This might be the biggest theme park tease of all time. Disney has had us sitting on edge, desperately waiting for the 5th theme park.
At this point, it almost feels like a running joke. Whenever Disney files a new permit or clears a chunk of land, fans cross their fingers and whisper the same four words: “Is this the fifth park?”
Well, thanks to a recently resurfaced document, we now know that Disney didn’t just think about a fifth gate. They officially planned for one back in 2010, fifteen years ago. The words “Future 5th Theme Park” are literally spelled out on paper. So… where is it?
That Was Then, This Is… Still Nothing
The 2010 document proves that Disney intended to add a fifth park to Walt Disney World. They designated land, filed it properly, and weren’t just spitballing.
But since then? Crickets.
Sure, Disney has been busy adding exciting new stuff to the four parks we already have. We got Pandora in Animal Kingdom. Galaxy’s Edge in Hollywood Studios. TRON in Magic Kingdom. A few new shows have opened up in Hollywood Studios. EPCOT’s had more construction walls than ride openings in recent years, but at least things are moving.
Still, none of these are new gates. No grand opening of a whole new park. No groundbreaking. No teaser trailers. Not even a clever name.
So Why the Hold-Up?
The obvious answer: money. A brand-new theme park isn’t cheap. We’re talking several billion dollars, and that’s before you even think about staffing, transportation, and crowd logistics. After COVID slowed everything down, even Disney has had to be cautious with how and where it spends.
But there’s also the strategy side. Maybe Disney figures the four parks are doing just fine. With constant expansions and refurbishments, there’s always something “new”—even if it’s not a new park. Plus, let’s not ignore the Epic Universe factor. With Universal’s brand-new park opening soon, Disney might be watching to see how it performs before making a move.
What Could the 5th Park Be?
This is where fans’ imaginations run wild. The most popular idea? A Villains park, where classic baddies like Maleficent, Hades, and Ursula run the show. Picture dark castles, eerie lands, and thrilling rides that flip the fairy tale on its head. With the Villains Land area underway in Magic Kingdom, this seems more unlikely.
Some fans want something like Tokyo DisneySea, with exotic ports, mysterious islands, and rides you can’t find anywhere else. Others lean futuristic: a tech-forward park built around Wall-E, Big Hero 6, and Tron-esque environments. And then there’s the cult-favorite approach—how about a park full of underused characters and weird rides? (Atlantis, anyone?)
Other would like to see an expansion with Star Wars or Disney classics (old Mickey cartoons, etc.)
When Will It Finally Happen?
That’s the million-dollar (or multi-billion-dollar) question. Disney still owns the land. The concept exists. And the fans? They’re ready.
But after 15 years of silence, people are starting to feel a little burned. How long can you tease something before it just becomes a fantasy?
We may get that 5th gate someday. But for now, it lives in the same place it’s been since 2010: our imaginations—and one lonely line in an old planning document.
