Port Disney winning city. Formal negotiations for financial responsibility between Disney and Long Beach were scheduled to begin on September 12, 1990, after the city reviewed Disney's plans. Several independent analysts gave the edge to Port Disney, citing the uniqueness of the project and the lack of a similar nautical/ocean theme park in Los Angeles County since the 1987 closure of Marineland. In February 1991, Disney disclosed that it had been buying large tracts of land near Disneyland in Anaheim, although Disney vice-president of development David Malmuth said the land acquisition would not affect the decision between Anaheim and Long Beach, which
Disney Store Disney Store location opened next to the El Capitan Theatre in its building in 1998. Duplicating the Disneyland attraction and merchandise location but operated by Disney Store, the first Walt Disney Gallery opened outside of the park next to the Disney Store at Main Place Santa Ana mall in California on November 4, 1994 and was operated by Disney Store. Doug Murphy was appointed vice president of the Walt Disney Gallery for Disney Store in December 1994. On September 16, 1997, Disney Stores opened its first ESPN—The Store at the Glendale Galleria. In September 1999, the three store chain was