Recent speculation about the development of a fifth theme park at Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida, has been clarified, with officials stating there are no current plans for such an expansion. The rumors originated from a report by The Street, which highlighted a document from the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District (CFTOD) that designated unbuilt land on Disney's property as 'suitable for development.'
The 406-page document, titled Comprehensive Plan 2045 and released in June 2025, indicates that the available land could accommodate "one major and two minor theme parks." However, the document also explicitly states that "there are no plans under review" for a new theme park. This designation merely signifies that Disney has state permission to build a fifth park, a permission that has been in place since 2010.
Disney's Chief Financial Officer, Hugh Johnston, previously emphasized the importance of expansion for sustained growth. He stated in May that without expansion, the parks risk overcrowding, which could negatively impact the guest experience and the brand. "Now we could jam more people into the park, but then the guest experience declines, and that’s actually bad for the brand," Johnston explained.
In 2024, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis and the CFTOD approved Disney's commitment to invest up to $17 billion in its theme park properties over the next 10 to 20 years. While a fifth park is not on the immediate horizon, significant developments are underway across the resort.
At Animal Kingdom, an 11-acre expansion called Tropical Americas is scheduled to open in the fall of 2027. Hollywood Studios is set to introduce a new land themed around "Monsters Inc.," which will feature the park's first suspension rollercoaster. Magic Kingdom is transforming the former Rivers of America and Tom Sawyer Island area into a "Cars" franchise-themed land with two new rides. Additionally, Magic Kingdom is developing a highly anticipated villains land, complete with multiple attractions and dining options.
