Rumored 5th Park for WDW

[Buttercup]

So WDW News Today (Website: http://wdwnt.com/ - added by John) is reporting that there are rumors of a new 5th park coming to WDW. Now, these rumors have been around FOREVER, but what they're reporting actually sounds plausible.

I would suggest googling their article; it's pretty long and there are a lot of maps and photos included. But here's the jist of what they say:


A 5th Walt Disney World theme park has been a dream for many since Disney’s Animal Kingdom opened in 1998. We are currently living through the longest drought without a new theme park at Walt Disney World in the resort’s history: 16.5 years. As Walt Disney World reached its 40th anniversary in 2011, a new ten year plan for the growth of the resort was laid out, culminating in the 50th anniversary in 2021, which is sure to be viewed as the pinnacle theme park celebration in the company’s history. Sure, Disneyland is the original and Walt’s baby, but Walt Disney World was his last dream and has always been favored by management in the company for being the resort destination with the highest profits. This reasoning made it easy to believe rumors that a 5th theme park was one of the end goals of the ten year plan management devised for Orlando.

So, just a few days ago we told you about the groundbreaking finally taking place at Flamingo Crossings and why that seems to be important and indicative of larger plans for Walt Disney World in the next 8-10 years. Well, it seems it might be a good sign that a 5th park is coming, especially with some recent land purchases made by Disney in the surrounding area (hat tip to Screamscape to putting together some pieces of the story).

Disney owns 3000 total acres of land that are put aside for Flamingo Crossings project, located just outside of the colorful character borders of the Walt Disney World Resort on Western Way. 300 acres of this land seem to be getting some special attentions, a plot just behind the largest development pads for Flamingo Crossings. This plot may be home to Walt Disney World’s 5th theme park.

Why does this plot make sense? A lot of the reasons are those we presented for Flamingo Crossings: 429 is empty and the other side of WDW property is overburdened. Also, building the 5th park here would entice more companies to get involved in Flamingo Crossings. Disney has had trouble selling the plots until recently, but maybe the recent hotel development deal with Marriott was struck because they know something we don’t. One would assume Marriott was privy to this information before finally agreeing to build two hotels that will be the first tenants for the project. If Disney is telling possible investors that there will be a 5th park that their business can be steps away from, they are probably going to be much more likely to open up shop between Western Way and 429.

A lot of this is speculation at this point, but any big projects getting underway currently at Disney’s Hollywood Studios would be completed by 2017-18 and we know that all of the additions to Disney Springs, Epcot (Frozen attraction), and Animal Kingdom will be opening between 2016 and 2017, so the Disney World construction calendar is pretty wide open for the 3 years leading up to the 50th anniversary.

Does all of this mean a 5th gate? Will the park be located in Flamingo Crossings? Will the borders of the Walt Disney World Resort expand west? There are certainly a lot of questions to answer… and we’re not even getting into what the 5th park would be yet…To give you an idea of where this park is that they're speculating -- it would be northwest of Animal Kingdom on the west side of Highway 429.

I'm skeptical, but it is fun to imagine! Now if they could just use the time between now and 2021 to really fix and maintain the current parks they already have, we'd be all set!

[Buttercup]

I know this won't happen, BUT... imagine for a moment if they built a total Star Wars park. This location is sort-of geographically separated from the other "traditional" Disney theme parks, and oh lord, I could just hear the cha-ching from all the fans flocking there.
:yoda::darth::trooper::ewok::chewy:

I'm just letting my imagination go wild here. :blush: They need to get their current parks fixed up first!

[cer]

I'm skeptical, but it is fun to imagine! Now if they could just use the time between now and 2021 to really fix and maintain the current parks they already have, we'd be all set!

I'm with you, Buttercup...color me skeptical.

My thing is, I don't know if they have it in them to "fix and maintain the current parks". I would love for them to show me up, but if the lumberjack show is an indicator, I just don't see it happening.

I am encouraged by what is going on with Disney Springs and it seems like there is a movement to bring in higher quality merchandise...but if they bring in a 5th gate without fixing the parks they have, well, I think that would just be sad.

[Buttercup]

... but if the lumberjack show is an indicator, I just don't see it happening.

:ack:
Ugh, the lumberjack show...
Admittedly I haven't seen it yet. But I'm Canadian and it really IRKS me that they hired a travelling AMERICAN lumberjack show to be in the Canadian pavilion. What ever happened to authenticity in the World Showcase pavilions?!?! But that's a topic for another day (cough cough Norway cough cough).

Anyway, yeah there is some serious work needed on the parks they do have right now. Maybe we will stumble back into some kind of Disney Parks Renaissance, where each park finds its voice again and innovates some really cool attractions? :cloud9: I'm feeling optimistic today so maybe that's clouding my judgement. LOL!

[JabberJaws]

I suppose it is plausible and there certainly seems to be more "meat" to the rumor than in the past, but I will remain skeptical until plans around firmed up for DHS. I think, much like the overhaul to DCA out west, they need to fix DHS big time before moving on to a 5th gate. That being said, if the rumors hold true (Cars Land, Star Wars expansion, Pixar land expansion including removal of GMR, etc) hold true, theoretically they could have DHS in really good shape by the end of this decade. If that is the case, a fifth gate could be possible.

Bigger question than IF is WHAT. What would the theme be? There have been a ton of rumors over the years, but the most intriguing IMO is the Heroes and Villains park. Would allow for potential Marvel integration once all of the licensing mess is worked out with Universal. But then if the "heroes" portion of the park incorporates some Disney fairytale heroes, does that bleed too much into Fantasyland territory? Does the theme cross over too much with the DHS cinema theme too?

How about a Disney Sea type park? Not a carbon-copy, but something similar? Fans have been clamoring for a US version of the park since it opened years ago and I think something original and not based on a specific piece of intellectual property or group of IPs would be ideal. Would WDI be allowed the budget needed to do such a park properly?

Certainly interesting to think about, whether or not it happens.

[BrerGnat]

This is interesting. I wonder why Disney BOUGHT all that land. Don't they have enough? I can actually see how cost cutting at the current parks could be a measure to free up money for a fifth gate. If I had to guess, it would be a Star Wars park, most definitely. It's fun to imagine. And, seeing how crowded the 4 parks have been year round for a few years now, it seems a fifth park is kind of necessary in order to disperse people better.

[Hammer]

I'm with you, Buttercup...color me skeptical.

My thing is, I don't know if they have it in them to "fix and maintain the current parks". I would love for them to show me up, but if the lumberjack show is an indicator, I just don't see it happening.


Look, I think the lumberjack show is stupid, too, but it isn't the first entertainment offering that is/was a failure at a Disney Park, nor will it be the last. I know a lot of people loved Off Kilter, but the acts in all the countries should change with more frequency. Like anything else in life, some will succeed and some won't.

[DizneyFreak2002]

I'm with you, Buttercup...color me skeptical.

My thing is, I don't know if they have it in them to "fix and maintain the current parks". I would love for them to show me up, but if the lumberjack show is an indicator, I just don't see it happening.


That lumberjack show is pathetic... But let's not forget Stitch's Supersonic Celebration in Tomorrowland, which lasted, what, 4 days before being canned? That was just as horrible.. AND WAS DISNEY CREATED.. The lumberjack show is a terribly produced third party show.. But, I guess you get what you pay for.. you cheapen out, you get cheap in return...

Oh and 5th park? Not happening... They can't get their 4 parks working and right, you think they can handle a 5th? LOL... They need to get DHS, DAK and Epcot in order forst, then fix the capacity issues with MK (no the NFL didn't fix the issues as MK is still bursting at the seams)...

[SBETigg]

I can see it happening eventually. I'm not sure I see it happening any too soon, though. There is so much they need to do in the parks as it is. Wasn't the Star Wars expansion planned for DHS and not as a separate whole park? Plus Avatar/Pandora going into the AK adds some stress. I can't see them taking on a new project until that's ready.

Maybe the land is available and they are buying it now to secure it for future endeavors or to keep anyone else from building there while they are trying to make Flamingo Crossing work out. Having the foresight to buy available land in the area is old school Disney strategy. Selling it off seems to be new strategy, so who knows if they will even hang on to it or if they just want to be able to control what happens to it down the road. I think it's way too soon to be speculating on a 5th park. Of course, speculating is fun and people have been doing it for years. My personal preference is for them to work out some more transportation options/improve current options/ and work more on the parks we have.

[dnickels]

Nothing in the article is really new other than Flamingo Crossings construction finally beginning so it seems like just some random speculation. From the aerial image they showed of what he thinks is the 'area receiving special attention' all I see is a roughly circular area that looks like it MAY have been cleared 15-20 years ago but still has plenty of brush and trees growing on it? Unless there are other newer satellite images not linked in the article? I mean I live a stone's throw from there and that image doesn't look any different than any of the other miles and miles of land around it.

10 years is an awful long time so I guess anything is possible by then, but yeah color me pretty skeptical when they've got so much space already not being utilized.

[1DisneyNut]

I am in agreement with others. I don't see it happening, at least not in the next 10 years. They have 10 years worth the serious work just to get what they have back into shape.

What would be a point in a new 5th park anyway other than trying to disperse some of the crowds? They have plenty of room to add new "lands" to the existing parks instead of adding more overhead and logistical complexity to their current transportation system.

[dpamac]

I know this won't happen, BUT... imagine for a moment if they built a total Star Wars park. This location is sort-of geographically separated from the other "traditional" Disney theme parks, and oh lord, I could just hear the cha-ching from all the fans flocking there.
:yoda::darth::trooper::ewok::chewy:

I'm just letting my imagination go wild here. :blush: They need to get their current parks fixed up first!

Don't tease. If that happened your husband and I would spend two weeks there dressed as Han and Chewie and riding every single ride ten times while quoting the movies non-stop.

Wait, hold on. What's the fourth park? Oh, yeah. EPCOT. Shouldn't they have some attractions there first?

[dpamac]

It's a special My Disney Experience Park with Fast Past Platinum. You have to reserve what time you arrive at the park 180 days in advance.

At 90 days out you have to reserve all your bathroom breaks. Don't forget! Bathroom Fast Passes are limited.

At 60 days they will open up snack reservations (all choices must be made at this time). Also at 60 you'll have to reserve the ability to SKIP the afternoon parade. Otherwise, you are required to find the spot that beeps with your Magic Bands at 1:45 for the 3 p.m. parade.

At 45 days out you must register any articles you will be bringing into the park including cameras, phones, watches, bags and prosthetic limbs.

Also at 45 days out you will be required to register for six theme park souvenir purchases. At this time you may also choose your park exit time.

You must have a prearranged park exit Fast Pass to exit the park. If you do not have a Fast Pass or if you miss your Fast Pass exit window you will immediately be sent to the All Star Movies resort food court and must purchase a meal and then find an open table for a family of four during the breakfast rush.

At 30 days out, if you have not complied with all of the above, upon visiting the park you will be blindfolded and escorted to the hub's Labyrinth. Once inside the labyrinth you will have four hours to find your way out or you will have to pay a $92 extraction fee. At that time you will be put into a standby line for exit.

Guests without Fast Pass arrangements made in advance will be asked to wait in the entrance standby line, which circles the park but never enters it. Admission is required.

[BrerGnat]

I am in agreement with others. I don't see it happening, at least not in the next 10 years. They have 10 years worth the serious work just to get what they have back into shape.

10 YEARS worth of work to fix Epcot and DHS? That seems a bit exaggerated.

I think it is plausible that we see a 5th gate by 2021. If they begin construction by early 2017, by which point we assume DHS additions, Disney Springs, and AK Pandora are up and running, they could easily be done for a grand opening in late summer or fall 2021 to coincide with the 50th anniversary. They will have to be aggressive about it though, but it is entirely feasible.

[Terra]

Ahhh, Star Wars land! Bring it! :blush:

In all seriousness, I hope I'm still around in Florida in 10 years to see it :) And experience it with my family! I'll be 53 years old.

Very interesting to see it all unfold!

I've never looked it up, but I'm interested to know how long it takes to build the park from ground to gate opening.

[BrerGnat]

Ahhh, Star Wars land! Bring it! :blush:

In all seriousness, I hope I'm still around in Florida in 10 years to see it :) And experience it with my family! I'll be 53 years old.

Very interesting to see it all unfold!

I've never looked it up, but I'm interested to know how long it takes to build the park from ground to gate opening.

The most recent US Disney park example is DCA. It was built in 3 years. Of course, it was done cheaply and then they spent 5 years "fixing it." ;)

[Altair]

It's a diversion just to take the heat off them for a while. :thedolls:

[CAS]

5th gate talk means putting on the tin foil hats.

[Terra]

The most recent US Disney park example is DCA. It was built in 3 years. Of course, it was done cheaply and then they spent 5 years "fixing it." ;)

:blush:True! I figured it would take quite a while to do it right! I do hope I get to see it in my lifetime!

[1DisneyNut]

10 YEARS worth of work to fix Epcot and DHS? That seems a bit exaggerated.


Maybe a little.....it might only take 8 years. Here is my reasoning: They have let things slide for years now and are still doing so. Epcot and Hollywood studios have degraded and there are really only a few attractions worth seeing at either. It will take them probably 4 or 5 years of steady improvements moving from section to section to straighten it all out because you know they aren't going to fix it all in one shot. If you just throw 3 more years of letting it slide and ignoring the issues, you are already at 8 years. It would not make sense to start another park when they have three that are barely worth seeing now. They are working on improvements at Animal Kingdom which will hopefully bring it up to par but that is going to take a while. Only then would it make sense to start considering constructing an additional park. Now, does 10 years really sound all that unreasonable?

[NJGIRL]

It's a special My Disney Experience Park with Fast Past Platinum. You have to reserve what time you arrive at the park 180 days in advance.

At 90 days out you have to reserve all your bathroom breaks. Don't forget! Bathroom Fast Passes are limited.

At 60 days they will open up snack reservations (all choices must be made at this time). Also at 60 you'll have to reserve the ability to SKIP the afternoon parade. Otherwise, you are required to find the spot that beeps with your Magic Bands at 1:45 for the 3 p.m. parade.

At 45 days out you must register any articles you will be bringing into the park including cameras, phones, watches, bags and prosthetic limbs.

Also at 45 days out you will be required to register for six theme park souvenir purchases. At this time you may also choose your park exit time.

You must have a prearranged park exit Fast Pass to exit the park. If you do not have a Fast Pass or if you miss your Fast Pass exit window you will immediately be sent to the All Star Movies resort food court and must purchase a meal and then find an open table for a family of four during the breakfast rush.

At 30 days out, if you have not complied with all of the above, upon visiting the park you will be blindfolded and escorted to the hub's Labyrinth. Once inside the labyrinth you will have four hours to find your way out or you will have to pay a $92 extraction fee. At that time you will be put into a standby line for exit.

Guests without Fast Pass arrangements made in advance will be asked to wait in the entrance standby line, which circles the park but never enters it. Admission is required.


This is great. :laughing:

[Buttercup]

Don't tease. If that happened your husband and I would spend two weeks there dressed as Han and Chewie and riding every single ride ten times while quoting the movies non-stop.
Awww that would be so cute to watch! You two need to have a play date. :)

[natedog24]

By 2021, this doesn't seem THAT unreasonable...

I'm not sure a Star Wars themed park would be in the cards. Sure, Star Wars is very popular, but it's also very specific and IMHO, limits any potential future expansion to only Star Wars specific attractions. I can see a Star Wars land in a park, but not an entire park based on Star Wars. Something like that would not appeal at all to non-Star Wars fans (yes, they are out there) and I don't see that happening.

The powers that be would likely keep the overall theme more generic to appeal to everyone and allow for future expansion. They already have Movies and Animals... Maybe Music? Maybe Animation? Maybe America-Land, where each land themed as a region of the county... Anything is possible...

I don't know, but they do need to do something to respond to Universal doing so well. They're fools if they don't see that Universal is eating their lunch.

[mickeyman42]

I don't think they should build a 5th park until they get the current 4 straightened out, that said, they need to add some major thrill attractions to compete with Universal. I'm sick of hearing from families with teens that they're not going to Disney because their kids are too old, and that Disney needs to get some roller-coasters. IMHO Universal isn't killing Disney in that market (teens, young adults) because they have major franchises with extremely loyal fan-bases (although they do, HP, Simpsons), its because they have added quality, cutting edge rides that people want to ride again and again, regardless of the theme of the attraction. if Gringotts was called "Battleship: Alien Blast" but was the same ride setup do you think anyone would care? conversely, if Disney builds a star-wars land but only has a giftshop, an Ewok treehouse set to explore, and the "Jar-Jar Binks space spinner" dumbo ride what kind of outrage will there be?
Disney has all of the characters and movies and ideas required to do whatever they want, be it, renovate current rides, build new lands or even a new park, they just need to spend the money up front and build it in a reasonable amount of time, like universal has done the past 5 years.

[NJGIRL]

Universal isn't killing Disney in that market (teens, young adults) because they have major franchises with extremely loyal fan-bases (although they do, HP, Simpsons), its because they have added quality, cutting edge rides that people want to ride again and again, regardless of the theme of the attraction. if Gringotts was called "Battleship: Alien Blast" but was the same ride setup do you think anyone would care?

they just need to spend the money up front and build it in a reasonable amount of time, like universal has done the past 5 years.



I agree with you, although the HP theming is excellent and may have convinced first time visitor to come, it is the quality of the attractions that keep people coming back.


Universal also does a great job of making an announcement and getting the attraction done quickly without dragging it on forever.

[SandmanGStefani24]

I don't think they should build a 5th park until they get the current 4 straightened out

Well said!

I feel like there is so much that could be done with Tomorrowland, the World Showcase, Future World, and Animal Kingdom (which is a half day park at best). For example, I've always thought COP should spread out the time jumps. Instead of 1900,1920,1940, 2014, maybe take out the 20s and make a 60's spot. And let's not even get started on Universe of Energy and what can be done to fix that...Maybe another country for the WS, or more dark rides or experiences at AK. And on and on...I love all the parks, I just think they all could use some sprucing up here and there.

[Buttercup]

Instead of 1900,1920,1940, 2014, maybe take out the 20s and make a 60's spot.
Okay let's be honest, that last scene is not 2014. Virtual reality video games? The mom's gigantic laptop? Trish's ski boots? Their 90's kitchen appliances? Definitely not from this millenium. I would say they should make that last scene back to the original last scene around the 60's and that's it. It's called "Walt Disney's Carousel of Progress" -- take it back to the way it was when Walt made it because you'll never be able to keep the final scene modern enough.

[SandmanGStefani24]

Sigh...

You know what I meant...lol

I think we all know a Sony wega television isn't 2014s latest model. But it's a far jump from the 40s...

[Boost]

If the goal is indeed to appeal more to teens who are attracted to Universal's more intense attractions, what are your thoughts on creating a park geared towards that demo?

Could be called Disney's Florida Adventure, Disney Legacy, Disney Dreams, etc.

Have some elements to tie in Florida if the direction is a Florida Adventure theme (i.e., Orange Bird, maybe an everglades-type thrill ride on airboats. Roller coasters and some hyper-immersive environments.

I get that a lot of the hype that Universal is enjoying right now is due to the Harry Potter stuff, but eventually the patina of it will wear off a bit.

I know that WDW cannot rest of its laurels, but having spent time in Universal and Disney, the level of service at WDW trumps Universal's on any given day. Yes, there might be some areas that could use some TLC in the existing parks, but they are still fun to visit!

[RavsRuleDisney!]

I speak here as a long time WDW fan/Guest who will continue to visit this magical, diverse, crowded, sad to aging little place....

I think it is inevitable that we will see a 5th park in/around the timeframe being discussed. WDW is and will continue to be a cash cow. There is still mui untapped acreage at the company's disposal. They will figure out what the theme will be; i.e. what theme will generate the most $$$$ with merchandising, movie/TV/music tie-ins, appropriate characters (gotta sell more of those autograph books....and pens), etc. etc. etc. And then build it they will. Guests will flock to the new park because hey, its a NEW PARK!! Oh, by bus not monorail of course. New patrons will arrive to check it out, repeat visitors will come to check it out, I will check it out, crowds will be a little more spread out....all will be well at The World.

Ahh, but they won't bother fixing all that ails the existing, aging parks. Why bother? As long as the turnstiles keep on turnstiling(?) and with a spanking brand new park the "suits" will not blink an eye. Or fix a Yeti. And then, over time, the 5th park will start to show its age, the Jabba the Hut will stop working (just speculatin') , and then....well then we will have five parks in disrepair.

Uggh. How do I get to Gatorland.... ;)

[Janmac]

Okay let's be honest, that last scene is not 2014. Virtual reality video games? The mom's gigantic laptop? Trish's ski boots? Their 90's kitchen appliances? Definitely not from this millenium. I would say they should make that last scene back to the original last scene around the 60's and that's it. It's called "Walt Disney's Carousel of Progress" -- take it back to the way it was when Walt made it because you'll never be able to keep the final scene modern enough.

I agree in part. When Tomorrowland got its makeover it was the future that should have been or something like that. The Buck Rogers future, so to speak. That way Tomorrowland could seem futuristic without being outdated. CoP could do that for the 1960s. What the future was thought to be when we were in the 1960s. Because they won't be able to keep the final scene modern enough.


I speak here as a long time WDW fan/Guest who will continue to visit this magical, diverse, crowded, sad to aging little place....

I think it is inevitable that we will see a 5th park in/around the timeframe being discussed. WDW is and will continue to be a cash cow. There is still mui untapped acreage at the company's disposal. They will figure out what the theme will be; i.e. what theme will generate the most $$$$ with merchandising, movie/TV/music tie-ins, appropriate characters (gotta sell more of those autograph books....and pens), etc. etc. etc. And then build it they will. Guests will flock to the new park because hey, its a NEW PARK!! Oh, by bus not monorail of course. New patrons will arrive to check it out, repeat visitors will come to check it out, I will check it out, crowds will be a little more spread out....all will be well at The World.

Ahh, but they won't bother fixing all that ails the existing, aging parks. Why bother? As long as the turnstiles keep on turnstiling(?) and with a spanking brand new park the "suits" will not blink an eye. Or fix a Yeti. And then, over time, the 5th park will start to show its age, the Jabba the Hut will stop working (just speculatin') , and then....well then we will have five parks in disrepair.

Uggh. How do I get to Gatorland.... ;)

If you don't know how to fix an aging park, build another. And won't we have transportation issues.

Jan

[Ian]

They can't find nearly enough quality cast to staff the parks and resorts they have. I can't fathom how they would staff a 5th park.

[Tearin_it_up]

I don't know what it would take, but video games make a ton of money, that would be the market i'd gun for. How about a Halo attraction riding around in a wharthog?

[Tekneek]

There is only one park that is reasonably complete at the moment (MK) and even it has a section that is in a bad state (Tomorrowland). Epcot is less than what it was a couple decades ago, AK has been in an unfinished state from day 1 (although they are working on something, time will tell if it works or not), and DHS is in dire need of some redesign (instead of band-aids). There are way too many problems at WDW to greenlight a whole new park...

Actually, that is probably why they would do it. Easier to halfway do a new park than fix what you've put a lot of effort into breaking.

[Butters]

A new park will attract more people than "we fixed what we already have".

Best example, would you pay to go to the theatre and watch the "remastered" Snow White or are you more likely to spend your admission ticket on the next new release?

[PopPhan]

Best example, would you pay to go to the theatre and watch the "remastered" Snow White or are you more likely to spend your admission ticket on the next new release?

That depends.....They could do a Retro WDW park that had all the rides that people have clamored for them to bring back -- Horizons, Mr. Toad, etc. All they would need to do is update the behind the scenes technology, they already have the plans for the attractions. I guarantee you that this park would be jam packed.

Once they had this new park up and running, it would be a good time to take one of the other parks down, at least partially, to revamp, renew, upgrade and/or update while still having enough attractions to keep queues down.

[yankeesfan123]

That depends.....They could do a Retro WDW park that had all the rides that people have clamored for them to bring back -- Horizons, Mr. Toad, etc. All they would need to do is update the behind the scenes technology, they already have the plans for the attractions. I guarantee you that this park would be jam packed.

Once they had this new park up and running, it would be a good time to take one of the other parks down, at least partially, to revamp, renew, upgrade and/or update while still having enough attractions to keep queues down.

A retro park will NEVER exist.

Whether the hardcore fans miss them or not, there is a REASON they are gone.

[Tekneek]

Best example, would you pay to go to the theatre and watch the "remastered" Snow White or are you more likely to spend your admission ticket on the next new release?

A remastered movie is not the same as bringing your number of attractions in a park to what it was a decade ago. Not the same as filling empty space left from closed attractions, either.

[Butters]

A remastered movie is not the same as bringing your number of attractions in a park to what it was a decade ago. Not the same as filling empty space left from closed attractions, either.

Depends what they were to do with the old park... Yes new attractions would have a draw, but dumping a ton of money on upkeep while necessary will not bring new guests through the gate. Investing in New Fantasyland brought people to the MK to see what it was all about and experience something they haven't seen before. A 5th gate would do this on a larger scale. If they were to dump a millions into fixing the yeti I would argue that the attendance jump would be negligible. You won't see a commercial advertising to come to WDW and see our fixed Yeti. They are reactive and will not invest in major upkeep efforts until attendance numbers force them to address it.

[Tekneek]

Depends what they were to do with the old park... Yes new attractions would have a draw, but dumping a ton of money on upkeep while necessary will not bring new guests through the gate. Investing in New Fantasyland brought people to the MK to see what it was all about and experience something they haven't seen before. A 5th gate would do this on a larger scale.

True. The reason to build a new park is for the marketing. I won't argue that point.

I'm arguing against it because they could already do better with what they currently have. Even the lone jewel, MK, has significant room for improvement outside of Fantasyland (with Tomorrowland the most in need). The rest of the parks don't really draw a lot of traffic on their own. They are ancillary to MK, giving people with multi-day tickets somewhere else to spend some of their time and don't draw a tremendous amount of people that aren't also attending MK on some other day. MK will get people that do not attend any other Disney park. Those other 3 parks have been in a declining (or with AK, obviously unfinished) state for many years. With all of this knowledge, building a new park seems ridiculous.

Having said that, I know too well that the vast majority are people who are barely conscious of the problems with the parks. They are content to pass their time there and seem mostly oblivious to failing animatronics, design/crowd-flow issues, CM staffing/quality concerns, maintenance blemishes, etc.

[NJGIRL]

I get that a lot of the hype that Universal is enjoying right now is due to the Harry Potter stuff, but eventually the patina of it will wear off a bit.

I know that WDW cannot rest of its laurels, but having spent time in Universal and Disney, the level of service at WDW trumps Universal's on any given day. Yes, there might be some areas that could use some TLC in the existing parks, but they are still fun to visit!


I can't agree with either statement....has Mickey or Star Wars grown old???? I think when there is a huge following like the Star War Movies or the Harry Potter movies, that just doesn't grow old. I can see showing both of these series to my grandchildren some day.

As a person that goes to both Universal and Disney each year I have never had anything but the best of service at Universal. I have found that at Universal they go above and beyond if you have a problem. I find that both Universal and Disney do a good job when it comes to CM service. IMO Universal hotels far exceed Disney's in every way. I also find the food at both theme parks good. What Universal is doing much better is coming up with state of the art attractions, while Disney's new additions are cute, but nothing exciting or new.

[Dulcee]

I can't agree with either statement....has Mickey or Star Wars grown old???? I think when there is a huge following like the Star War Movies or the Harry Potter movies, that just doesn't grow old. I can see showing both of these series to my grandchildren some day.

As a person that goes to both Universal and Disney each year I have never had anything but the best of service at Universal. I have found that at Universal they go above and beyond if you have a problem. I find that both Universal and Disney do a good job when it comes to CM service. IMO Universal hotels far exceed Disney's in every way. I also find the food at both theme parks good. What Universal is doing much better is coming up with state of the art attractions, while Disney's new additions are cute, but nothing exciting or new.

If you like simulators. I'll take the seven dwarfs mine train over another simulator ride any day.

We went to Universal because we wanted to see Harry Potter. It was awesome, the theming was great. The ride was fun but not enough to get me back again and again.

[BrerGnat]

If you like simulators. I'll take the seven dwarfs mine train over another simulator ride any day.

We went to Universal because we wanted to see Harry Potter. It was awesome, the theming was great. The ride was fun but not enough to get me back again and again.

Agree wholeheartedly. Just got back from Universal after an 11 year absence. LOVED the HP stuff. Rode a bunch of stuff at both parks as well. The coasters at IOA have aged considerably and had super rough rides. I don't think I can ever ride Hulk again, and I used to love it. Ditto Dragon Challenge. Overall, we found Universal (outside of the HP areas) to be severely underwhelming and I really hated the excessive use of fog machines and screens. Even Gringotts was approaching the "too much screen" point since the ride would come to a complete stop during all the screen scenes. Frankly, I found the Mummy ride ro be the most overall creative ride at Universal Studios. Forbidden Journey for the win over at IOA.

And, for the record, I actually found Seven Dwarfs Mine Coaster to be an overall better ride than Gringotts, all things considered.

[NJGIRL]

Overall, we found Universal to be severely underwhelming

That's funny because that is exactly how I feel about everything that Disney has added in the last 10 years. IMO Disney's new attractions are cute but nothing great. Same stuff recycled with a different character theme. I guess this is what will keep both Universal and Disney in business, different people having a different point of view.

[Tekneek]

It takes all kinds of people to make the world go round and we're all better off for having Disney and Universal parks, whether we all enjoy them or not.

[Roger's #1 Fan]

Back on topic.... I don't see them even considering/working on a 5th gate for another 5+ years. With Pandora & Rivers of Light, Disney Springs, and DHS makeover, not to mention some major attraction reworking over at Epcot, they will have a significant amount of $$ tied up in these projects for several more years before they can get to another gate.

Everyone points to their pace compared to Universal (myself included) but you know what they say.... slow and steady wins the race.

I'm just glad that I get to enjoy both contestants and their offerings. :D