Should Disney consider building a 5th Park?

[sweetpee_1993]

That seems to have been about the same time that the chatter regarding Night Kingdom, an exclusive night-time animal experience, was making the rounds. That project, along with the regional/urban entertainment centers, died with the tanking of the economy and the moving of Jay Rasulo out of Walt Disney Parks & Resorts.

True. And I'm not saying that type of thing specifically would ever happen. The point is that IF another gate is added it really would need to be different from anything else Disney is currently offering. More theme parks is not the answer. We've seen that those can be done easily enough but they tend to pull from attendance at other parks. It has to be something so out there that it is a stand-alone thing, not another day on your hopper pass. Ya know? What that something is or could be I don't know. For now, I'll keep wishing for what currently exists at WDW sharpens & polishes so that I'll feel the urge to see it again.

 

[AswaySuller]

They need to seriously fix parks 3 and 4 first.... Particularly 4.

IMO animal kingdom is as uninspiring and less entertaining than CA was pre-refurb

 

[ddbowdoin]

I'm right there with you on this one. I finally watched LMA this past October for my first time and while it was fun at times, I was far from blown away. To your point, after seeing it now, I don't really see myself watching it again. I'm grateful for experiencing it but it's the only attraction in all the parks that I can say I have no desire of doing again. The fact is LMA takes up a large part of prime real estate for another potentially exciting show or a ton of space for more attractions. A new show would really have to be something special in order to replace LMA, if not, years down the line I'm sure many will just be disappointed that Disney didn't take advantage of that space for attractions when the opportunity was there.

I just don't think they cater to the true fans... or repeat visitors.

Everyone who hasn't seen that show walks out saying, "wow, that was cool... mom did you see how they had a driver on the side of the car!"

so, it appeals to a lot of people

 

[Mike K]

I just don't think they cater to the true fans... or repeat visitors.

Everyone who hasn't seen that show walks out saying, "wow, that was cool... mom did you see how they had a driver on the side of the car!"

so, it appeals to a lot of people

Yes, of course. I definitely understand this, to each there own. I'm just one person with one opinion but if the masses enjoy LMA enough that warrants management to keep it there then so be it. There's 4 whole parks of attractions that I love dearly. One mediocre attraction that I won't bother seeing more than once certainly doesn't taint my experiences at all. I just think of the amount of property that LMA sits on and my imaginations wanders at just the endless possibilities that could be done there... Maybe one day.

 

[AswaySuller]

The space that LMA takes up doesn't add up to the quality of the show...

That real estate is HUGE yet my reaction on first view was.... "meh"...

The set and stadium is huge and makes you think wow.... But the show is mediocre.

 

[Jeff456]

I would rather WDI concentrated it what it already had rather than busy itself building a 5th gate. There is plenty that can be done to the current parks before considering building another.

 

[Redsky89]

A new park would be awesome. But in reality you could add so much to Animal Kingdom and Hollywood Studios that it wouldn't be good timing right now. Neither of those parks to me are parks I'll stay a whole day in still.

 

[Mike K]

The space that LMA takes up doesn't add up to the quality of the show...

That real estate is HUGE yet my reaction on first view was.... "meh"...

The set and stadium is huge and makes you think wow.... But the show is mediocre.

Well said. That was my feeling walking away from it this past October. When they brought out Lightning McQueen my interest perked up for a few moments but shortly after I just started thinking about how the show would have been cooler to watch if it was a fully themed Pixar Cars show. Oh well. The truth of the matter is that people certainly enjoy it because the attendance for it appears to be very high, it just didn't do much for me. If the day should come where LMA is nearing its end, I'm going to be incredibly curious as to what takes over that space.

 

[bethymouse]

Indeed. That said, I would hope and imagine Disney would take full advantage of a theme like "Dark Kingdom" and implement a darker thrill ride in the vein of something like Tower of Terror. Perhaps, the Monsters Inc. Door-Coaster would be a nice addition for a thrill ride here instead of DHS? I doubt it though since I imagine Disney wouldn't want any rides based on popular Pixar films to deny a younger demographic.

Man- if that Monsters Inc. Door Coaster doesn't ever happen, I quit! Seriously though, it's a great idea!

 

[CaptainWinter]

Imagine WS with an attraction at every pavilion. Let's see that first.

Also, let's see AK fleshed out with Avatar.

Let's also replace Tomorrowland Speedway. Very low fun-per-square-foot, and it occupies one of the juiciest pieces of theme park real estate in the free world.

These and other improvements/expansions should all have priority over a fifth gate.

 

[ddbowdoin]

Imagine WS with an attraction at every pavilion. Let's see that first.

Also, let's see AK fleshed out with Avatar.

Let's also replace Tomorrowland Speedway. Very low fun-per-square-foot, and it occupies one of the juiciest pieces of theme park real estate in the free world.

These and other improvements/expansions should all have priority over a fifth gate.

oh man, 10000000% agree.

it's something you can get at any local amusement park and it's huge!

 

[wiigirl]

They should finish building the third and the fourth, first.

Lol....I hope they never finish any park.

 

[mickey2008.1]

It's time to finish the parks they have and PI. DHS needs to be more, it's a chopped up park, walk this way and then turn around, it needs a hub, more movie studio stuff. AK seems like it is going to move in the right direction with avatar land. Pleasure Island, although not a park, but a district that is in desperate need of help. A night time place is really needed. Finish waht we have please.

 

[Mike K]

Imagine WS with an attraction at every pavilion. Let's see that first.

Also, let's see AK fleshed out with Avatar.

Let's also replace Tomorrowland Speedway. Very low fun-per-square-foot, and it occupies one of the juiciest pieces of theme park real estate in the free world.

These and other improvements/expansions should all have priority over a fifth gate.

I agree with you in regards to the Tomorrowland Speedway. If Disney chose to keep that attraction in tact and just refurb it and update the theme, I'd say a "Tron" makeover would be a no brainer. Can you imagine how incredible a speedway attraction modeled after the grid would look at nighttime? The absense of "Tron" in the parks is a shame as it is such a rich property for attraction possibilities. Hopefully, the new "Tron: Uprising" animated show will continue to peak Disney fans' interest in the franchise. It's a great show that I'm currently addicted to!

 

[Jakester]

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).

Epcot:
Finish SpaceShips Earths decent.
Universe of Energy needs updated information, take out the Ellen aspect, and return it to its original glory.
WoL pavallion should be made into a Weather Pavallion, Body Wars can be turned into a plane flight into a Hurricane that goes wrong, Cranium Command can be turned into a twister-type experience, and the open space in the pavallion can be Weather-Based.
Mission Space IMO is alright.
Test Track is currently getting redone, so Ill base my judgement when it returns.
The Oddysse(spelling is wrong) can be turned into either a new ride, or reopen it.
Imagination needs to just simply be gutted, and returned to its 82 glory.
The land could get a new show where the Circle of Life Show is, Living with the Land is fine IMO, Soarin could get updated Tech, and a new film (soarin over the world)
The Seas is ok IMO, But it would be nice if it went back to its orignal glory.
World Showcase needs to see a couple new countrys, one with a Major E-Ticket, and the other with a minor ride.

Disney's Hollywood Studios: God, where do I begin?
Fantasmic could get a new scene to replace Pocchauntus(Again, Cant spell)
Get rid of that god forsaken Hat.
GMR can get a update, say a new scene based on a newer movie?
Take out the Indiana Show, and make it the Indiana Ride from Disneyland.
Take out American Idol, and use that space combined with the former Sounds Dangerous building, to make a brand new ride (starwars themed?)
Streets of America could get some shows back there, and street mo sphere entertainment (citizens of America reference)?
Expand the Pixar Palace into the LMA and Backlot (RSR, Monsters Inc Ride, Ect)
In the Animation Area, the Aladdin Spinner from MK could get put here, and have a Mini-Aladdin Area around it.
As far as Parades, The current parade is just a big joke, it needs to be redone into something like Pixar Play Parade (DCA), and as far as nighttime, Run Fantasmic, but also try to find a way to make Fireworks happen more often (Rock the Night Fireworks).

Disney's Animal Kingdom:
The entrance is ok, ToL needs a Major Refurb.
Dinorama needs to be banished, and made into a Dinosaur-type E-Ticket, and Dinosaur returned to its glory as CTX, and the Theatre in the Wild can be turned into a Dark Ride for Dinosaurs.
Everest needs to go down for a refurb, just to get rid of the Infamous Disco Party.
Khali is ok (dont do it)
Rafikis can be connected by a new land themed to Australia would be nice, and rerouting the Wildlife Express to go around the Animal Kingdom permitter.
FotLK should be in Africa.
Avatar is said to be going where CMM is.

Once all this is done, then maybe a 5th park is good, however, 4 is more than enough.

 

[fireworkz]

Imagine WS with an attraction at every pavilion. Let's see that first.

Not to mention new pavilions.
I would also like to see a DCA-like fix/makeover of Hollywood Studios before a fifth park.

 

[EpcoTim]

Sure, why not. Theres one relatively complete park (arguable), one that was complete, now maybe 2/3rds, a 1/2 park and a 1/4 park that could easily be a a full park and then some. So if you go by current standards and we use the decline of each new park as an indicator, then we can assume a 5th gate would open with a spinner and 4 meet and greets, 3 souvenir stands and 2 places to buy sodium dogs and pink-slime patties.

I think in the long run this is a good idea for Disney. If they open a 5th gate that is so underwhelming that it just makes no apparent sense to anyone, anyone at all, then it could theoretically draw people based on the curiosity factor alone. Once people are sucked in they are further desensitized to the realities of a company that just doesn't care, thereby lowering their standards subconsciously to an even lower level. This allows Disney then to lower the standards (even further) at its other parks. And boom.....huge cash savings. It also gives Disney several cop-outs. If someone complains about how dated and boring Future world at Epcot is or the lack of working effects on most major rides, they can simply point and say, well, hey, it's a lot better than (5th Gate). And if someone complains about the (5th Gate) they can merely point out that it is a work in progress (Now is the time, now is the best....) and will be continually updated over the years. Even though they know that outside of a water fountain addition, nothing will happen. AND, they can now say that for the price of a ticket you now get 5, yes FIVE parks of pure family enjoyment. From a marketing stand-point Disney would be stupid not to do this.

 

[Mike K]

Personally, I think we can all agree that each of the parks deserve some TLC in many different areas whether it means refurbs, new shows, new parades, new attractions, etc. I understand and appreciate people's opinions of wanting older beloved attractions making an epic return such as Alien Encounter among many others. But, while I loved that specific attraction as well others from bygone years, I don't think the solution is to go backwards. There are so many talented and creative Imagineers at Disney that I'm sure have an unbelievable amount of projects they'd love to see come alive, it's just a matter of various things that prevent them from being realized. Walt always wanted to see the parks advance and change over time and by simply resurrecting an over abundance of older attractions doesn't seem to be the way to progress the parks. I want the Imagineers to take me to worlds I have yet to see and can only be made possible by Disney.

Believe me, would I be ungrateful if something like Alien Encounter returned? Not in the slightest, it would be great to experience it again for a limited time. Was I bummed to see Captain EO back in Epcot? No way! Michael Jackson is my favorite artist and I never was able to experience the attraction during its original run so I've been incredibly grateful for it. I'm just saying in the grand scheme, remembering days past at Disney is certainly special but experiencing worlds we have yet to see seems like more of an adventure to me.

 

[bubbles1812]

I think the current Orlando Theme-park market is saturated with marginal room for growth within the current economic climate. We saw with Harry Potter an extreme spike in attendance at that respective park and only marginal increases at the surrounding locations and decreases as others.

Disney learned with DAK that the fourth park was not an addition for most families on their vacation but a substitution for one of the other three. To this day, when my family goes we visit Three out of the Four parks and have yet to visit all four on a single trip (We usually stay 6-7 days).

I agree with Rowdy that they should bulk up the attraction offerings at both DHS and DAK before they attempt to build a fifth park.

Out of curiosity, is this the experience of a lot of people on the boards? We usually stay approximately a week and always hit up all four parks. It doesn't seem to be the experience of most people I know who have gone to Disney but maybe all the people I know are just in the minority? But it didn't seem that way??

I do think if they added a 5th gate, then people would actually be having to pick and chose which parks they went to, depending on the length of their vacation. Or if you went for 5 days, you just get one day at each of the parks. Right now, Disney has enough issues with the current parks that I don't think adding a 5th gate is necessary. There is so much empty space in all the parks that needs to be utilized.

 

[Mike K]

Anytime I visit, which normally is anywhere from a week to 10 days, I always hit up all 4 parks. With 10 days, I'd say it's way more feasible for more people to visit all the parks but with a week I can definitely how people might want to pick and choose. For me, I never find it difficult to visit all the parks on my trips. That's just me though.