New Deal Could Add A Fifth Theme Park To Walt Disney World, Florida

In a possible new deal between Walt Disney World and Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, a new development deal could be in the works. If the deal goes through, this would allow for $17 billion worth of expansion and development in the park. Moreover, this just might include a long-speculated fifth theme park in Walt Disney World.

Disney might develop a fifth theme park in Florida

Business Insider reports that the Walt Disney Company’s $17 billion development plan is coming up for public hearing. Moreover, this will be with Florida Governor Ron DeSantis’ appointed Central Florida Tourism Oversight District. Meanwhile, this has replaced the Reedy Creek Improvement District during the Disney-De-Santis feud of February 2023.

The public hearing is scheduled for this week and will see the board voting on June 15 on whether or not to allow the new Disney development plan to proceed.

Meanwhile, if the deal is allowed, this would be the second peaceful agreement between Disney and DeSantis after the settlement reached in late March 2024. This ended two years of legal feuding about DeSantis’ controversial “Don’t Say Gay” bill passed into law, despite vocal criticism from the Walt Disney Company.

What would the new development cover?

Don’t be in a hurry to get too excited about an additional theme park, as it could be quite a while. Should the deal pass, the new development agreement would expand Walt Disney World over the following two decades, at an expected cost of some $17 billion. Moreover, Disney must use local contractors for 50 percent of the development and construction work.

Currently, Walt Disney World operates four theme parks in the Orlando, Florida area: Animal Kingdom, EPCOT, Disney’s Hollywood Studios, and Magic Kingdom. Meanwhile, speculation about an additional Walt Disney World park has been doing the rounds for several years.

‘Economic growth’ and ‘job creation’

On the subject of the Walt Disney World expansion, District administer, Stephanie Kopelousos spoke with Business Insider:

With Walt Disney World’s substantial investments, we anticipate economic growth, job creation, and support for local businesses, alongside environmental stewardship and workforce housing initiatives, benefiting Central Florida’s community.

What does Walt Disney World offer right now?

Let’s take a brief look at the current four theme parks and what they offer:

Animal Kingdom

Disney’s Animal Kingdom is unique when compared to other Walt Disney World theme parks by hosting hundreds of live animal exhibits alongside traditional theme park elements. The park nestles on the western edge of the resort and is isolated from the rest of the parks to protect the animals’ welfare.

EPCOT

Hosted in Walt Disney World in Bay Lake, Florida, EPCOT is a theme park offering attractions ranging from slow-moving rides through time and space, to faster-paced adventures. Here, guests can interact with beloved Disney characters and one example is Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure, an all-ages trackless dark ride in the France pavilion. This attraction follows the Ratatouille hero, Remy, on a culinary adventure.

Disney’s Hollywood Studios

Disney’s Hollywood Studios offers some of the best rides in Walt Disney World. Meanwhile, these offer plenty of time to enjoy, including Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance (85 minutes), The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror (58 minutes), Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith (65 minutes) and Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway (57 minutes).

Magic Kingdom

Known to many as the “Castle Park,” Magic Kingdom offers many classic attractions, including the Pirates of the Caribbean, the Haunted Mansion, the Jungle Cruise and more. This park is fun and entertaining for people of all ages.

So far, no details of the potential fifth park have yet been released. However, there is no doubt that it will be equally exciting and entertaining.