In the happy blur between now and the D23 Expo, I’d like to discuss a rumor that has been percolating for nearly a quarter of a century . . . but it’s so central to the whole reason that Walt Disney bought all that Central Florida swamp land to begin with that I don’t think it will ever fully die until it actually comes true! And conditions are just right for me to speculate that right now may just be the time that this rumor gives birth to something more concrete.

Last week, Universal announced its Epic Universe theme park which is said to feature themed areas like Super Nintendo Land, Universal Monsters, and a third Wizarding World among others.

This announcement comes just as Disney is ramping up support for their upcoming D23 Expo, where the company usually announces new developments, lands and attractions for their worldwide theme parks. Possibly, Universal was hoping they would be able to steal some of Disney’s thunder just as Galaxy’s Edge was opening in Florida, as well.

The mere existence of the Studios Park proves that Disney can be reactive on a grand scale when faced with a threat to their Orlando Theme Park crown. It was built and opened on a rushed schedule to beat Universal Studios own Florida opening.

When Disney’s Animal Kingdom was in the planning stage, guests were asked if they would be less likely to go to Busch Gardens if this park were actually built (note: I was one of the guests who were shown the presentation and given the questionnaire in 1995.)

There are still two weeks or so until the D23 Expo… enough time to react to the announcement of this Epic new theme park if they so desire (though Disney has likely known Universal’s plans nearly as long as Universal has). The question is: how?

Will Disney stay above the fray and just continue along with the projects we’ve already heard about? Will they make additional lesser announcements, such as individual resorts or attractions and let what they already have go up against Universal’s new park? Or will they step up to the challenge and announce a whole new FIFTH theme park to stay far ahead of the competition?

Universal calls their Volcano Bay water park a theme park, so they will be crowing that they have the same number of theme parks as Disney. The announcement of a fifth gate would keep Disney ahead in the game. That, or calling Blizzard Beach and Typhoon Lagoon theme parks . . . which I don’t imagine would go over too well.

Back when I was covering Walt Disney World’s 25th anniversary in 1996, we received several packets of information – press kits, fliers, etc. On one of these it showed the future site of Animal Kingdom on a property map, and a few inches above it the future site of their fifth theme park. It was official – at least at that time. Rumors flew about a fifth theme park the moment the fourth was announced – and I’m sure that should the fifth park be announced, rumors about a sixth won’t be far behind.

Oh . . . and there is one more little thing. . . when Universal purchased 750 additional acres of land near their Orlando resort, it was pretty clear that they were working on a resort expansion. Well, just last year, Disney purchased well over 900 acres near Walt Disney World! And while that land may or may not be for actual development, it will allow Disney to offset some of their preservation and land management obligations so they can build closer to the heart of Walt Disney World.

The pieces of this old rumor are certainly burning hotter than they have in years.

So, what would you like to see as Disney’s fifth park . . . should they finally build one? Would you want to see beasts, steel, magical seaports, superheroes, or something entirely new? We may just be on the verge of an even more magical Disney World.

Discount Theme Park Tickets and Travel

MiceChat’s partners at Get Away Today offer you amazing savings on Disney tickets and travel from coast to coast!

Get The Deals:

EDITORS NOTE: We’d like to wish our Fabulous Disney Babe a VERY happy birthday. You are loved!

Thank you for reading! Please share from the share buttons on this page!

We address rumors here. We’ll make sure to always point out what IS a rumor, why it’s a rumor and encourage you to always take it with the grain of salt that makes rumors so delicious in the first place. Use it as a starting-off point for speculation and imagination, because, to be honest, rumors are fun. Please help support MiceChat by clicking here! I’m on Patreon, Paypal and support Ryman Arts.

Sharing is caring!