My idea for a 5th gate

[umichigan10]

I posted this response on a different board, but were curious to what you guys thought. Obviously, it isn't ideal right now for WDW to open a 5th gate, they need to make serious enhancements to DHS and AK. However, if the situation ever arises, this is what I think they should do:

Basically, I figured out they could do a park called Celebrate America! (Ik a pp talked about America Gardens, but never elaborated) Basically, you enter through a Colonial Main Street, up to the central icon that represents America (ex. an eagle, statue of liberty, mount rushmore, something like that.) The park is divded into five sections: northeast, southeast, southwest, northwest, midwest/great plains. They're located like the would be on the map (so se would be where tommorowland is in mk, ne where toontown used to be, midwest where fantasyland is, etc.) here's my rough ideas for each land:

Colonial Main Street: shops and a dark ride going through the history of America (basically an American Adventure GMR, or something like it)

Northeast: basically, have a Coney Island style boardwalk, with games, wooden roller coaster, ferris wheel. then you could have a ny crazy taxi simulator, or something like that. Could also have a revolutionary war display if you wanted to.

Southeast: since WDW is in Florida, you could have a California Adventure-like section, celebrating Florida, but include other sothern states here too. You could have a Song of the South resturant (saw this posted by another DiSer so I give them credit for the idea, whoever you are.) maybe a coaster based off something, but def. needs an e-ticket.

Midwest: not really sure what to put here, need help with this one. (not trying to diss the midwest or anything)

Northwest: have an Oregon Trail rapids ride, (something like Grizzly River Run), maybe add a "mountain ride" like EE with a backstory around a sacred native american mountain

Southwest: If you include Cali in this, you could move Soarin' here since it is Soarin' over California. Maybe take a few ideas from DCA (never been there, so not sure what Cali-themed rides they have there) maybe have a ride based off Roswell aliens or something, but might get in trouble with the governemt because of that.

So yeah, this is basically my idea, if you have any suggestions, I'm open to them.

Also, I realize my idea has many holes in it (relocation of Soarin') so just try to understand I thought of this late at night when I couldn't fall asleep (I'v elaborated a bit since then though to refine it)

 

[skiingfast]

Why not just build another DCA? Your idea sounds like a copy of it with different themeing.

 

[umichigan10]

Why not just build another DCA? Your idea sounds like a copy of it with different themeing.

yeah but why would you put a California Adventure in Florida? Not really a big deal anyway, because they're unlikely to build a 5th gate anytime soon, if ever.

And I have no idea how I copied DCA considering I've never been there

 

[ASteelersMidget]

This may sound awful and I'll say this now.

THIS IS NOT MEANT TO OFFEND ANYONE

For an attraction in the midwest section, you could have a motion simulator where you get caught in a tornado. A lit of Tornado's go through the midwest. That's the first thing that came to mind.

The other thing you could do is have a big E ticket coaster. Cedar Point and many other Major thrill attraction parks are located in the midwest.

(I just thought about that as i was writing)

These are just the first things that came to my mind. Please don't flame.

 

[umichigan10]

This may sound awful and I'll say this now.

THIS IS NOT MEANT TO OFFEND ANYONE

For an attraction in the midwest section, you could have a motion simulator where you get caught in a tornado. A lit of Tornado's go through the midwest. That's the first thing that came to mind.

The other thing you could do is have a big E ticket coaster. Cedar Point and many other Major thrill attraction parks are located in the midwest.

(I just thought about that as i was writing)

These are just the first things that came to my mind. Please don't flame.

I thought about a tornado ride, but doesn't universal still have the twister ride going?

 

[disneygymmom]

As far as the midwest goes,(Kansas here) the ride could encompass all the perils that the first midwest settlers had to survive to settle the Great American Desert. Tornados, drought, famine, disease, blizzards, animals, angry natives, and the dust bowl.

 

[Ppufi]

I think the whole concept of an American history park is great. But then again, I like history. I can see many people that would dismiss this park as the "boring history park" though, simply from past experience in history class or when I talk about "historical" stuff. It's sad, but it's true.

I do like the idea!

 

[Oglet]

I like the idea in general.

Now for characters.

George Washington Mickey
Martha Washington Minnie
Abraham Lincoln Goofy
Wright Brothers Chip and Dale (I know they are not really brothers)
Astronaut Stitch (someone send him back into space please)
General Patton Donald
Marilin Monroe Daisy

Actually Astronaut Pluto would work better, lets just get rid of Stitch

 

[umichigan10]

I think the whole concept of an American history park is great. But then again, I like history. I can see many people that would dismiss this park as the "boring history park" though, simply from past experience in history class or when I talk about "historical" stuff. It's sad, but it's true.

I do like the idea!

I consider it a park that would represent the past and present of America, although I do get your point. But if you were to put rides like the EE-like one I have listed under the northwest section, then you could probably attract that skeptical audience.

 

[Figment632]

Why not just build another DCA? Your idea sounds like a copy of it with different themeing.

Not really more like Disney America that never got built but mist of that stuff made it to DCA.

I've said it once and I'll say it again I never want to see a 5th gate ever they can't even take care if the 4 parks they have.

 

[DizCaptain]

Yea, this was conceived for Virginia long ago, however its "historical" aspects were tweaked for entertainment reasons (i.e. focusing on more than just historical events, but also on cultural aspects and such), and it honestly could have been a very cool park. Too bad, the residents of the area it was proposed for protested its' being built to the death and it never was. The real kicker is that the land it was going to be built on is now majorly corporate stores like Walmart and target and has been turned into the exact opposite of "historical preservation" like the protesters wanted......here's some info on what could have been. http://micechat.com/blogs/samland/1708-disneys-america-story-part-one.html

 

[epcot.girl]

I've said it once and I'll say it again I never want to see a 5th gate ever they can't even take care if the 4 parks they have.

Exactly.

Also, North America has great geography and I'd much rather see the real thing than give yet more money to Disney for the privilege.

 

[umichigan10]

I've said it once and I'll say it again I never want to see a 5th gate ever they can't even take care if the 4 parks they have.

without a doubt, the earliest I can see them building a 5th gate is in 20 years. The only way it'll happen is if every park is considered 1 day or more (considering that I leave AK at 3 the latest when I go tells me they've got a lot of work on their hands)

 

[Max Rebo]

As others have noted, a fifth gate is highly unlikely. That said, it's fun to think about what would make a good new park, and I like your idea. Thanks for posting.

Having grown up in the Midwest, I feel compelled to offer some suggestions on attractions for this section of the park. I have two suggestions for attractions.

The first is a new CircleVision 360 film, similar to the old TimeKeeper attraction, as well as the current Canada film. In order to keep it modern, this 360 film will be in 3D. It will basically be a travelogue exploring the natural beauty and way of life of the Midwestern United States.

The second attraction will be a "State Fair" area. It will include Disney-fied versions of popular state fair rides, such as a til-a-whirl, an octopus, a scrambler, a farris wheel, perhaps even bumper cars, etc. To make it more unique, the area will feature a common, next generation virtual queue that will be themed as a "varied industries" building common at many state fairs, with fun interactive features.

The area could also include a counter-service restaurant called "On a Stick." Every menu item will be served on a stick, from corn dogs, to pork tenderloins, to twinkies.

 

[skier_pete]

Yeah, no thanks to a 5th gate. Your idea is not a bad one, but not sure of the broader appeal. Part of the early failure of DCA is that a lot of people at DLR are Californians, and could've cared less to see California stuff. This might be a stumbling block to your concept.

Regarding a 5th gate like this, I think that Disney has been pretty much "built out". The problem is that you already have more stuff to do than you can do in a week's vacation. Most americans can't afford to devote more than a week to go to Disney World. So therefore, as soon as Disney builds a 5th gate, it simply takes guests away from the other parks. This actually happened pretty severely when Animal Kingdom opened. (And also to Universal when I of A opened.) I think it would be even worse in the case of a 5th gate.

Which is why the only real decent idea I've heard is Disney's OWN idea, that of Night Kingdom...a specialty park not unlike Discovery Cove @ Seaworld. A park that you could get some real high-end experiences/adventures and they could charge a serious premium for a single day adventure. A smaller park with lower attendance, targeting a smaller (higher paying) audience. This would be the only way a 5th gate would be remotely likely to happen.

Truth is, I don't really care to see THAT either. I'd like to see a revamp in DHS with a bigger selection of rides and maybe some different shows, and a slight expansion of DAK, as well as some TLC for Epcot. (Not necessarily MORE there, just improve some of the lackluster pavillions.) Bring each park up to the level that many patrons would want to spend 2 days there. This would allow for the continued guest increase by being able to spread them out more across the 4 parks. (The biggest reason for the FLE - guests @ MK continue to rise - a bigger park means they can handle more guests.)

 

[lockedoutlogic]

Yeah, no thanks to a 5th gate. Your idea is not a bad one, but not sure of the broader appeal. Part of the early failure of DCA is that a lot of people at DLR are Californians, and could've cared less to see California stuff. This might be a stumbling block to your concept.

Regarding a 5th gate like this, I think that Disney has been pretty much "built out". The problem is that you already have more stuff to do than you can do in a week's vacation. Most americans can't afford to devote more than a week to go to Disney World. So therefore, as soon as Disney builds a 5th gate, it simply takes guests away from the other parks. This actually happened pretty severely when Animal Kingdom opened. (And also to Universal when I of A opened.) I think it would be even worse in the case of a 5th gate.

Which is why the only real decent idea I've heard is Disney's OWN idea, that of Night Kingdom...a specialty park not unlike Discovery Cove @ Seaworld. A park that you could get some real high-end experiences/adventures and they could charge a serious premium for a single day adventure. A smaller park with lower attendance, targeting a smaller (higher paying) audience. This would be the only way a 5th gate would be remotely likely to happen.

Truth is, I don't really care to see THAT either. I'd like to see a revamp in DHS with a bigger selection of rides and maybe some different shows, and a slight expansion of DAK, as well as some TLC for Epcot. (Not necessarily MORE there, just improve some of the lackluster pavillions.) Bring each park up to the level that many patrons would want to spend 2 days there. This would allow for the continued guest increase by being able to spread them out more across the 4 parks. (The biggest reason for the FLE - guests @ MK continue to rise - a bigger park means they can handle more guests.)

can't argue with any of that....

building out animal kingdom and studios would be the only logical way to invest...


but i think the reality is that any expansions at wdw gates have ended...we won't see any largescale real additions at the 4 parks because i don't think disney sees the profit in it.

the fantasyland expansion is a unique situation...as it isn't really an expansion, but replacing one land for another (toontown) and incorporating something they mothballed almost 15 years ago (which is anything but the "disney way") and making it out to be new. Its really a replacement with new/ repositioned things on it.

And i can't wait to see it...because it is going to be a ridiculous show in giftshop expansion if i know the rat (...and i do)


but i don't think we're ever going to see the needed redesign/reallocation of the studios lot ...still shocked that stars didn't run to florida to shoot tv shows away from their agents and accountants in new york and los angeles

and i think that real expansion in animal kingdom will only be done if they are maxing capacity at the other parks or there is a real significant downswing at DAK.


I just don't think they will ever see the need to do more than what they do: add merch, increase prices, reduce employees, and then throw out something new every 4 years or so...
...it used to be every year...often two things a year. and the property was under a state of expansion.

but our standards have lowered...as with most things in life...and our outlays have gotten larger...as with most things in life.

they've schlepted enough timeshare (including to this moron) to not feel the pressure to lure with capital investment. just keep the normal crowd coming and spend all brain juice on squeezing the profit margins like ripe fruit.

truly magic...as in the disappearing quality act