The magic in Central Florida is stirring in a big way—especially at Walt Disney World Resort. With major transformations happening across three of its four parks and whispers growing louder about a potential fifth gate, Disney is poised to reshape the vacation kingdom in historic fashion.
This summer marked a turning point for Magic Kingdom, Walt Disney World’s flagship park, now 53 years old. On July 6, two iconic attractions—Tom Sawyer Island and the Rivers of America—bid farewell, making way for what Disney calls the “largest expansion in Magic Kingdom history.”
Following the D23 Expo last year, Disney Experiences Chairman Josh D’Amaro pulled back the curtain on the plans: Frontierland will soon welcome guests to Piston Peak National Park, inspired by Pixar’s Cars universe. Following that, the expansion will continue “Beyond Big Thunder,” where Imagineers will bring Disney Villains into the spotlight with brand-new experiences.
Meanwhile, over at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, Imagineers are hard at work bringing the world of Monsters, Inc. to life with Monstropolis—including Disney’s first-ever suspended coaster. And at Disney’s Animal Kingdom, the transformation of DinoLand U.S.A. has already begun. The upcoming Tropical Americas—featuring the vibrant Pueblo Esperanza area—promises to immerse guests in new adventures.
Yet perhaps the most talked-about possibility on the horizon is something even bigger: a brand-new park. Speculation about a fifth theme park at Walt Disney World has ramped up ever since Universal Orlando Resort began building Epic Universe, the area’s first new gate in over two decades. The last time Disney added a park was in 1998 when Animal Kingdom opened to guests.
Earlier this year, theme park analysts predicted Disney would announce a fifth gate within the next 18 months. Since then, the company unveiled plans for Disneyland Abu Dhabi, an international first, but fans are still hoping for a new park closer to home.
Earlier this year, Inside the Magic reported on a new Comprehensive Plan 2045 from the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District (CFTOD). The document reserves development space for a “major theme park” and two “minor theme parks,” setting the stage for Disney’s next big move.
Florida’s tourism industry is already seeing gains from new offerings in the region. On May 22, Universal’s Epic Universe officially opened, drawing major crowds with themed lands such as SUPER NINTENDO WORLD and How to Train Your Dragon: Isle of Berk. According to Click Orlando, Orange County Comptroller Phil Diamond confirmed that Tourist Development Tax (TDT) collections for May 2025 reached nearly $30 million—a record for the month, and a 5.7% increase from the previous year.
Hotels saw an uptick, too. Occupancy rose to 69.2%, up slightly year-over-year, and demand increased by 2.6%. With 2,500 new hotel rooms added, the average nightly rate climbed to $198.20. Convention activity at the Orange County Convention Center also played a role in the record-breaking month.
Phil Diamond noted last November that new theme park additions reliably boost tourism. “The year after Animal Kingdom opened, there was about an 8% increase in spending,” he said. “After Islands of Adventure opened, it was about 1.8%. Following [The Wizarding World of Harry Potter], there was about a 7% increase.”
Notably, on May 21, 2025, all six theme parks across Disney World opened simultaneously for the first time in six years—a milestone that hints at just how vibrant Central Florida has become.
With major changes on the horizon and new lands already in motion, the future of Walt Disney World Resort is brighter than ever. And if new themed lands alone can inspire economic spikes, one can only imagine the impact of a brand-new park.
How do you feel about a potential fifth Disney World park in Florida? Let us know in the comments down below!
