Will a fifth gate ever be built at WDW?

[WaltWiz1901]

If it were actually feasible, I imagine you'd see DisneySea Orlando, an east coast version of California Adventure, or perhaps some sort of hybrid of the two. I have contemplated other options in my armchair Imagineering sessions, but the aforementioned would seem to be the most realistic options in this otherwise unlikely scenario.

Y'know, if Disney WERE to build a fifth park (just hypothetically), I think @SteamboatJoe's DisneySea Orlando idea could be cool.

I imagine it shouldn't be an exact copy of Tokyo DisneySea (Mermaid Lagoon would be redundant when we already have two Little Mermaid attractions, for one thing), but still...

But it still makes no sense to build another park

Nor would it make a lot of sense to build a DisneySea away from the...well, sea. The one that was built is at least on the waterfront of Tokyo Bay (and its original Californian incarnation was meant to be in Long Beach), which helps a ton.

Wild thought incoming (especially since it wouldn't be in Orlando), but if they were going to build a DisneySea in Florida, maybe it would make more sense to make it DisneySea Miami...?

 

[SteamboatJoe]

Nor would it make a lot of sense to build a DisneySea away from the...well, sea. The one that was built is at least on the waterfront of Tokyo Bay (and its original Californian incarnation was meant to be in Long Beach), which helps a ton.

Wild thought incoming (especially since it wouldn't be in Orlando), but if they were going to build a DisneySea in Florida, maybe it would make more sense to make it DisneySea Miami...?

True and the DisneySea name also works there because its next to Disneyland which WDW obviously doesn't have. If they did it, a different name would make sense although to be honest, I totally could see them just going whatever it's DisneySea

EDIT: No different than SeaWorld really.

 

[SteamboatJoe]

Y'know, if Disney WERE to build a fifth park (just hypothetically), I think @SteamboatJoe's DisneySea Orlando idea could be cool.

I imagine it shouldn't be an exact copy of Tokyo DisneySea (Mermaid Lagoon would be redundant when we already have two Little Mermaid attractions, for one thing), but still...

Thanks. Hypothetically speaking, I actually think it'd probably be more of a TDS-DCA hybrid as there are a few potential lands in DCA that could be duplicated that are "on the water".

Below are lands I have contemplated at some point - some existing, some new, and some more realistic than others due to redundancy, popularity, IP or lack thereof, etc. Someday I will widdle it down to 8.

Porto Rosso (Luca)
Iberian Harbor
Ocean Drive-South Beach
Mysterious Island/Mount Prometheus
Montunui-Lalotai-Tefiti (Moana)
Kauai (Lilo & Stitch)
The Reef (Finding Nemo)
Arabian Coast
Tortuga/Port Royal (PotC)
Lost River Delta
Port Discovery
San Fransokyo (Big Hero 6)
New Orleans Square
Sunshine Gardens
Paradise Pier and Promenade
Pixar Pier and Promenade
Fireball Beach and Boardwalk
Big Apple
Neverland/Pixie Hollow or Fantasy Springs

A pointless exercise, I know, but fun to think about.

 

[THEMEPARKPIONEER]

I think they need more smaller attractions again like discovery island and many other things you can go to around the resort without entering the parks. They should make an indoor winter park with an indoor ski hill, things like that to keep people on the resort m, make money and break up the crowds. I also think a third resort would also help and drawer in revenue. There’s also allot less non rode attractions around the park it seems like which also bottlenecks the crowds in the worse way.

 

[DLR92]

I don’t think WDW needs a fifth gate, they need to increase more offerings across all four parks.

 

[danlb_2000]

I think they need more smaller attractions again like discovery island and many other things you can go to around the resort without entering the parks. They should make an indoor winter park with an indoor ski hill, things like that to keep people on the resort m, make money and break up the crowds. I also think a third resort would also help and drawer in revenue. There’s also allot less non rode attractions around the park it seems like which also bottlenecks the crowds in the worse way.

I think Galactic Star Cruiser was an attempt to move in that direction.

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

I think Galactic Star Cruiser was an attempt to move in that direction.

…understanding Star Wars fandom might first have been a good step to take before going all in on that

 

[Phicinfan]

…understanding Star Wars fandom might first have been a good step to take before going all in on that

Better design and price decisions also might have been better thought out

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

Better design and price decisions also might have been better thought out

Yep…it’s really tough to put lipstick on that one

 

[Bill in Atlanta]

This has been tossed about for so long, I'm curious what people's thoughts are on it now.

Same thing I've said before...

MK 1971
EP 1982
HS 1989
AK 1998

I'd say we're overdue!

Do they have the land? Yes.
Would people go? Yes.
Would it make money? Yes.

What's the problem again?

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

Same thing I've said before...

MK 1971
EP 1982
HS 1989
AK 1998

I'd say we're overdue!

Do they have the land? Yes.
Would people go? Yes.
Would it make money? Yes.

What's the problem again?

Park cannibalization leading to diluted return on investment/overhead

 

[Bill in Atlanta]

Park cannibalization leading to diluted return on investment/overhead

There would be slight growth in the total # of visitors, just to see the new park.

But let's say the new park brought in nobody new, and just cannibalized from MK/EP/HS/AK.

Taking a few people from each of those parks and putting them into a new park allows more freedom of movement/spending. Currently on a typical day, at any given time, way too many people are standing in line, unable to spend money in shops/restaurants. A 5th gate frees up more people to spend money.

 

[Andrew25]

There would be slight growth in the total # of visitors, just to see the new park.

But let's say the new park brought in nobody new, and just cannibalized from MK/EP/HS/AK.

Taking a few people from each of those parks and putting them into a new park allows more freedom of movement/spending. Currently on a typical day, at any given time, way too many people are standing in line, unable to spend money in shops/restaurants. A 5th gate frees up more people to spend money.

Problem is that there is still a significant issue with staffing things appropriately.

People are stuck in line cause there's nothing else to do at the parks... or attractions do down.

 

[Bill in Atlanta]

Problem is that there is still a significant issue with staffing things appropriately.

Fair point

People are stuck in line cause there's nothing else to do at the parks... or attractions do down.

More attractions (via a new park) would help to alleviate this

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

There would be slight growth in the total # of visitors, just to see the new park.

But let's say the new park brought in nobody new, and just cannibalized from MK/EP/HS/AK.

Taking a few people from each of those parks and putting them into a new park allows more freedom of movement/spending. Currently on a typical day, at any given time, way too many people are standing in line, unable to spend money in shops/restaurants. A 5th gate frees up more people to spend money.

But they would incur a roughly 20% increase in permenant overhead costs to do that

Also: genius Bob has specifically allowed the ability to move people around to fail in an effort to sell upsells…
But it’s only be going on since 2005…so “new” in Disney terms

Problem is that there is still a significant issue with staffing things appropriately.

People are stuck in line cause there's nothing else to do at the parks... or attractions do down.

Yep

As planned by “Josh” et al

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

Fair point


More attractions (via a new park) would help to alleviate this

But at a higher cost with less profit

That’s a deal killer

This was all determined in 1999 when the animal kingdom reality set in

 

[Brer Panther]

What if they build a third water park instead?

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

What if they build a third water park instead?

To go with the one that’s always closed now?

 

[Phicinfan]

What if they build a third water park instead?

If they did this it would be to replace one or two of the existing waterparks.

 

[Basil of Baker Street]

I believe if Disney had it to do over again they wouldn't build AK but instead do major expansions to the other 3. Less staffing, busses, etc. A 5th will never happen.