Should Disney consider building a 5th Park?

[wilkeliza]

Honestly they need to focus on the 4 parks that exist before building another. Fantasyland will only be a bandaid to the fact that the other 3 parks are lacking for a few year. People are starting to notice that there isn't much to do in the World Showcase section in Epcot for families, Hollywood Studios as much as I love it so desperately needs an expansion, and Animal Kingdom is a half day park that needs a lot of TLC to get it to a full day park. First off I see no need for the streets of America section of Hollywood Studios. Most of the time when I am at HS I forget that side of the park even is there. I say knock all the facades down and use that area to put in another E-Ticket ride. Also for those of us that are actually from those places it is almost laughable to see how off the facades are. Also I can't recall a single time I felt the need to go see Lights, Motor, Action. Do any of you know if the audience is every full? It could easily be turned into a place for a dark ride. Also why is our Pixar Place just one ride when DL has several rides based off of several movies. Just seems silly that we only have TSM when there are so many great Pixar movies to make rides out of.

Animal Kingdom just needs more. Hopefully the Avatarland Expansion will do this although we won't see any of it for several years. I not so secretly hope that the Avatar part of it is dropped when the 2nd movie does poorly and that it becomes the expansion that was always planned beastly kindgom. I don't know about you guys but Dragons have always been popular and if they want to make sure it is "Disney" they can always through Pete's Dragnon meet and greet in there to keep it in the family so to say.

EPCOT just needs something in the World Showcase. How about a ride that takes you around the world or something? Just seems like there is so much more you can do than all of these movies. Why not at least shoot for live shows instead of movies. I would love to go see a traditional Japanese puppet show in the Japanese pavilion but no it is a movie. Perhaps update Melstrom. I know that everyone says it is because the countries fund 1/2 of their pavilions or something like that but honestly Disney World needs to step up their game and take care of their product.

Don't get me wrong I love love love WDW with all my heart and will continue to go but there is no reason why all 4 parks can not be as great as Disneyland and now California Adventures. Disney needs to find the balance between appealing to tourists and appeasing the locals because right now this tourist model is not working.

 

[Mike K]

EPCOT just needs something in the World Showcase. How about a ride that takes you around the world or something?

Something like this is how I feel an "Up" inspired attraction could work in Epcot. Utilizing Russell and Carl's balloon-lifted house could send guests to great heights as they explore unique and exotic sections of the world.

 

[bubbles1812]

EPCOT just needs something in the World Showcase. How about a ride that takes you around the world or something? Just seems like there is so much more you can do than all of these movies. Why not at least shoot for live shows instead of movies. I would love to go see a traditional Japanese puppet show in the Japanese pavilion but no it is a movie. Perhaps update Melstrom. I know that everyone says it is because the countries fund 1/2 of their pavilions or something like that but honestly Disney World needs to step up their game and take care of their product.

I'd argue Epcot needs more than just something for World Showcase. I think they need to get another E-ticket ride in Future World and they definitely need to reopen/do something with Wonders of Life...that pavilion is just going to so much waste, it's sad. That being said, I do like your ideas for Epcot. I'd love to see a show at one of the countries. A Japanese puppet show would be awesome or maybe something like Kabuki. And Maelstrom is in need of an update, much as I enjoy it. I think they could stand to add one more country in general. Sigh. But AK and DHS need even more attention than Epcot so my post is sad wishful thinking right now.

 

[Uncle Lupe]

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.

I would love to take longer vacations but my employer does not like give more than 9 days in a row. That is if you bend over backwards for them.

The parks that are in place now need filled out.

 

[07vanquish]

It has been said that a great deal of work needs to be done in the current 4 parks before Disney should consider a 5th, and I agree with this premise. From Disneys' point of view, they will looking closely at the success of the new Fantasyland, and more importantly, the new Cali Adventures. Based on these results, they will determine if the investment of recreating and renovating an area is worth it.
One aspect we shouldn't forget is the reason we all follow this forum is we are, for the most part, not your average Disney World guests. We tend to have a better memory, notice more details, dream outloud and critique even louder.
With this said, if the current renovations are unable to bring more guest threw the gates, it will effect the realisation of Avatarland, and a possible 5th park, for better or worse.

 

[Tod&BigMamaOdie]

I would like to see the following happen First before a 5th gate is considered,
Magic Kingdom:
Finish the Glalatic City theme for Tomorrowland, and add a New E-Ticket where the Speedway is, Rip out Stitch and Monsters Inc, put back Alien Encounter, and make a new experience in the Monsters Area.
Fantasyland is getting done, however, the tents in Original Fantasyland should get a remake (DL FL84)
Liberty Square is just fine IMO,
Frontierland is basically good, Its got a low level attraction (CBJ), and then 2 of the parks main mountains, BTMRR just got a refurb, so lets get Splash a lenghty refurb.
Adventureland needs to get rid of the middle eastern aspect, and restore it to its original look, however, a new E-Ticket could be brought over here. Regarding the Aladdin Spinner, Take it out, but refresh it (you'll see later in my post).

Agree with almost everything you posted during a quick read. One added point/wish (for me) regarding Tomorrowland: removal (relocation) of CoP.

 

[WDW1974]

Yes ... and then a sixth and seventh park too ... and maintain and invest in them just like they've done with the four stale parks they have now.

I REALLY don't get why this comes up so frequently on this (and other) site(s).

 

[Contrast]

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.

Love this idea, I think a park like this would be great and I think you're right Disney always seem to have a way of appealing to every age group so I think they could pull this off without alienating a younger audience.

 

[Mike K]

Love this idea, I think a park like this would be great and I think you're right Disney always seem to have a way of appealing to every age group so I think they could pull this off without alienating a younger audience.

Thanks very much for your kind words! I think it's fair to say that the overall majority of us agree that we'd love to see a fifth park in the future but certainly not now. It's seem most of us agree that the four current parks require Disney's immediate attention and they should focus on giving them the best quality treatment and care they possibly can. Just seeing how DCA was transformed into the beautiful place it is now goes to show that with the time, capital, creativity, passion and leadership, the Orlando parks can be transformed into bigger and better environments for all of us. I look forward to each exciting new chapter Disney has to unfold on us as the years go by and I'm sure in due time parks like Hollywood Studios will get the facelift it deserves. We all know Animal Kingdom appears to be taking steps in the right direction and hopefully the end result will be something we're all happy with.

In regards to WDW1974's last post, I'm fairly new to these forums and wasn't entirely aware just how often the topic of a fifth park is brought up, so in the interest of all us not treading on old topics and since the majority of us all seem to agree on the idea of a fifth park, perhaps we can all shift the direction of this thread into more of how Disney's efforts can be better used in the current parks as opposed to what could be utilized for a new Orlando park.

 

[Mike K]

In re-routing the direction of this thread into what Disney should focus on in the current four parks, I decided to let my imagination run wild into what I'd like to see in the future. This could definitely be a work in progress so bare with me:

Magic Kingdom: Overall, I'm happy with the current state of the Magic Kingdom especially with FLE near completion but there's minor things.

Tomorrowland:

- I'd love to see Tomorrowland Speedway re-themed and brought into the future with a redesigned "Tron" theme.
- Replace Stitch's Great Escape with a "Wall-E" based attraction.
- Add more current scenes to Carousel of Progress.

Epcot:

- An "Up" themed attraction that puts guests on a high-flying adventure through exotic locations around the globe with Russell and Carl's balloon floating house.

Hollywood Studios:

- Replace the hat in a better area that does not block The Great Movie Ride any longer.
- Add more movie scenes to The Great Movie Ride.
- Depending on whether Disney chooses to replace Lights, Motor, Action! with a new show or taking over the place for more attractions I have 2 ideas:

1) If a show were to remain, it'd be great to see a very action pyrotechnic involved show based around "The Incredibles".

2) If Disney chooses to do away with a show in that space entirely, I say make way for a full Pixar Place expansion.

- I loved the idea of a previous poster's idea for a Swedish Chef's Smorgasboard Restaurant. Any way to give The Muppets a little more presence in the parks is A-okay with me and I think a new restaurant is great start.
- A "National Treasure" themed dark ride.
- I haven't experienced The American Idol Experience and now that Sounds Dangerous is gone, I'd say stick a new live show in one of them and utilized the other's space for a new attraction.

Animal Kingdom:

- We know Avatarland seems to be on the horizon but in the meantime, I actually enjoy Animal Kingdom quite a lot. I'm sure I could think of things I'd like to see there but I'd have to think a little more on it.

 

[lazyboy97o]

It has been said that a great deal of work needs to be done in the current 4 parks before Disney should consider a 5th, and I agree with this premise. From Disneys' point of view, they will looking closely at the success of the new Fantasyland, and more importantly, the new Cali Adventures. Based on these results, they will determine if the investment of recreating and renovating an area is worth it.

New Fantasyland is not about attracting more guests, it is about increasing the capacity of the Magic Kingdom which has been whittled away over the past several years.

 

[THEMEPARKPIONEER]

I think it would just kill the quality of the existing parks. I still kind of blame Animal Kingdom for cutbacks and scale downs in the existing parks.

 

[John]

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.

Absolutely correct! Also name me one corporation (besides hospitals) undergoing major exspansions of this magnatude,,,,,,no HP is not of this magnatude.

 

[DisneyDebNJ]

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?

Absolutely, there are so many add ons that could work here. DHS, in my opinion, doesn't have as much going for it like the other parks do. Definately room to spread the love there.

 

[DisDadEddie]

I would much rather see the existing parks added to instead of another park added. There are a lot of things that can be approved upon that are already there.

 

[C.FERNIE]

I think it would just kill the quality of the existing parks. I still kind of blame Animal Kingdom for cutbacks and scale downs in the existing parks.

Much as i like animal kingdom i think your right, it does not seem to help with maintenance at the other parks, but i do think that is starting to change my main thing would be to do something, anything with DHS can not understand after like 20 years is it? they havent sorted it out!

 

[John]

Yes ... and then a sixth and seventh park too ... and maintain and invest in them just like they've done with the four stale parks they have now.

I REALLY don't get why this comes up so frequently on this (and other) site(s).

This.....This....This....geeez

 

[Walt Disney1955]

Finding a way to redo River Country would be something I'd like better than a 5th gate. I know, the water is contaminated and such, or was at least, but the way the park is sitting in the state its in is so.........un-Disney. But there is so much that can be done to DHS and Animal Kingdom and to an extent, Epcot. Work on those right now and don't cheap out on quality. I often wonder why the Magic Kingdom can't be as revered as Disneyland with all the space there. Think about it, we are fans of WDW. Some of us go annually. It is normal to want more, but think about the person who goes there for the first time. It will be massive to them. I mean, 4 parks in one with a couple high level water parks. Where else in the world has that? So I say keep the quality going there

 

[JWG]

NO!
Finish AK and DHS. And properly maintain what's there. If AK and DHS had all they were supposed to, WDW would be able to eat up more people and spread crowds a bit thinner. And, underperforming attractions would also draw more people in versus being walk-on while others are 90 minute waits.

I'll say YES! if it involves a water park though, it does feel like they've max'd out their ability to handle water guests.

 

[Disnee4Me]

If they do decide to build a 5th park, sometime down the road, it should be a park with a lot of thriller rides to keep the teen market attending.