A new Epcot resort

Image: DisneyOne of the open secrets at Walt Disney World is that hotel occupancy rates are through the roof. Disney executives could feasibly add two or three more resorts while maintaining their success rate in filling rooms.

This thought process explains the opening of the Gran Destino Tower at Disney's Coronado Springs Resort. Imagineers built a high-rise to siphon off some of the surplus demand for hotel rooms. Ever after that, Disney still needs more lodgings for its guests.

Image: DisneyIn recent years, a couple of rumors hinted at the next major hotel expansions. One of them indicated that park officials would construct a property right at the front of Epcot. A corollary rumor suggested that the space near The Seas with Nemo & Friends would provide a perfect spot for a resort.

I fully believed that one of these rumors would come to pass. Given the fact that the D-23 presentation fixated on Epcot, however, I’m forced to re-evaluate. The timing seemed perfect to reveal an Epcot resort at the front of the park to match the ones at the back. At this point, I believe that Disney chose to spend the money in different ways right now. They could always circle back to the idea in a few years, though.

A new monorail resort

Image: DisneyThe more logical rumor involved the monorail area. Company executives once perceived Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa as the height of opulence in the Orlando hotel industry. Alas, it opened even before Paula Abdul and Batdance were a thing. Today, the hotel is still lovely, but it doesn’t demand attention the way that it once did.

Given this situation, park planners have evaluated the idea of a new monorail resort. I’m not speaking of Reflections – A Disney Lakeside Lodge, either. I mean a property that would have a place on the monorail line.

Image: DisneyHow is this possible? The prevailing belief is that Disney would construct an entirely new Transportation and Ticket Center (TTC). In the old space of the current location, Imagineers would build an upscale resort that would restore Disney’s dominance.

When I debate this rumor, I wonder about two things. The first is about the aggravation in moving the TTC. Disney must disrupt the monorail line to do this, and the potential spot for the new version is on questionable land. Disney’s never added anything there before since it’s swampy, even by Orlando standards.

The other question is whether Disney’s willing to invest this much into a transportation change when the monorails are so shaky. Nobody in upper management seems to have an interest in expanding the monorail due to the financial constraints. This move would somewhat force the issue, requiring more monorail infrastructure.

If Disney won’t purchase a new fleet, would they really do something so bold? I just can’t see it. I’d like to be wrong, though. Monorail resorts are one of the best parts of a Walt Disney World vacation.