Today is the media presentation for Tiana’s Bayou Adventure and more at Walt Disney World. During the event, Chairman of Disney Parks, Experiences, and Products Josh D’Amaro told the media that Disney is planning announcements for D23: The Ultimate Fan Event in August.
It’s especially interesting that he said these announcements for Walt Disney World would be more than just announcements for the Magic Kingdom and Disney’s Animal Kingdom. This has some wondering if this will be regarding a potential fifth gate.
Currently, we know that Disney is working on the Tropical Americas area of Disney’s Animal Kingdom and the “Beyond Big Thunder Mountain” area of the Magic Kingdom, but D’Amaro seems to be talking about announcements outside of those two parks.
Disney’s current plan with the Central Florida Tourism Oversite District does allow for a fifth gate and two minor parks. Paperwork has already been filed indicating that Disney could do these things.
While it is possible there could be announcements for EPCOT, Disney’s Hollywood Studios, water parks, or more, people hope that we get a big announcement and not just another hotel or whatever they are turning the Galactic Starcruiser into. However, I would love to hear that they are fixing Journey Into Imagination and making it good again.
With Universal Orlando coming in with Epic Universe, Disney needs to do something big.
Of course, even if they announce a fifth gate, it will probably take them years to finish it. Everyone knows how slow Disney is to complete projects. They just finished the EPCOT spine area, and that took seven years. How long would it take them to do a whole new park?
D’Amaro’s announcement is definitely intriguing. Let’s hope it’s something good. I’m rooting for a villain-themed area. It fulfills their IP mandates, and people loved it when they showed a potential villain’s area in the “Beyond Big Thunder Mountain” plans. A villain’s land has been a very popular rumor for a while now.
What do you think? Comment and let us know!
Pirates & Princesses (TM) (Stylized as PNP) is an independent, opinionated News and Information site focused on Travel, Entertainment, Fashion, the “Geek Girl” Lifestyle, and more. We focus heavily on Walt Disney World, Disneyland, Universal Orlando Resort, and other themed entertainment and travel destinations. Our news staff includes former theme park and entertainment industry employees, journalists and dedicated pop culture and theme park enthusiasts. Opinions expressed by contributors do not necessarily reflect the views of this site, our affiliates or our sponsors.