Right through an profits name, CEO Bob Iger gave an incredibly candid reaction when requested about new Disney theme parks in numerous international locations, pronouncing “there’s an inevitability to us construction parks in different international locations, nevertheless it doesn’t essentially imply that we’re going to construct one thing anytime very quickly.” (Up to date Might 5, 2025.)
Iger additionally remarked that Disney believes there’s “alternative to amplify in China, and there can be alternatives in different portions of the sector.” He additionally indicated that Disney continuously engages in conversations with representatives from other markets who would like to position Disneyland of their marketplace.
Given attendance traits, the chatter about additional construction must come as no marvel. It kind of feels like just about each quarter, we pay attention reviews of attendance and different expansion. In particular since 2011, the U.S. Disney Parks have noticed beautiful constant annual attendance expansion.
Might 5, 2025 Replace: The above quotes got here all over the Q2 profits name with buyers and Wall Side road Analysts on Might 8, 2018. That’s a very long time in the past! Alternatively, there’s a brand new rumor that almost 7 years to the day later, Disney will make a bombshell announcement a couple of new theme park previous to its Q2 profits name for 2025.
Screamscape is reporting a rumor that Disney will likely be making a significant announcement on Wednesday, Might 7, 2025, involving some more or less challenge within the United Arab Emirates. Search for this to get launched very first thing Wednesday morning at the East Coast, which additionally occurs to be the day that Disney will unlock their Q2 2025 incomes effects that very same morning.
Abu Dhabi is house to a number of prime profile initiatives, comparable to Ferrari Global, Warner Bros Global, SeaWorld Abu Dhabi, and extra. The rumor suggests it may well be time for a Disney theme park or enchantment within the United Arab Emirates capital.
For many who are more recent to the scene, Screamscape is what I’d describe as a ‘legacy’ theme parks rumor mill. Through the years, they’ve had some giant swings leading to primary misses–but in addition large hits. They’ve first reported rumors no person else noticed coming, but in addition shared some utter nonsense. My wager could be that they have got (or had) excellent resources but in addition terrible ones, and don’t assess credibility or veracity ahead of reporting to filter the rubbish.
I’m vulnerable to consider this falls into the rubbish bucket. However to not this sort of stage that I’m simply pushing aside it out of hand (therefore this newsletter replace). It’s conceivable that the UAE has made Disney an be offering the corporate can not refuse; they’ve no scarcity of money and popularity laundering is a prime precedence. What higher technique to achieve this than with the Disney emblem? There’s a turn aspect of that, regardless that–would even a sweetheart deal be sufficient to get Disney to just accept the logo tarnishment it’d entail? I haven’t any doubt that the UAE has made overtures to Disney up to now. What modified? Why settle for now?
The opposite explanation why I to find this doubtful is solely the reporting itself. This means that “resources” (plural) inside of Disney have shared this. This isn’t a brand new piece of leisure or journey reimagining–a brand new theme park announcement most definitely wouldn’t have a couple of resources. It most definitely wouldn’t also be mentioned outdoor of the Eisner construction in Burbank, or even Imagineering would most likely find out about this the similar day as everybody else. It’s beneath the pay grade of just about everybody outdoor the c-suite. (I’ll consume my phrases right here if this will get introduced with detailed aerial idea artwork–nevertheless it gained’t.)
The opposite explanation why I’m extremely skeptical of it’s because the corporate has apparently settled on its technique for introducing Disney Parks & Hotels (sorry, Disney Studies) to new markets: cruise ships. That is the very obtrusive pivot, to the purpose that I strongly suspect if Bob Iger have been requested the similar query once more on Wednesday, 7 years later, he’d provide an explanation for why the cruise send style is extra nimble and dynamic, and no more dangerous than construction bodily infrastructure on international land. However that’s most definitely any other subject for any other submit.
The key is that I’m prime skeptical this rumor is credible and can come to fruition, however there’s a shadow of a doubt given the aforementioned popularity laundering attitude. It’s believable, albeit not going, that one of the crucial nation’s sovereign wealth price range sponsored up a cash truck to Disney and CEO Bob Iger perspectives this as one final giant legacy challenge. Stranger issues have took place.
With that mentioned, right here’s our unique statement from 7 years in the past in this exact same subject…
The place Disney will construct its subsequent park is a query that comes up with sudden regularity. Partially, that’s most definitely as it’s amusing to daydream, and lots of Disney fanatics need to consider a theme park of their yard.
In the event you concentrate to Texans, it’s nearly a crime that Disney has but to construct in the middle of the universe Texas. (No offense to the Texas-centrics studying this–in all probability Disney is solely frightened that this sort of focus of awesomeness could be deadly to us non-Texans?)
The opposite explanation why for this ongoing dialog is as a result of it kind of feels like each different week there’s any other article that makes the rounds about bogus plans for a brand new Disney park about to be in-built [insert random country here]. No, for actual this time. Whilst it’s simple to push aside the ones tales as dumb clickbait, my suspicion is that many of those articles are fueled by means of politicians with quite a lot of ulterior motives. I gained’t digress into that, regardless that.
On every occasion pals have despatched those to me, my reaction has been the similar: I doubt I’ll see any other citadel park open in my lifetime. Whilst this new quote by means of Bob Iger would possibly solid doubt at the probability of my ‘prediction’, I feel there’s nonetheless just a 50/50 likelihood I’ll see the hole of any other citadel park. Now not as a result of I feel ‘Rio DisneySky’ is subsequent or as a result of I plan on demise in an epic bear-wrasslin’ struggle in 4 years, however as a result of I simply don’t see any choices for accommodations in new places within the foreseeable long term.
If I have been to prognosticate the long run construction of Disney Parks all over the world, I feel the most secure predictions are new gates in Shanghai, Hong Kong, Anaheim, and Paris (in that order). Even then, the ones are most likely no longer within the playing cards as close to or mid-term tendencies, aside from in all probability 2nd gates in China and Hong Kong.
As at all times, right here’s Why a fifth Theme Park Will NOT Be Constructed at Disney Global within the Subsequent Decade. Realistically, I’d prolong that to within the subsequent two a long time. The one explanation why the name does no longer finish with “in My Lifetime” is as a result of I plan on residing an obscenely very long time–we’re speaking mid triple digits–and it’s not possible to foresee what may just occur when we hit Walt Disney Global’s a hundredth Anniversary.
Within the extra quick long term, increasing Walt Disney Global, Disneyland, Hong Kong Disneyland, Shanghai Disneyland, and Disneyland Paris are all deliberate. Those initiatives were introduced, in some circumstances building has begun, and they are going to devour an important quantity of Parks & Lodge’s capex for the foreseeable long term.
Timelines for the introduced initiatives indexed above already stretch into the following decade. It’s tough to look Parks & Hotels capex being diverted to growing new websites with any of the ones more secure bets nonetheless at the desk. As soon as the ones growth initiatives plus yet-unannounced 2nd or 3rd gates are finished, we’re already taking a look at 2040, on the earliest.
Surroundings that apart, and assuming arguendo that Disney has a extra quick need to construct in a brand new locale, there are fundamental necessities. First, the site must have a prime focus of center elegance citizens inside of shut proximity; spitballing, I’d say there wish to be over 50 million income-qualified doable visitors inside of 4 hours by means of public transportation.
2d, the site must be someplace that might no longer cannibalize an important quantity of commercial from Disney’s current parks. That is the person who gets rid of actually some other location in america. (Sorry, Texas.) It additionally gets rid of anyplace in Europe.
3rd, the site must be someplace that has demonstrated long-term political steadiness. A spot that has financial or political volatility would no longer be a excellent suitor. This would possibly do away with Brazil (and quite a few different places, maximum of that have been most definitely already eradicated, anyway), which differently could be an obtrusive candidate.
Fourth, the selection must be slightly uncontroversial for a family-friendly, all-American emblem like Disney. I feel this would possibly rule out puts like United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, or Qatar. Those international locations differently have governments with the assets to trap Disney (or license the title) in the event that they so desired. China turns out about as daring as Disney would get in that regard.
Talking of which, assuming what I’ve indexed are Disney’s precise parameters, that principally simply leaves growth at new websites in Asia. Singapore would’ve been a fascinating choice at one level, albeit not going. The Disney Journey cruise send that’s coming to Singapore would appear to be the solution there, anyway, and extra of a “right-sized” and dynamic choice.
Seoul is any other fascinating choice, and there are a selection of thriving industries that might make this location sustainable. Alternatively, let’s no longer disregard the instability a trifling 50 miles from town. There’s at all times the likelihood the North Korea ‘scenario’ does get resolved within the close to long term, however to the level that Disney is comfy construction there? That turns out extremely not going anytime within the mid-term long term. Now not best that, however the demographics are dire.
Beijing is beautiful a long way from Shanghai, and in addition has a enough inhabitants buffer. That town now has a Common theme park, which isn’t essentially outcome-determinative both method. Orlando has each Disney and Common outposts, and it’s a lot smaller than Beijing.
Guangzhou may be an enormous town and a secure distance from Shanghai, nevertheless it may well be too with regards to Hong Kong. In reality, there are likely a couple of different doable applicants in China, however it kind of feels most likely that Disney would take a wait and notice method within the as regards to mid-term with additional construction in China.
(Replace for 2025: I’d wager towards new websites in China given the deteriorating political local weather and dating between the U.S. and Chinese language governments. I’m skeptical Disney would make the similar determination to construct Shanghai Disneyland, within the first position, if doing issues far and wide once more at this time.)
In any case, it must be a rustic with favorable demographics. That is fairly of an outgrowth of the above issues, aside from no longer simply in regards to revenue. Any nation selected for a brand new park would nearly indubitably need to hit the candy spot of a rising center elegance and a more youthful inhabitants.
This must be necessary to Disney as a hedge, particularly as all of its present parks are positioned in international locations with ageing populations. That is most blatant in Japan (albeit at parks Disney does no longer personal), however america and each different nation the place Disney Parks recently does trade has the similar factor with irreversibly declining fertility charges.
For its subsequent park, Disney will most likely opting for a rustic that gives the intersection of the above, with present steadiness and favorable long-term potentialities for a more youthful inhabitants and rising center elegance.
From this standpoint, India is most definitely the most suitable option, however I feel that’s any other one the place a wait and notice method may well be suitable to look how center elegance revenue continues to expand. Nonetheless, construction right here inside the subsequent 30 years is no longer outdoor the world of probabilities. Different international locations that apparently take a look at a minimum of one of the vital appropriate containers are Vietnam, Indonesia, and Brazil.
I feel that’s about it. Realistically, I feel it could additionally take the native executive providing Disney a sweetheart deal or taking a stake within the trade (or each), which complicates this calculus even additional. As with the Olympics, being house to a Disney theme park is a legitimizing issue, and I may just see different rising global towns that need to step out onto the sector level additionally vying for a brand new Disney park. The query, in the end, is whether or not Disney could be prepared to take the gamble.
Want Disney travel making plans guidelines and complete recommendation? Be sure to learn Disney Parks Holiday Making plans Guides, the place you’ll to find complete guides to Walt Disney Global, Disneyland, and past! For Disney updates, cut price data, unfastened downloads of our eBooks and wallpapers, and a lot more, join our FREE electronic mail e-newsletter!
Your Ideas
The place do you suppose Disney will construct its subsequent park? Do you suppose we’ll see a brand new citadel park in our lifetimes? The place is your dream location for a Disney theme park–both with regards to house or your favourite shuttle vacation spot? Some other hypothesis, statement, or questions? Listening to from you is part the joys, so please percentage your take beneath!
Right through an profits name, CEO Bob Iger gave an incredibly candid reaction when requested about new Disney theme parks in numerous international locations, pronouncing “there’s an inevitability to us construction parks in different international locations, nevertheless it doesn’t essentially imply that we’re going to construct one thing anytime very quickly.” (Up to date Might 5, 2025.)
Iger additionally remarked that Disney believes there’s “alternative to amplify in China, and there can be alternatives in different portions of the sector.” He additionally indicated that Disney continuously engages in conversations with representatives from other markets who would like to position Disneyland of their marketplace.
Given attendance traits, the chatter about additional construction must come as no marvel. It kind of feels like just about each quarter, we pay attention reviews of attendance and different expansion. In particular since 2011, the U.S. Disney Parks have noticed beautiful constant annual attendance expansion.
Might 5, 2025 Replace: The above quotes got here all over the Q2 profits name with buyers and Wall Side road Analysts on Might 8, 2018. That’s a very long time in the past! Alternatively, there’s a brand new rumor that almost 7 years to the day later, Disney will make a bombshell announcement a couple of new theme park previous to its Q2 profits name for 2025.
Screamscape is reporting a rumor that Disney will likely be making a significant announcement on Wednesday, Might 7, 2025, involving some more or less challenge within the United Arab Emirates. Search for this to get launched very first thing Wednesday morning at the East Coast, which additionally occurs to be the day that Disney will unlock their Q2 2025 incomes effects that very same morning.
Abu Dhabi is house to a number of prime profile initiatives, comparable to Ferrari Global, Warner Bros Global, SeaWorld Abu Dhabi, and extra. The rumor suggests it may well be time for a Disney theme park or enchantment within the United Arab Emirates capital.
For many who are more recent to the scene, Screamscape is what I’d describe as a ‘legacy’ theme parks rumor mill. Through the years, they’ve had some giant swings leading to primary misses–but in addition large hits. They’ve first reported rumors no person else noticed coming, but in addition shared some utter nonsense. My wager could be that they have got (or had) excellent resources but in addition terrible ones, and don’t assess credibility or veracity ahead of reporting to filter the rubbish.
I’m vulnerable to consider this falls into the rubbish bucket. However to not this sort of stage that I’m simply pushing aside it out of hand (therefore this newsletter replace). It’s conceivable that the UAE has made Disney an be offering the corporate can not refuse; they’ve no scarcity of money and popularity laundering is a prime precedence. What higher technique to achieve this than with the Disney emblem? There’s a turn aspect of that, regardless that–would even a sweetheart deal be sufficient to get Disney to just accept the logo tarnishment it’d entail? I haven’t any doubt that the UAE has made overtures to Disney up to now. What modified? Why settle for now?
The opposite explanation why I to find this doubtful is solely the reporting itself. This means that “resources” (plural) inside of Disney have shared this. This isn’t a brand new piece of leisure or journey reimagining–a brand new theme park announcement most definitely wouldn’t have a couple of resources. It most definitely wouldn’t also be mentioned outdoor of the Eisner construction in Burbank, or even Imagineering would most likely find out about this the similar day as everybody else. It’s beneath the pay grade of just about everybody outdoor the c-suite. (I’ll consume my phrases right here if this will get introduced with detailed aerial idea artwork–nevertheless it gained’t.)
The opposite explanation why I’m extremely skeptical of it’s because the corporate has apparently settled on its technique for introducing Disney Parks & Hotels (sorry, Disney Studies) to new markets: cruise ships. That is the very obtrusive pivot, to the purpose that I strongly suspect if Bob Iger have been requested the similar query once more on Wednesday, 7 years later, he’d provide an explanation for why the cruise send style is extra nimble and dynamic, and no more dangerous than construction bodily infrastructure on international land. However that’s most definitely any other subject for any other submit.
The key is that I’m prime skeptical this rumor is credible and can come to fruition, however there’s a shadow of a doubt given the aforementioned popularity laundering attitude. It’s believable, albeit not going, that one of the crucial nation’s sovereign wealth price range sponsored up a cash truck to Disney and CEO Bob Iger perspectives this as one final giant legacy challenge. Stranger issues have took place.
With that mentioned, right here’s our unique statement from 7 years in the past in this exact same subject…
The place Disney will construct its subsequent park is a query that comes up with sudden regularity. Partially, that’s most definitely as it’s amusing to daydream, and lots of Disney fanatics need to consider a theme park of their yard.
In the event you concentrate to Texans, it’s nearly a crime that Disney has but to construct in the middle of the universe Texas. (No offense to the Texas-centrics studying this–in all probability Disney is solely frightened that this sort of focus of awesomeness could be deadly to us non-Texans?)
The opposite explanation why for this ongoing dialog is as a result of it kind of feels like each different week there’s any other article that makes the rounds about bogus plans for a brand new Disney park about to be in-built [insert random country here]. No, for actual this time. Whilst it’s simple to push aside the ones tales as dumb clickbait, my suspicion is that many of those articles are fueled by means of politicians with quite a lot of ulterior motives. I gained’t digress into that, regardless that.
On every occasion pals have despatched those to me, my reaction has been the similar: I doubt I’ll see any other citadel park open in my lifetime. Whilst this new quote by means of Bob Iger would possibly solid doubt at the probability of my ‘prediction’, I feel there’s nonetheless just a 50/50 likelihood I’ll see the hole of any other citadel park. Now not as a result of I feel ‘Rio DisneySky’ is subsequent or as a result of I plan on demise in an epic bear-wrasslin’ struggle in 4 years, however as a result of I simply don’t see any choices for accommodations in new places within the foreseeable long term.
If I have been to prognosticate the long run construction of Disney Parks all over the world, I feel the most secure predictions are new gates in Shanghai, Hong Kong, Anaheim, and Paris (in that order). Even then, the ones are most likely no longer within the playing cards as close to or mid-term tendencies, aside from in all probability 2nd gates in China and Hong Kong.
As at all times, right here’s Why a fifth Theme Park Will NOT Be Constructed at Disney Global within the Subsequent Decade. Realistically, I’d prolong that to within the subsequent two a long time. The one explanation why the name does no longer finish with “in My Lifetime” is as a result of I plan on residing an obscenely very long time–we’re speaking mid triple digits–and it’s not possible to foresee what may just occur when we hit Walt Disney Global’s a hundredth Anniversary.
Within the extra quick long term, increasing Walt Disney Global, Disneyland, Hong Kong Disneyland, Shanghai Disneyland, and Disneyland Paris are all deliberate. Those initiatives were introduced, in some circumstances building has begun, and they are going to devour an important quantity of Parks & Lodge’s capex for the foreseeable long term.
Timelines for the introduced initiatives indexed above already stretch into the following decade. It’s tough to look Parks & Hotels capex being diverted to growing new websites with any of the ones more secure bets nonetheless at the desk. As soon as the ones growth initiatives plus yet-unannounced 2nd or 3rd gates are finished, we’re already taking a look at 2040, on the earliest.
Surroundings that apart, and assuming arguendo that Disney has a extra quick need to construct in a brand new locale, there are fundamental necessities. First, the site must have a prime focus of center elegance citizens inside of shut proximity; spitballing, I’d say there wish to be over 50 million income-qualified doable visitors inside of 4 hours by means of public transportation.
2d, the site must be someplace that might no longer cannibalize an important quantity of commercial from Disney’s current parks. That is the person who gets rid of actually some other location in america. (Sorry, Texas.) It additionally gets rid of anyplace in Europe.
3rd, the site must be someplace that has demonstrated long-term political steadiness. A spot that has financial or political volatility would no longer be a excellent suitor. This would possibly do away with Brazil (and quite a few different places, maximum of that have been most definitely already eradicated, anyway), which differently could be an obtrusive candidate.
Fourth, the selection must be slightly uncontroversial for a family-friendly, all-American emblem like Disney. I feel this would possibly rule out puts like United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, or Qatar. Those international locations differently have governments with the assets to trap Disney (or license the title) in the event that they so desired. China turns out about as daring as Disney would get in that regard.
Talking of which, assuming what I’ve indexed are Disney’s precise parameters, that principally simply leaves growth at new websites in Asia. Singapore would’ve been a fascinating choice at one level, albeit not going. The Disney Journey cruise send that’s coming to Singapore would appear to be the solution there, anyway, and extra of a “right-sized” and dynamic choice.
Seoul is any other fascinating choice, and there are a selection of thriving industries that might make this location sustainable. Alternatively, let’s no longer disregard the instability a trifling 50 miles from town. There’s at all times the likelihood the North Korea ‘scenario’ does get resolved within the close to long term, however to the level that Disney is comfy construction there? That turns out extremely not going anytime within the mid-term long term. Now not best that, however the demographics are dire.
Beijing is beautiful a long way from Shanghai, and in addition has a enough inhabitants buffer. That town now has a Common theme park, which isn’t essentially outcome-determinative both method. Orlando has each Disney and Common outposts, and it’s a lot smaller than Beijing.
Guangzhou may be an enormous town and a secure distance from Shanghai, nevertheless it may well be too with regards to Hong Kong. In reality, there are likely a couple of different doable applicants in China, however it kind of feels most likely that Disney would take a wait and notice method within the as regards to mid-term with additional construction in China.
(Replace for 2025: I’d wager towards new websites in China given the deteriorating political local weather and dating between the U.S. and Chinese language governments. I’m skeptical Disney would make the similar determination to construct Shanghai Disneyland, within the first position, if doing issues far and wide once more at this time.)
In any case, it must be a rustic with favorable demographics. That is fairly of an outgrowth of the above issues, aside from no longer simply in regards to revenue. Any nation selected for a brand new park would nearly indubitably need to hit the candy spot of a rising center elegance and a more youthful inhabitants.
This must be necessary to Disney as a hedge, particularly as all of its present parks are positioned in international locations with ageing populations. That is most blatant in Japan (albeit at parks Disney does no longer personal), however america and each different nation the place Disney Parks recently does trade has the similar factor with irreversibly declining fertility charges.
For its subsequent park, Disney will most likely opting for a rustic that gives the intersection of the above, with present steadiness and favorable long-term potentialities for a more youthful inhabitants and rising center elegance.
From this standpoint, India is most definitely the most suitable option, however I feel that’s any other one the place a wait and notice method may well be suitable to look how center elegance revenue continues to expand. Nonetheless, construction right here inside the subsequent 30 years is no longer outdoor the world of probabilities. Different international locations that apparently take a look at a minimum of one of the vital appropriate containers are Vietnam, Indonesia, and Brazil.
I feel that’s about it. Realistically, I feel it could additionally take the native executive providing Disney a sweetheart deal or taking a stake within the trade (or each), which complicates this calculus even additional. As with the Olympics, being house to a Disney theme park is a legitimizing issue, and I may just see different rising global towns that need to step out onto the sector level additionally vying for a brand new Disney park. The query, in the end, is whether or not Disney could be prepared to take the gamble.
Want Disney travel making plans guidelines and complete recommendation? Be sure to learn Disney Parks Holiday Making plans Guides, the place you’ll to find complete guides to Walt Disney Global, Disneyland, and past! For Disney updates, cut price data, unfastened downloads of our eBooks and wallpapers, and a lot more, join our FREE electronic mail e-newsletter!
Your Ideas
The place do you suppose Disney will construct its subsequent park? Do you suppose we’ll see a brand new citadel park in our lifetimes? The place is your dream location for a Disney theme park–both with regards to house or your favourite shuttle vacation spot? Some other hypothesis, statement, or questions? Listening to from you is part the joys, so please percentage your take beneath!
