Will there be a third park? Or not?

[britain]

Why would anybody want a third park? I'm sincerely curious, as this topic comes up all the time among Disneyland fans. What would the theme be? WestCOT is never ever going to be built, a studios park would be redundant given DCA's attraction roster, and AK really only makes sense in Orlando (imagine riding Kilimanjaro Safari and seeing a Del Taco in the distance). Are people craving Long Beach DisneySea built on a Chapek budget?

It's not like DCA sufficiently utilizes its acreage and is just bursting at the seams with all-killer no-filler lands and attractions. There's so much to replace and plus-up over there. And then there's the DisneylandForward expansion pads. I don't get it.

In the 1980’s and 90’s, there was a perception that DL was a nice park, but it would require an Orlando/Tokyo style second park to turn the place into a resort. Westcot / Long Beach DisneySea was intended to be the new PRIMARY park attracting guest to the Resort with DL playing nostalgic second fiddle.

But, thanks to Euro Disneyland’s financial drain, Eisner lost the desire for ambitious parks, and it was decided to make Anaheim’s second park as cheaply as possible.

ANY further mention of a third theme park tends to be tugging on 90’s ambitious heartstrings. But whether or not what does get added is a third park or just expansion of the existing parks, no investment is ever going to be on that awe inspiring scale.

 

[DLR92]

I think it’s possible but not probable.

I’d like to see Hong Kong get a second gate before Anaheim gets a third but both are unlikely sadly

I think Disney made a wrong move to keep on extending the phase two land with broken promises. Disney should have invested a second park to make the area more appealing. Otherwise just proving some new exciting quality attractions to fill up underutilized areas.

Why would anybody want a third park? I'm sincerely curious, as this topic comes up all the time among Disneyland fans. What would the theme be? WestCOT is never ever going to be built, a studios park would be redundant given DCA's attraction roster, and AK really only makes sense in Orlando (imagine riding Kilimanjaro Safari and seeing a Del Taco in the distance). Are people craving Long Beach DisneySea built on a Chapek budget?

It's not like DCA sufficiently utilizes its acreage and is just bursting at the seams with all-killer no-filler lands and attractions. There's so much to replace and plus-up over there. And then there's the DisneylandForward expansion pads. I don't get it.

Because the idea of the concept of potentially having three parks is interesting with land so scarce in Anaheim.

In the 1980’s and 90’s, there was a perception that DL was a nice park, but it would require an Orlando/Tokyo style second park to turn the place into a resort. Westcot / Long Beach DisneySea was intended to be the new PRIMARY park attracting guest to the Resort with DL playing nostalgic second fiddle.

But, thanks to Euro Disneyland’s financial drain, Eisner lost the desire for ambitious parks, and it was decided to make Anaheim’s second park as cheaply as possible.

ANY further mention of a third theme park tends to be tugging on 90’s ambitious heartstrings. But whether or not what does get added is a third park or just expansion of the existing parks, no investment is ever going to be on that awe inspiring scale.

Precisely why I made this thread. In the past Eisner had a lot of desire to make Anaheim compelling to visit. The fascination of history to conceive for a third park in Anaheim. I remember they made a third park website. And it shuttered down when it became obvious DCA was not pulling in the number of attendance and profits made in beginning years.

 

[Phroobar]

Maybe they will build an Unfavorable Park. Oh wait. That's DCA.

 

[Disneysea05]

I remember they made a third park website. And it shuttered down when it became obvious DCA was not pulling in the number

I remember checking that site monthly waiting for new updates.

 

[Phroobar]

I think the only way we are getting a third theme park is if Disney revisits the idea of a boutique park. Here imagineers go hog wild on their park attractions with minimum cuts. However park admission would be reduced, on reservations and cost over $1000 per day. No annual pass structure. You do get full meals with it and minimum line waits. Guests could also stay in the park with built in themed hotels.

 

[BrianLo]

Since the Disneyland forward 'concept' I see a third gate as both unlikely and unfavourable. Take care of what they have already.

 

[DLR92]

A third park would be interesting take for Anaheim. I can’t ever see Toy Story Lot as another entertainment area though.

 

[Vegas Disney Fan]

Since the Disneyland forward 'concept' I see a third gate as both unlikely and unfavourable. Take care of what they have already.

I think Disneyland forward is the final nail in the “third park” coffin. It shows Disney is more interesting in expanding the current parks and using the Toy story lot for additional retail opportunities rather than additional park opportunities.

I can’t say I disagree with that either, I’d rather see them plus the existing parks rather than build another park. I’d also enjoy something similar to Disney Springs near Disneyland, the dining options near Disney are pretty limited.

 

[the.dreamfinder]

I think it’s possible but not probable.

I’d like to see Hong Kong get a second gate before Anaheim gets a third but both are unlikely sadly

Hong Kong’s second gate was canceled when they announced their current slate of developments for the first gate (ugly castle, Frozen land, post Iron Man Marvel offerings) and LegCo has rescinded Disney’s rights to develop the second gate parcel.

 

[the.dreamfinder]

I think Disneyland forward is the final nail in the “third park” coffin. It shows Disney is more interesting in expanding the current parks and using the Toy story lot for additional retail opportunities rather than additional park opportunities.

I can’t say I disagree with that either, I’d rather see them plus the existing parks rather than build another park. I’d also enjoy something similar to Disney Springs near Disneyland, the dining options near Disney are pretty limited.

Disneyland forward is about securing more freedom in how the resort is developed. Those renderings are just placeholders for whatever decide to do down the road.

 

[DLR92]

Darkbeer made this post which made me think perhaps Disney is thinking potentially…but I’m doubtful too.

 

[Disney Irish]

Along a long enough timeline anything is possible.

But at this point I would say my thought is they seem to be more focused on expansion of the existing two park footprints west rather than a 3rd park.

 

[Disney Irish]

Darkbeer made this post which made me think perhaps Disney is thinking potentially…but I’m doubtful too.View attachment 660357

That could be anything including a new shopping district with some form of themed entertainment offerings similar to The Void and such.

If I was Disney I'd move DTD to Toy Story and setup a whole new district. And then use all the west side for expansion, would be large enough for a 3rd gate even.

 

[Phroobar]

Why not just buy Garden Walk? They could have had it for free a few years ago.

 

[PiratesMansion]

In theory, it should be a slam dunk.

But making a third park work requires having vision for the parks beyond just being IP dumping grounds and I just don't think the current company is capable of that. Not to mention a clear eye for logistics, and clearly Disney-in doing things like passing up buying Gardenwalk-doesn't have their eye on the ball there either.

Additionally, both parks would benefit from more capacity and/or using the space they have more efficiently. There's a lot they can do without the monumental expense of a third gate.

Finally, I would hope Disney would know that after DCA, any third park they build here would need to be a slam dunk, especially since it will require additional effort to get over to the 3rd park site far beyond just crossing the esplanade. They would NEED a compelling reason for people to go there for the expense required to pay off.

I could absolutely see a third park being ludicrously successful, but that's IF-and only if-all of these prerequisites are met or, ideally, exceeded.

 

[Phroobar]

In theory, it should be a slam dunk.

But making a third park work requires having vision for the parks beyond just being IP dumping grounds and I just don't think the current company is capable of that. Not to mention a clear eye for logistics, and clearly Disney-in doing things like passing up buying Gardenwalk-doesn't have their eye on the ball there either.

Additionally, both parks would benefit from more capacity and/or using the space they have more efficiently. There's a lot they can do without the monumental expense of a third gate.

Finally, I would hope Disney would know that after DCA, any third park they build here would need to be a slam dunk, especially since it will require additional effort to get over to the 3rd park site far beyond just crossing the esplanade. They would NEED a compelling reason for people to go there for the expense required to pay off.

I could absolutely see a third park being ludicrously successful, but that's IF-and only if-all of these prerequisites are met or, ideally, exceeded.

The current Disney can't even keep Splash Mountain and Indiana Jones effects working.

 

[PiratesMansion]

The current Disney can't even keep Splash Mountain and Indiana Jones effects working.

Here's a genuine question for the long-timers: roughly when was it that Splash and Indy started constantly having issues?

I imagine Indy was basically from inception given its prototypical nature, but what about Splash?

 

[MarvelCharacterNerd]

Unpopular (?) opinion: they should have built Galaxy’s Edge as a mini-third gate and charged separate admission

Galaxy's Edge should have been built at DCA (along with Avengers Campus, too). This would have let DL be the family-focused park and DCA could be the thrill ride/older-skewing park, while still having a few family-friendly attractions (like Spidey) in there, too.

DL would = Disney
DCA would = Pixar, Marvel, Star Wars

 

[DLR92]

Galaxy's Edge should have been built at DCA (along with Avengers Campus, too). This would have let DL be the family-focused park and DCA could be the thrill ride/older-skewing park, while still having a few family-friendly attractions (like Spidey) in there, too.

DL would = Disney
DCA would = Pixar, Marvel, Star Wars

DCA failure were because of lack of family oriented attractions.

I think Galaxy Edge is actually perfect for Disneyland expansion.

 

[J4546]

oddly enough, I feel GE is a great addition to DL as well. I wasnt really into it when announced but the finished product I really enjoy