, “I’ve heard rumors. If they have that ability, it’s something worth thinking about. Disneyland just turned 70. It’s a long time in their life and evolution for them to think about another park. I wouldn’t be surprised if it happened.”
What happened in Orlando
After a high-profile dispute with Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis ending in 2024, Disney won approval to go ahead with a 15-year extension of the 25,000-acre resort in Orlando, representing $17 billion in planned investment at Walt Disney World.
The expansion will add nearly 14,000 hotel rooms, 270,000 square feet of retail and dining space, a large new theme park, and two smaller parks.
Josh Higginsdirector of communications for Walt Disney World Public Affairs, tells Realtor.com that many new attractions are still in development, including Villains Land, Cars Land, and Monsters Inc. Land.
“The development of Disney will have a positive impact on the Central Florida real estate market,” said President of the Orlando Regional Realtor® Association. Chris Atwell he tells Realtor.com. “Workers and their families will drive demand for housing, entertainment and retail.”
Disney is also collecting nearby properties, including a $19.4 million office building in Celebration, FL, that it bought last year.
As Disney continues to invest in the area, Xu says, “demand for housing in Orlando remains strong, largely supported by its tourism-driven economy.”
As of January 2026, the median listing price was about $375,000—up nearly 24% from six years ago.
“Although home prices in Florida are rising rapidly (about 29% nationally), Orlando remains affordable among Florida’s major cities, helping to sustain consumer demand and investment interest,” Xu said.
Atwell says one in five international buyers buys a home in Florida. “In Orlando in particular, we get a lot of foreign buyers, many of whom love Disney,” he said.
Is Texas the location of the next big theme park?
Meanwhile, Texas is emerging as a major new theme park location.
Despite rumors to the contrary, Disney has not announced any plans to build a park there yet.
However, Universal is building a Universal Kids Resort in Frisco, TX, and it will open this summer.
“Texas has a lot of people,” Speigel said. “It’s very close to Dallas, and Dallas has always been a great hobby market. That’s where Six Flags started.”
According to Xu, housing demand in Frisco has grown in line with population growth and job growth, and the median listing price in January 2026 is nearly $695,000—up nearly 39% over the past six years, outpacing the state of Texas’ increase of 23%.
Xu says the demand is driven not only by residents but also by investor buyers, as Frisco is part of the Dallas–Fort Worth metropolitan area, which is one of the largest cities in the country that sees the largest share of investor purchases. “Upcoming attractions such as Universal Kids Resort are expected to continue to support this demand, especially rental and investor-owned properties,” added Xu.
Real estate agent Todd Luongof Re/Max in Frisco, tells Realtor.com that locals are already buzzing about the theme park.
“On the bright side, families and homebuyers are talking about the resort as a unique place that sets this place apart,” Luong said. “It will definitely attract more visitors and provide more entertainment options for local residents here. However, there are many questions about how all this will change things here in the city, such as possible increased traffic and more congestion.”
Luong says he thinks the resort has the potential to be a big plus in the long run for Frisco’s real estate market. “It will raise Frisco’s profile nationally, support tourism, and may help sustain demand for housing, especially for families seeking access to entertainment and amenities. It may also increase demand for short-term rental investment properties near the resort.”
