The Central Florida Tourism Oversight District (CFTOD), which replaced the former Reedy Creek Improvement District, has adopted a significant new comprehensive plan that could shape the future of Walt Disney World over the next 15 years. Among the most notable elements: the formal approval for a potential fifth major theme park and up to two minor theme parks within the resort.
WDWMagic reports that the newly approved plan “explicitly reserves” space for the development of one new “major theme park” (along the same scale as one of the existing WDW parks, with a projected area of 400-550 acres) and two additional “minor theme parks” (as in a water park or something similar, taking up 147 acres each) over the next 20 years.
According to the updated plans, a fifth theme park would not be allowed before 2035. Only one new major theme park is allowed through the end of the 2045 comprehensive plan.
5th Gate Still On the Table… But No Current Plan
While the ability to add a new park has existed in previous Reedy Creek and CFTOD plans, it remains a strategic placeholder rather than an active project. Disney is currently focused on major expansions within its existing parks, with ongoing and upcoming developments including:
- Villains Land and a Cars-themed area at Magic Kingdom
- Tropical Americas at Disney’s Animal Kingdom
- Monsters, Inc. land at Disney’s Hollywood Studios
- Disney Lakeshore Lodge, a DVC resort under construction at Fort Wilderness
Disney is prioritizing what it calls a “turbocharged” investment in its existing parks and resorts as part of a $17 billion commitment to the Florida property over the next two decades.
While the authorization does exist, the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District says that there are “no plans under review” to take advantage of the expanded allowed developments for a new theme park. Whether a fifth gate comes to life or not, most importantly, Disney now has the flexibility and framework to add onto the resort. The 2045 Comprehensive Plan is still under review and is expected to be finalized later this year.
