A new comprehensive plan has been released by the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District and Walt Disney World. This joint venture document was part of a settlement agreement between the District, Walt Disney World, and Ron DeSantis following heated litigation after DeSantis took over a local government that regulated Walt Disney World. The new comprehensive plan, which we’re still skimming through, outlines planning through 2045, including allowed new development at Walt Disney World. It also addresses the possibility of a fifth theme park at Walt Disney World. Here’s the latest.
Walt Disney World Fifth Theme Park Approved
In the comprehensive plan, the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District has planned for and effectively approved a fifth theme park at Walt Disney World. This is an increase in the allowed maximum from a 2010 plan, but not an increase in the allowed maximum from more current comprehensive plans.
In terms of timing, a fifth theme park would not be allowed before 2035, according to the updated plans. Only one new major theme park is allowed through the end of the 2045 comprehensive plan.
In addition to a single major theme park allocated in the comprehensive plan, the plan allows for two minor theme parks as well. A minor theme park would be a water park or similar smaller offering.
No Current Plans to Expand Theme Parks
It is important to note that while the District has approved the construction of a “new major theme park and/or expansion”, Walt Disney World has not announced any plans to build a fifth theme park. In fact, we would be surprised if a fifth theme park was announced during the timeframe allocated in this 2045 plan.
In fact, a fifth theme park has been part of the CFTOD/Reedy Creek Improvement District comprehensive plans for some time now as Walt Disney World simply keeps its options open. Currently, Walt Disney World is focused on turbocharging development of its current theme parks, with a number of construction projects either underway or on the horizon, including:
The Central Florida Tourism Oversight District says that there are “no plans under review” to take advantage of the expanded allowed maximum developments.
Room to Grow
While there are currently no plans for a fifth theme park or two more minor theme parks, the District says that there is room for additional attractions and expansions. The District estimates that roughly 850 acres would be required if Disney were to build out to the maximums.
The District says that some 2,168 acres are currently marked a “suitable” for development through 2045. Any future development is expected to carry on the tradition of being surrounded by natural settings and physical separation from existing development.
Hotel Growth Slowed
Compared to previous plans, the 2045 comprehensive plan actually allowed for fewer hotel rooms to be built. Previous plans allowed for 11,300 new “keys” or rooms through 2020. The new plan cuts that number significantly, only allowing up to 7,748 new keys over the next 10 years. This represents a slowdown in hotel growth over similar timeframes when compared to the 2010 plan.
Expected Boom In Attendance
Over the next 20 years, the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District is expecting the number of guests on Walt Disney World Resort property to increase by some 50% to 60%. Currently, it is estimated that a slow day brings some 200,000+ people to Walt Disney World property. A busy day is estimated to bring that number above 307,000.
By 2045, a slow day is estimated to bring 335,000 people to Walt Disney World property, while a busy day will bring more than 475,000 people to property per day.
The figure includes permanent residents, resort guests, theme park visitors, and employees. Estimates of functional population are best expressed as a range because many resort guests are potentially double-counted as theme park visitors.
The 2045 comprehensive plan is currently being reviewed and will be finalized later this year.
As always, keep checking back with us here at BlogMickey.com as we continue to bring you the latest news, photos, and info from around the Disney Parks!
