Is It Time to Talk About a FIFTH PARK in Disney World Again?

The dust has begun to settle as we learn more about the future of the Disney Parks, but does that mean even bigger expansion isn’t on the horizon? Not quite.

Magic Kingdom

Over in California, DisneylandForward is full steam ahead and we’ve recently gotten more news about both Disney’s Animal Kingdom and Magic Kingdom expansions over at Disney World. Without a doubt, these imminent plans will be Disney’s main focus over the next several years. HOWEVER, that doesn’t mean we should shelve talks about a larger Disney World expansion and the creation of a fifth theme park.

Speculation about a fifth theme park at Disney World has been rampant for years, with not much materialization occurring. With that said, some developments have recently occurred that could change that narrative.

EPCOT

In March 2024, Disney and Florida Governor Ron DeSantis-appointed members of the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District (CFTOD) reached a settlement agreement after nearly two years of litigation. Not long after, Disney reached a new development agreement with the CFTOD in late May. That agreement is expected to get final approval from the district in a vote on June 12th. To sum it up, over $17 billion worth of investments will go to Disney World in the next 10 to 20 years. With most of its litigation behind them (there are still some pending settlements we expect to see), Disney’s hefty investment brings about the question once again — is Disney World on the cusp of approving a fifth theme park?

Hollywood Studios

To put things into context, the Disneyland Resort is allocating nearly $2 billion over the next decade to rezone and expand the resort — creating more dining options, more hotels, more rides, more lands, more everything. And yes, there is a possibility that California will receive a new Disney Park during the process.

So if all of that is in the works with a Disney property severely limited in space, what can we expect when it comes to Disney World, which has far more land to play with?

The new agreement covers about 17,300 acres owned by Disney and authorizes a maximum of five major theme parks, five minor theme parks, 1.3 million square feet of office space, 1.7 million square feet of restaurant and retail space, and 53,467 hotel rooms. So the answer to everyone’s questions is “YES, Disney is well within its rights to open a fifth gate.”

Walt Disney World might be growing substantially over the next two decades.

But will it? At this point, it’s purely speculative. There have been no concrete announcements, nor any indications that this is a process Disney World is looking to start soon. With the expansion of existing parks in mind, it’s safe to assume that Disney will continue to prioritize the plans they already have in place.

Still, it’s fun to speculate. We asked YOU, the readers, what you thought about the possibility of a fifth gate and you gave us plenty of reasonable takes. Many of you agreed that Disney World would not focus on a fifth park, but instead zero in on the expansion of existing parks and lands. Many brought up the possibility of attractions from other Disney Parks around the world coming to Florida, and this is an avenue that is the most probable outcome. This is also an outcome many Disney World fans seem content with.

Animal Kingdom

Others felt that money would be best suited improving what’s already in place. We get it, maintenance can get expensive and focusing efforts on improving the existing attractions, hotels, and amenities would only preserve the longevity of all the things we love about Disney World.

And, of course, some also agreed a fifth park was possible. Bringing up blue sky ideas like a Heroes vs. Villains park, some fans got creative and were eager to see a fifth gate installed. Some would be happy just to see more parity and offerings around the parks that could potentially lower demand and costs, overall.

However, some other fans also accurately noted it was possible based on what the market suggests would be the most beneficial for Disney World. If a fifth park helps Disney push back against Universal’s Epic Universe, that could be a driving force, for example.

The Main Mouse

At this point, we don’t have any concrete information to say a fifth park is imminent. It’s also unwise to rule it out. So, in the meantime, we’ll continue to dive into this interesting possibility and explore all kinds of outcomes. You can check out what we think would be in a new park by clicking the link below!

Experts Think Disney World Could Add a 5th Park — Here Are 3 Clues About What Could Be In It

The future of Disney World is incredibly exciting and we’ll be with you through every piece of speculation, solid announcement, and planning process! To stay in the loop, follow us here at DFB for all the latest Disney World news, tips, reviews, and more!

Magic Kingdom Expansion in Disney World — Everything You Need to Know

Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe!

WE KNOW DISNEY.
YOU CAN, TOO.

Oh boy, planning a Disney trip can be quite the adventure, and we totally get it! But fear not, dear friends, we compiled EVERYTHING you need (and the things to avoid!) to plan the ULTIMATE Disney vacation.

Whether you're a rookie or a seasoned pro, our insider tips and tricks will have you exploring the parks like never before. So come along with us, and get planning your most magical vacation ever!

Do you think Disney World will build a fifth theme park? Share your thoughts in the comments below!