Disney fans know how exciting a major theme park announcement can be, especially when it involves the possibility of an entirely new resort in the United States.
For years, Walt Disney World in Florida and Disneyland Resort in California have served as the company's two American theme park destinations. Naturally, the idea of Disney expanding into another state would attract plenty of attention.
That's exactly what happened when an enormous proposed development began circulating on social media.
The plans described a massive entertainment destination featuring multiple theme parks, dozens of hotels, and enough attractions to compete with Disney's existing resorts.
There was just one problem: The announcement wasn't what it appeared to be.
Disneyland Ohio Rumor Promises Massive New Resort
Social media users began sharing claims about a new Disney resort supposedly planned for Cincinnati, Ohio.
The development, dubbed “Disneyland Ohio,” sounded almost too ambitious to believe.
The original story claimed Disney would invest approximately $100 billion into a sprawling property covering around 50,000 acres. The resort would reportedly include five theme parks, five golf courses, and more than 30 hotels.
And those weren't the only proposed amenities.
The fictional plans also featured 100 pickleball courts and an entire theme park devoted to Marvel characters.
With that much land and entertainment, the supposed Ohio destination could potentially surpass Walt Disney World in size.
The story even suggested that the resort might welcome its first visitors around 2035, although it didn't provide an official opening date.
A Facebook video helped the claims gain attention, leaving Disney fans wondering whether the company was seriously considering another American theme park destination.
However, the source of the announcement told a completely different story.
Disney's Supposed Ohio Expansion Was Never Real
Despite the excitement, Disneyland Ohio isn't an actual Disney project.
The original claims came from Mouse Trap News, a website that publishes fictional and satirical stories about Disney.
The website openly identifies its content as satire, meaning the enormous Ohio development was never a legitimate proposal from The Walt Disney Company.
Disney has not announced plans to build a theme park in Cincinnati or elsewhere in Ohio.
The viral story attracted attention, but the ambitious development never received any official confirmation from Disney.
While that news might disappoint families hoping for another Disney destination closer to home, the company does have a real international expansion in development.
In May 2025, Disney announced plans to create a new theme park resort on Yas Island in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.
Disney is working with Miral on the development, which will become the company's seventh theme park resort destination worldwide.
Unlike Disneyland Ohio, the Abu Dhabi project has Disney's official confirmation.
But that doesn't necessarily mean American fans will never see another Disney theme park.
Could Walt Disney World Eventually Add a Fifth Park?
Although the Ohio rumor lacks any legitimate basis, the possibility of another theme park at Walt Disney World remains a topic of discussion.
Disney currently operates four theme parks at its Florida resort, but a fifth could eventually be added to the property.
In 2024, Disney received approval for a long-term development agreement that allows substantial expansion across its Central Florida land.
The agreement accommodates the possibility of another major theme park.
However, Disney has not announced plans actually to construct a fifth gate.
That is an important difference. Development approval creates opportunities, but it doesn't guarantee that Disney will move forward with another park.
The company would still need to make major decisions involving the project's location, theme, attractions, infrastructure, and cost.
For now, Disney already has several enormous projects demanding its attention.
Disney World Is Already Expanding Its Existing Parks
Walt Disney World has major construction projects underway across its current theme parks.
At Magic Kingdom, Disney is developing Piston Peak National Park, inspired by Cars (2006), alongside a new Disney Villains Land.
Disney's Hollywood Studios is also preparing for Monstropolis, a themed area based on Monsters, Inc. (2001).
Meanwhile, Disney's Animal Kingdom is developing Tropical Americas, which will feature attractions inspired by Encanto (2021) and Indiana Jones.
EPCOT has also received significant investments through new attractions and redesigned areas in recent years.
With so much construction already planned or underway, another multibillion-dollar American theme park doesn't appear to be an immediate priority.
Disney could announce additional projects in the future, but completing its existing expansions seems more likely to take precedence.
For now, Disneyland Ohio remains a viral fictional story rather than a real construction project. Disney's confirmed Abu Dhabi resort is moving forward, while the possibility of a fifth Walt Disney World park remains open.
American fans may eventually get another Disney theme park, but nothing suggests Cincinnati will become its home.
