How much free space does Disney World have left?

[rteetz]

"Gates" are never as easy as is assumed EVERY SINGLE TIME this is brought up.

We'll forget for a moment that they learned what "more gates" does in 1998...

...the simple question I never get an answer to is: who's working there?

Obviously universal doesn't have the who's working there problem they keep building.

 

[Eoghann]

Obviously universal doesn't have the who's working there problem they keep building.

Well one of the things they've been doing is poaching from Disney... Could be good for the salaries of everyone down there.

Still there has to be an upper limit on this sort of economy.

 

[rteetz]

Well one of the things they've been doing is poaching from Disney... Could be good for the salaries of everyone down there.

Still there has to be an upper limit on this sort of economy.

I agree but universal can't poach for an entire park.

 

[Eoghann]

I agree but universal can't poach for an entire park.

Well... so far they haven't had to. They haven't even announced another gate yet so I'm sure they aren't hiring...

 

[rteetz]

Well... so far they haven't had to. They haven't even announced another gate yet so I'm sure they aren't hiring...

What about Volcano Bay. I know that isn't a theme park but it is more major than a hotel or new attraction.

 

[sachilles]

I find it interesting that the area suggested for the expansion of DHS for star wars is part of that dark green unsuitable band. I suppose most of it is parking, which probably isn't a huge development hurdle.

 

[J'Adore Disney]

This is a GREAT post!!!

 

[lockedoutlogic]

Obviously universal doesn't have the who's working there problem they keep building.

Is universal the largest single site private employer in the United States?

 

[rteetz]

Is universal the largest single site private employer in the United States?

No but aren't they taking from the same pool as Disney? They are in relatively the same area. I would imagine Orlando and neighboring cities only have so many people that could work there.

 

[lockedoutlogic]

I find it interesting that the area suggested for the expansion of DHS for star wars is part of that dark green unsuitable band. I suppose most of it is parking, which probably isn't a huge development hurdle.

Disney has made "unsuitable" land "suitable" many times before. Those types of zoning maps are always made to be changed.

It's likely that if they tried to build wdw after the EPA was created...it wouldn't be where it is.

 

[lockedoutlogic]

No but aren't they taking from the same pool as Disney? They are in relatively the same area. I would imagine Orlando and neighboring cities only have so many people that could work there.

Much easier to staff if you're raw numbers are half of what the big dog's are...they can provide incentives and eat some higher costs much more easily to adjust for labor shortfalls.

It's pretty fundamental economics

 

[sachilles]

Disney has made "unsuitable" land "suitable" many times before. Those types of zoning maps are always made to be changed.

It's likely that if they tried to build wdw after the EPA was created...it wouldn't be where it is.

Exactly why I find it interesting. It's "unsuitable" because they really didn't want to build there. However, now they want to. I suspect that area is one of the wetland areas they would have to use one of their credits for, and that is why it was unsuitable before. Unsuitable should really be undesirable.

 

[lockedoutlogic]

Exactly why I find it interesting. It's "unsuitable" because they really didn't want to build there. However, now they want to. I suspect that area is one of the wetland areas they would have to use one of their credits for, and that is why it was unsuitable before. Unsuitable should really be undesirable.

Correct...it caught the news a couple of weeks back that they are purchasing/applying to have I believe 400 acres of swamp somewhere south of 192 (assume celebration/reunion area) to swap for their original "protected" lands.

When you run the show...you move the piece around the board as you wish. Checkmate

 

[DanBoris]

I find it interesting that the area suggested for the expansion of DHS for star wars is part of that dark green unsuitable band. I suppose most of it is parking, which probably isn't a huge development hurdle.

Yes, most of that land is going to be parking and roads, although it may turn out to be a garage instead of a surface lot.

Correct...it caught the news a couple of weeks back that they are purchasing/applying to have I believe 400 acres of swamp somewhere south of 192 (assume celebration/reunion area) to swap for their original "protected" lands.

When you run the show...you move the piece around the board as you wish. Checkmate

They actually bought 3000 acres in southern Osceola and have applied that towards an additional 350 acres of wetland impacts, a process that took well over a year of back and forth with the SFWMD. As you said Disney does built on wetlands sometime, but recently they have been trying to avoid it. A good example is the new laundry facility where they had the access road take a roundabout path to avoid wetlands instead of build the road straight through them. They also adjusted the Wilderness Lodge DVC expansion to reduce the amount of wetland impacts they were going to have.

Yes, obviously Disney can change things, but they don't have 100% control of the board, they are answerable to outside agencies. The suitability rating and wetland designations aren't just colors on a map, there are real difficulties involved when they want to build on wetlands. There is a lot of extra permitting and engineering involved.

 

[TiggerBouncy]

Two words: River Country. It's most likely not up to specs, so it's not as simple as flipping on the master power switch and diverting buses. However, it's a lot less work than building a new park. they even commented that "it could be re-opened if there were enough demand".

As for a 5th major park - as far as we know, it's not in the works. However, never say never. COULD they do it? With pockets as deep as Disney's, anything is POSSIBLE. it's just a matter of how much they want it. Even if they didn't have the land (and they do for at least a few more), they could acquire it. But don't bet on it in the next few years. As others have said, there is a lot of dead space in the current parks that could be re-used or opened.

 

[lockedoutlogic]

Yes, most of that land is going to be parking and roads, although it may turn out to be a garage instead of a surface lot.



They actually bought 3000 acres in southern Osceola and have applied that towards an additional 350 acres of wetland impacts, a process that took well over a year of back and forth with the SFWMD. As you said Disney does built on wetlands sometime, but recently they have been trying to avoid it. A good example is the new laundry facility where they had the access road take a roundabout path to avoid wetlands instead of build the road straight through them. They also adjusted the Wilderness Lodge DVC expansion to reduce the amount of wetland impacts they were going to have.

Yes, obviously Disney can change things, but they don't have 100% control of the board, they are answerable to outside agencies. The suitability rating and wetland designations aren't just colors on a map, there are real difficulties involved when they want to build on wetlands. There is a lot of extra permitting and engineering involved.

I work for an engineering/environmental company...

I know of what ye speak...

But all things are not equal based on the exploitive relationship in Florida...they're not building in brooklyn

 

[DanBoris]

I work for an engineering/environmental company...

I know of what ye speak...

But all things are not equal based on the exploitive relationship in Florida...they're not building in brooklyn

That doesn't surprise me at all considering how big a part of the local economy Disney is. mainly posting for the benefit of those that may believe that since Disney has their own government, they have carte blanche to do whatever they want.

 

[lockedoutlogic]

That doesn't surprise me at all considering how big a part of the local economy Disney is. mainly posting for the benefit of those that may believe that since Disney has their own government, they have carte blanche to do whatever they want.

Have you read Project Future or Married to the Mouse?

I think anyone claiming to be more than a superficial fan of wdw should have it on their reading list...

 

[rteetz]

Two words: River Country. It's most likely not up to specs, so it's not as simple as flipping on the master power switch and diverting buses. However, it's a lot less work than building a new park. they even commented that "it could be re-opened if there were enough demand".

River country was and has been looked at as a site for a new DVC resort nothing more.

 

[DanBoris]

Have you read Project Future or Married to the Mouse?

I think anyone claiming to be more than a superficial fan of wdw should have it on their reading list...

Nope, and I also have never seen Sleeping Beauty. I base my statements on what I see on a regular basis in the permits.