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

[k5jm]

I do not think Disney is thinking 5th gate. I tend to lean toward a physical expansion of DHS to the other side of World Drive.

Disney’s Hollywood Studios has a potential expansion area west of the theme park although the area is located across World Drive from the existing attractions. Animal Kingdom has substantial room within its existing boundaries for additional attractions.

From Reedy Creek Improvement District Comprehensive Plan 2020
Supporting Data and Analysis FUTURE LAND USE ELEMENT 2B-22

This would allow for expanding the park without guests around. I am not sure if World Drive would move or be modified so that it would not be an "outside element" in the middle of a theme park. But, DHS was constructed with the ability to expand to the west. The drainage and runoff was designed around this potential expansion.

 

[lockedoutlogic]

If you really look at economics...at least "theme park economics" (I'm studying for my PHD . )...

It is almost a statistical certainty that NO new parks -save for perhaps a boutique - will ever be built in wdw again.

Honestly...we should be lucky that at least the "template" at animal kingdom and studios was built.

If Eisner wasnt in charge - I'm not sure they do. Especially animal kingdom.

Two of Eisner other "pushed" projects...one in Anaheim and one in Marne la Vallee...have been in the news as of the last few weeks/ years.

 

[k5jm]

Settle on the right boutique concept and suddenly it costs far less to build, staff and maintain. You draw far fewer guests....but you charge them each MUCH higher admission fees.

The concept they settled on is called Adventures by Disney.

 

[Planogirl]

Can I dream of a Frozen park? It would be nice to get Frozen out of the other parks and into its own area plus see Disney do it up right instead of piecemeal.

Pipe dream aside, that Night Kingdom concept sounds amazing. If they go boutique I hope that they keep the costs rational even if those two words tend to not fit together when it comes to Disney nowadays.

 

[lockedoutlogic]

The concept they settled on is called Adventures by Disney.

You mean disneyfied versions of real life at double the market price?

No thanks...I've navigated my way around London, Paris, & Rome before. I'm good.

 

[tjkraz]

The concept they settled on is called Adventures by Disney.

I suspect Disney's still looking to capture some additional dollars between the $70 per day for theme park visits on a MYW ticket and the $15-20K price tag of an Adventures by Disney trip.

 

[k5jm]

I suspect Disney's still looking to capture some additional dollars between the $70 per day for theme park visits on a MYW ticket and the $15-20K price tag of an Adventures by Disney trip.

I have been on many ABD trips and the cost has never been $15-20K

$2.5K to $7K is the norm.

 

[tjkraz]

I have been on many ABD trips and the cost has never been $15-20K

$2.5K to $7K is the norm.

Sorry...was having flashbacks to every quote I've personally looked at for my family of 4...plus airfare (Europe) and other necessary expenses.

Point stands, though. I'm sure Disney does quite will with AbD as a niche product. Same is true of DCL. But there are a lot of people who WOULD spend more for the right VIP experience in WDW, but aren't willing/able to pay AbD or DCL dollars. And a lot of those same ABD/DCL customers would also sample a park-based VIP product, too.

 

[lockedoutlogic]

I have been on many ABD trips and the cost has never been $15-20K

$2.5K to $7K is the norm.

Those are the domestics...the foreign ones are alot. And perhaps it was 15-20 per family?

 

[k5jm]

Those are the domestics...the foreign ones are alot. And perhaps it was 15-20 per family?

Done 3 international with add-ons and none were $15K per family

 

[yitbos96bb]

Attendance problems? DAK was 7 & DHS was 8 in attendance. Not sure what you mean.

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.

 

[lockedoutlogic]

Done 3 international with add-ons and none were $15K per family

No offense...but the numbers your giving don't equate with the cost estimates I obtained from Disney five years ago.

But I'll take your word for it. One way or another...they're expensive for what your getting and in no way a replacement for a premium, limited overhead boutique park in Orlando that services an already captive audience that's hungry for more...
Which was the general dispute...was it not?

 

[lockedoutlogic]

Attendance problems? DAK was 7 & DHS was 8 in attendance. Not sure what you mean.

EPCOT, studios, and animal kingdom have far less attendance that Disney management is comfortable with...they would like nothing more than to pack people in to generate more profit and squeeze the overhead.

In an ideal world...mk would have at least 20 mil annually, EPCOT and dak would have minimum 15, and studios 12-13.

And that would be the launching point... Moving higher from there.

Attendance problems is relative in this case

 

[Mister Skellington]

Leave the World Showcase ALONE! They are really ruining the world showcase. It wasn't meant for Frozen or Ratatouille. Put that stuff anywhere in Epcot but let the WS shine! IMO it is the best part of WDW~! Food and wine and princesses don't go together!

 

[lockedoutlogic]

Leave the World Showcase ALONE! They are really ruining the world showcase. It wasn't meant for Frozen or Ratatouille. Put that stuff anywhere in Epcot but let the WS shine! IMO it is the best part of WDW~! Food and wine and princesses don't go together!

Amen, Reverend!!!


The problem is our team is gonna lose.
The customers have gotten incredibly spoiled and lazy and Disney can capitalize on that. They want brainless princesses and toy story overlays (which i have no problem with if placed properly)...not culture (or a fictionalized version of it) and technology.

This is what will sell.

I'd like a rep from Disney make a reasonable argument why a frozen dark ride fits better into EPCOT from a theme standpoint over Magic Kingdom, Studios, of even in blizzard beach in some form...
They wouldn't be able to do it.

 

[Tonka's Skipper]

Leave the World Showcase ALONE! They are really ruining the world showcase. It wasn't meant for Frozen or Ratatouille. Put that stuff anywhere in Epcot but let the WS shine! IMO it is the best part of WDW~! Food and wine and princesses don't go together!

Agreed!

AKK

 

[HollyTW1997]

Leave the World Showcase ALONE! They are really ruining the world showcase. It wasn't meant for Frozen or Ratatouille. Put that stuff anywhere in Epcot but let the WS shine! IMO it is the best part of WDW~! Food and wine and princesses don't go together!

Best comment on this site!

 

[ethanwa]

Leave the World Showcase ALONE! They are really ruining the world showcase. It wasn't meant for Frozen or Ratatouille. Put that stuff anywhere in Epcot but let the WS shine! IMO it is the best part of WDW~! Food and wine and princesses don't go together!

DISAGREE. I can't tell you how STRONGLY I disagree with this.

 

[lockedoutlogic]

DISAGREE. I can't tell you how STRONGLY I disagree with this.

Ok...

Por que' ?

 

[Minnesota!]

Leave the World Showcase ALONE! They are really ruining the world showcase. It wasn't meant for Frozen or Ratatouille. Put that stuff anywhere in Epcot but let the WS shine! IMO it is the best part of WDW~! Food and wine and princesses don't go together!

I could not agree with you more!