Should Disney consider building a 5th Park?

[07vanquish]

To some, maybe to most, this may seem like a ridiculous question, but I'm curious of how strong the general concensus will be. From a historical point of view, this has been the longest stretch between 2 parks opening. Is it even possible for them to build another decent park? Would they risk another "California Adventures"? Please give your opinion below

 

[Rowdy]

They should finish building the third and the fourth, first.

 

[wannab@dis]

I would personally rather additions and refurbs happen at the current parks before launching into another gate.

 

[lazyboy97o]

Disney built additional parks to increase the length of guest stays. That did not happen with Disney's Animal Kingdom. Unless Americans start taking longer vacations, there is no point in adding a park that will require more infrastructure, facilities and employees to maintain when it will only cannibalize attendance to other parks. Then add in that Disney seems to have enough trouble operating Walt Disney World as is, another gate would likely only further strain the resources being applied to the Resort.

 

[AgentB911]

For once, I agree with all the previous posts! Fill out the existing parks and refurb first before building a 5th gate. Unless I'm mistaken, even after the FL expansion is completely unveiled, there is still room for expansion in the MK. And, there is still room for expansion at the other 3 parks as well. Once there is no room left for expansion, then possibly a 5th gate can be considered.

But what would the theme be for the 5th gate? Beastly Kingdom or something else?

 

[DisneyDebNJ]

I would personally rather additions and refurbs happen at the current parks before launching into another gate.

I agree with this? But a new theme park with a totally different theme, yet in the Disney realm would be refreshing. Perhaps, a tribute to past movies, classic Disney... i.e., 101 Dalmations section, Mary Poppins section, Bednobs and Broomsticks section, etc., and name the park Classic Disney, or something. With the parks they have now, there is SOOOO much to do. Most head to Disney for a week or so, some lucky souls, longer. But it doesn't hurt to wish there was more for Disneyholics to explore

 

[Mike K]

I do agree that the current parks should all be refurbished and added to the max before a 5th park should be opened. That said, I think the rumored "Dark Kingdom" idea is a fantastic choice for the theme of a new park. Imagine, Maleficent's castle as the icon of the park and different themed lands that have to do with Disney villains or just darker toned Disney material. I think it'd be great to explore "Halloweentown" from "Nightmare Before Christmas", the potential for attractions in a land like that could be very exciting. In addition, maybe a dark ride based around Sid's Room from "Toy Story" and the stranger toys that reside there. Perhaps, even an area where an attraction based around Chernabog from "Fantasia" could happen. A park like this could allow Disney an edge to explore some of there darker properties as well as implementing some more thrill rides for more mature guests.

 

[ddbowdoin]

I'd agree with the sentiments of expansion / refurb of existing gates.

To me, the most pertinent gate needing an expansion is DHS. It has all the right pieces in place, but simply feels unfinished. It is just small, which could be changed... correct?

 

[07vanquish]

I do agree that the current parks should all be refurbished and added to the max before a 5th park should be opened. That said, I think the rumored "Dark Kingdom" idea is a fantastic choice for the theme of a new park. Imagine, Maleficent's castle as the icon of the park and different themed lands that have to do with Disney villains or just darker toned Disney material. I think it'd be great to explore "Halloweentown" from "Nightmare Before Christmas", the potential for attractions in a land like that could be very exciting. In addition, maybe a dark ride based around Sid's Room from "Toy Story" and the stranger toys that reside there. Perhaps, even an area where an attraction based around Chernabog from "Fantasia" could happen. A park like this could allow Disney an edge to explore some of there darker properties as well as implementing some more thrill rides for more mature guests.

Smart concept, but it would have to been done in a way where it would still be family friendly. Parents won't bring their 2 year olds to a park that will gibe them nightmares. Disney won't aim for an older crowd after the result of the original "Cali Adventures". But that being said, this may be one of the best themes for another park: one of the only one that would work.

 

[MagicMike]

I couldn't agree with the above posts more. I think any WDW fan would love the opportunity to obsess over every areal photo, blog update, and cell phone video regarding the construction of a new park for the next two-three years. However, just feel like more would appreciate a that money being committed to bringing every facet of all existing parks to "like new" status. Extensive refurbs to attractions, completion of rides and park sections compromised by budget cuts during original construction (I'm Looking At You Spaceship Earth and Beastly Kingdom!), and finally updates to shows and restaurants would all, in my opinion, make for a much better and more appreciated use of funds. I touched on a similar question in this previous thread http://forums.wdwmagic.com/threads/what-if-disney-stopped-building-new-started-refurbishing.839129/ and received some great thoughts.

 

[Mike K]

I'd agree with the sentiments of expansion / refurb of existing gates.

To me, the most pertinent gate needing an expansion is DHS. It has all the right pieces in place, but simply feels unfinished. It is just small, which could be changed... correct?

I agree, I think DHS has the most work ahead of itself but that said I do still enjoy the park immensely. There's just so much potential there for more. I know many people long for an Indiana Jones ride similar to Disneyland's but what about a ride that embodies the spirit of it that is themed to the "National Treasure" films. I always felt that those film were Indiana Jones for a new generation and while of course I love the Indy films far more, I could definitely see an attraction based around them pleasing many people. A "National Treasure 3" would be nice in the upcoming years to keep the franchise at the forefront of people's minds though.

 

[lisak09]

I do agree that the current parks should all be refurbished and added to the max before a 5th park should be opened. That said, I think the rumored "Dark Kingdom" idea is a fantastic choice for the theme of a new park. Imagine, Maleficent's castle as the icon of the park and different themed lands that have to do with Disney villains or just darker toned Disney material. I think it'd be great to explore "Halloweentown" from "Nightmare Before Christmas", the potential for attractions in a land like that could be very exciting. In addition, maybe a dark ride based around Sid's Room from "Toy Story" and the stranger toys that reside there. Perhaps, even an area where an attraction based around Chernabog from "Fantasia" could happen. A park like this could allow Disney an edge to explore some of there darker properties as well as implementing some more thrill rides for more mature guests.

I love this idea! I would definitely visit this park and i think my daughters would like it. They're aged 9 & 17 and this sounds like something that would appeal to them

 

[Mike K]

Smart concept, but it would have to been done in a way where it would still be family friendly. Parents won't bring their 2 year olds to a park that will gibe them nightmares. Disney won't aim for an older crowd after the result of the original "Cali Adventures". But that being said, this may be one of the best themes for another park: one of the only one that would work.

Oh absolutely, I don't see this concept as being so dark that families would worry about children being too scared to come. I feel like Disney has the creative minds to take a theme like this and make it appealing to all ages. Would it be a tough balancing act? Most likely. I'd love Disney to take "The Haunted Mansion" approach to a park like this, where it's clearly darker than say "It's A Small World" in color and theme but there's a very obvious feeling of fun and humor to go along with it. I definitely feel like kids of all ages would be very intrigued by the sight of a park like "Dark Kingdom" mainly because of how vastly unique it would be to the others. It would serve as the yin to "Magic Kingdom's" yang.

 

[ddbowdoin]

I agree, I think DHS has the most work ahead of itself but that said I do still enjoy the park immensely. There's just so much potential there for more. I know many people long for an Indiana Jones ride similar to Disneyland's but what about a ride that embodies the spirit of it that is themed to the "National Treasure" films. I always felt that those film were Indiana Jones for a new generation and while of course I love the Indy films far more, I could definitely see an attraction based around them pleasing many people. A "National Treasure 3" would be nice in the upcoming years to keep the franchise at the forefront of people's minds though.

I am so torn on the park...
1.) I really don't remember the backlot in its full prime, my last visit at a kid was 99 and I'm not sure if the backlot was full at that point.
2.) I really enjoyed LMA but after you see it once, it is useless because you know all the tricks and secrets.
3.) I don't like the T shape at the end of the blvd, having to go either left for RnRc or right for TT and then having to loop back feels so awkward to me.

Agh, its such an awesome park though.

 

[dreamfinder]

Opening a 5th gate is far from being a wise move. As several PPs pointed out, many people feel that AK and DHS are still not full day parks. So opening another park would only serve to cannibalize their own market. Both of those parks were opened seemingly in response to other comparable entertainment in Orlando (Universal and Busch Gardens/Sea World) as efforts to keep people on property. Can you think of any other large player in the area that offers a unique experience that they would be able to poach guests from without hurting their existing market? I can't.

And lets not overlook the difficulty they seem to have keeping their existing properties well maintained and operational. A recent uptick may change that trend, but they still have a way to go and plenty of existing projects that would benefit from cash first.

 

[sweetpee_1993]

Back in 2008 when DH & I did the Lunch with an Imagineer we happened to be dining with another group of Disney Geeks who were active in the online realm. Our Imagineer had been with the company since the construction of Epcot & worked in sign/surfacing/painting. No, not the most glamourous but totally fascinating. We had a little "rap session" of sorts where we bounced various rumors off this fella and one of those was the 5th gate thing. Mind you, this was 4 years ago. He smiled and said there's chatter from time to time of what more they can do with yet another gate. At that time he said there was a lot of interest in what Sea World had done with Discovery Cove, that sort of specialized, premium, more limited experience that people seemed to really respond to. He said the parks that exist are broad enough in all their spectrums that adding to those parks would be more likely from a business standpoint. BUT, something specialized and totally hands-on or immersive akin to Sea World's Discovery Cove would be different enough to warrant its own gate. I have zero inside knowledge so don't go quoting me saying I heard this is what Disney is doing. I'm only saying that this conversation with an Imagineer who at the time had been with the company over 15 years felt that it was something that made sense to him. When I read the poll and all the responses this is what I thought of. I don't believe TDO will do anything in the way of a 5th gate anytime in the next decade. I'm sceptical they'll ever find any value in bringing their current parks back to the level of excellence they once made the standard unless something big happens to snap their heads out of their rears. I do think if a 5 th gate is opened it should be something so vastly different that people will lengthen their trips, add to their budgets, find some reason to believe that it's a total once-in-a-lifetime event that's worthy of a full stretch to do. Like other posters said, you don't want to pull attendance off your current parks to fill another. Right?

 

[07vanquish]

Oh absolutely, I don't see this concept as being so dark that families would worry about children being too scared to come. I feel like Disney has the creative minds to take a theme like this and make it appealing to all ages. Would it be a tough balancing act? Most likely. I'd love Disney to take "The Haunted Mansion" approach to a park like this, where it's clearly darker than say "It's A Small World" in color and theme but there's a very obvious feeling of fun and humor to go along with it. I definitely feel like kids of all ages would be very intrigued by the sight of a park like "Dark Kingdom" mainly because of how vastly unique it would be to the others. It would serve as the yin to "Magic Kingdom's" yang.

I agree, this is a very strong theme, but would be hard to pull off. And Haunted Mansion would be a great basis, better then Tower of Terror.

 

[Mike K]

2.) I really enjoyed LMA but after you see it once, it is useless because you know all the tricks and secrets.

I'm right there with you on this one. I finally watched LMA this past October for my first time and while it was fun at times, I was far from blown away. To your point, after seeing it now, I don't really see myself watching it again. I'm grateful for experiencing it but it's the only attraction in all the parks that I can say I have no desire of doing again. The fact is LMA takes up a large part of prime real estate for another potentially exciting show or a ton of space for more attractions. A new show would really have to be something special in order to replace LMA, if not, years down the line I'm sure many will just be disappointed that Disney didn't take advantage of that space for attractions when the opportunity was there.

 

[Mike K]

I agree, this is a very strong theme, but would be hard to pull off. And Haunted Mansion would be a great basis, better then Tower of Terror.

Indeed. That said, I would hope and imagine Disney would take full advantage of a theme like "Dark Kingdom" and implement a darker thrill ride in the vein of something like Tower of Terror. Perhaps, the Monsters Inc. Door-Coaster would be a nice addition for a thrill ride here instead of DHS? I doubt it though since I imagine Disney wouldn't want any rides based on popular Pixar films to deny a younger demographic.

 

[lazyboy97o]

Back in 2008 when DH & I did the Lunch with an Imagineer we happened to be dining with another group of Disney Geeks who were active in the online realm. Our Imagineer had been with the company since the construction of Epcot & worked in sign/surfacing/painting. No, not the most glamourous but totally fascinating. [...] At that time he said there was a lot of interest in what Sea World had done with Discovery Cove, that sort of specialized, premium, more limited experience that people seemed to really respond to. He said the parks that exist are broad enough in all their spectrums that adding to those parks would be more likely from a business standpoint. BUT, something specialized and totally hands-on or immersive akin to Sea World's Discovery Cove would be different enough to warrant its own gate.

That seems to have been about the same time that the chatter regarding Night Kingdom, an exclusive night-time animal experience, was making the rounds. That project, along with the regional/urban entertainment centers, died with the tanking of the economy and the moving of Jay Rasulo out of Walt Disney Parks & Resorts.