I've always thought the same thing. I'm currently trying to make a Tokyo DisneySea equivalent on that giant space to the east of the Magic Kingdom parking lot (number 13 on the map of Page 1). I've got basic ideas for lands thus far; six to be exact.
The Settlement: Stand-in for Mediterranean Harbor. Designed as a base for S.E.A. Most notable feature is that the Adventurers' Club would make its triumphant return here, and can be accessed without a park ticket.
New Orleans Bayou: Stand-in for American Waterfront. Basically a more expansive take on Disneyland's New Orleans Square, featuring a Princess and the Frog dark ride.
Discovery Bay: Stand-in for Port Discovery and Mysterious Island. At last, Tony Baxter's concept comes to glorious life. Journey to the Center of the Earth and 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea are re-fitted to fit the theme of the land, thus making them the only clones from Tokyo DisneySea.
Heroes' Harbor: Stand-in for Arabian Coast. Themed around Ancient Greece. Featuring E-ticket Hercules attraction.
Pirates' Cove: Stand-in for Lost River Delta. A mix of Shanghai's Treasure Cove (complete with Battle of the Sunken Treasure) and Disneyland Paris' Adventureland; featuring Adventure Isle, a more expansive, pirate-themed take on Tom Sawyer Island.
Arendelle: Stand-in for Mermaid Lagoon (and for that matter, a stand-in for the upcoming expansion). Featuring Frozen Ever After, moved here from EPCOT and the Frozen Sing-Along Celebration moved here from DHS.
that's awesome! Here is what I've had in mind. Mine's a lot more clone-heavy. In my mind I justify it as a cost-saving measure so that the park can then go all out when the time comes to expand.
I would have kept much of the same ports and layout from the Tokyo version save for Lost River Delta and Discovery Bay. I do agree that it's a prime opportunity to bring Shanghai's
Treasure Cove in place of LRD along with
Battle for the Sunken Treasure, it would be a guaranteed draw of an E-ticket for opening day.
I also agree with
Discovery Bay being a perfect opportunity to bring in Tony Baxter's original Disneyland concept. Although I'm a little scared of bringing that level of an E-ticket in the same launch time as the expanded Pirates and Journey. Perhaps turn
Island at the Top of the World into a motion simulator?
I'd have
American Waterfront be taken over by the Muppets and an attraction could be the planned
"Muppet Immigration Story" from Disney's America. Or a Muppet version of the
"Cops and Robbers Chase" wild mouse coaster. The SS Columbia could house a Titanic-themed restaurant or attraction of some sort (thanks, Fox), heck even have the
Titanic be the ship docked creating a "New York that Never Was and Always Will be" theme to the whole area.
For a theme park about adventure and exploration on the high seas,
Mermaid Lagoon is too perfect a fit and too magical in style to be taken off the roster. (I also like to think that it would free up space in The Magic Kingdom to import the Beauty and the Beast dark ride) I would also keep
Arabian Coast just the way it is, including
Sindbad.
Mediterranean Harbour along with the MiraCosta Hotel are perfect as a stunning entryway. Though this time we'd shell out the money to have it come pre-equipped with the fountains for
World of Color.
Future Expansions or, phase 2 if you will, can include
Motu Nui Isle a new Port themed to Moana, or if the purse strings are too tight, postpone
Discovery Bay as a phase 2 addition.