Will there ever be a 5th gate?

[Ghost]

Dreaming about Disney (as I always do) I could not get the thoughts about a 5th gate out of my head.

5th Gate: Past

What do you think about this? 5th gate is something from the past? or will we ever see one?

 

[MikeL1515]

good read!!!

 

[Ghost]

good read!!!

ThanX.. that is highly apreciated

 

[manning]

I doubt it. from an interview with Iger:

Q: As you discuss globalization you seem to suggest that the domestic theme park market may have limited growth potential right now. Is it saturating?

A: Well, I don't really mean to suggest that.

At the moment, we don't have plans on the drawing boards to build what I would call new parks in the United States.

We certainly have plans, and the desire, and the ability to expand what we currently have. Today [with the grand opening of Expedition Everest] is a good example of that. The building going on for our vacation club is another great example of that. There is a list of concepts either in the dreaming phase or on the drawing board that will fuel both this facility and the one in California for many years to come. So growth is far from over. ..... The other thing we're doing is we're expanding other concepts beyond the theme park concept. The cruise ship is a good example of that. Adventures by Disney is another good example of that. There will probably be more of that.


The complete interview:

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1082472

 

[MJMcBride]

My understanding (and I could be wrong) is that DAK and the Studios have a much lower rate of single day passes sold compared to MK and Epcot. I think they think they need to improve the attraction list at the newer parks. Right now, DAK is not a full day experience and the Studios can certainly be done in a day at least in the "off season."

In order to improve the single day sales for these parks (mainly from locals and brief visitors), they need to add attractions and not necessarily E:E type rides. Maybe more smaller rides and attractions to fill one's day.

 

[Jon99]

"At the moment, we don't have plans on the drawing boards to build what I would call new parks in the United States."

Interesting comment, but what exactly does it mean? If he wouldn't call it plans for a new park, what would he call it?

 

[Another Voice]

Interesting comment, but what exactly does it mean?

At WDW they have you for a week. At Disneyland they have you for a weekend.

But the missing piece is getting you for a day.

For more than a decade now, Disney has been trying to figure out "regional entertainment centers" - a place where people could go for a quick hit of "Disney" without the expense of a full vacation. Most people are familar with their last big effort - DisneyQuest. It was one of the few plans that actually had multiple locations. The blue sky concept called for a dozen or more throughout the country, spreading to Europe and Asia. Pleasure Island was often thought of a prototype complex that Disney could replicate as well. Disney has also tried some other ideas in California (including what was essential a large day camp for children). All have met with little success.

Still, the need to increase earnings is there. There are rumors of some new concepts floating around, concepts that are more "weekend" based than the DisneyQuest's "let kill the afternoon" concept.

 

[wdwguide]

At this point, they have land left for two additional parks and several more resorts (unless the RCID changes its land allocation, which would be easy for the company to "request" - but there are limits because much of the property is considered floodplain). I wouldn't expect anything for a decade or more, since there is plenty of capacity for the existing theme parks to expand.
A new investment of this magnitude after what the company has been through during the past decade would not please the stockholders, nor would it make any sense from an operations standpoint. The existing parks can easily handle 50 million visitors annually and more!

By the way, I haven't read the article you linked to, but the marked area is NOT the most likely place for a new gate, in fact, that's a very unlikely location!

 

[Ghost]

By the way, I haven't read the article you linked to, but the marked area is NOT the most likely place for a new gate, in fact, that's a very unlikely location!

Go on read it; it would make me happy! (from one Blogger to another - I am following your blog too )
Some extra information; The map is from MiceAge and their article from January. (as mentioned in the article).

 

[DannyDisneyFreak]

Since you used the time frame "a couple of decades," you'll see Disney building more parks internationally, and you'll see Disney expanding the vacation experience domestically a fair amount, and you will see expansion in California and in Florida, but again I doubt you'll see, at least in the next decade, a new gate.

So to answer your question, no there will not be a 5th gate, "at least in the next decade."
I think once they beef up AK and MGM, which I think will be just Disney Studios once and for all soon, and they open a couple of more Disneylands overseas, my bet is in China and India, then they will open a 5th gate. I don't think the question is "Will there ever be a 5th gate?" but "When will they open a 5th gate?" My only hope is they put alot of thought, planning and pixie dust into it and make it spectacular, better than the rest.

 

[Ghost]

So to answer your question, no there will not be a 5th gate, "at least in the next decade."
I think once they beef up AK and MGM, which I think will be just Disney Studios once and for all soon, and they open a couple of more Disneylands overseas, my bet is in China and India, then they will open a 5th gate. I don't think the question is "Will there ever be a 5th gate?" but "When will they open a 5th gate?" My only hope is they put alot of thought, planning and pixie dust into it and make it spectacular, better than the rest.

Indeed, and you'll see more about your observations in part 2 and 3 of the article. Including the Iger "outburst" of no 5th gate...

Then again, we can all dream... on another forum the are pleadging for DisneySea Orlando...

Talking about other locations, I could also offer them a place in my backyard to build a gate

 

[DannyDisneyFreak]

To do DisneySea they would have to change the name, people would think it was like sea world a marine animal park which it is not. DisneySea would be interesting though. To tell you the truth though I would much rather they added to the existing parks that add a whole new gate. They need to A.) Add a section to AK along with another thrill ride or two, the beastly kingdom (or another "land" since the Yeti is in EE) and I think now that they added this Nemo show some marine life attractions between Asia and DinoLand (and they can make it different than Living Seas). B.) They need to bring back movie and animation production to Disney Studios (read the thread on MGM) and bulk it up with some appropriately themed rides. Oh yeah, get rid of that big stupid hat!

 

[Ghost]

Good point about DisneySea. I am not in favor for DisneySea, although I would love to visit it. If (or when) the 5th gate would come I hope they do something new. A gate that would be found back in Orlando only (without clones of other rides)

AK rumors about Beastly Kingdom did appear again a couple of weeks ago. I guess the new ME shows management that new exclusive rides done by the talent of Disney Inagineers brings in the people... A couple of extra rides and another E-Ticket might give AK the attention it diserves from the public. I love AK and still think it is a imagineering masterpiece misunderstood by many - it is not all about the rides. There is so much more to discover.

And the hat at MGM; will it ever go?....

 

[Ghost]

Well... here is the second part of my rant: 5th Gate: NOW

Your visit would honnor me...

and I want to now what all of you Disney fans have to say.

and a question for the board; Would you visit Dubailand?

 

[Ghost]

Hi everybody. here is the last part of my 5th gate rant 5th Gate: Future

thanx for your visit. And let's get the topic going as I am interested in what all of you think about the WDW future.

and as a thank you a return link to this page too...

 

[Tink's Tormentor]

I won't say anything other than to watch the land near the new access road... Something is planned for that area... Just what, I cannot say... For certain anyway... But, it is big...

 

[DannyDisneyFreak]

I won't say anything other than to watch the land near the new access road... Something is planned for that area... Just what, I cannot say... For certain anyway... But, it is big...

And by what authority are you saying this? Why don't you give us a hint of your insider information? It's not kind to keep secrets...

 

[Ghost]

I won't say anything other than to watch the land near the new access road... Something is planned for that area... Just what, I cannot say... For certain anyway... But, it is big...

For sure you can give us some more info (or send me a mail with what you know)...

Don't forget to check out part three on the blog about the 5th gate... 5th Gate: Future

 

[Tink's Tormentor]

Let's just say I know some people.... They are like 90 percent sure of the development of the land and just what will go there.. but be forewarned.. Just like everything else, plans and ideas can change... The existing parks will get the love and care they need first and for most... Backstage areas are going to be cleared out and moved to other locations as part of this 10 year expansion plan.... But, is it a 5th gate or something else?? Not too sure...

 

[Ted and Holly]

Let's just say I know some people.... They are like 90 percent sure of the development of the land and just what will go there.. but be forewarned.. Just like everything else, plans and ideas can change... The existing parks will get the love and care they need first and for most... Backstage areas are going to be cleared out and moved to other locations as part of this 10 year expansion plan.... But, is it a 5th gate or something else?? Not too sure...

I hope the people you know are executives or contractor supervisors. Regular CMs, even managers hear very little of the real plans and hear and spread the same rumors as the rest of us.

Ted