if i'm being honest the only fox properties that really have potential for theme park areas have already been done. disney has avatar, star wars, and marvel in every park besides japan and florida. universal has marvel in the parks disney doesn't and also has the simpsons. the only other fox property i can see that has that kind of potential is alien, which was done spiritually by alien encounter and got a segment in the great movie ride, so it's possible they'd want to revisit it
There will NEVER be a 5th Theme Park.
I certainly agree with all these points that everyone has made and I certainly agree that it would be a while. But I still feel like the only move Disney has left (I know they have tons of possible moves but the one that could really make them compete with Universal) is develop a park or areas of parks that will appeal to the crowd that tends to lean Universal. I think the stars wars park is just the beginning of lands that fully immerse you in the experience, even moreso than Disney has done already. I think it would be difficult for them to incorporate those concepts in most of the other parks, and would be easier to do with a blank canvas. Or, the counter arguement is that if you make many of your parks as immersive as star wars land is likely going to be, you may need a "simple" park that is just filled with attractions. To be clear, I think it will be a while as they are spending a ton of money in reinvesting in their existing parks. But Fox really has some good properties that while I couldn't pin point a solid idea to incorporate I would trust the imagineers. But yes you have to pick movies that are "timeless" and wont become obsolete after a period of time, which I think even Universal struggles with. But movies like Alien, Home Alone, the Princess Bride, Independence Day, are a solid core to get you started.
They may be able to incorporate these in Hollywood Studios, although the rumors last year were that the concept and name of the park were changing. Alien Encounter was an amazing attraction but if I recall it simply didnt fit the tone of the Magic Kingdom. So make a park where that type of attraction would fit. But the properties are too huge with too much possibility to let the properties sit.
I am of the belief that they either need a 5th gate or expand the existing parks (which they are doing). On more and more days Disneyworld (no matter the park) isnt an enjoyable place to visit due to the queues which has knock on effects. Expanding the parks or a 5th gate will help thin out the crowds.
Agreed. They either need more attractions or another park to help spread out the crowds.
FWIW, my wife was recently reading travel site with quite a few reviews (she can't remember which one.) The reviewers on that site were overwhelmingly ripping WDW a collective new one over the crowded nature of the parks. IMHO, its a problem that Disney is going to have to address in the future.
We here in Myrtle Beach had rumors back then that Disney was looking at the property where the Hard Rock Theme Park went, with the idea of a Legends of History park idea. It sounded really lame IMO but I'm not a history lover or buff by any stretch lol. What I did think was, I don't think even Disney could pull off making anything work here in this town, let alone on that property. It's like a dead zone that used to be the hottest spot on the beach. Hard Rock lasted all of ONE season, then it was sold to Indian folk and called Rock & Roll Freestyle Park....again, one season and now it's gone. Someone lost their rear ends on that stupid idea. To give you an idea of what they tried to pull off....Try riding a kiddie coaster (think Barnstormer) to the song, "Take it Easy" by the Eagles.....I'll give you a minute......yeah.....how about a trip-tastical 3D dark ride filled with glow painted walls and various 60's decor set to the song, "Knights in White Satin". I WISH I were making this stuff up. It sounds like something a few pot heads would come up with while sitting around stoned one night. lol It happened, and it happened here in my back yard Google it. I'm in one of those tourist towns where it seems that everything they try to do is always done on a shoestring budget so after all the hype it ends up sucking and closes down really quickly. Our motto is, if it looks like fun, better go and do it now cos' it won't be there tomorrow. Ugh this got soooPersonally, before they do a 5th gate at WDW, I wish instead they would expand to a new area in the States - like the Revolutionary War idea they had for Virginia, if that was real or not I am not sure, but that would have been a blast to see and do Disney more often than I do now.