5th gate

[MrPromey]

For what it's worth, I received information from what I consider to be a less than credible source that WDW is planning (or was before last tuesday, anyway) to break ground on a 5th park around mid February of next year. I'm not at all convinced that any of this is actually true but since this is the news and rumors section, I figured I'd pass along what I consider to be a rumor..
This fifth park is supposed to be more thrill ride oriented than the other four. It will have a seven level parking garage and a station will be added along the Epcot Monorail track to provide access to the monorail system from the park without extending any of the track. Supposedly it will have at least one traditional wooden roller coaster as well as multiple steel roller coasters. No information was provided as to the kind of theme the park is supposed to have.
The person who gave me this information claims to be involved with the construction of the garage, and monorail station which is why they knew about that but had few actual details on the park itself. Personally, I'm not holding my breath on this one because it seems unlikely that they would be building a 5th gate for a number of reasons but just in case it does happen, I figured I'd pass along the info now rather than say I had heard about it months ago after it is reported

 

[Keysmickey]

Kind of a cool rumor. I intitially was of the mind that a "thrill park" scenerio wasn't the Disney way, but as I think about it they just may someday consider acquiesing to a minority demographic (i.e. teens & young adults) as that IS another way to keep people on property (i.e. give the guest no reason to go to IOA or SeaWorld or whatever). But I agree that it's not likely now, especially since Pressler basically said as much in his recent interview with LP.

 

[DisneyFreak]

First, I can't even concieve Disney building a parking garage (let alone 7 levels) for a park. Second, I don't believe there is enough land on the East side of the Epcot monorail tracks for a theme park.

 

[space*mt*ranger]

if they do build a thrill park i hope its as good if not better then IOA(even though ive never been there)

 

[MrPromey]

Originally posted by DisneyFreak
First, I can't even concieve Disney building a parking garage (let alone 7 levels) for a park. Second, I don't believe there is enough land on the East side of the Epcot monorail tracks for a theme park.

Well, you have only to look at the Disneyland Resort to understand how something like this is possible. The space issue is something that this person made mention of, that was supposed to be the reason for the garage...
In light of the relatively low attendance of AK, I think Disney should put more focus on gaining popularity of that park. I also think that with Disney's history of opening a new park in FL approximately every ten years, it's still too early for them to be starting a new park if history repeats itself. It also seems unlikely that in its current financial position, Disney would be looking to invest in yet another park at this point. I still can't totally get over the whole total thrill park concept for Disney, either. I consider the whole possibility of this to be doubtful at best but felt I would not be fulfilling my duties as a poster to the forum if I didn't at least pass this info on.

 

[Keysmickey]

It also seems unlikely that in its current financial position, Disney would be looking to invest in yet another Park at this point

I beleive that as the economy worsens and talk of war intensifies the cost of money gets cheap. Disney did its largest growing during recession times, as you recall. Further, while it seems that Disney's "financial situation" is troubled, I'd be willing to be it isn't as bad as it seems and to a Company with Disney's size, assets & breadth, leverage can be a beautiful thing...Although it flies in the face of conventionality, now could be the time for a Disney resurgance...Optimistic, aren't I?

 

[MrPromey]

Originally posted by Keysmickey

I beleive that as the economy worsens and talk of war intensifies the cost of money gets cheap. Disney did its largest growing during recession times, as you recall. Further, while it seems that Disney's "financial situation" is troubled, I'd be willing to be it isn't as bad as it seems and to a Company with Disney's size, assets & breadth, leverage can be a beautiful thing...Although it flies in the face of conventionality, now could be the time for a Disney resurgance...Optimistic, aren't I?

Oh, I'm not about to say the company is in trouble. The stock price only reflects what the general public thinks it's worth but thanks to the whole internet stock phenomenon, we now have a lot of people who don't understand the meaning of growth. Their stock would be likely to drop even more if people see them investing in a new park that will take years to make a profit rather than paying them richer in the short term. Things like war also affect areas such as tourism. If this is all over in a few years, they would be ready to open the new park just as things are at their peak which would be great for them but it's a big gamble. The government is already saying to prepare for a long war effort and it hasn't really even begun yet. Not a good sign for Disney or anyone else at the moment, I'm afraid

 

[Keysmickey]

The government is already saying to prepare for a long war effort and it hasn't even really begun yet. Not a good sign for Disney or anyone else at the moment, I'm afraid.

You're right, of course. It's just that I can't see us, our allies or the industrialized capitalistic countries of the world really settling in for a long campaign that will cripple world wide economies. Perhaps I'm again being optimistic, but I'm thinking with the support we seem to be getting from virtually everywhere, this war could be an underground affair that won't affect us much, save for the occasional terrorist attack (that we in this country aren't used to, but will sadly grow used to, I'm afraid), daily rhetoric and much sensationalism brought to us by the TV morons.

As this affects Disney, it seems to me that knowing their profits of the 90's are gone (short term) the next best thing is to solidify future profitability which would entail some risky growth, to be sure, but we know Disney is far more solid, diversified and liquid than most giving them an edge on handling recession economies better than the rest...

 

[<SRH>]

There was a rumor on the MousePlanet site that mentioned something about how Pressler does not want to build another park. He says it would cannibalize the other parks, however it says that they might tear up the studio portion of the Disney-MGM-Studios and build thrill rides. I only view this as a rumor, but it still is a bad idea to me.

 

[wdwfreak1286]

I agree with you SRH, That is a pretty bad Idea (tearing up the studio portion of MGM for thrill rides). Also, IMHO, I think that the villain theme is getting pretty old, and isnt that unique, but it could serve as a pretty strong theme park IMO. I think that disneys idea of building up what they have is a great idea.

 

[Fievel]

While this may (or may not) have been the plan, I'm seriously doubting that they're going to break ground a new park anytime soon. Attendance has taken another big hit and they're closing the parks they have now early. I don't think that they will be building anything until this nation is a little more back to normal.

On the bright side, i would like to see this park, that is, if it is properly themed.

 

[DCLcruiser]

If u look at the Thread "U may know this rumor but..." u will see that a monorail driver told me about this park about 2years ago.

 

[mightyduck]

I think a fifth park would be too much, but if they wait until an upswing in the economy to start building, that's no guarantee it will be happy times when it's set to open. All those capital improvements are set well ahead of time.... they have a plan and the funding for capital improvements comes from a completely separate budget than daily operating expenses.... And since I'm scaring myself with all this accounting talk, let me just say I will be happy with whatever they build.

 

[MrPromey]

Originally posted by <SRH>
There was a rumor on the MousePlanet site that mentioned something about how Pressler does not want to build another park. He says it would cannibalize the other parks, however it says that they might tear up the studio portion of the Disney-MGM-Studios and build thrill rides. I only view this as a rumor, but it still is a bad idea to me.

This is also the site where Mr. Hill suggested that Disney's 5th gate would be a Lego Land. Even if a Lego Land were to open on Disney property (it wouldn't surprise me all that much) I don't exactly think Disney would trumpet it as a fifth park and include it's logo on all there general WDW merchandise...

 

[MrPromey]

Originally posted by DCLcruiser
If u look at the Thread "U may know this rumor but..." u will see that a monorail driver told me about this park about 2years ago.

Well, the rollercoaster park is not a new rumor. It's gone around about as much as the villains themed park has but this was the first time I'd heard anything about a date. Things like the parking garage and monorail station on existing track sort of stood out, too. Most people don't go into such details with their BS… I still don't really see this as happening or being true, though. It was convincing enough for me to bring up but not convincing enough for me to believe....

 

[Keysmickey]

There was an actual interview on LP where Pressler specifically said there would be more gates...But in a tounge & cheek reply said he didn't know if he'd be alive to see it. His point is Yes, there will be a fifth and probably sixth & seventh gate as originally planned - But when is anybodys guess. AK & DCA are their obvious concerns at the moment and as Steve is providing us great stuff on AK, we only wait announcement of ToT for DCE, I guess.

I agree MrPromey, that an "attraction" like Legoland is and will always be a possiblity (though dwindling with the current status of the economy & world events), but it, as you said, would never be considered a "Disney Gate".

I think a fifth gate would be too much, but if they wait until an upswing in the economy to start building...

Well, I think it needs to be noted that most of Disney's big expansion came in the midst of recession and most of the wallowing or profiterring came during the boom time...So I think there is credible evidence that, depending upon how this war actually affects commerce, the time may be right to take care of "the Show".

 

[Big Thunder]

You know once they've opened an 8th gate, won't they close 1 park or soemthing.

 

[<SRH>]

If they close a park, they will turn it into a character meet'n'greet.

 

[FutureCEO]

we are already closing parks. We haven't even got to 5 yet

 

[WDW-Imagineer]

Originally posted by <SRH>
If they close a park, they will turn it into a character meet'n'greet.

Either that or a huge gift shop!! Disney's Wide World of Capitalism