Businesses still optimistic about Disney plans

Local business people are optimistic that a trimmed-down Westcot development will boost a faltering tourist industry. Walt Disney Co. officials announced Monday they will not renew their options to purchase six parcels of land around Disneyland that would have been used for the originally planned $3 billion expansion. Plans to build a scaled-down version of Westcot will materialize by the end of the year, officials said., Disney .announced the Westcot project in 1991. They said it would require 4,600 more hotel rooms, bring 27,900 more jobs to the area and generate $56 million in new taxes and fees to Anaheim and the county. Here's what business people working in the area said about Disney's latest announcement: Alan Jeffrey, general manager for Candy Cane Inn: "I think whatever Disney does in Anaheim has my support. Any improvements that they do we'll benefit from it. I had hoped that Westcot would have been done, but whatever they do at least things are happening." Sterling Wychgel, owner of One Hour Color Prints: "I never personally thought it was going to go through but any type of expansion will help business." Mike Kashey, cab driver for Yellow Cab Co.: "It should be good for business. Business has been good but it can always get better." Leslie Ooi, owner of the T-Shirt Shop: "I believe it could be good for business but on the other hand it could also be worse. They're going to build a lot more stores inside the park and Disney wants everyone to spend money inside." Thad Anders, general manager for Zaby's Motor L"We're just wondering how scaled back the project is going to be. We were hoping it was going to be its original version, but Disney always helps business. I think a lot of people were waiting for the new project before they came back. It needs a refurbishing after 40 years."