Disney’s Fifth Gate One Step Closer to Being Legally Allowed
Back in June, many outlets reported that Disney was approved to build a fifth Florida theme park. True enough, the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District (CFTOD) had given it the thumbs up, but a bigger hurdle is now in the rear view mirror.
At a CFTOD meeting yesterday, staff shared that tthe State of Florida and other “reviewing entities” have made no comment on the 2045 Comprehensive Plan. No news is good news, and so the document remains intact, unmodified. In a rapid fire meeting, the board repeated its approval.
District staff are now sending the adopted amendment to the Florida Department of Commerce for the final greenlight.
The 2045 Comprehensive Plan is an update of the Reedy Creek Improvement District comprehensive plan written in 1991, and refreshed since.
The Disney-controlled Reedy Creek was replaced in 2023, during a spat between Governor Ron DeSantis and the company. The company filed lawsuit against the State, but the matter was settled after two Disney critics were replaced by supporters.
While a “fifth gate” is now closer than ever to being legally allowed, it’s important to remember that just because you can do something, it doesn’t mean that you will do something. The document itself states that no plans for future parks are under review by the District.
The plan will also allow over a million square feet of new office space, 1.7 million square feet of restaurant and retail buildings, and 53,076 additional hotel rooms. The new park itself could have a 50,000 person daily capacity, which is larger than Disney’s Animal Kingdom or Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Two new “minor” theme parks are also allowed, similar in size to the water parks and ESPN Wide World of Sports.
The agenda packet for the meeting is available on the District website, with the Plan starting on page 237.
The meeting also saw the renewal of LYNX bus service to Walt Disney World. The District subsidizes $2 rides, with most routes running every half hour.