5th Gate? any ideas? here is mine

[MichaelaF]

I'm no insider, so take it for what it's worth, but from what I've been hearing, they aren't exactly rolling in $$ Scrooge McDuck style, having put so much into FP+ last year. A number of places have indicated that's why a lot of the announcements that we thought for sure were coming at the end of last year (Star Wars, Cars Land, etc) didn't come, because they were put on hold. Some of the more fantastical theories out there (that I don't entirely buy into, but probably hold some water) talk about how the money issue has affected things like expansion/parking in DLR and things like the Nemo subs being essentially grounded for the year as a cost-saving measure. I think they are just now starting to dig out from that money pit that is FP+ roll out, and getting themselves into a position where they can move forward on FW at Epcot and the issues at DHS.

The last thing that is a must is for them to remember part of what always made WDW so amazingly special was how perfect everything was. To have rides in the MK so in need of a bit of TLC that speakers are broken, paint is faded and chipped, parts of the ride cars are broken as well as other things is really unbelievable. How has that been allowed to happen? Whoever is in charge of that stuff really needs to get their act together, or be given the resources to make it happen...

I completely agree with this, Mel. When we went last year, I was surprised at how many things needed work. Which isn't to say that they aren't still usually light-years above many other theme parks, they often are. But with Universal playing some solid cards in this game up the street, movement has to be made. I actually thought maybe it was in my head somehow, since I hadn't been since I was a teen - that I just remembered it being TOO perfect when I was younger - until we went to Disneyland 5 months later.

Let me be clear - I love both WDW and DL and I think they both have their strengths and weaknesses (compared to the other). And it's no secret that DLR went through it's own downturn in the 80s (my mom, a die-hard Disney fan, remembers HATING it during the infamous Paul Pressler years). But I'd be lying if I said I didn't notice a marked difference in the management, cast members, upkeep and cleanliness. Granted, DL is a smaller operation, I get that. But it was noticeable. And I'd been to WDW recently enough I think to make a fair comparison. The magic was different there. And that's one reason that we chose to go to DLR later this year, instead of back to WDW.

 

[BecBennett]

While I agree with what everyone is saying - that work needs to be done to the existing parks before a new one is added - this thread is a lot more fun if we pretend that's not the case

I agree that they should enhance the current parks before thinking about a 5th gate. But just for fun, I'd love a Tokyo Disney Sea inspired park. I feel like Disney needs a place to build all those places that can't be accomodated at Magic Kingdom and that don't fit in any other park, like Mysterious Island, Port Discovery, Arabian Coast or Mermaid Lagoon.

I was thinking exactly this. I love TDS so much! Mediterranean Harbour may not have much going on, but it's just beautiful. However just saying let's replicate TDS is not being very creative.

I love OP's layout. Surely the Marvel theme park contract with US isn't forever, so eventually WDW would have the option to use that theming.

Personally I'm not a fan of having a whole land based on just one movie (ie Carsland, Avatar etc.) however it seems to be working at DCA, so maybe I'm not the best judge But I like the idea of a Star Wars land, a Marvel land, then maybe something a bit girlie...

I have a head cold, so sorry if I'm a bit all over the place...

 

[liljimmyt]

I'd love for Disney to have a 5th gate that was geared more toward more 20-40 somethings with more thrill type rides. Think Cedar Point with Disney Charm. There are plenty of properties that Disney owns that could be used. Star Wars and Marvel obviously, but there are plenty of properties that could contribute to some good theming on thrill rides or other attractions that would connect with a Gen X/Millennial crowd (think born between 1970 to 1995 here). I think movies like Flight of the Navigator (apparently being remade), Up, WALL-E, Incredibles, Nightmare Before Christmas, Oz, Rocketeer, Tron, and Black Cauldron could all be converted to some great rides. Throw in some late 80s/early 90s nostolgia like Duck Tales, Chip and Dale's Rescue Rangers, or The Muppets and you have a Park that could attract the kind of person that wants to ride more than anything else with theming that they would like. This park may sound a little "guyish," and I'll leave it to marketing to find a way to make it seem more all encompassing, but this seems like a product that Disney doesn't really offer that would really counter some of the stuff Universal is doing.

 

[Prissyms]

I agree with re-imagining what already exist! I would love to see CarsLand in DHS and another pavilion or two in World Showcase. But if they did open a 5th gate, I want it to be something like Vault Disney. Vintage attractions brought back to life. I know, I'm special! But I love vintage Disney!

 

[Metro West]

Surely the Marvel theme park contract with US isn't forever, so eventually WDW would have the option to use that theming.

Marvel's contract with Universal is in perpetuity...so unless Disney wants to write them a huge...and I mean huge check to get those characters back from Universal, characters currently being used by Universal in Orlando aren't going anywhere...anytime soon. If Disney wants to use other Marvel characters at WDW they are free to do so...but any of the main characters OR family of characters currently being used are off limits at WDW.

 

[rteetz]

I agree with re-imagining what already exist! I would love to see CarsLand in DHS and another pavilion or two in World Showcase. But if they did open a 5th gate, I want it to be something like Vault Disney. Vintage attractions brought back to life. I know, I'm special! But I love vintage Disney!

Good idea but disney wouldn't do something like this. Walt disney said as long as there is imagination the parks would never be complete so they will keep evolving. Also Marty sklar former head of imagineering said the parks are not a museum. Change and evolution is part of the disney parks.