Disney's New Upcoming Theme Park

[TwilightPhantom]

I just had a very recent trip to Walt Disney World and I went to the Transportation and Ticket Center and took a monorail to Epcot. My family and I got to ride in the very, VERY front of the monorail and the driver said there was a 5th Walt Disney World theme park on the drawing board. He said it would be a park solely consisting of roller coasters. The theme was Disney villains but he also said after 9/11 the planning was delayed and/or canceled.
He said that if all goes well this year at Disney World, planning may resume immediately.

Don't get too excited for it because since it is a theme park and especially since it is a roller coaster park, the park may not open for five years down the road.

[scanne]

I've heard this rumor before but it never materialized. I'm not getting my hopes up on this one.

[Luv2Roam]

We will believe that one when it is officially announced. That rumor is old and ranks up with all the places in Texas Disney is buying property to build one theme park. ;)

[NJBlackBerry]

And a Harry Potter ride!

[bicker]

Some monorail and bus drivers are notorious for spreading rumors that have little or no basis in fact. Recently, one was quoted saying that refillable mugs were $5 each or something like that, good everywhere, including the parks, etc. :rolleyes2

I wouldn't place much stock in such reports.

[seashoreCM]

There was one rumor of a gradual conversion of parking lots to parking garages and getting rid of trams. With parking garages, moving walkways similar to those at Universal Studios Florida would make sense.

Then the massive expanse of land formerly the Magic Kingdom parking lot (TTC lot) could become another theme park.

Disney hints:
http://members.aol.com/ajaynejr/disney.htm

[bicker]

There is a lot to be said for reclaiming land devoted to pavement; it means that at least half/two-thirds/three-quarter/etc. of all cars parked are protected from the sun or weather, which is clearly a good thing. I think people would be concerned about a high-rising parking garage, but I don't see much merit in vast acreage of asphalt, so if it ever makes sense to do so, financially, I hope Disney does build parking garages.

However, with the racetrack there, I don't think the Magic Kingdom Parking lot is the right place. Epcot's parking lot is surely large enough to convert into a parking garage plus more attraction space, and I'd see it happening there before Magic Kingdom. (Of course, they could trash the raceway, and then it would make more sense at the Magic Kingdom.)

Regardless, the strategic vision for the future of WDW has been made clear, and it doesn't include new theme parks. The expressed objective is to enhance the effectiveness of the existing parks at generating revenue.

[mickeymousemom]

Another goofy rumor(no pun intended) of a 5th theme park on WDW property. I'll believe THAT when I see it. Before starting another theme park, let's worry about making Animal Kingdom a little more interesting, shall we?

[qman]

Like the last poster's comment that AK's options need to be expanded before a fifth park makes any sense. Expedition Everest will help but more need to be done.

During our last visit in 11/2003 we spent our first five days by visiting (in order) Epcot, Animal Kingdom, The Studios, Magic Kingdom and Typhoon Lagoon. On our last two days we revisited the things we had liked the most and/or had missed in our first five days. We never made it back to Animal Kingdom because no one in our group, DH (40), DW (39), DS (10), & DD (7), had no interest.

:hourglass Back in 11/2005

[2buzzboys]

I hate roller coasters so I can wait on this one. But I can see them planning something like that to keep up with islands of adventure.

[tomerin]

3 thoughts here:

1) parking garages would be a security nightmare. a terrorists or a criminals dream would be created. hate to think like this but this is todays world. personally i hate parking garages i do not feel safe walking to and from my car at anytime of the day or night.

2) with all of the land the Disney owns why would they go through the expense of tearing up a parking area or lot and building a new theme park when you could just start new in another area of the world. maybe someone could help me with this. isnt there additional land set aside in each current theme park for expansion?


3) MGM and AK really need to be beefed up before you add another theme park.

[Laurajean1014]

As much as I love WDW and expansion, I believe a lot more can be offered at MGM and AK. That is not to say that these parks are not wonderful, but compared to EPCOT and MK, they can be "part time" parks.

At MGM, they can do more to the New York Avenue Area. Maybe make the street a working street with stores, attractions, exhibits, Movie theatre, etc.

At AK, they can offer one or two more rides (apart from Mt. Everest). I would also like to see more animals in the Asia walk-through area.

[molly2004]

And a Harry Potter ride!

Doubt it. Harry Potter is owned by Warner Bros. Having them sign the rights over to Disney/MGM is like their signing the rights over to Bugs Bunny & Daffy Duck! Mickey & Donald would be sooo PO'd!

[Greg K.]

As recently as two months ago, I believe, Robert Iger stated in print that Disney had NO plans for ANY new parks in the US, and would concentrate its efforts on enhancing the current parks, and building abroad.

Considering the sorry state of affairs at California Adventure, and the need for new attractions at Disney-MGM and Animal Kingdom, I think that's prudent.

There may be something on the drawing boards -- there always is -- but I wouldn't hold my breath

[RyMickey]

A word of advice - never listen to anything that transportation cast members say. They are notorious for spreading false rumors. Fun rumors, but false ones.

[#1 Pocahontas]

I heard a similar rumor about 8-9 years ago except what I heard was that they were going to expand the Magic Kingdom to add a Villains land and put roller coasters in it. I guess its just a rumor but it would be cool to have. :cool1:

[rayelias]

A few months ago, during our KTTK tour, our guide mentioned that there are always talks about adding another park.

The BIGGEST problem they have is staffing. Central Florida is "statiscally" over-employed as it is (under the minimum standards for completely employed), and it woudl be nearly impossible to find an additional 4-6,000 workers to employ to staff a new park.

[KellyBelly]

I live in North Texas and apparently Disney owns some land up here and everyone has been waiting for Disney to put a theme park in Texas for years now. It probably will never ever happen, but we sure do have enough land for it ;)

[mrFDNY]

some years ago about 10 maybe, this was a big rumor going on in nyc. even a local newspaper had a story in it about this.the rumor was that disney was looking to buy land and even had disney employees survaing land for coney island and yes there were people taking alot of pictures of land in the area.people in suits and large groups starting to appear in coney island taking land samples and many pictures and doing measurments of the land.even local bussiness owners swear to have been question by disney employess on many different topics.it turned out they were from a aaa baseball commision and they built a baseball stadium.even the local papers rumored it to be disney.so it goes to show you never know what will happen until its finished and then let your eyes be the judge not your ears.

[eeyore0062]

It was speculated that DAK would be the new "coaster" park, and had Beastly Kingdom materialized, it may have been on its way.

Seriously.... WDW doesn't need any more new theme parks. They really haven't finished DAK and D-MGM needs some upgrades, itself. When and if that is done, perhaps, then they will entertain a new park, but with trying to expand the overseas market, something on the homefront is highly unlikely.

I also remember the rumor a few years back they they would be adding a new water park near PO-FQ.... where would it have been? On the golf course?

These Rumors are just that... if it isn't released in writing to the press from the Walt Disney Company, take it all with a grain of salt

[cdpa4d]

Just to shed some light on this. During our last WDW trip April 23rd - May 3rd. We rode in the front of the monorail 5 times. Each time I asked the driver if the monorail system was ever going to be expanded to include MGM and AK. Well, of course, I got 5 different answers. Here they are.

1. Yes. There is a meeting next week with the higher ups to approve the money for the project. It should be complete in 5 to 6 years.

2. No..They will never expand the monorail. It would cost over 1 Billion dollars. Disney doesn't have that kind of money to spend on transportation.

3. Maybe....in fact they were going to approve the project last year until the hurricanes hit. Now we can't expand because there are too many trees down in the path of the expansion.

4. Are you kidding....We can't even maintiain what we have now. The current system needs about 50 million dollars of rail repairs and new trains. The current trains have been around since WDW opened in 1971.

5. Yes...however; there has been some arguing between design engineers as to what resorts the monorail will pass through along the way. This has caused the project to be delayed.

[Mymatisse]

Doubt it. Harry Potter is owned by Warner Bros. Having them sign the rights over to Disney/MGM is like their signing the rights over to Bugs Bunny & Daffy Duck! Mickey & Donald would be sooo PO'd!



The rights to a Harry Potter ride have already been signed over to "someone," and it's not Universal. It's a good chance Disney already has the go on this, but no one knows for certain.

[ShuisFan584]

I remember reading an article that they won't be building anymore theme parks. Basically they want to spend the money adding on to the parks they already have, and making them better. I really don't think they need to build anymore parks, they already have penty of things to do. There's 4 theme parks, 2 water parks, Downtown Disney, and plenty of resorts with lots of activities. It's hard enough to figure out what you want to do when you only have like a week to spend there!

[Magalex]

I actually would not want Disney to build an all-thrill ride park. One great point everyone has been making is to keep approving the parks they already have. Thrill parks are all over the US. I think the biggest fans of WDW are not thrill riders. A great part of WDW is that whole families can enjoy the parks from the babies to the grandparents. Plus they need to finish the other half of POP century. A good idea is to make a value resort with bigger rooms for up to 6 people(for example similar to Doubletree Guest Suites in DTD). :wizard:

[Baloo]

Moving this rumor,over to Rumors and News board.

[etwinchester]

I'm a thrill rider and would LOVE to see this happen.

It would be better to add this section onto an existing park, like MGM. Trying to add a 5th park could get quite hectic.

We wanted to do Universal so bad in 2003 but DD was way to young. Our next trip is in the works with Universal included. If Disney added thrill rides or something like Universal, we would cancel these plans. MGM as is just doesn't cut it...

[FrozenTundra]

The purpose of adding parks was to keep people on property longer and hopefully take longer vacations so they can "do it all".

After they built DAK they had to sit back and scratch their heads, because it did neither. Obviously, a 5th gate will not do it either. The MYW ticket program will probaly do more for keeping people on property longer then another park will.

Add atractions to all four theme parks and they'll be no need for a 5th gate.

[All Aboard]

2) with all of the land the Disney owns why would they go through the expense of tearing up a parking area or lot and building a new theme park when you could just start new in another area of the world. maybe someone could help me with this. isnt there additional land set aside in each current theme park for expansion Exactly. The ONLY reason it happened at UO and Disneyland was that they absolutely needed the space formerly occupied by parking lots in order to build theme parks and entertainment districts. That's not the case at WDW.
The current trains have been around since WDW opened in 1971. :rotfl2:

[tink,too]

We've been told the "thrill ride only park" rumour by many a bus driver in the past 10 years or so. Occasionally we've been fed the "100 Acre Wood" theme park aimed at families with pre-schoolers, too.

We were once told about the Mario Andretti driving experience that we could do (by a CM on a Lynx bus on our way from I-Drive to WDW) - shame that we already knew the race track was known as the Richard Petty Driving Experience! :rotfl:

We always take these little "facts" given by CM's with a pinch of salt!

[GOOFYFREEK]

We always take these little "facts" given by CM's with a pinch of salt!

The CM are just like us, we dont know anything. And the ones that do know wont be talking.

[joece]

I hope Disney does build a theme park but in Texas or Arizona. This is like he next Florida. Near Pheonix or Near Austin would be great for a Disney theme park. I would put like a Universal type park but with a kiddie flavor to it also. A PIXAR themed park would really get my attention. But there is plenty of land here to build a theme park no doubt about it. Also building a resort could not hurt at all.

In Florida AK needs tons of help and they should be focused on that. I think MGM is one of Disney' best since it is nice, small and fun!

I do not agree with building parks all over China. I never knew Walt said to operate Disney theme parks like a chain in other nations.

[bicker]

I do not agree with building parks all over China. I never knew Walt said to operate Disney theme parks like a chain in other nations.Walt Disney didn't say to operate Epcot as a theme park -- He said Epcot was to be a city. Walt's relevance to the Disney Company has significantly decreased over the years since his death.

[sPaRkLeSpAz]

Lol, I love hearing the rumors.

[JPN4265]

Some monorail and bus drivers are notorious for spreading rumors that have little or no basis in fact. Recently, one was quoted saying that refillable mugs were $5 each or something like that, good everywhere, including the parks, etc. :rolleyes2

I wouldn't place much stock in such reports.


We were that if you were to bring your old mug back to the same resort you originally purchased it from, you could pay $5 and reactivate it for your new stay.

[ChrisFL]

3 thoughts here:

1) parking garages would be a security nightmare. a terrorists or a criminals dream would be created. hate to think like this but this is todays world. personally i hate parking garages i do not feel safe walking to and from my car at anytime of the day or night.

I tend to disagree with this statement. I doubt if a terrorist would target a parking garage full of empty cars and as long as there are security patrols, it's probably even less easy to break into cars vs. a regular parking area...I've worked in parking garages before and they are IMO more secure than parking lots.

[bicker]

We were that if you were to bring your old mug back to the same resort you originally purchased it from, you could pay $5 and reactivate it for your new stay.Though almost surely untrue, that actually sounds plausible (as compared to the "everything is free" myths they have been known to spread). Maybe they're getting word that their creativity isn't believable by many folks, and are beginning to come up with things that sound more realistic.

[Epcot83]

Another goofy rumor(no pun intended) of a 5th theme park on WDW property. I'll believe THAT when I see it. Before starting another theme park, let's worry about making Animal Kingdom a little more interesting, shall we?



I agree. Animal Kingdom is a little dull, so I imagine Disney would be smart and make AK a little bit more interesting before ignoring it and starting on a whole new project. Also with AK, I think to make it a little bit more interesting they should open up an Egyptian part some where in the park, they could still base it around animals, the Sphinx, The Jackle head, my spelling is probably worng. sorry. And I think that insted of a giant tree being the icon for AK, wich is very impressing, but I think A huge Noah's Ark would have been more apropriate. The tree is still cool though.

[DarkSideMoon]

I just had a very recent trip to Walt Disney World and I went to the Transportation and Ticket Center and took a monorail to Epcot. My family and I got to ride in the very, VERY front of the monorail and the driver said there was a 5th Walt Disney World theme park on the drawing board. He said it would be a park solely consisting of roller coasters. The theme was Disney villains but he also said after 9/11 the planning was delayed and/or canceled.
He said that if all goes well this year at Disney World, planning may resume immediately.

Don't get too excited for it because since it is a theme park and especially since it is a roller coaster park, the park may not open for five years down the road.



NEVER EVER EVER NEVER EVER NEVER take anyhting the monorial/bus/ferry drivers say, they never eVER EVER EVER EVER come to pass.

[Captain Hook]

I could not imagine why Disney would make parking garages. There is an ample amount of open space for lots. The cost of covered parking lots could never be justified. Most guests use Disney transportation, and the number of guest who drive to the parks, will not increase because of covered parking. pirate: