5th gate question?

[Goofyernmost]

Good Point and well said. I just really believe that 4 parks were better than 3 (as far as keeping people on property longer) and 5 parks would be better than 4. Just my belief.

I understand, but, even if true they have to fix the existing parks and bring them up to standards that are all full and magical. No empty buildings or open spaces. That is a long way off and a lot of money that needs to be spent in the parks they have now.

 

[Joeamc]

I understand, but, even if true they have to fix the existing parks and bring them up to standards that are all full and magical. No empty buildings or open spaces. That is a long way off and a lot of money that needs to be spent in the parks they have now.

Agreed. Im not saying a fifth park will happen tomorrow, may be 20 years from now but it will happen

 

[Joeamc]

I understand, but, even if true they have to fix the existing parks and bring them up to standards that are all full and magical. No empty buildings or open spaces. That is a long way off and a lot of money that needs to be spent in the parks they have now.

WDW is almost 50 years old now and we have 4 parks, so on average there has been a park added once every 12 years. The Animal kingdom opened in 1998, so by this metric we should have gotten another park around 2010. We are already overdue I think (again by those metrics). With that being said WDW has added major "Lands" or in- park expansions in that time period such as New Fantasyland, Pandora, Toy Story land, and now Star Wars GE. But with competition in other parks in Florida and around the world I really do not think those expansions are enough to keep people coming over the long run and or adding new quests. JMHO. Add to that Disney does want to keep people on property for longer stays so more parks is the way to make that happen.

 

[bjlc57]

well again instead of trying to lower the attendance by raising the price.. lower the attendance by offering a fifth gate.. and again now when interest rates are low and the economy has not completely turned into a recession( although its coming soon)..

 

[Joeamc]

well again instead of trying to lower the attendance by raising the price.. lower the attendance by offering a fifth gate.. and again now when interest rates are low and the economy has not completely turned into a recession( although its coming soon)..

Even if Disney decided tomorrow on a fifth park, Those gates wouldn't open for 10 years.

 

[Goofyernmost]

well again instead of trying to lower the attendance by raising the price.. lower the attendance by offering a fifth gate.. and again now when interest rates are low and the economy has not completely turned into a recession( although its coming soon)..

You can add 100 gates and the most popular one will still be MK. Nothing solved by doing that other than adding more things to MK in WDW. I don't see that happening. Psychologically, to Disney, a crowded full park is a successful park and so far that is true. Will it be like that forever, we shall see.

 

[justintheharris]

Here's a new perspective: the lines in Disneyland are shorter because the E ticket attraction technology only needs to be divided between two parks. Having Star Tours, Indiana Jones, Matterhorn Bobsleds, Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge and many more dark rides inside Disneyland Park makes having lines above 100 minutes a very rare occurrence. On the other hand in Orlando in Magic Kingdom, because the park has to share its E ticket attractions with THREE other parks, the park has much fewer rides and there's plenty of days where it's normal for EVERY ride to have a 100 minute wait.

In the long term, a fifth park would increase the wait times at Walt Disney World. They need to develop the four parks they've already created. Magic Kingdom needs two new E tickets (after Tron), Epcot needs another E ticket in World Showcase (after Ratatouille and Guardians of the Galaxy), Hollywood Studios needs some C and D ticket rides and Animal Kingdom also needs some C and D ticket rides (or an E ticket FAMILY ride... hi Zootopia).
All of that should be remedied before building a fifth park.^^

 

[Joeamc]

Here's a new perspective: the lines in Disneyland are shorter because the E ticket attraction technology only needs to be divided between two parks. Having Star Tours, Indiana Jones, Matterhorn Bobsleds, Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge and many more dark rides inside Disneyland Park makes having lines above 100 minutes a very rare occurrence. On the other hand in Orlando in Magic Kingdom, because the park has to share its E ticket attractions with THREE other parks, the park has much fewer rides and there's plenty of days where it's normal for EVERY ride to have a 100 minute wait.

In the long term, a fifth park would increase the wait times at Walt Disney World. They need to develop the four parks they've already created. Magic Kingdom needs two new E tickets (after Tron), Epcot needs another E ticket in World Showcase (after Ratatouille and Guardians of the Galaxy), Hollywood Studios needs some C and D ticket rides and Animal Kingdom also needs some C and D ticket rides (or an E ticket FAMILY ride... hi Zootopia).
All of that should be remedied before building a fifth park.^^

I believe the wait times in Disneyland are less because it is primarily a" locals "park. There are not many international guests or even many interstate guests there. Those parks are primarily made up of Califorinians. Being that they can go often ,they are unwilling to get on any line that the wait time is too long. Even just the difference in the number of hotel rooms in Disneyland compared to disneyworld makes it an apples to oranges argument.

 

["El Gran Magnifico"]

I'm going to go with yes. There will be a 5th gate (announced within the next several years would be my guess). Considering the acquisition of land Uni made a few years back (the rumored Fantastic Worlds). Disney may be forced to do something to counter. Personally I'd rather them focus on improving the existing parks before even considering a new park. But it will depend on how they perceive the reaction to new Uni development efforts. I hope Uni does something great. I hope Disney follows with something great (new park or substantial improvements to existing parks).

For Disney to thin out the existing crowds (the way they would like to) they need to offer additional options. Otherwise, Disney may accomplish thinning out the existing crowds (in a way they wouldn't like to) by losing them to Uni.

 

[justintheharris]

I believe the wait times in Disneyland are less because it is primarily a" locals "park. There are not many international guests or even many interstate guests there. Those parks are primarily made up of Califorinians. Being that they can go often ,they are unwilling to get on any line that the wait time is too long. Even just the difference in the number of hotel rooms in Disneyland compared to disneyworld makes it an apples to oranges argument.

Dude, you’re overlooking the fact that they still get roughly 20 million people a year. It doesn’t matter. What makes the defining difference in wait times is the amount of attractions.

 

[Shouldigo12]

I believe some people who are much smarter regarding these things then I am made a thread awhile back trying to decide if it was possible. IIRC, the decision was basically that it was possible but that it would be tight and not exactly easy. If it gets to the point that they need another gate just to deal with crowding (which is why most people are calling for it) I think its more likely they would build another park (Disney's America 2.0, anyone?). But, what the heck do I know.

 

[Disney.Mike]

Would love a 5th gate... After dhs, Epcot, and AK are filled out.

DHS needs another area (after swge) and AK needs another section... Epcot needs a ton of love and that already planned.

 

[JusticeDisney]

I wonder how Universal’s upcoming new park affects Disney’s calculus on the matter. I assume that if it is a booming success and takes away market share from Disney...well that it might just motivate Disney to think more seriously about a 5th gate.

Is it a fact that Universal is opening a new park?

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

Financially another gate makes almost 0 sense and That is unlikely to change.

It’s not even about market share...it’s the realities of timeoff, travel patterns and discretionary income.

Vacation in the US continues to fall consistency...as does leisure income for the majority of people. Overscheduling at home makes it more difficult as well.

To put is simply: there will not be enough people, with enough vacation to even fill the four parks to the level of return Disney is looking for. The reason they built for was to allow those levels to rise into those 4 parks and they aren’t there and may not get to there...

So a 5th makes no sense whatsoever to the people who are working down the street from where I’m giving a presentation this morning (near the WTC)...you do the math.

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

Is it a fact that Universal is opening a new park?

No...but unlike many Disney rumors you have to weight it as a decent possibility. They have land and have greatly grown/filled up their existing plots.

The problem is Comcast and it’s business longterm and the realities the next INEVITABLE recession would mean to any of their plans. They would be likely to pull the plug on a $10,000,000,000 investment to straddle I-4 if they hit hard times

 

[networkpro]

No...but unlike many Disney rumors you have to weight it as a decent possibility. They have land and have greatly grown/filled up their existing plots.

The problem is Comcast and it’s business longterm and the realities the next INEVITABLE recession would mean to any of their plans. They would be likely to pull the plug on a $10,000,000,000 investment to straddle I-4 if they hit hard times

The ability for Comcast to continually pump money into Universal long term is questionable as their primary source is home cable service delivery which IMHO right now is at the top of its bubble. They deliver other peoples content the last mile, that's the business model.

I like the Florida Universal parks, but they are very different from California Studios where they have attractions as part of the Tram Tour instead of standalone locations.

 

[Jon81uk]

Good Point and well said. I just really believe that 4 parks were better than 3 (as far as keeping people on property longer) and 5 parks would be better than 4. Just my belief.

If someone can only take a seven-night vacation, travel takes out the first and last days. so six days at Disney, two at Magic Kingdom, one at each other park and one day at waterparks or Disney Springs or back to one of the other parks again. Add a 5th park and that guest is still going to have a seven night vacation, but they might spend the sixth day at the new park instead of a waterpark, the amount of revenue Disney gets is tiny compared to the cost of running the park.

Now on the people (like us Brits) doing a 14 night trip, an additional Disney park might result in me not going to SeaWorld or Busch Gardens, but I am still buying the same 14 day Disney ticket, I'm just saving £100 by not getting the SeaWorld tickets... Again, the only think Disney gain from me is one $20 lunch.

 

[Jon81uk]

Is it a fact that Universal is opening a new park?

Yes.

Universal Epic Universe (South Expansion Complex) - Opens 2025

Topic for Universal Epic Universe official page: https://www.universalorlando.com/web/en/us/theme-parks/epic-universe --- Original post Universal Orlando acquired more land today and settled a lawsuit that blocked them from developing new theme parks on the 500 acres they have down there. With...

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[Sirwalterraleigh]

The ability for Comcast to continually pump money into Universal long term is questionable as their primary source is home cable service delivery which IMHO right now is at the top of its bubble. They deliver other peoples content the last mile, that's the business model.

I like the Florida Universal parks, but they are very different from California Studios where they have attractions as part of the Tram Tour instead of standalone locations.

Indeed...though they will try to pivot more towards content, high speed service and whatever opportunities streaming presents

If someone can only take a seven-night vacation, travel takes out the first and last days. so six days at Disney, two at Magic Kingdom, one at each other park and one day at waterparks or Disney Springs or back to one of the other parks again. Add a 5th park and that guest is still going to have a seven night vacation, but they might spend the sixth day at the new park instead of a waterpark, the amount of revenue Disney gets is tiny compared to the cost of running the park.

Now on the people (like us Brits) doing a 14 night trip, an additional Disney park might result in me not going to SeaWorld or Busch Gardens, but I am still buying the same 14 day Disney ticket, I'm just saving £100 by not getting the SeaWorld tickets... Again, the only think Disney gain from me is one $20 lunch.

Good points...except about the waterparks...only you lobsterbacks go there

I’m kidding...sorta

Yes.

Universal Epic Universe (South Expansion Complex) - Opens 2025

Topic for Universal Epic Universe official page: https://www.universalorlando.com/web/en/us/theme-parks/epic-universe --- Original post Universal Orlando acquired more land today and settled a lawsuit that blocked them from developing new theme parks on the 500 acres they have down there. With...

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No.

That’s a rumor with some reasonable veracity...and rumors are still just that. Extra salt when they come from Disney fans

 

[Joeamc]

If someone can only take a seven-night vacation, travel takes out the first and last days. so six days at Disney, two at Magic Kingdom, one at each other park and one day at waterparks or Disney Springs or back to one of the other parks again. Add a 5th park and that guest is still going to have a seven night vacation, but they might spend the sixth day at the new park instead of a waterpark, the amount of revenue Disney gets is tiny compared to the cost of running the park.

Now on the people (like us Brits) doing a 14 night trip, an additional Disney park might result in me not going to SeaWorld or Busch Gardens, but I am still buying the same 14 day Disney ticket, I'm just saving £100 by not getting the SeaWorld tickets... Again, the only think Disney gain from me is one $20 lunch.

Disney Does not want you to leave property to go the Sea World or Busch Gardens or any other place outside of WDW property. That is the whole purpose of Magical express. So, between spending money on food at the park as you mentioned, as well as souvenirs, waters, adult beverages, etc. I believe that Disney would prefer to extend peoples trips, and/ or keep people on property. That $100 that you spent on the sea world ticket would probably find its way into Disneys Pocket