A new long-term plan from the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District (CFTOD) raises the possibility that a fifth theme park could be built at Walt Disney World Resort. Recently, the Comprehensive Plan 2045 from the CFTOD was adopted. Part of this plan allows for the development of a “major theme park” and two “minor theme parks” over the course of the next two decades.
Currently, Disney has not shared any plans for a new park to be built at the Walt Disney World Resort. However, this plan indicates that there is a possibility for one that is being considered. The future land use for the district’s infrastructure policies is being set up in a way that could lead to the development of a large-scale new park if Disney decides this is something that would benefit its business.
The “major theme park” in the plan is defined as a park with a projected area of 400-550 acres, approximately the same size as the current four theme parks at Walt Disney World Resort. The two “minor theme parks” would be approximately 147 acres.
It should be made very clear that at this point, these are possible projects that currently have no guarantee of coming to fruition. What this plan does is preserve zoning, land use classification, and infrastructure assumptions that would be needed if any of these parks were to move forward and be developed. In simple terms, if Disney were to want to build a fifth gate, they could without having to go to CFTOD for a plan amendment or to seek out major regulatory changes.
This isn’t an entirely new possibility for the district where Walt Disney World Resort resides. Previously, there was the possibility for a fifth park in what was the Reedy Creek Improvement District Horizon 2020 plan. This new plan under the current governing body, the CFTOD, continues with the possibility of a fifth gate through 2045.
This new plan acknowledges that there is plenty of room for the current parks to grow at Walt Disney World Resort. It also notes that throughout the district, there is plenty of undeveloped land as well. The district determines that even with previously approved projects and areas that are reserved for conservation, there is still room for a fifth major park.
At this point, it is too early to read too much into this plan. As has been noted before, the possibility of another major park has been something the district has kept open previously. What this does is acknowledge that Disney’s business demands and vision could change in the future. Currently, Disney is focused on building and offering new experiences within its current theme parks. This includes a new Cars area and Villains Land at Magic Kingdom, and Tropical Americas coming to Disney’s Animal Kingdom. While there isn’t any announced new park for Walt Disney World Resort currently, there is always the possibility that this could change later.
What do you think of a fifth major theme park being included as a possibility for the comprehensive plan for the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District? Do you think Walt Disney World Resort will end up building a fifth park in the not-so-distant future? If Disney did, what do you think this park should be? Share your thoughts and opinions in the comments below!
