5th theme park for WDW a bad idea?
Walt Disney World: Will this be a good or a bad idea?
Is Walt Disney World going to be in even more trouble with a fifth theme park?
They would be spreading theirselves too thin. There's only so many parks a family can visit on their vacations. Plus, three of the existing parks are in serious needs of new attractions. Better to spend the money to improve the existing parks. Disney World's lost decade is catching up with them. Businesses have to keep putting money into their business to keep them competitive, and Disney has failed to keep their core business(Disney World Theme Parks)up to par. They've increased their ancillary businesses,(hotels,restaurants, vacation club, next gen gambits) at the expense of the theme parks' major allure, new attractions.
It's a TERRIBLE idea. WDW has shown they can't keep up with 4 parks, let alone 5.
From Dan S
Posted August 9, 2012 at 8:25 AM
I think of it this way....
Currently, there are probably a total of 15 big name rides at disney that aid in bringing buisness to their park, and these attractions are strategically spread throughout the 4 parks in order to bring people to every theme park, and make them spend money on every park, instead of just the one or two that have the big rides. Lets face it, if ToT, Star Tours and Rock'n Rollercoaster were not in Hollywood Studios, the attendance would be much lower.
Going on that logic, having a 5th theme park with as little as two big name attractions (Cause lets face it, AK only really has Dinosaur and Everest) would still bring in quite a profit, as tourists would have to spend the extra money and time to make sure that they end up going to that 5th park.
From Dan S
Posted August 9, 2012 at 8:24 AM
I think of it this way....
Currently, there are probably a total of 15 big name rides at disney that aid in bringing buisness to their park, and these attractions are strategically spread throughout the 4 parks in order to bring people to every theme park, and make them spend money on every park, instead of just the one or two that have the big rides. Lets face it, if ToT, Star Tours and Rock'n Rollercoaster were not in Hollywood Studios, the attendance would be much lower.
Going on that logic, having a 5th theme park with as little as two big name attractions (Cause lets face it, AK only really has Dinosaur and Everest) would still bring in quite a profit, as tourists would have to spend the extra money and time to make sure that they end up going to that 5th park.
Dan's point was so good, he made it twice!
They need to fix the current parks before making a fifth.
From Chad H
Posted August 9, 2012 at 8:48 AM
For the International Visitor point of view....
Magic Kingdom's greatest competition is other Disney parks. Although bringing MK to Tokyo/Paris/Hongkong/Shanghai seems like a prudent decision - its a proven formula, a lot of the planning work has been done, etc, it is only shooting themselves in the foot. Its harder to convince an international traveler to go to WDW when they are likely able to access another park easier - Chinese visitors will have HongKong and Shanghai; other Asian visitors have had Tokyo for some time, Europeans have Paris.
Basically, Disney have themselves negated this drawcard from the mix.
Epoct, in the TPA chatter threads I said I didn't quite understand... I think I might be a bit closer now, but it still seems to be the kind of place you can only understand by going to it. It doesn't seem to have the one major thing that makes people say "I want to go to there".
Animal Kingdom seems to be what Salad is to McDonalds. Yes its on their menu, but its not intended to be a drawcard, its meant to stop you going elsewhere because someone else doesn't want to eat unhealthy; in AK's case it seems to be the "Why spend time going to Busch Gardens when we have it here" park.
This leaves Hollywood Studios, which seems to have been out-studio-ed by Universal.
So I would say Yes, WDW needs a new - unique - new park; either as a 5th park - or dare I speak heresey for a moment - possible replacement for Studios. This park needs to have a major unique drawcard that isn't matched at other Disney parks.
I like the idea of Villans. Maybe close DHS and replace it with a new Villans park targeted at a teen-early 20's audience. More thrill rides; keep classics like Hollywood Hotel and the Rock n Roll coaster. This would have the effect of balancing out the resort to hit everyone.
Closing DHS.... Worst idea ever. I love DHS, its my favorite park. It just needs help, like the other parks. That's all!
A sort of DCA style refurbishment.
DHS has four of the highest rated rides on property, why close the park?
And great shows and atmosphere and it's really beautiful too. Walking down Hollywood Blvd then down Sunset Blvd is really amazing.
Closing and it and replacing it with a "thrill park" would be awful.
From Joey Till
Posted August 9, 2012 at 9:45 AM
No. No need for a fifth. Four parks for families is already a trip. However it would be cool to see a park more for thrills that would be seperate from the rest so it dosn't ruin the expiriance. But its just not worth it for Disney and according to others they can't keep there other 4 parks on track. I havn't been there since 2008 and don't really focus on Disney much so I wouldn't know.
Beautiful isn't a word I'd use for DHS outside of Hollywood and Sunset Boulevards.
We enjoy DHS a lot. Excellent ambiance, good shows and a few excellent attractions. It doesn't need completely redone but it could use a refurbishment. Take out the Backlot Tour & LMA and replace them with a new land with a dynamic E ticket attraction and a few smaller attractions and the park would be just fine. Cars Land, Indiana Jones Land or a Star Wars Land would work. Also, get rid of the hat. DHS just needs a little TLC.
I may not be the Disney-phile that many on here are, and I've only been to MK and what was then Disney/MGM. But I will say I enjoyed them equally.
I find Pixar Place, Echo Lake and even the Streets of America to be very pleasing to the eye.
I can also easily spend a whole day there. Last Tuesday, I was there for 11 hours.
The longest I've been in DHS minus SWW is 8 and a half hours. Not bad considering I park hopped to MK around 6 PM.
And considering you won't ride Rock 'n' Roller Coaster or Tower of Terror which I do each 4-6 times every time I go!
Is Tower of Terror THAT intense?
No, it's just a lot of airtime and is extremely fun. You'll be glad you did it.
I'll give it a drop next time I'm at DHS, but not RNRC.
Double-dog dare ya, Dom. On TOT, that is. Even *I* wouldn't recommend RnR to someone who has expresed dislike for larger coasters.
When I go to DHS next year I want to ride Tot and RNR. I really love big coasters and one day hope to make it to Kingda Ka.
From Jay R.
Posted August 9, 2012 at 3:16 PM
Dom, you haven't been on TOT or RnR at all?
Dom, you should really do RnRC I did it when I was 7 and it was my 2nd upside down roller coaster. I was crying waiting to launch. But once it did, it's nothing but pure speed and I started laughing and screaming from just how fun it is.
Plus, since its dark, you can't tell when your going upside down. It's just fast, loud, dark and FUN! I would recommend it to be someones first upside down roller coaster.
No Jay, I haven't. I'm an all beef chicken when it comes to intense rides. I don't turn into a chicken, but you know what I mean.
From Tony Duda
Posted August 9, 2012 at 4:16 PM
If you look at air photos of Disney's Hollywood Studios (Google Earth) you can see that just by moving the entrance road further south, to the other side of the canal, a huge area for expansion is created. This area, from about Star Tours to Lights Motors Action, can turn DHS into the 'thrill' park many want. Remove LMA and backlot tour, add that space, and anything can be imported from other parks.
I share much the same opinion as many of you here, Disney needs to get their current parks back into good shape before they worry about putting in a 5th themed park. However, we should all know that WDW doesn't operate on the "Basic Common Sense" level most of us do, I don't even think they are on the same planet as common sense anymore.
Epcot and DHS need the money invested into them, although I've heard rumors coming down the gossip chain about new filing construction notices for projects on both these parks. Something to do with Mission: Space (BooHiss!) and 'Muppets' but heaven only knows what that really means. They money would be better spent to bring their current parks upto snuff for the 50th anniversary then it would be on opening yet another park.
Frankly, the only way a 5th park at WDW could even possibly work is IF they went for "Thrill Park" idea, which face it.. they probably won't. It doesn't fit into the "Family" theme since the little kids couldn't ride anything most of us would consider "Thrilling" and the second problem is that thrill parks tend to take up a LOT of space. The land contract that allowed Walt Disney to purchase the land WDW sits on also requires them to keep a set amount of it untouched.
I'll ride it for you Saturday, Karly.
Forget a new park. The first thing I want done is to turn Toy Story Place back into Pixar Place.
Karly kingda ka really isn't anything special it is at my home park if know.
I think a fifth park would be good, but maybe not right now in this economy
Yes please mike and thanks for that Andrew
Andrew is right about Kingda Ka. I actually like Top Thrill Dragster better (next month, baby!) because of the theming and the trains.
That said, I've come to like KK a bit more the last coupla years. It's something any coaster lover should experience at least once. And riding in the pitch blackness of the night is an awesome feeling. You know you're about to be launched up this 456-foot tower, but..if the conditions are right..all you can see are the blinking red airplane lights. The tower is completely invisible.
And Dom, I love that phrase.."all-beef chicken."
From Jay R.
Posted August 10, 2012 at 2:05 PM
All beef chicken is hilarious.......
I just had KFC for dinner XD
Yeah, I think top thrill looks cooler.
Everyone: I think we're all forgetting the fact that this wouldn't happen until the 50th anniversary (2021). There will be enough time to refurbish and remodel other rides between those 9 years. Furthermore, with Avatar Island coming to AK, attendance will have that jump similar to the Harry Potter one.
Also, nobody's gonna care that there'll be too many parks to go to. People will flock to this new park regardless. It won't matter how many other parks because the 5th park will be the one to go to. With attendance extremely high, it'll take a few days to experience everything this park has. and the craze for this park won't die down in a year's time, no. This will be going for a few years. It'll be Disneyland in 1955 all over again.
Dom: First off, hello. Nice to meet you. HUGE fan of you and N B's disagreements lol. Second, RNRC is nothing. Honestly, the Bug Out (now "Go Bananas") at Wild Adventures is more intense, and that's saying something. I literally HATED roller coasters until I rode RNRC after losing a bet (people might say they don't like roller coasters, but I HATED roller coasters). I promise, you'll be glad you did RNRC like 3 or 4 times the next time you go.
Also, I agree with Rob and Duda. It's time to tear down that backlot tour. I was so bored on that ride, that I read an entire novel (or at least finished a novel) on the ride. But LMA is somewhat newish. maybe when the nine years pass, it'll be time to wave adios to LMA. By then, hopefully, they will have refurbished Fantasmic.
Hope you enjoyed your "ride" on Kingda Ka, Karly (KKK? Oooh.) I got two rides, but sat on the "launch pad" for nearly five minutes on my sunset ride.
From Dominick D
Posted August 12, 2012 at 11:57 AM
Thanks for the compliments ;)
From Dominick D
Posted August 12, 2012 at 12:04 PM
I just looked up Go Bananas on You Tube. How is that more intense then RNRC?
Yeah I did enjoy it!
I'm guessing you have never gone on Go Bananas (or back when it was called the Bug Out either). It's one of those "You'd have to be there" kind of things. At the top of GB, each turn feels like you're about to fall off. If you HATE roller coasters like I did, then you'll come off of GB in tears................like I did. I'd more quickly trust RNRC with my life than I would GB. That's why I said that calling RNRC safer way saying something since GB looks like a kiddy ride lol.
I haven't been to WA to begin with.
Well you haven't missed out on a thing (given that their tickets are only $40). Wild Adventures is a poor man's Busch Gardens lol.
Go Bananas is a standard Wild Mouse coaster. The fact they feel like they are going to fall apart and tip off the edge makes them terrifying. Especially when you realize the staff of Wild Adventures are maintaining it...
And Dom, have you seen RnRC with the lights on? You can find videos on YouTube. There are literally no steep drops and it's just a smooth ride with a few inversions. And inversions are not scary.
I have seen it with lights on. It's mainly the opening that makes me not wanna ride.
The 0-60 MPH launch?! That's the best part!
I'd venture to say that "launch" is not Dom's favorite meal of the day.
No Mike, my favorite meal is take off.
From Phil B.
Posted August 12, 2012 at 3:40 PM
The fan in me would love to see a 5th park built, but realistically, I rather see all 4 existing parks pushed to their absolute limits as far as expansion, world class attractions and immersiveness. I would pass on a steel thrill park and love to see Disney Sea Orlando instead, but not if they were going to cut corners and make it a shell of what the park is in Japan. I imagine there are enough attractions in Disney parks around the world to pull from, as well as properties and blue sky concepts on the back burner to easily drop a 5th gate in Orlando, but it's just not worth it if you're going to penny pinch. Get the 4 running right, and maybe in 15 to 20 years you can start looking into that 5th gate.
Well I think a 5th park with the target audience being the same as Disneyland Paris, we could have a great park. Like make and Alien ride, Tron, a few coasters, some like the mummy coaster and 1 or 2 outdoors, some other dark rides, and some other thrill rides and your good to go.
Well I really think that they could go somewhere if they put the right rides, restaurants and maybe a new resort to compliment the new park. But I still think they should fix the problems in their other parks before they even think about doing a 5th park. Even know they will build one anyway.
Well I really think that they could go somewhere if they put the right rides, restaurants and maybe a new resort to compliment the new park. But I still think they should fix the problems in their other parks before they even think about doing a 5th park. Even know they will build one anyway.
From Don Neal
Posted August 13, 2012 at 7:02 AM
I don't see the point of a fifth park. Disney's time would be better spent upgrading and adding to the current parks. They can increase capacity, interest, and all the while keep their teams focused on those parks. Adding a fifth gate would be a huge undertaking and a 5-10 year effort with a large team no longer focused on the existing parks but on the new one.
I would much rather see Epcot, AK, and DHS get the love that MK is getting right now over the next 5-10 years instead of a new park. Plus a 4 park resort is perfect for a 4-6 day vacation with allowance for a few days at the beach or a water park as well.
Before adding a 5 park disney has to check their other parks let's start with
DHS-expand the pixar place add incredibles , cars , up and a ratatuille restaurant
Epcot-add some kind of phineas and ferb atraction
AK-they are already making avatar but they should add some kind of south america land
Wen disney does this things there they can think about getting a 5 theme park. I"ll say like a marvel theme park or A florida version of disney sea
From Dominick D
Posted August 13, 2012 at 12:46 PM
Our first nomination for typo of the week: "ratatuille", Giovanny Cruz.
Nah.
Isn't epcot getting a new test track and a phineas and ferb replacement for Kim possible.
Agent P's World Showcase has been open for the past 2 months.
This discussion has been archived, and is not accepting additional responses.