Disney has announced that they have big plans for the current theme parks plus a $60 billion investment plan for expansion.
Disney World entrance sign
$60 billion is a big chunk of money, so what exactly is Disney planning to do? We have heard of the Blue Sky projects that were mentioned at D23 as well as DisneylandForward.
We know that Walt Disney once said “Disneyland will never be completed. It will continue to grow as long as there is imagination left in the world”, but what exactly could this mean for the future expansion of the parks? It might not be exactly what you are thinking!
With Universal Orlando building a new theme park, you would think Disney World would be right behind them to announce a fifth theme park for Walt Disney World in Florida. Some are speculating otherwise.
Cinderella Castle
Last fall Disney told us that according to their internal research “there is an addressable market of more than 700 million people with high Disney affinity it has yet to reach with its Parks. In fact, for every one guest who visits a Disney Park, there are more than ten people with Disney affinity who do not visit the parks.” This has us wondering if Disney will try to tap into a new market across the globe.
Crowds
We have some speculations that a new theme park in India might happen over a fifth gate at Disney World. We have a few pieces of evidence to help back this theory up.
Disney acquired Fox for $71 billion back in 2019. Within this deal, Disney also took over Star India Network along with the streaming platform, Hotstar. With this acquisition, Disney gained access to a new market and an audience of over 700 million people in India.
©Disney
This new acquisition did not start out the way the company had hoped. Bob Iger, CEO of Disney, shared that certain aspects of business in India have been a challenge. In 2022, Mukesh Ambani got the rights to the Indian Premier League cricket matches, which draw in a large audience.
While this was a setback, it has been reported that Reliance Industries (which Ambani is the chairman and managing director of) is currently talking to Disney about possibly merging. CNN has speculated that the merger could take place soon. This merger could help Disney recover the audience that it had previously lost in India.
©Disney
Bob Iger has said that Disney is “looking… expansively” in India and “considering our options there.” CNN and industry insiders think that the deal between Disney and Reliance could create a powerful couple that “goes beyond media, with industry insiders speculating about a combined push into theme parks.” When the $60 billion expansion plan as announced, Disney released this map which showed where its “addressable market” lives. Notice that the biggest population of people with a Disney affinity who do not visit the parks is in Asia.
©Disney
While this may seem like a stretch, Disney has been looking into other markets to visit their theme parks. For example, Disney recently sent Mickey and Minnie to Canada to encourage Canadians to visit Disney World. This invite includes 20% off of five-day or longer tickets to Disney World. This offer is good from now until September 28th, 2024.
©Disney
With all of this being said, Disney has a large chunk of money to use to expand. While this money could go toward a fifth gate at Disney World, it is too early to rule out the possibility of a new park in India. We will be sure to keep you updated as more details are unveiled!
Click Here to See Experts Speculate What a Fifth Gate at Disney World Could Include!
Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe!
WE KNOW DISNEY.
YOU CAN, TOO.
Oh boy, planning a Disney trip can be quite the adventure, and we totally get it! But fear not, dear friends, we compiled EVERYTHING you need (and the things to avoid!) to plan the ULTIMATE Disney vacation.
Whether you're a rookie or a seasoned pro, our insider tips and tricks will have you exploring the parks like never before. So come along with us, and get planning your most magical vacation ever!
What are you hoping Disney uses the expansion money on? Let us know in the comments!
Our handy (and portable!) ebook guides make sure you get the best deals and can plan a vacation of a lifetime.
Why don’t they tap into South America? That would absolutely tap into the overwhelming crowds that come to Florida.
We used to be regular visitors to WDW pre COVID, Not Anymore ! Used to be able to plan your day with great success, book your FastPass and table service restraint’s with 95% achievability. Don’t see how anyone who enjoyed the way it was would ever return.
Disney: Don’t treat us like a step child! Do something for us in WDW. THE VILLAN PARK! PLEASE.
Excuse me, but I want Disney to aggressively freshen up and expand its parks in the US. Universal is making a serious bid at Disney in Orlando. If Disney doesn’t make its move, Universal will take a big chunk out of Disney’s market share.
I agree with Mike. We were annual pass holders for a long time. Not anymore.