Disney’s theme park business has grown dramatically since Disneyland Park opened in Anaheim, California, in 1955. Resorts in Florida, Paris, Tokyo, Hong Kong, and Shanghai have since followed, turning the company into one of the world’s dominant players in global tourism.
But new parks have become rare.
In recent years, Disney has largely focused on expanding existing parks rather than building entirely new ones. Franchise-driven lands like Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge, Avengers Campus, and World of Frozen have become the company’s primary method of growth.
That approach is now shifting again.
Disney recently confirmed plans for a new theme park resort in Abu Dhabi — its first in the Middle East. The project will be developed on Yas Island in partnership with Miral, with Disney Imagineers leading creative development while Miral funds and operates the destination.
Another possible project may now be re-emerging.
Tokyo Disney Resort — widely considered one of Disney’s most successful international destinations — currently operates two parks: Tokyo Disneyland and Tokyo DisneySea.
Tokyo Disneyland follows the classic castle-park format, featuring lands such as Adventureland, Fantasyland, and Tomorrowland. Tokyo DisneySea takes a different approach, with themed ports inspired by exploration, mythology, and maritime adventure.
For years, rumors have suggested the resort could eventually add a third gate.
Tokyo DisneySky Rumors Resurface
According to The Wrap, plans for a potential third park known as Tokyo DisneySky may be back under discussion.
The outlet spoke with former Disney Imagineer Jim Shull while reporting on Disney’s evolving attraction plans — particularly speculation surrounding an Avatar area originally announced for Disney California Adventure.
Shull suggested its attraction could appear somewhere else instead.
Among the locations mentioned was DisneySky, which is apparently “back on the drawing board.”
If built, the park would join Tokyo Disneyland and Tokyo DisneySea as the third gate at Tokyo Disney Resort.
A sky-themed park would also complete an unofficial conceptual trio for the resort — land, sea, and sky.
Such a theme could allow Disney to build attractions inspired by franchises built around flight, adventure, or futuristic settings. Possible candidates could include Star Wars, the Marvel Cinematic Universe, The Incredibles, and Avatar.
Rumors about a third Tokyo Disney Resort park are not new.
In 2018, multiple outlets reported that the resort’s owner, The Oriental Land Company (OLC), was considering expansion plans that could include another park.
OLC publicly pushed back on those reports at the time.
“Some media outlets published reports dated February 4, 2018, concerning the expansion of Tokyo Disney Resort. However, these reports were not announced by our company.”
Despite the denial, speculation about a third park has continued to surface periodically among theme park watchers.
The Oriental Land Company has also demonstrated enthusiasm for investing in additional regional projects, with its own branch of the Disney Cruise Line on the way.
Shanghai's Second Gate Still Circulating
Tokyo may not be the only Disney resort where additional parks are being discussed.
For several years, industry reports have suggested that Shanghai Disneyland could soon add a second theme park.
The project has reportedly been referred to internally as Project Atlas.
Early versions of the concept were described as an EPCOT-style park focused on science, technology, and global culture — an approach that would have made it distinct from the castle-park model.
More recent reports suggest the idea has changed significantly.
Instead of an educational park, the concept is now rumored to focus more heavily on adventure-themed Disney franchises and large-scale intellectual property.
Franchises like Avatar have been repeatedly linked to those discussions amid reports Disney may axe its planned land inspired by the franchise at California Adventure.
Disney has not officially announced either project.
Still, with a new Abu Dhabi resort already confirmed and expansion rumors continuing in Asia, the possibility of entirely new Disney parks — something once considered unlikely — may once again be part of the company’s long-term strategy.
