Crowd Turns Out to Show Support for Disney Deal

ANAHEIM — It had all the trappings of a high school pep rally: the sign-waving, the balloons, the marching band, the lusty cheers in support of the home team.

But for the several hundred people who joined in a parking-lot rally on Monday evening, much more is at stake than the outcome of a single game.

They came here in a show of support for the deal between the city and the Walt Disney Co. to keep the California Angels at a renovated Big A. The lease agreement is to be voted on today by the City Council, with a 3-2 vote in favor of the deal anticipated.

Rally speakers urged onlookers to call City Hall in favor of the plan and to show up in force at the meeting.

“The facts and figures that support this deal are overwhelming,” Mayor Tom Daly told the crowd gathered outside the Pond to support plans for Disney and the city to share the cost of a $100-million stadium renovation, with $30 million coming from the city.

Some sign wavers needed no convincing.

“We wanted to support the Angels because we don’t want them to go away,” said 9-year-old Katie Lunsford of Anaheim, who described herself as a die-hard Angel booster who first attended games as a toddler. Her favorite part of the game: “When they sing and hit the ball to the sky.”

Lunsford toted a sign reading, “We Love Our Angels.”

Another fan, Hortensia Tafolla, 41, of Anaheim, hoisted a sign featuring the Angels’ insignia, a pair of Mickey Mouse ears and the word “Magic.” She staunchly supports the plan.

“Any other city would probably get on their knees and beg” for Disney’s involvement, Tafolla said.

Several people said they learned about the rally when it was touted at recent Angels games, and one Anaheim woman said she received two phone calls encouraging her to attend after she filled out a stadium-related survey.

One skeptic speculated that the crowd’s ranks included Disney and Angel employees.

“I’m very concerned this is being rushed through,” said the skeptic, Jim Anderson of Anaheim, who joined half a dozen others at the Pond driveway holding signs reading “Disney Will Triple Ticket Prices” and “Don’t Mickey Mouse the Angels.”

Some have criticized the city for what they contend amounts to a $30-million subsidy of Disney, and say the deal does not guarantee the city a way of recouping its investment. But most rally-goers were enthusiastic as they munched on hot dogs under bobbing red, white and blue balloons.

Said Tony Tavares, president of Disney Sports Enterprises: “Let’s get this vote over with tomorrow night, and let’s play ball.”

Times staff writer Chris Foster contributed to this report.