Disney has dropped subtle hints about building a 5th theme park—and with Epic Universe now open, fans are wondering: is this finally the moment?
Believe it or not, Disney formally acknowledged a fifth theme park at Walt Disney World… back in 2010. It’s not a typo or a rumor. This real document says, in black and white, “Future 5th Theme Park.” They even carved out land for it near Flamingo Crossings.
Fast forward fifteen years—and yeah, still nothing.
Fans Dream of a 5th Gate
Disney fans from dreaming big about a fifth gate. A Villains park is always at the top of the wish list. It practically writes itself—dark forests, sinister castles, thrilling attractions themed after Disney’s most iconic bad guys. You know people would line up. Though, this seems less likely with the new Villains Land coming to Magic Kingdom.
Others want a more international feel, maybe a Worlds of Disney concept with different regions from animated classics. Or perhaps something futuristic and tech-driven, pulling from films like Tron, Lightyear, and Big Hero 6.
There’s even been chatter about a park built around forgotten or underrated characters. A love letter to the oddballs of Disney animation.
And hey, at this point, we’d even take a parking lot tour if it meant seeing something new.
A Park That Exists Only on Paper
Let’s be fair: Disney hasn’t exactly been sitting around. There have been expansions galore. Pandora – The World of Avatar turned Animal Kingdom into a glowing nighttime wonderland. Galaxy’s Edge brought Star Wars to life in a big way. EPCOT’s been undergoing a never-ending transformation. And Magic Kingdom got its sleek new TRON Lightcycle Run coaster.
Of course, we can’t overlook the new Villains land that’s underway in Magic Kingdom. Numerous new shows have popped up in Hollywood Studios, as well.
But all of that has taken place inside the existing parks. A true 5th gate? Hasn’t happened. Not even close. And the fans are getting impatient.
Why Disney’s Dragging Its Feet
The short answer? Building a theme park is insanely expensive. It’s a massive risk, even for a company as big as Disney. And after the financial fallout from COVID, the company has been a bit more careful with its big swings.
There’s also the competition angle. Universal’s Epic Universe is now open, and the crowds have been out-of-control. Maybe Disney is waiting for the right moment to make their move, increasing the competition with Universal. Or maybe they’re just… not ready. And haven’t been for 15 years.
Don’t Hold Your Breath (But Don’t Give Up Either)
So, will Disney ever build that long-rumored 5th park? Who knows. The land is there. The fans are definitely ready. But after sitting on the idea for over a decade, it’s hard not to feel like this is one big “we’ll see.”
Until then, all we can do is keep dreaming—and maybe keep one eye on that old plot of land, just in case something finally moves.
