Do you think WDW will build any new stand alone parks? I sure do hope so (jump off from Construction thread) - Adding, what you you like to see?

[LuvOrlando]

Do you think WDW will build any new stand alone parks? I sure do hope so

 

[BrianL]

I don't thinmk they are quite there...yet. There is space to maximize in the current parks first, but they are getting there. Also, Epic uinverse is definitely going to add some competitive pressure - which is a good thing - and Disney will respond. I don't expect a fifth gate though for a little while still.

 

[disneychrista]

There has been talk about 5th gates for WDW But I think it is more likely that we will see a 3rd gate for the Disneyland Resort before a 5th gate for WDW.

 

[neverlandsky]

Disneyland aka Disneyforward https://www.cnn.com/travel/disneyland-expansion-rezoning-approval/index.html

 

[cabanafrau]

I don't see the current company taking on something like that anytime in the near future. IMO it would be preferable at this point to turn their attention to maintenance on the existing parks along with a serious focus and follow through on increasing capacity and attraction offerings in the current parks.

 

[LuvOrlando]

Wouldn't a new park take some of the burden off of the existing businesses?

I love the new Toy Story and Star Wars but they are sort of cramped, it seems like it would have been so much more inviting and lucrative for the company to create a brand new park with so much land at their disposal.

With all the new movies that have been released I imagine there would be no lack of ideas from the Imagineers, or even fans and then all the complaints of crowding would disappear - I'm sure the hotels can take in a ton more people without even flinching.

I just found myself wondering why all the new stuff was wedged into the existing parks when they have so many miles and miles of space.

 

[Smugpugmug]

Disney can't even maintain the ones they currently have. They should focus on expanding them before a 5th park even enters the conversation.

 

[Micca]

Disney can't even maintain the ones they currently have. They should focus on expanding them before a 5th park even enters the conversation.

MTE! Also I think if you look at the future of theme park entertainment, there is going to be sea change in the physical presence of "attractions." Square footage/square mileage may not be a big issue.

 

[LuvOrlando]

Disney can't even maintain the ones they currently have. They should focus on expanding them before a 5th park even enters the conversation.

What do you mean? When I was there in the fall I didn't notice any signs of neglect at any of the parks or resorts, even the boats and Downtown Disney were same old same old.

 

[tx911]

I think they should focus on optimizing and plussing the existing parks.

I’m not convinced that Epic Universe won’t suck huge numbers of people away from the 2 existing Uni parks. People have a limited number of days and $ that they want to allocate to parks, so opening a new one may not attract new people as much as pulling them from others.

By adding to their existing parks, Disney will just make people want to go to those 4 even more.

We’ll see what happens next summer!

 

[PollyannaMom]

Today is so hot I'm dreaming of a "Disney World North" somewhere nice and cold!

 

[Allison]

No

 

[BrianL]

What do you mean? When I was there in the fall I didn't notice any signs of neglect at any of the parks or resorts, even the boats and Downtown Disney were same old same old.

It gets a bit over-exaggerated around here, but there are signs of maintenance issues or some corner cutting around the parks for sure. Numerous breakdowns and extended downtime are telling, but there are other small things too, like an animatronic that isn't working and hasn't for months (or even years). Splash Mountain was in pretty rough condition before the closure, but likely they were not focusing on it becuase they knew it was getting a massive overhaul soon. There are lots of little things not working - things that broke and just never got fixed. The people who go all the time see them and they tend to become a focus. I tend to focus on the overall picture though, and most stuff is very nice.*

*One that drives me crazy though is the very poor work on the walls in the back hallway at Space Mountain on the left side before boarding. That has been terrible for a long time - patched in drywal with screws and a jagged seam. Come on guys - that's an easy one!

 

[Brian Noble]

I do not expect a fifth gate. Typical US vacations are already short enough that it is hard to visit the four they have. Building a fifth would more or less only cannibalize the existing parks.

I think it is much more likely that we will see continued renovation and expansion of the existing parks, and that's been the playbook for the last dozen years now, including New Fantasyland and Tron in MK, Pandora plus the upcoming expansion/renovation of Dinoland in AK, Pixar Place and Batuu in Studios, and the third Soarin' theater plus the France expansion in Epcot.

 

[Nancyg56]

I do not expect a fifth gate. Typical US vacations are already short enough that it is hard to visit the four they have. Building a fifth would more or less only cannibalize the existing parks.

I think it is much more likely that we will see continued renovation and expansion of the existing parks, and that's been the playbook for the last dozen years now, including New Fantasyland and Tron in MK, Pandora plus the upcoming expansion/renovation of Dinoland in AK, Pixar Place and Batuu in Studios, and the third Soarin' theater plus the France expansion in Epcot.

I would think a 5th gate might relieve some of the pressure from the 4 existing parks.

 

[BrianL]

I would think a 5th gate might relieve some of the pressure from the 4 existing parks.

It would, but the four parsk still have so much underutilized space. I think they will get them maxed out before a fifth gate becomes an option. Any way you slice it, more attractions will take pressure off.

 

[Nancyg56]

It would, but the four parsk still have so much underutilized space. I think they will get them maxed out before a fifth gate becomes an option. Any way you slice it, more attractions will take pressure off.

I agree, more attractions would help. Parades and shows would as well. They seem to sweep a lot of folks away from the attractions and offer folks more opportunity to see them. I miss DAK parade and the evening parade at MK.

I am not sure if this still holds true, but I think that there are times when Disney reduces attraction capacity. IMO the capacity should be wide open to move people along. My family is going to buy the new LL or genie, or whatever the new name is, but if we get there, pay for it and then find out we just tossed a lot of money into just an alternative line to stand in, it is not going to matter if there is a 5th gate or an expanded park moving forward. I think folks are more or less like me. They are willing to pay for an experience, and they are willing to pay more to upgrade it. To a point.

 

[BrianL]

I agree, more attractions would help. Parades and shows would as well. They seem to sweep a lot of folks away from the attractions and offer folks more opportunity to see them. I miss DAK parade and the evening parade at MK.

I am not sure if this still holds true, but I think that there are times when Disney reduces attraction capacity. IMO the capacity should be wide open to move people along. My family is going to buy the new LL or genie, or whatever the new name is, but if we get there, pay for it and then find out we just tossed a lot of money into just an alternative line to stand in, it is not going to matter if there is a 5th gate or an expanded park moving forward. I think folks are more or less like me. They are willing to pay for an experience, and they are willing to pay more to upgrade it. To a point.

Oh man, yes! The parades need to come back in a major way! Every park used to have something. They help draw people to them, and in the case of parades, spread crowds out along the entire route.

Disney does reduce capaactiy when it is slower, which sometimes makes sense but sometimes it doesn't. Usually they are running only one side on Big Thunder first thing in the morning which is fine - there aren't a lot of people there that early. They should be running full capacity after the first hour though, even if it's not the busiest day. Maybe if it's absolutely dead in the parks on a given day it would be okay.

That said, that's one of the most noticeable cutbacks - labor! Forget maintenance, CMs make or break the guest experience, and the more CMs the better - across the board. I can deal with some scuffed up drywall as long as the service levels are excellent.

 

[Nancyg56]

Oh man, yes! The parades need to come back in a major way! Every park used to have something. They help draw people to them, and in the case of parades, spread crowds out along the entire route.

Disney does reduce capaactiy when it is slower, which sometimes makes sense but sometimes it doesn't. Usually they are running only one side on Big Thunder first thing in the morning which is fine - there aren't a lot of people there that early. They should be running full capacity after the first hour though, even if it's not the busiest day. Maybe if it's absolutely dead in the parks on a given day it would be okay.

That said, that's one of the most noticeable cutbacks - labor! Forget maintenance, CMs make or break the guest experience, and the more CMs the better - across the board. I can deal with some scuffed up drywall as long as the service levels are excellent.

The service levels indeed. I follow a few WDW forums and my heart hurts for the cast members. They are the face of WDW, and they seem to be exhausted. I dont mind crowds, wait times, or heat. I do mind overworked underappreciated cast members. There is no excuse for placing this kind of burden on the people who make WDW what it is. They need help and support and a working environment that is conducive for guests to be kind.

 

[BrianL]

The service levels indeed. I follow a few WDW forums and my heart hurts for the cast members. They are the face of WDW, and they seem to be exhausted. I dont mind crowds, wait times, or heat. I do mind overworked underappreciated cast members. There is no excuse for placing this kind of burden on the people who make WDW what it is. They need help and support and a working environment that is conducive for guests to be kind.

Yup - just pay the people! Having extra personel on hand is the key to great service. Ever eat at a fancy restaurant where they have a server just to give you a new roll and one just doing drinks. Sometimes they just stand there watching for when people need things? Yeah, there's a reason they do that. Or, heck, even a Chick-fil-A. They always have like 12 people working, unlike a Wendy's that might have two! It matters. I hate it when I see DIsney deliberately being cheap about it. Sure, there's a reasonable cap of course, but they're not going to go broke scheduling a few extra man-hours.