Chef Mickey
Well-Known Member
I think Disney can absolutely handle the projects in place today AND a complete overhaul of EPCOT. There is almost no doubt in my mind they have big plans for EPCOT, but in typical Disney fashion, they are just dragging their feet.I agree to a point. However, Epcot is the only park I can think of at the moment -- not counting the water parks, of course -- that hasn't either seen expansion or is headed for expansion. We have had the New Fantasyland expansion at Magic Kingdom, we've got the massive Star Wars and Toy Story expansions coming to Hollywood Studios, and we've got Avatar coming to Animal Kingdom. That is a *lot* that they've put into updating and expanding the current parks. Even if I think it should have come sooner and been completed faster (which I do), at least it's happening.
Epcot does need a lot of love, but I'm not sure what's realistic expansion-wise at the other three parks given that. Which is why I suggested a fifth park. Which, BTW, I happen to think will happen at some point, but I'm not sure when.
I understand your premise. And, certainly, the crowds we saw last month when we were there during a traditionally "off peak" time make me believe they have capacity issues. But I still favor adding capacity rather than raising prices. Walt Disney World is already a luxury item, outside the realm of financial viability for many, as it is. To further put it out of reach of the average American family -- and pardon me for falling back on invoking Walt -- seems like something Walt Disney would have been aghast at. I think he'd much rather have seen his company invest and expand enough to accommodate the people, rather than working on ways to keep more people out.
As I said, they are capable but just don't want to do everything at once because of one reason: Money. They have the luxury of not needing to move quickly because the crowds are still so unbelievable.
They are frankly in a great position from a business perspective, but fans have to suffer while they take their team.
I'd almost support a Midwest theme park in Texas or South America before I'd support adding a brand new park to WDW. There is just too much potential in their existing parks to warrant adding a 5th park just yet.
Eventually, I think they need a 5th park there, but I think EPCOT should be completely built out, running, and all other projects should be complete. Furthermore, I'd support doubling the Magic Kingdom before adding a 5th park too. To me, adding a 5th park wouldn't necessarily decrease attendance...I actually think it would increase, much like the impact of AK.
To me, massive expansion of the MK or even more Disneys around the world would be better options. If you keep making WDW THE spot, it becomes THE place to be and more and more come. That's fine, but you need to be ready. Underneath it all, the MK is still built from the cloth of the 1970s. It's too "tight" there and massive expansion is needed to accommodate building crowds. MK will always be popular, so they'll have to address it at some point.
If you look at Tokyo Disneyland, you can tell it's a more recent "style" of park with much bigger walkways and open areas.
Last edited: