Latest news with #CentralFloridaTourismOversightDistrict
New York Post
14 hours ago
- Entertainment
- New York Post
Disney World plans to open a massive new theme park, its first since 1998 — here's what it'll entail
Mouse ears, meet expansion plans. Walt Disney World may be conjuring up a whole new kingdom — its first all-new park since Animal Kingdom opened way back in 1998. According to a new long-term blueprint from the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District — dubbed Comprehensive Plan 2045 — the Mouse House has supposedly carved out space for a 'major theme park' and two smaller ones, likely water parks, to roll out over the coming decades. Advertisement The report earmarks 400 to 500 acres for the possible mega-park, which could stand shoulder to shoulder with Magic Kingdom, EPCOT, Hollywood Studios and Animal Kingdom in terms of size and spectacle. Meanwhile, the mini-parks could each splash onto the scene across 147 acres — perfect for water slides, lazy rivers and screaming toddlers in swim diapers. 3 According to a newly released master plan dubbed 'Comprehensive Plan 2045,' Disney's plotting room for one mega park and two splashy sidekicks — likely water parks — over the next few decades. AFP via Getty Images Advertisement Also flagged in the plan? Supposed land reserved for more hotels, commercial spaces, entertainment zones, and Disney's famously secret underground tunnels — used by cast members to zip around like pixie-dusted pros. Disney hasn't confirmed the project just yet, but fans are already dreaming up which characters might headline the House of Mouse's next big adventure. The Post reached out for a comment. Disney World's getting another rare upgrade — and we're not talking rides. Advertisement A luxe new steakhouse, Bourbon Steak by celeb chef Michael Mina, is carving out space at the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin resort. 3 Also on the map? New hotels, glitzy shops, entertainment hubs — and those hush-hush underground tunnels where cast members scoot around like pixie-dusted pros. Central Florida Tourism Oversight District The bougie beef palace promises prime cuts and fresh-from-the-sea fare, all served with a bold, globetrotting twist. Translation? Mickey's going full filet mignon. After a bumpy ride of closures and cancellations that left parkgoers fuming earlier this year, Disney just dropped more news that's revving up excitement. Advertisement In other Disney news, The Post previously reported that Epcot's fan-favorite Test Track is making its grand return on July 22, after hitting the brakes last summer for a major tune-up. Dubbed Test Track 3.0, the high-octane overhaul will come with a brand-new score, a souped-up storyline, and futuristic bells and whistles to thrill even the most jaded Mouseketeer. 3 After a rocky run of shutdowns that had fans fuming earlier this year, Disney just fired up fresh news that's got everyone buzzing again. AP Call it a pit stop well worth the wait. However, (to the disappointment of the resort's fans), a few Disney staples like Rivers of America, Tom Sawyer Island, and the Liberty Square Riverboat are cruising into the sunset this year — all to make room for a revved-up new land: Piston Peak National Park, a high-octane homage to Pixar's 'Cars' franchise. Longtime fans are also still mourning the loss of Mickey's Toontown — the zany, mouse-sized village bulldozed in 2011 for Fantasyland's glow-up. But ultimately, Disney's not just sprinkling pixie dust in 2025 — they're going full throttle on the magic with a new park, steakhouse and a returning beloved ride.
Daily Mail
20 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Disney unveils spectacular plans... including a brand new US theme park
Disney fans will be overjoyed to learn that Walt Disney World may be introducing a whole new kingdom. A fifth sprawling theme park is reportedly in the works, according to a new Comprehensive Plan 2045 from the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District. The plans detail a reserved development capacity for a 'major theme park' and two 'minor theme parks' to be built over the next few decades. The new park at the Orlando resort could be expansive - mirroring the scale of other popular parks such as Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Disney's Hollywood Studios, and Disney's Animal Kingdom. The documents allotted 400 to 500 acres for the new park which would be Disney's first all-new gate in over 25 years. It is thought that the two smaller parks will be water parks, spanning an estimated 147 acres each. Disney fans have been eager for a new attraction since the last grand opening was Animal Kingdom way back in 1998. Walt Disney World has not officially confirmed a fifth Florida theme park - but has reached out for comment. In a map of the proposal, shared in the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District report, land has been earmarked for various uses. Among them was commercial, conservation, entertainment and hotels. The plan also revealed that the park has requested permission to build underground communication lines and facilities - known to be used by cast members to move around the parks. This latest venture comes after Disney World fans threatened to boycott the theme park after it unveiled the first major details on its upcoming Cars land. The Happiest Place on Earth announced last year that it would be getting rid of Tom Sawyer Island in Magic Kingdom's Frontierland to make way for a new Lightning McQueen-themed area. It has since revealed when it will officially be shut down - and the news has left hoards of Disney fans across the globe outraged. Tom Sawyer Island, as well as the Liberty Square Riverboat ride, will have its final day of operation on July 6, 2025. That means guests only have a little more than a month left to enjoy the serene island inspired by the stories of Mark Twain. Immediately, Disney park-goers took to X, formerly Twitter, to share their heartbreak over the announcement, and some even admitted that they no longer wanted to visit the park. 'Canceling my trip in October and sadly, will never visit that park again,' one user announced. 'This is an abomination and a real disservice to all those who booked summer trips hoping to enjoy all this one more time,' added another. 'Talk about timing. Thankful we enjoyed it recently.' 'Never going back,' someone else wrote. 'I have a lot of happy memories there, and I'll keep them.' 'Huge mistake. Huge,' a fourth tweet read, while a fifth said, 'Largest downgrade.'
Yahoo
22-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Disney district to consider backing major Orlando transit expansion
Editor's note: This story is available as a result of a content partnership between WFTV and the Orlando Business Journal. The Central Florida Tourism Oversight District, the governing entity for the land of Walt Disney World Resort, has proposed providing the Florida Department of Transportation funds for a key Sunshine Corridor study. The district's board of supervisors on March 28 will consider approving $500,000 to support a project development & environment study for a shared rail corridor that will be utilized by both commuter rail SunRail and the Brightline intercity rail service. The Central Florida Tourism Oversight District oversees more than 25,000 acres across 24 landowners in Orange and Osceola counties, including The Walt Disney Co. (NYSE: DIS). The study, which will cost $6 million, has already gotten commitments of $2 million each from the Florida Department of Transportation and Universal Destinations & Experiences, as well as $500,000 apiece from the city of Orlando, Seminole County and Osceola County. ...... Click here to read the full story on the Orlando Business Journal's website. Click here to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live.
Yahoo
23-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
District overseeing Disney land names new board chair, members
Editor's note: This story is available as a result of a content partnership between WFTV and the Orlando Business Journal. The Central Florida Tourism Oversight District has named three new board members, including a new chair. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis named Alexis Yarbrough as chair of the board of supervisors, alongside the additions of John Gilbert and Scott Workman. The board, which succeeded the Reedy Creek Improvement District, has oversight of permit and other approvals across 25,000 acres primarily owned by the Walt Disney Cos. (NYSE: DIS) and its subsidiaries in both Orange and Osceola counties. Click here to read the full story on the Orlando Business Journal's website. Click here to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live.
