Originally Posted By Mr X So Lee hinted in another thread that there's maybe possibly a third park in the works. What's that all about? Lee, the floor is yours...
Originally Posted By dagobert Would a third park have to be built on reclaimed land? If you look on google Earth there isn't enough room.
Originally Posted By FerretAfros The 2 existing parks were built on reclaimed land (though most of it existed before the parks began construction), so I wouldn't be surprised if the 3rd park did the same. I just hope that they don't mess up the cool sightlines from the American Waterfront and Port Discovery into Tokyo Bay, since it makes the park feel so real. Unfortunately, that area looks like the logical choice for where to add on to the resort, so I'm not sure how they could avoid that But it sure is exciting to think of the possibilities out there! TDR has "land" and "sea", so what would complement it with a third park? Sky? I like how TDR's themes are broad enough that practically anything could fit in either park, unlike the more narrow themes at the other resorts
Originally Posted By NGrey Lee posted previously that OLC could not reclaim any more land in Tokyo Bay and that the 3rd gate would be built using existing lots on the property. Not sure if that has changed, as it would result in a 3rd gate much smaller than either TDL or TDS if ever built.
Originally Posted By trekkeruss "TDR has "land" and "sea", so what would complement it with a third park?" Disney's Tokyo Adventure! The Disney Resort Line will go over a miniature Rainbow Bridge! Airport Limo will take you on a wacky tour of the town! Nissin will host a ramen noodle factory tour! The 50's Tokyo area will have a retro pachinko parlor, a dagashi shop, and a camera store featuring Mamiya and Yashica film cameras! Obonaria will fill the air with Bon-Odori music, and "Tokyo Bay" with giant candle lit paper lanterns! The signature coaster: Shitamachi Screamin'!
Originally Posted By leemac <<Lee posted previously that OLC could not reclaim any more land in Tokyo Bay and that the 3rd gate would be built using existing lots on the property. >> I must admit I don't recall saying this but to caveat - there can be no more reclamation on the west side of the resort (i.e. beyond the TDL parking lot) as the shipping channel is already as narrow as can be permitted due to Kasai Rinkai Park being protected on the other side of the channel. TDR could expand to the south beyond the sea wall that protects TDS. The focus is currently elsewhere on land opportunities in the area. You won't see the residential side of Maihama being affected but don't bet on the commercial and warehousing structures remaining in place if OLC are to expand on Tokyo Bay. The main problem is the presence of Urayashushi Sports Park that sits between OLC's land and the warehousing on the other peninsula.
Originally Posted By leemac <<So Lee hinted in another thread that there's maybe possibly a third park in the works. What's that all about?>> OLC have been looking at how a third park might work for nearly a decade now. OLC need to expand and initially the focus was elsewhere in Japan (like the failed Osaka location-based entertainment concept) but that led to a repivot back to Maihama. There isn't currently a timeline for when a third park might be approved. A lot of creative ideas about theme have been batted around for various sites but nothing concrete....as of yet. I think you can bet your house that a third park will more closely resemble a TDL park than a TDS park. The guest demographics are shifting and OLC needs to ensure it leverages the Disney IP as effectively as possible that resonates so strongly with their female crowd.
Originally Posted By Mr X ***The guest demographics are shifting and OLC needs to ensure it leverages the Disney IP as effectively as possible that resonates so strongly with their female crowd*** So, er, no FarEastCot, that's what you're telling us? I'm honestly curious to see what they come up with. To me, DisneySea was probably the most original of all the alternate parks (though in a sense it's really just a Magic Kingdom 2.0), together with Epcot and IoA. Everything else is just a variation of a Studios Tour imo, or a zoo. I'd love to see something ridiculously new, but I'm guessing that ship has sailed by this point.
Originally Posted By NGrey <<I must admit I don't recall saying this but to caveat - there can be no more reclamation on the west side of the resort (i.e. beyond the TDL parking lot) as the shipping channel is already as narrow as can be permitted due to Kasai Rinkai Park being protected on the other side of the channel. TDR could expand to the south beyond the sea wall that protects TDS.>> It was in this thread that you posted about the reclamation issue. <a target="blank" rel="nofollow" href="http://mb.laughingplace.com/MsgBoard-T-127612-P-1.asp">http://mb.laughingplace.com/Ms...-P-1.asp</a> I assumed at the time the land you were referring to was the existing parking lots, which seemed a bit limited for a full 3rd gate. But I didn't realize they could potentially use the large plot south of the sports park with all the warehouses. That would certainly be big enough for a TDL/TDS-sized gate. If they cannot acquire the sports park, I assume they would just reroute and loop the monorail around that plot of land for access.
Originally Posted By NGrey <<I think you can bet your house that a third park will more closely resemble a TDL park than a TDS park. The guest demographics are shifting and OLC needs to ensure it leverages the Disney IP as effectively as possible that resonates so strongly with their female crowd.>> Villains/Dark Kingdom like the one rumored as a 5th gate for WDW seems like the ideal fit for its untapped IPs (attractions wise) and unique nature. I would love to see Bald Mountain, Maleficent's castle, etc.
Originally Posted By leemac <<If they cannot acquire the sports park>> My memory is sketchy but I think OLC gifted that lands to the city for the sports park. I think the working assumption is that TDR would need to grow around it.
Originally Posted By leemac <<I assumed at the time the land you were referring to was the existing parking lots, which seemed a bit limited for a full 3rd gate. >> The decision to extend the Fantasyland expansion into the parking lot will effectively end the ability to put the third park in the TDL lot. There were plans years ago to put in a park that would have been a long finger of land from the TDL to right behind Raging Spirits/Indy but the plan wasn't workable. I suspect it would only work today if you took out the Sunroute, TB Maihama and TB Maihama Club Resorts too. That would mean buying out the two independent operators.
Originally Posted By leemac <<Villains/Dark Kingdom like the one rumored as a 5th gate for WDW seems like the ideal fit for its untapped IPs (attractions wise) and unique nature.>> Almost no chance. We surveyed to add a villains-orientated section to Fantasyland with this current expansion and the resounding response was NO. Villains rarely resonate with the TDL faithful. It isn't kawaii and beyond a few exceptions guests prefer the "heroes", "princesses" etc.
Originally Posted By NGrey <<My memory is sketchy but I think OLC gifted that lands to the city for the sports park. I think the working assumption is that TDR would need to grow around it.>> Just to clarify, would OLC prefer to use that lot south of the sports park over reclaiming new land? Building a 3rd gate south of TDS would affect the sightlines within the park, especially the illusion of being on the water along American Waterfront and Port Discovery as FerrotAfros mentioned. That is, unless they reclaim directly south of the Hilton with a cut-off point at the Sheraton.
Originally Posted By NGrey <<The decision to extend the Fantasyland expansion into the parking lot will effectively end the ability to put the third park in the TDL lot. There were plans years ago to put in a park that would have been a long finger of land from the TDL to right behind Raging Spirits/Indy but the plan wasn't workable. >> There's still a fair amount of land left there even after the Fantasyland expansion. Do they have any foreseeable plans for that area? I would guess either more hotels or continued expansion of TDL and TDS some period of time after the 10-year plan work.
Originally Posted By NGrey <<Almost no chance. We surveyed to add a villains-orientated section to Fantasyland with this current expansion and the resounding response was NO. Villains rarely resonate with the TDL faithful. It isn't kawaii and beyond a few exceptions guests prefer the "heroes", "princesses" etc.>> That's a shame. I can't think of a better overarching theme for a characters-based park. I hope they will at least give it a unique identity so it doesn't feel just like an extension of TDL.
Originally Posted By leemac <<Just to clarify, would OLC prefer to use that lot south of the sports park over reclaiming new land?>> Reclamation is a nightmare - very expensive and very time-consuming to permit. Plus TDR's existing landfill is of poor quality compared to HKDL. Repurposing brownfield sites is much easier and cheaper. It may lead to the resort not being contiguous any more but it is beneficial in every other way.
Originally Posted By leemac <<There's still a fair amount of land left there even after the Fantasyland expansion. Do they have any foreseeable plans for that area? I would guess either more hotels or continued expansion of TDL and TDS some period of time after the 10-year plan work.>> OLC will continue to increase parking prices until the number of cars can be accommodated in the structures. There are no plans being considered at present relating to the rest of the lot. However you can imagine that hotels will be in its future.
Originally Posted By NGrey Just had another thought. Was an indoor water park ever considered for TDR like it was for DLP? Being enclosed would solve the issue of climate. I remember reading how crowded Japan's existing water parks are, so it would seem the demand is there.
