Disney Accused of Hoarding Homes Amid Housing Crisis

If you’ve ever driven past the quiet, manicured streets of Burbank, you might have noticed something odd: a neighborhood so pristine it feels like a set from a Disney movie. And you wouldn’t be wrong. For years, Walt Disney Studios has quietly paid to maintain a block of homes along S. Keystone Street, ensuring they stay vacant and untouched—part of a broader strategy that critics now say is fueling California’s housing crisis. The irony? While Disney’s theme parks draw millions of visitors to the Golden State, its real estate holdings in cities like Anaheim and Burbank are locking up land that could house thousands of families. This isn’t just a Burbank problem; it’s a blueprint for how corporate land hoarding is reshaping housing markets across Southern California, with ripple effects felt most acutely in cities like Anaheim, where Disney’s footprint is as vast as its influence.

In Anaheim, Disney owns or operates over 1,100 acres—an area larger than 800 football fields—within The Anaheim Resort. The company’s latest proposal, DisneylandForward, doesn’t just tweak zoning laws; it redefines how development can happen on its land. The plan allows for a mix of theme park attractions, hotels, and entertainment districts, but it likewise consolidates Disney’s control over where—and how—novel construction can occur. While the proposal doesn’t add new acres or hotel rooms, it shifts existing development plans across Disney-owned land, effectively locking in the company’s dominance over the area’s growth trajectory. Critics argue this strategy isn’t just about theme parks; it’s about controlling the real estate market itself.

How Disney’s Land Hoarding Worsens Anaheim’s Housing Shortage

Anaheim’s housing crisis is no accident. According to a 2026 report from Wealth Enhancement, the U.S. Faces a housing shortage of 3.7 million units, with Riverside, California, topping the list with a deficit of over 150,000 homes. But Anaheim’s struggle is uniquely tied to Disney’s land use policies. The city’s population has surged in recent decades, yet Disney’s holdings—spanning theme parks, hotels, and undeveloped land—have stifled the kind of dense, mixed-use development that could ease the pressure. For example, Disneyland Resort’s 490 acres of land, zoned primarily for theme parks and parking, could theoretically support thousands of homes if rezoned for residential use. Instead, the company’s development plans prioritize attractions and hospitality over housing, leaving local residents to compete with out-of-town buyers and investors for the limited inventory that does hit the market.

Take the Toy Story Parking Area, for instance. Under DisneylandForward, this space—currently used for parking—could be redeveloped into entertainment and dining districts. But where are the homes? Where are the affordable apartments for the service workers who preserve Disney’s parks running? The answer lies in Disney’s control over zoning overlays. By designating certain areas as “theme park districts” or “parking overlays,” Disney ensures that residential development remains off-limits, even in a city where the median home price has soared past $800,000 in recent years. The result? A city that thrives on tourism but struggles to house its own residents.

Burbank’s Keystone Street: A Microcosm of the Problem

Burbank’s S. Keystone Street offers a stark example of how Disney’s land-use strategies play out in real time. The street, adjacent to Walt Disney Studios, is eerily quiet—not because it’s unpopular, but because Disney has paid to keep it that way. Homes on the street are either vacant or occupied by Disney employees under strict lease agreements, ensuring the area remains pristine and uninhabited by the general public. This isn’t just about aesthetics; it’s about controlling the narrative. A neighborhood that looks like a postcard sells tickets, but it doesn’t house families. And in a city where the median rent for a two-bedroom apartment exceeds $3,500, every vacant lot and empty home counts.

Disney’s approach in Burbank mirrors its tactics in Anaheim: prioritize the visitor experience over local housing needs. The company’s real estate holdings aren’t just about theme parks; they’re about maintaining an illusion of exclusivity that drives tourism—and profits. But in cities like Anaheim and Burbank, where housing affordability is a crisis, that illusion comes at a steep cost. Local governments are caught in a bind: they need Disney’s tax revenue and jobs, but the company’s land-use policies often work against the very communities that host its parks.

Beyond Anaheim: Disney’s Expanding Footprint and the Housing Crisis

Disney’s influence isn’t limited to Anaheim and Burbank. In the Coachella Valley, the company is building Cotino, a 600-acre residential community near Palm Springs. Marketed as “Storyliving by Disney,” Cotino promises luxury homes, a giant turquoise lagoon, and amenities designed to feel like a Disney park. But here’s the catch: these homes aren’t for everyone. Prices start in the millions, targeting affluent buyers rather than addressing the region’s housing shortage. Meanwhile, in cities like Riverside, where over 150,000 homes are needed to meet demand, Disney’s focus on high-end developments does little to alleviate the crisis for middle- and low-income families.

Disney’s strategy isn’t unique. Across the U.S., corporate land hoarding—where large entities buy up land to prevent development—has turn into a major driver of housing shortages. In cities like Dallas, where rents are rising faster than incomes, the lack of affordable housing is pushing residents to the outskirts of the metro area. The same dynamic is at play in Anaheim, where Disney’s land holdings limit the city’s ability to build the homes needed to support its growing population. The company’s influence extends beyond its theme parks; it shapes the very fabric of the communities that surround them.

The Ripple Effects: Who Pays the Price?

When Disney controls vast swaths of land in cities like Anaheim, the consequences ripple outward. Local governments rely on property taxes and development fees to fund schools, infrastructure, and public services. But when land sits undeveloped—or is developed exclusively for tourism—those revenue streams dry up. In Anaheim, where Disney’s holdings account for a significant portion of the city’s tax base, officials are forced to make tough choices: prioritize economic development (and tourism jobs) over housing affordability, or risk losing a major economic driver.

For residents, the cost is clear. In Anaheim, the median home price has climbed to over $800,000, with rents for a two-bedroom apartment averaging $3,200 per month. The city’s housing shortage is acute, with thousands of families competing for a limited supply of homes. Meanwhile, Disney’s land-use policies ensure that the company’s own workers—who keep the parks running—often live in overcrowded conditions or commute long distances to afford rent. The disconnect between Disney’s prosperity and the struggles of its local workforce is a stark reminder of how corporate land control can deepen inequality.

What Can Anaheim Residents Do?

Given my background in urban planning and real estate advocacy, if this trend impacts you in Anaheim—or any city where corporate land hoarding is a factor—here are the three types of local professionals you need to push back:

Zoning Law Specialists

These attorneys and planners specialize in navigating local zoning laws and can help challenge restrictive development policies. Look for professionals with experience in mixed-use zoning, affordable housing advocacy, and land-use litigation. A excellent specialist will realize how to push for rezoning initiatives that allow for more residential development on corporate-owned land.

Community Development Consultants

These experts work with cities to create inclusive development plans that balance economic growth with housing affordability. They can help local governments negotiate with large landowners like Disney to ensure that new developments include affordable housing units. Seek consultants with a track record of working on master-planned communities and affordable housing initiatives.

Housing Advocacy Organizations

Nonprofits and advocacy groups often have the resources and legal expertise to challenge corporate land-use practices. Organizations like the Orange County Housing Alliance or local chapters of national groups like the National Low Income Housing Coalition can provide guidance, legal support, and grassroots organizing tools to push for policy changes.

residents can take direct action by:

• Attending city council meetings and planning commission hearings to voice concerns about land use and housing affordability.
• Supporting ballot initiatives that mandate affordable housing requirements for new developments.
• Building coalitions with local businesses and workers to advocate for policies that prioritize housing over tourism-driven development.

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