The Central Florida Tourism Oversight District (CFTOD), the governing jurisdiction responsible for overseeing the land that encompasses Walt Disney World, has adopted its new 2045 Comprehensive Plan, which outlines planning through 2045, including provisions for a potential fifth theme park. This district replaced the Reedy Creek Improvement District and now sets standards for future development within Walt Disney World.
The Comprehensive Plan designates between 400 to 550 acres for the development of one new “major theme park” as outlined in the planning documents. Furthermore, it includes allowances for two “minor theme parks,” each covering approximately 147 acres. These development capacities are designated for implementation over the next 20 years.
This isn’t the first instance of a fifth gate being incorporated into official planning documents. Similar provisions were made in the past. However, the updated CFTOD Plan now carries that potential capacity forward, extending it through 2045.
By incorporating these allowances into the Plan, the CFTOD is effectively maintaining the zoning, land use classifications, and infrastructure assumptions essential for development, enabling Disney to develop additional parks without needing a plan amendment or facing regulatory challenges.
The Plan also recognizes that there is ample space within the existing Walt Disney World theme parks to facilitate expansion, alongside untapped land allocated for “Entertainment” purposes; this includes the potential establishment of a new “major theme park.” According to the CFTOD’s strategy, there is sufficient land available to support the development of a fifth major theme park, taking into account both ongoing projects and areas designated for conservation.
Although the CFTOD’s Plan provides a pathway for potential developments, it’s crucial to highlight that Disney has not announced any plans for new parks. Instead, the focus appears to be on expanding and reworking its existing Florida parks.
Disney will soon begin construction on a new area inspired by Pixar’s Cars, along with an upcoming Disney Villains land at Magic Kingdom. Moreover, the Muppets area at Disney’s Hollywood Studios is being reimagined into a Monsters, Inc. themed land, and DinoLand U.S.A. at Disney’s Animal Kingdom is being redeveloped into a Tropical Americas land, among other projects.
The 2045 Comprehensive Plan is under review and is expected to be completed by the end of the year.
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