MK Villains Land Announced for Walt Disney World's Magic Kingdom

[UNCgolf]

Internally, they are both being developed as E tickets or major attractions. We already know this, even getting into the classification weeds, the other attraction is definitely not a C.

It’s the Galaxy’s edge model.

Hopefully they build something much better than Smuggler's Run.

I'd prefer Pandora as a guide -- something with the same design ethos as Na'vi but on a D or E ticket scale could be the best ride they've built in a long time.

I don't really expect that from Villains, though. I still struggle to see how they can build a ride based around Disney Villains as a general concept that doesn't feel disjointed at best.

 

[BrianLo]

Hopefully they build something much better than Smuggler's Run.

I'd prefer Pandora as a guide -- something with the same design ethos as Na'vi but on a D or E ticket scale could be the best ride they've built in a long time.

Agreed, I’m interested in seeing if they salvo Smugglers run with the new profile.

But in this case, a coaster as the second attraction will be well received. Almost by default. My impression is that the dark ride is the main headline.

 

[mickEblu]

So far, it's clear that WDW can't put up enough family coasters. They all get huge lines. Don't know why every other new attraction wouldn't be a family coaster.

Wish DLR would get the memo.

 

[Giss Neric]

Hopefully they build something much better than Smuggler's Run.

I'd prefer Pandora as a guide -- something with the same design ethos as Na'vi but on a D or E ticket scale could be the best ride they've built in a long time.

I don't really expect that from Villains, though. I still struggle to see how they can build a ride based around Disney Villains as a general concept that doesn't feel disjointed at best.

One thing Disney does best is rock work and based on the art, it looks like it's gonna be a lot of rock work.

With the ride itself, I don't think there's gonna be any real story line. I'm okay with it being like Frozen Ever After in terms of having really no real story or plot from start to finish.

 

[TheMaxRebo]

Just hop the dark ride in ludes a lot of villains and it flows well, is impressive and reliable

I think something that starts with showing all the villains working together on a plan to take over the kingdom ... But then you go around to their various Laura and see how each of them has plans to undermine the others and take over for themselves or something

So a loose plot but nothing too exact that needs 17 DPB videos with backstory to explain

 

[aladdin2007]

One thing Disney does best is rock work and based on the art, it looks like it's gonna be a lot of rock work.

With the ride itself, I don't think there's gonna be any real story line. I'm okay with it being like Frozen Ever After in terms of having really no real story or plot from start to finish.

that seems to be all they know how to do anymore

 

[JD80]

Hopefully they build something much better than Smuggler's Run.

I'd prefer Pandora as a guide -- something with the same design ethos as Na'vi but on a D or E ticket scale could be the best ride they've built in a long time.

I don't really expect that from Villains, though. I still struggle to see how they can build a ride based around Disney Villains as a general concept that doesn't feel disjointed at best.

Just my personal opinion, but the moment where you pull the lever to jump in to hyperspace is one of the best moments in any themepark for me. They can only dream to match that moment in Villains Land.

 

[JMcMahonEsq]

Just my personal opinion, but the moment where you pull the lever to jump in to hyperspace is one of the best moments in any themepark for me. They can only dream to match that moment in Villains Land.

This times a 100. Getting to ride in the Falcon in an of itself is a 80's kids dream. Getting to go as a family while your kid's drive, smashing you around all over the place, laughing uncontrollably, or hearing the kids laugh at you while you can't drive, all while people try to shoot and grapple stuff has to be one of the top 10 family moments in the park.

 

[JMcMahonEsq]

Hopefully they build something much better than Smuggler's Run.

I'd prefer Pandora as a guide -- something with the same design ethos as Na'vi but on a D or E ticket scale could be the best ride they've built in a long time.

I don't really expect that from Villains, though. I still struggle to see how they can build a ride based around Disney Villains as a general concept that doesn't feel disjointed at best.

Disney has done a really good job with its Descendants Franchise for over a decade based around an amalgamation of Disney Villains and/or related Villain characters. I don't think the land will be a direct port over of that franchise/IP, but it shows they are able to creatively market that character set pretty effectively.

 

[MisterPenguin]

that seems to be all they know how to do anymore

Do you have any screenshots of this wonderful rock work in and about Cosmic Rewind, Ratatouille, Sunset Theater (Cars and, soon, Villains), Space 220, the two new lounges, and Toy Story Land? Thanks!!!

 

[HoustonHorn]

Just my personal opinion, but the moment where you pull the lever to jump in to hyperspace is one of the best moments in any themepark for me. They can only dream to match that moment in Villains Land.

This times a 100. Getting to ride in the Falcon in an of itself is a 80's kids dream. Getting to go as a family while your kid's drive, smashing you around all over the place, laughing uncontrollably, or hearing the kids laugh at you while you can't drive, all while people try to shoot and grapple stuff has to be one of the top 10 family moments in the park.

I went on opening day in Orlando with a buddy who had previously gone with his wife to the Anaheim opening. We were in that 5-hour line at 5AM for Falcon. We get to the front and are assigned pilot, and he said I HAD to be the right one without saying why.

He's a really good friend.

 

[Disgruntled Walt]

Cosmic Rewind, Ratatouille, Sunset Theater (Cars and, soon, Villains), Space 220, the two new lounges, and Toy Story Land

None of these look as good as their recent rockwork-work.

 

[danlb_2000]

Just my personal opinion, but the moment where you pull the lever to jump in to hyperspace is one of the best moments in any themepark for me. They can only dream to match that moment in Villains Land.

As someone who grew up on the original Star Wars movies I have to agree. That simple action brought me more into a movie then any ride ever has.

 

[MJL92]

Magic Kingdom is routinely the least popular park out of the 6 (4 WDW / 2 Uni) on the high school trips I run. Endless supply of child / family friendly attractions but the top end thrill isn't there. WDW appeals to every demographic, but there isn't a big ticket draw for a coaster enthusiast. I know a handful of people who have traveled to IoA strictly to experience VelociCoaster as a top 5 in the world coaster.

Why wouldn't the #1 theme park destination in the world want to try to check that last box?

 

[JMcMahonEsq]

Magic Kingdom is routinely the least popular park out of the 6 (4 WDW / 2 Uni) on the high school trips I run. Endless supply of child / family friendly attractions but the top end thrill isn't there. WDW appeals to every demographic, but there isn't a big ticket draw for a coaster enthusiast. I know a handful of people who have traveled to IoA strictly to experience VelociCoaster as a top 5 in the world coaster.

Why wouldn't the #1 theme park destination in the world want to try to check that last box?

Why doesn't lamborghi or Mercedes sell an economy car?

Why doesn't a BBQ joint spend alot of money/time focusing on vegan options?

Why doesn't Dave and Buster's offer more board games instead of Video Games?

WDW isn't trying to market itself as a thrill park, or a coaster park. And even if there was some thought to "going after the coaster enthusiast" market, one ride isn't going to push the needle as far as market competition/market share. If people are planning their annual vacations around roller coasters, one coaster at WDW isn't going to get a significant enough portion of that market to spend WDW dollars on trips to MK to just ride that one ride.

You spend your money where your going to get the biggest ROI. And large expenditures on a ride that a significant portion, if not the majority of your customers aren't going to be interested in, doesn't make that much sense.

 

[erasure fan1]

Just my personal opinion, but the moment where you pull the lever to jump in to hyperspace is one of the best moments in any themepark for me.

Agreed. Unfortunately that's kind of where it ends. For us OT nerds it's something I'm sure we have all dreamed about. Maybe it's a hot take, star tours is a better overall ride. Hopefully the new mando overlay will be better.

I will say, I hope there isn't any simulator ride in villains land.

 

[Bocabear]

MK is the least popular theme park at WDW? THen why is it always so mobbed? I thought the numbers they release still showed it as the busiest park of the 4? and the top park in the Orlando area....

 

[Andrew C]

MK is the least popular theme park at WDW? THen why is it always so mobbed? I thought the numbers they release still showed it as the busiest park of the 4? and the top park in the Orlando area....

Magic Kingdom is routinely the least popular park out of the 6 (4 WDW / 2 Uni) on the high school trips I run.

 

[MJL92]

If people are planning their annual vacations around roller coasters, one coaster at WDW isn't going to get a significant enough portion of that market to spend WDW dollars on trips to MK to just ride that one ride.

Who said they want to be a coaster park? who said they need to make it a thrill park?

I said the only thing they don't have in their incredibly diverse portfolio is a game changing thrill coaster that enthusiasts from around the world will travel to ride that one thing. And coaster enthusiasts definitely will travel for one ride.

RnRC is an incredibly intense ride and they have no problems filling that queue. Would probably do better if it wasn't the least reliable ride on property.

 

[JMcMahonEsq]

Who said they want to be a coaster park? who said they need to make it a thrill park?

I said the only thing they don't have in their incredibly diverse portfolio is a game changing thrill coaster that enthusiasts from around the world will travel to ride that one thing. And coaster enthusiasts definitely will travel for one ride.

RnRC is an incredibly intense ride and they have no problems filling that queue. Would probably do better if it wasn't the least reliable ride on property.

My point is there is no reason to spend the amount of money that would be needed for a "game changing thrill coaster" when your not targeting an audience that is looking for one. Your not going to get enough ROI tareting "coaster enthusiasts" for one ride. Your certainly not going to get 4+ days of trips out of coaster enthusiasts to go to 1 ride.

As to RnRC calling it incredibly intense is a large stretch. Its top speed is 57MPH, no where near any of the top speeds of your major coasters. Being inside there is no significant height or large drops. You get a couple/3 inversions through a corkscrew, but that's about it. Its a mainstream family+ ride. You have 48in height restriction so you not getting your smaller/younger kids on the ride so it's not totally young family friendly But its not intense as compared to a line of of SFGA or other roller coaster centric parks.

So if your going to spend mulitple millions in an expansion of your park, unless you think its going to bring in a new, and sustainable market, you are much better off spending the capital on things the majority of your customers want.