The Official 5th Disney Park Discussion

[SeventyOne]

Agreed. Sounds fun, but they gotta get Epcot and AK in better positioning after they take care of the MK Expansion.

But I do believe the next park, whether it be UO or Disney, will be a small, boutique-type park. Epic may be the last great Orlando theme park built for a long time.

I think I agree with your underlying reasoning, but part of me also thinks if there was a solid idea for a boutique park in Orlando, someone would've built it already. WDW already tried with a safari "park within a park" and Star Wars, both to famously bad results. Discovery Cove been around 25 years now (about as long as IoA), neither big brother park in Orlando been able to replicate it yet.

 

[TheCodeMan95]

People on WDWMagic are saying that its not all sunshine and roses for Comcast as well. According to them, EU went over budget due to the pandemic, they are saddled with more debt than Disney, still haven't made Peacock profitable, and there is the thing with people cord cutting.

I think it was probably to be expected though - it will probably take several years for them to make a profit on EU.

 

[Mad Dog]

Comcast still has that Hulu money to cushion stuff

 

[UniversalRBLX]

I think I agree with your underlying reasoning, but part of me also thinks if there was a solid idea for a boutique park in Orlando, someone would've built it already. WDW already tried with a safari "park within a park" and Star Wars, both to famously bad results. Discovery Cove been around 25 years now (about as long as IoA), neither big brother park in Orlando been able to replicate it yet.

I envision not a boutique park, but a Disney Springs-esque area with offerings like HHN Unleashed, Nintendo-interactive stuff, Potter VR experience, Area 51, etc.. Basically Disney Quest on steroids where admission is free but the individual experiences require payment.

I think UOR is a solid destination at 3 parks. It'll be interesting to see what DAK does to the other parks (specifically Epcot) once Tropical Americas is up and running in 2027 & 2028. At that point, Epcot will have had 5+ years of nothing major opening up compared to the other parks. If they see any type of attendance dip/cannibalization, we're likely stuck at 4 WDW parks for a while.

This is 20+ year blue sky thinking, but part of me thinks that a 4th gate at UOR would overtake the Lockheed Martin area (or SeaWorld land) whenever the time comes. I do think a 4th gate at UOR is more likely than a 5th at WDW. WDW has very messy transportation complex that will added additional stress to it if a 5th gate happens.

 

[TheCodeMan95]

This is 20+ year blue sky thinking, but part of thinks that a 4th gate at UOR would overtake the Lockheed Martin area (or SeaWorld land) whenever the time comes. I do think a 4th gate at UOR is more likely than a 5th at WDW. WDW has very messy transportation complex that will added additional stress to it if a 5th gate happens.

As wild as it is, I think I agree. If EU is a smash hit despite a likely recession, they may eventually decide to break ground on a 4th park once USF is shaped up a bit and the expansion pads at EU are used up.

Obviously we're talking like 2045 here, but hey. lol

 

[UniversalRBLX]

Just for reference since it's a fun topic. Anything in yellow is what Disney/Theme Park District considers suitable land to build on not marked as conservation. That can obviously change, but as of now this is the active plan.

1) This area had a significant change in the Reedy Creek development in 2023. This is likely the location of a new MK monorail resort along with prep for Villains/Cars. Doubt we see a park here.
2) Surprisingly suitable and arguably the best location for a new park. Can utilize the existing MK parking with (with accommodations/expansion obviously) and already has highway & monorail access.
3) Small, but a similar size to DHS. Parking will be needed elsewhere though.
4) Only likely if they build a parking structure to accommodate both parks. I see this area developing over time with more hotels when the time comes. A Toy Story Hotel here is just obvious.
5) Insiders on WDWMagic have considered this area as the best choice for a new theme park. If WWoS is replaced, you have a massive new resort area to utilize.
6) Likely saved for hotel expansion

Other than these locations, there is still quite a few areas around WDW owned property big enough to place a park, but their locations are far and inconvenient. Mainly near the Flamingo Crossings area which has a good chunk of land back there.

 

[TheCodeMan95]

View attachment 25863
Just for reference since it's a fun topic. Anything in yellow is what Disney/Theme Park District considers suitable land to build on not marked as conservation. That can obviously change, but as of now this is the active plan.

1) This area had a significant change in the Reedy Creek development in 2023. This is likely the location of a new MK monorail resort along with prep for Villains/Cars. Doubt we see a park here.
2) Surprisingly suitable and arguably the best location for a new park. Can utilize the existing MK parking with (with accommodations/expansion obviously) and already has highway & monorail access.
3) Small, but a similar size to DHS. Parking will be needed elsewhere though.
4) Only likely if they build a parking structure to accommodate both parks. I see this area developing over time with more hotels when the time comes. A Toy Story Hotel here is just obvious.
5) Insiders on WDWMagic have considered this area as the best choice for a new theme park. If WWoS is replaced, you have a massive new resort area to utilize.
6) Likely saved for hotel expansion

Other than these locations, there is still quite a few areas around WDW owned property big enough to place a park, but their locations are far and inconvenient. Mainly near the Flamingo Crossings area which has a good chunk of land back there.

2 seems to be the most likely for me - although 5 would be perfect if, like you said, WWoS moves or leaves.