Rumored 5th Park for WDW

[Buttercup]

So WDW News Today (Website: http://wdwnt.com/ - added by John) is reporting that there are rumors of a new 5th park coming to WDW. Now, these rumors have been around FOREVER, but what they're reporting actually sounds plausible.

I would suggest googling their article; it's pretty long and there are a lot of maps and photos included. But here's the jist of what they say:

A 5th Walt Disney World theme park has been a dream for many since Disney’s Animal Kingdom opened in 1998. We are currently living through the longest drought without a new theme park at Walt Disney World in the resort’s history: 16.5 years. As Walt Disney World reached its 40th anniversary in 2011, a new ten year plan for the growth of the resort was laid out, culminating in the 50th anniversary in 2021, which is sure to be viewed as the pinnacle theme park celebration in the company’s history. Sure, Disneyland is the original and Walt’s baby, but Walt Disney World was his last dream and has always been favored by management in the company for being the resort destination with the highest profits. This reasoning made it easy to believe rumors that a 5th theme park was one of the end goals of the ten year plan management devised for Orlando.

So, just a few days ago we told you about the groundbreaking finally taking place at Flamingo Crossings and why that seems to be important and indicative of larger plans for Walt Disney World in the next 8-10 years. Well, it seems it might be a good sign that a 5th park is coming, especially with some recent land purchases made by Disney in the surrounding area (hat tip to Screamscape to putting together some pieces of the story).

Disney owns 3000 total acres of land that are put aside for Flamingo Crossings project, located just outside of the colorful character borders of the Walt Disney World Resort on Western Way. 300 acres of this land seem to be getting some special attentions, a plot just behind the largest development pads for Flamingo Crossings. This plot may be home to Walt Disney World’s 5th theme park.

Why does this plot make sense? A lot of the reasons are those we presented for Flamingo Crossings: 429 is empty and the other side of WDW property is overburdened. Also, building the 5th park here would entice more companies to get involved in Flamingo Crossings. Disney has had trouble selling the plots until recently, but maybe the recent hotel development deal with Marriott was struck because they know something we don’t. One would assume Marriott was privy to this information before finally agreeing to build two hotels that will be the first tenants for the project. If Disney is telling possible investors that there will be a 5th park that their business can be steps away from, they are probably going to be much more likely to open up shop between Western Way and 429.

A lot of this is speculation at this point, but any big projects getting underway currently at Disney’s Hollywood Studios would be completed by 2017-18 and we know that all of the additions to Disney Springs, Epcot (Frozen attraction), and Animal Kingdom will be opening between 2016 and 2017, so the Disney World construction calendar is pretty wide open for the 3 years leading up to the 50th anniversary.

Does all of this mean a 5th gate? Will the park be located in Flamingo Crossings? Will the borders of the Walt Disney World Resort expand west? There are certainly a lot of questions to answer… and we’re not even getting into what the 5th park would be yet…

To give you an idea of where this park is that they're speculating -- it would be northwest of Animal Kingdom on the west side of Highway 429.

I'm skeptical, but it is fun to imagine! Now if they could just use the time between now and 2021 to really fix and maintain the current parks they already have, we'd be all set!

[Buttercup]

I know this won't happen, BUT... imagine for a moment if they built a total Star Wars park. This location is sort-of geographically separated from the other "traditional" Disney theme parks, and oh lord, I could just hear the cha-ching from all the fans flocking there.


I'm just letting my imagination go wild here. They need to get their current parks fixed up first!

[cer]

I'm skeptical, but it is fun to imagine! Now if they could just use the time between now and 2021 to really fix and maintain the current parks they already have, we'd be all set!

I'm with you, Buttercup...color me skeptical.

My thing is, I don't know if they have it in them to "fix and maintain the current parks". I would love for them to show me up, but if the lumberjack show is an indicator, I just don't see it happening.

I am encouraged by what is going on with Disney Springs and it seems like there is a movement to bring in higher quality merchandise...but if they bring in a 5th gate without fixing the parks they have, well, I think that would just be sad.

[Buttercup]

... but if the lumberjack show is an indicator, I just don't see it happening.

Ugh, the lumberjack show...
Admittedly I haven't seen it yet. But I'm Canadian and it really IRKS me that they hired a travelling AMERICAN lumberjack show to be in the Canadian pavilion. What ever happened to authenticity in the World Showcase pavilions?!?! But that's a topic for another day (cough cough Norway cough cough).

Anyway, yeah there is some serious work needed on the parks they do have right now. Maybe we will stumble back into some kind of Disney Parks Renaissance, where each park finds its voice again and innovates some really cool attractions? I'm feeling optimistic today so maybe that's clouding my judgement. LOL!

[JabberJaws]

I suppose it is plausible and there certainly seems to be more "meat" to the rumor than in the past, but I will remain skeptical until plans around firmed up for DHS. I think, much like the overhaul to DCA out west, they need to fix DHS big time before moving on to a 5th gate. That being said, if the rumors hold true (Cars Land, Star Wars expansion, Pixar land expansion including removal of GMR, etc) hold true, theoretically they could have DHS in really good shape by the end of this decade. If that is the case, a fifth gate could be possible.

Bigger question than IF is WHAT. What would the theme be? There have been a ton of rumors over the years, but the most intriguing IMO is the Heroes and Villains park. Would allow for potential Marvel integration once all of the licensing mess is worked out with Universal. But then if the "heroes" portion of the park incorporates some Disney fairytale heroes, does that bleed too much into Fantasyland territory? Does the theme cross over too much with the DHS cinema theme too?

How about a Disney Sea type park? Not a carbon-copy, but something similar? Fans have been clamoring for a US version of the park since it opened years ago and I think something original and not based on a specific piece of intellectual property or group of IPs would be ideal. Would WDI be allowed the budget needed to do such a park properly?

Certainly interesting to think about, whether or not it happens.

[BrerGnat]

This is interesting. I wonder why Disney BOUGHT all that land. Don't they have enough? I can actually see how cost cutting at the current parks could be a measure to free up money for a fifth gate. If I had to guess, it would be a Star Wars park, most definitely. It's fun to imagine. And, seeing how crowded the 4 parks have been year round for a few years now, it seems a fifth park is kind of necessary in order to disperse people better.

[Hammer]

I'm with you, Buttercup...color me skeptical.

My thing is, I don't know if they have it in them to "fix and maintain the current parks". I would love for them to show me up, but if the lumberjack show is an indicator, I just don't see it happening.

Look, I think the lumberjack show is stupid, too, but it isn't the first entertainment offering that is/was a failure at a Disney Park, nor will it be the last. I know a lot of people loved Off Kilter, but the acts in all the countries should change with more frequency. Like anything else in life, some will succeed and some won't.

[DizneyFreak2002]

I'm with you, Buttercup...color me skeptical.

My thing is, I don't know if they have it in them to "fix and maintain the current parks". I would love for them to show me up, but if the lumberjack show is an indicator, I just don't see it happening.

That lumberjack show is pathetic... But let's not forget Stitch's Supersonic Celebration in Tomorrowland, which lasted, what, 4 days before being canned? That was just as horrible.. AND WAS DISNEY CREATED.. The lumberjack show is a terribly produced third party show.. But, I guess you get what you pay for.. you cheapen out, you get cheap in return...

Oh and 5th park? Not happening... They can't get their 4 parks working and right, you think they can handle a 5th? LOL... They need to get DHS, DAK and Epcot in order forst, then fix the capacity issues with MK (no the NFL didn't fix the issues as MK is still bursting at the seams)...

[SBETigg]

I can see it happening eventually. I'm not sure I see it happening any too soon, though. There is so much they need to do in the parks as it is. Wasn't the Star Wars expansion planned for DHS and not as a separate whole park? Plus Avatar/Pandora going into the AK adds some stress. I can't see them taking on a new project until that's ready.

Maybe the land is available and they are buying it now to secure it for future endeavors or to keep anyone else from building there while they are trying to make Flamingo Crossing work out. Having the foresight to buy available land in the area is old school Disney strategy. Selling it off seems to be new strategy, so who knows if they will even hang on to it or if they just want to be able to control what happens to it down the road. I think it's way too soon to be speculating on a 5th park. Of course, speculating is fun and people have been doing it for years. My personal preference is for them to work out some more transportation options/improve current options/ and work more on the parks we have.

[dnickels]

Nothing in the article is really new other than Flamingo Crossings construction finally beginning so it seems like just some random speculation. From the aerial image they showed of what he thinks is the 'area receiving special attention' all I see is a roughly circular area that looks like it MAY have been cleared 15-20 years ago but still has plenty of brush and trees growing on it? Unless there are other newer satellite images not linked in the article? I mean I live a stone's throw from there and that image doesn't look any different than any of the other miles and miles of land around it.

10 years is an awful long time so I guess anything is possible by then, but yeah color me pretty skeptical when they've got so much space already not being utilized.

[1DisneyNut]

I am in agreement with others. I don't see it happening, at least not in the next 10 years. They have 10 years worth the serious work just to get what they have back into shape.

What would be a point in a new 5th park anyway other than trying to disperse some of the crowds? They have plenty of room to add new "lands" to the existing parks instead of adding more overhead and logistical complexity to their current transportation system.

[dpamac]

I know this won't happen, BUT... imagine for a moment if they built a total Star Wars park. This location is sort-of geographically separated from the other "traditional" Disney theme parks, and oh lord, I could just hear the cha-ching from all the fans flocking there.


I'm just letting my imagination go wild here. They need to get their current parks fixed up first!

Don't tease. If that happened your husband and I would spend two weeks there dressed as Han and Chewie and riding every single ride ten times while quoting the movies non-stop.

Wait, hold on. What's the fourth park? Oh, yeah. EPCOT. Shouldn't they have some attractions there first?

[dpamac]

It's a special My Disney Experience Park with Fast Past Platinum. You have to reserve what time you arrive at the park 180 days in advance.

At 90 days out you have to reserve all your bathroom breaks. Don't forget! Bathroom Fast Passes are limited.

At 60 days they will open up snack reservations (all choices must be made at this time). Also at 60 you'll have to reserve the ability to SKIP the afternoon parade. Otherwise, you are required to find the spot that beeps with your Magic Bands at 1:45 for the 3 p.m. parade.

At 45 days out you must register any articles you will be bringing into the park including cameras, phones, watches, bags and prosthetic limbs.

Also at 45 days out you will be required to register for six theme park souvenir purchases. At this time you may also choose your park exit time.

You must have a prearranged park exit Fast Pass to exit the park. If you do not have a Fast Pass or if you miss your Fast Pass exit window you will immediately be sent to the All Star Movies resort food court and must purchase a meal and then find an open table for a family of four during the breakfast rush.

At 30 days out, if you have not complied with all of the above, upon visiting the park you will be blindfolded and escorted to the hub's Labyrinth. Once inside the labyrinth you will have four hours to find your way out or you will have to pay a $92 extraction fee. At that time you will be put into a standby line for exit.

Guests without Fast Pass arrangements made in advance will be asked to wait in the entrance standby line, which circles the park but never enters it. Admission is required.

[BrerGnat]

I am in agreement with others. I don't see it happening, at least not in the next 10 years. They have 10 years worth the serious work just to get what they have back into shape.

10 YEARS worth of work to fix Epcot and DHS? That seems a bit exaggerated.

I think it is plausible that we see a 5th gate by 2021. If they begin construction by early 2017, by which point we assume DHS additions, Disney Springs, and AK Pandora are up and running, they could easily be done for a grand opening in late summer or fall 2021 to coincide with the 50th anniversary. They will have to be aggressive about it though, but it is entirely feasible.

[Terra]

Ahhh, Star Wars land! Bring it!

In all seriousness, I hope I'm still around in Florida in 10 years to see it And experience it with my family! I'll be 53 years old.

Very interesting to see it all unfold!

I've never looked it up, but I'm interested to know how long it takes to build the park from ground to gate opening.

[BrerGnat]

Ahhh, Star Wars land! Bring it!

In all seriousness, I hope I'm still around in Florida in 10 years to see it And experience it with my family! I'll be 53 years old.

Very interesting to see it all unfold!

I've never looked it up, but I'm interested to know how long it takes to build the park from ground to gate opening.

The most recent US Disney park example is DCA. It was built in 3 years. Of course, it was done cheaply and then they spent 5 years "fixing it."

[Altair]

It's a diversion just to take the heat off them for a while.

[CAS]

5th gate talk means putting on the tin foil hats.

[Terra]

The most recent US Disney park example is DCA. It was built in 3 years. Of course, it was done cheaply and then they spent 5 years "fixing it."

True! I figured it would take quite a while to do it right! I do hope I get to see it in my lifetime!

[1DisneyNut]

10 YEARS worth of work to fix Epcot and DHS? That seems a bit exaggerated.

Maybe a little.....it might only take 8 years. Here is my reasoning: They have let things slide for years now and are still doing so. Epcot and Hollywood studios have degraded and there are really only a few attractions worth seeing at either. It will take them probably 4 or 5 years of steady improvements moving from section to section to straighten it all out because you know they aren't going to fix it all in one shot. If you just throw 3 more years of letting it slide and ignoring the issues, you are already at 8 years. It would not make sense to start another park when they have three that are barely worth seeing now. They are working on improvements at Animal Kingdom which will hopefully bring it up to par but that is going to take a while. Only then would it make sense to start considering constructing an additional park. Now, does 10 years really sound all that unreasonable?