Rumor Mill: 5th theme park; more to Epcot World Showcase; Star Wars Land in phases?

[ethanwa]

REMEMBER: These are JUST RUMORS....

Also, the magazine mistakenly says FOURTH park to Disney when they mean to say FIFTH.

 

[DOOM1001]

I subscribe to Orlando Attractions magazine as well,just got that latest issue yesterday and I can't see how the editor missed the Fourth theme park mention,instead of a Fifth theme park.This issue was pretty good,full of Diagon Alley articles.Even though I had heard that rumor before I'm not liking the Universal buying Sea World/Busch Gardens rumor as it would screw up my $12/mo annual pass for all 10 parks in the Sea World/Busch chain.As far as WS they need to add more to the experience,whether it be a new ride or country.Do you also watch the weekly show on Youtube?

 

[StarWarsJez]

Given the attendance problems Disney has with AK and DS I think it's highly unlikely they will build a new park, but instead focus on building new attractions/lands in those existing parks. It's cheaper too and as we know Disney doesn't like spending money on frivolous things like park attractions

So Disney will do what Disney does best, it will plan for years, implement the slowest possible multi-phased construction project - while continue to market these exciting new lands.
2014 - planning
2015 - planning
2016 - break ground for Star Wars Land
2017 - signs up, including wooden Star Wars facades
2018 - first part of SW land opens, Death Star restrooms and Naboo gift shop
2019 - 2nd phase, spinning 'Battle of Hoth' tea cups and Princess Leia meet & greet. Opens 'Empire Strikes Baby-Back Rib Shack'
2020 - Opens first E Ticket ride.

 

[DaisyNY]

Would welcome any update to WS and FW for that matter at EP. Most excited about Star Wars addition to DHS...Avatarland not so much!

 

[NY Pirate Princess]

New Fantasy land cost how much? A billion dollars? I don't think it's feasible to construct an entire new park. I agree with PP, money will go into HS for star wars expansion and AK for avatar and night time experiences to try to boost the numbers there. Disney is practically printing money but they are shoveling it out the door too in bucket loaders.

 

[Allison]

There is a rumors board on this website.

 

[mom2rtk]

Also, the magazine mistakenly says FOURTH park to Disney when they mean to say FIFTH.

Well, there IS a park or 2 at Disney that some don't think really deserve credit as a full theme park.

 

[siskaren]

REMEMBER: These are JUST RUMORS....

Then why didn't you post this on the Rumor and News forum? :

 

[Conan the Librarian]

"Rumor Mill: 5th theme park; more to Epcot World Showcase; Star Wars Land in phases?"

Phases is in Star Trek, Star Wars had light sabers!

Get it right

 

[Tonyz]

Yeah I think we'll get a fifth park... right around the time that the sun explodes.

 

[wareagle57]

Every time a 5th gate is brought up, everyone shoots it down like it's just a ridiculous idea but i'm not sure why. It's almost like it's because people get used to the rumor and see how definitely it gets shot down so that's how they think as well. It's never based on anything from the inside execs.

With the Star Wars and Pixar expansion, Avatarland and the new night time show, that is going to boost the attendance of both of the "half day" parks. After that I see no reason they couldn't decide to put in a 5th gate. So sure, it might be 10 years away from opening, but it could happen.

I listened to a touring plans podcast last night that teased something about Universal doing something soon to become a 3 day park. Plus rumors of the new water park and that they might be buying sea world. If all those things happen, suddenly Universal is just as much of a vacation as Disney, instead of becoming something Disney goers cut one day out of their trip to do.

 

[JZCubed]

Every time a 5th gate is brought up, everyone shoots it down like it's just a ridiculous idea but i'm not sure why. It's almost like it's because people get used to the rumor and see how definitely it gets shot down so that's how they think as well. It's never based on anything from the inside execs.

With the Star Wars and Pixar expansion, Avatarland and the new night time show, that is going to boost the attendance of both of the "half day" parks. After that I see no reason they couldn't decide to put in a 5th gate. So sure, it might be 10 years away from opening, but it could happen.

I listened to a touring plans podcast last night that teased something about Universal doing something soon to become a 3 day park. Plus rumors of the new water park and that they might be buying sea world. If all those things happen, suddenly Universal is just as much of a vacation as Disney, instead of becoming something Disney goers cut one day out of their trip to do.

I also agree that building a 5th Park could happen, but not until, even as you have pointed out, the necessary upgrades are made to both AK (Avatar) & HS (both Star Wars & Pixar). And as we've all learned from FP+ Tiering, EPCOT could use a ride or two more as well.

However, I doubt plans for a 5th Park are in the works until Avatar is open and HS expansion has begun......years away before any possible announcement for a new Park.

 

[anthony2k7]

WDW has gone what? 16 years since AK opened without major changes to any of the parks (ignoring the fairly small Fantasyland changes).

Now we're suddenly getting Disney Springs, Avatar Land and whatever is coming to DHS (which looks like maybe 50% of the park will change) in the next 5 years.

Going from that, I expect there will be a few years gap after the above are opened before anything major again. So I think the minimum we're looking at currently would be 2025 before they even start building a 5th park - maybe 2030 before it opens.

So basically, we're saying WDW has a 10-20 year plan - which they really should have anyway.

 

[rteetz]

Fifth park- no

More to world showcase besides frozen- no at least not at this time

Star Wars in phases- most likely but still a couple years away

 

[rteetz]

Every time a 5th gate is brought up, everyone shoots it down like it's just a ridiculous idea but i'm not sure why. It's almost like it's because people get used to the rumor and see how definitely it gets shot down so that's how they think as well. It's never based on anything from the inside execs. With the Star Wars and Pixar expansion, Avatarland and the new night time show, that is going to boost the attendance of both of the "half day" parks. After that I see no reason they couldn't decide to put in a 5th gate. So sure, it might be 10 years away from opening, but it could happen. I listened to a touring plans podcast last night that teased something about Universal doing something soon to become a 3 day park. Plus rumors of the new water park and that they might be buying sea world. If all those things happen, suddenly Universal is just as much of a vacation as Disney, instead of becoming something Disney goers cut one day out of their trip to do.

People shoot it down because disney just doesn't have a reason to do it right now. They need to work on the parks they already have. Also what would be the theme of this new park? Epcot has to get some big improvements once AK and DHS are done as well. I think a disneyland third gate is more likely than a WDW fifth gate. Does a 5th gate really make people stay longer when they come to WDW? Not necessarily most people take about a weeks vacation to WDW or the orlando area. What this would do is shave off a day from visiting something else. For expat if I go for a week and go to AK once, DHS once, MK three days, and Epcot two days. Add a fifth park and I shave off a day from Epcot or MK most likely. I'm sure disney has plans around for if they build a fifth park most companies have a 10-20+ year plan and that's great they should, but disney really needs to focus on AK, and DHS and then Epcot once those are done. MK hasn't seen a new E ticket type attraction in over a decade they could use something more as well.

 

[skier_pete]

Every time a 5th gate is brought up, everyone shoots it down like it's just a ridiculous idea but i'm not sure why. It's almost like it's because people get used to the rumor and see how definitely it gets shot down so that's how they think as well. It's never based on anything from the inside execs.

With the Star Wars and Pixar expansion, Avatarland and the new night time show, that is going to boost the attendance of both of the "half day" parks. After that I see no reason they couldn't decide to put in a 5th gate. So sure, it might be 10 years away from opening, but it could happen.

The reason I pooh-pooh any 5th gate rumors is the same reason I do that to other rumors - it doesn't make financial sense for Disney. Disney added a 3rd and 4th park (plus water parks) with the intention of making WDW a week-long destination resort. The Disney Decade. The fact was even Animal Kingdom when it opened didn't really add a lot of people to Disney, it more took them away from other parks.

People already stay at Disney for a week or longer. Most can't stay longer than they do. A fifth gate wouldn't get them to stay even longer, it would just take them away from other parks. What they need if anything is more capacity for guests, and this can be done cheaper within the existing park structure.

In addition, a new parks cost with infrastructure would be in the $2 BILLION range. Major expansion at one of the underperforming parks (really all three except MK) can be done for $500 Million (see Animal Kingdom's current expansion for that price tag). Another $500 Million at DHS and you got a capacity increase of 20 %, the same thing a new park would give you for twice the money.

Not to say a new park will NEVER happen, but in the next 10-15 years, no way.

 

[wallrock]

Well, there IS a park or 2 at Disney that some don't think really deserve credit as a full theme park.

In a way I'm thinking the same thing, but perhaps not in the same vein you are.

It could be a typographical error, or it could reference the renaming/retheming of Hollywood Studios into a 'park'.

Related to what others have said, we'll see another ice age before we see a fifth theme park.

 

[rteetz]

The reason I pooh-pooh any 5th gate rumors is the same reason I do that to other rumors - it doesn't make financial sense for Disney. Disney added a 3rd and 4th park (plus water parks) with the intention of making WDW a week-long destination resort. The Disney Decade. The fact was even Animal Kingdom when it opened didn't really add a lot of people to Disney, it more took them away from other parks. People already stay at Disney for a week or longer. Most can't stay longer than they do. A fifth gate wouldn't get them to stay even longer, it would just take them away from other parks. What they need if anything is more capacity for guests, and this can be done cheaper within the existing park structure. In addition, a new parks cost with infrastructure would be in the $2 BILLION range. Major expansion at one of the underperforming parks (really all three except MK) can be done for $500 Million (see Animal Kingdom's current expansion for that price tag). Another $500 Million at DHS and you got a capacity increase of 20 %, the same thing a new park would give you for twice the money. Not to say a new park will NEVER happen, but in the next 10-15 years, no way.

I agree 100%. I would also like to add that I've heard that DHS might get 1+ billion for updates if the board approves it. Still cheaper than 2 billion and helps a struggling park in disney terms.

 

[Tonka's Skipper]

There will indeed be a 5th park, the question is what it will be and when. The what is in many different plans and ideas, but I doubt nothing near final drawings. The when is not soon, there is to much to do on the other parks. I do believe you will see a 5th park in about 10 years, sooner if the improvements on the other parks move along. The sooner Iger is gone the faster that will happen.

AKK

 

[Jing]

I zoned in on the Universal rumors. I have been in mourning for Star Trek:The Experience since it closed at the Hilton Las Vegas (and finally gave up on the rumors of reopening in Neonopolis when they sold off most of the props at auction a couple of years ago). Anything remotely close in scope at Universal and I will come running!