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

[TheMaxRebo]

Seems like with all the WDW and DLR news, Disney is moving about as fast as can be hoped for with the projects announced at D23 (given Disney timelines generally). While my brain keeps telling me 2029 is too optimistic for this, the fact that they already announced the train loop being closed until Villains opens makes me think this won't be open in 2032. Don't know if the word has gone out to fast-track the domestic expansions in response to Epic.

Obviously we need to see them keep this up but they do seem to be moving faster than they did during and coming out of Covid. Even TBA was a relatively quick project but these are obviously much bigger things

But with the DLR news last night they are starting on work for the Coco ride there this fall which is earlier than initial projections - whether in response to Epic or just a broader feeling of needing new stuff in the parks in general is hard to know

 

[ctrlaltdel]

My wild (maybe naively hopeful) mind the timeline is:
2027 - Tropical Americas
2028 - Monsters Inc.
2028/2029 - Cars
2029/2030 - Villains

This fits with the narrative Disney was making that everything they announced at D23 2024 being open in the next 5 years, with Villains being technically 5 1/2 (If it opens around summer 2030, which seems the most likely to me)

The expansions being one each year for marketing purposes make the most sense to me, although early 2028 for Monsters and late 2028 for Cars wouldn't surprise me.

I am somewhat surprised that they actually seem to be sticking with their promised D23 timelines (and in the DCA expansions, seem to be moving them up with Coco/Avatar). Does seem to track that this is the first half of the decade long expansion plan, instead of a more pessimistic view where they spread these out over 8-9 years instead of 5. Time will tell if we do ever get that second half though.

 

[Ichabod Crane]

There’s a wide variety of factors behind this apparent pick up in speed on these projects and I bet one of them is that Josh is currently the front runner for the CEO spot which I’m sure has really lit a fire under him.

 

[ToTBellHop]

There’s a wide variety of factors behind this apparent pick up in speed on these projects and I bet one of them is that Josh is currently the front runner for the CEO spot which I’m sure has really lit a fire under him.

No reason to delay if the next CEO also thinks the parks are a priority.

 

[ChewbaccaYourMum]

The expansions being one each year for marketing purposes make the most sense to me, although early 2028 for Monsters and late 2028 for Cars wouldn't surprise me.

I am somewhat surprised that they actually seem to be sticking with their promised D23 timelines (and in the DCA expansions, seem to be moving them up with Coco/Avatar). Does seem to track that this is the first half of the decade long expansion plan, instead of a more pessimistic view where they spread these out over 8-9 years instead of 5. Time will tell if we do ever get that second half though.

At this rate, we might even have news out of D23 2028 of yet another expansion/addition for MK to that laydown yard right next to Thunder Mountain that they are using for the constructions of Cars/Villains, since the land would be ready to use already!

I wouldn't be surprised at all if Coco (with that new boat ride in DCA) is coming next. The original "Beyond Big Thunder Mountain" bluesky plans originally had Coco, if I am remembering correctly.

 

[ChewbaccaYourMum]

That is roughly my thinking too - maybe have a one off ride refurbishment to fit in there if there is like a 18+ month gap b/w Monsters and Cars (like a SSE redo or similar)

That gap might be where the Muppets to Rock n roller coaster fits in, perhaps?

 

[ToTBellHop]

That gap might be where the Muppets to Rock n roller coaster fits in, perhaps?

I feel like that’s sooner. Before Tropical Americas.

 

[JD80]

I'd have to think Muppets RNRC is next year, first half if I had to guess.

 

[doctornick]

At this rate, we might even have news out of D23 2028 of yet another expansion/addition for MK to that laydown yard right next to Thunder Mountain that they are using for the constructions of Cars/Villains, since the land would be ready to use already!

I wouldn't be surprised at all if Coco (with that new boat ride in DCA) is coming next. The original "Beyond Big Thunder Mountain" bluesky plans originally had Coco, if I am remembering correctly.

Possible but the strongest rumors for any additional MK announcements was a Moana ride in Adventureland (on the expansion pad behind POTC). Obviously things could have changed since that was being considered though - and I agree that the DCA Coco ride in the outside the berm space beyond BTMRR would actually be a decent idea.

Also, it's worth considering that perhaps part of the reason that the train is not going to run to Frontierland station is that they are taking this time to prep the area north of BTMRR/Splash to be able to quickly build on in the future. Since the train is already not doing the full circle anyway.

The other relatively soon things that might be considered would be a DAK expansion - the Paris TLK ride most likely - or actually adding something in the old Animation/Launch Bay footprint in DHS like Zootopia or Simpsons (or something else). Personally, I'd focus on additions to DAK and DHS before I'd add more to MK just because those parks need additional capacity much more desperately.

 

[DisDude33]

Possible but the strongest rumors for any additional MK announcements was a Moana ride in Adventureland (on the expansion pad behind POTC).

I’ve been saying for some time that I believe a lot of the rumors about that Moana ride were from information that got mixed up from a different Imagineering project. I will be shocked if that ride actually ends up in MK one day but I definitely think we’ll see a similar ride system show up in the near future.

 

[ToTBellHop]

MK has several large-scale ride refurbishments on deck. I presume Epcot will be next in line for an addition after everything starting now.

 

[Purduevian]

I think that works better as a one-off ride than land. It’s believable that they could work together for a minute or two. Not much more. Even in Fantasmic!, they are aligned in purpose but still challenge Mickey individually and think they can do better than one another. They don’t really work together.

Plus, I don’t believe Villain Land is meant to showcase any heroes.

You could also do a suicide squad type story/ride as your epic dark ride (bad guys teaming up to face a worse bad guy)

The story line could be something like Yensid has created a potion/device to harness the evil/powers from all the villains of the land. The villains must team against Yensid to stop him from stealing their power.

You could get some fun character interactions where they try to one up each other (Hades seems like he would tease the other Villains), while battling brooms, alternative versions of themselves, with a finale against Yensid.

The Villains could win, while not defeating any Heroes
(Yes I used AI to make the image, the ride idea was mine and I thought it would be fun to give it a small visual)

 

[ChewbaccaYourMum]

I feel like that’s sooner. Before Tropical Americas.

Yeah, definitely makes more sense since it shouldn't be *that much* work.

My thinking was more they just hold off on the Muppets transformation, since Rock n roller coaster would technically be fine just staying as is, so they have something opening every year

 

[ChewbaccaYourMum]

Possible but the strongest rumors for any additional MK announcements was a Moana ride in Adventureland (on the expansion pad behind POTC). Obviously things could have changed since that was being considered though - and I agree that the DCA Coco ride in the outside the berm space beyond BTMRR would actually be a decent idea.

Also, it's worth considering that perhaps part of the reason that the train is not going to run to Frontierland station is that they are taking this time to prep the area north of BTMRR/Splash to be able to quickly build on in the future. Since the train is already not doing the full circle anyway.

The other relatively soon things that might be considered would be a DAK expansion - the Paris TLK ride most likely - or actually adding something in the old Animation/Launch Bay footprint in DHS like Zootopia or Simpsons (or something else). Personally, I'd focus on additions to DAK and DHS before I'd add more to MK just because those parks need additional capacity much more desperately.

If Disney is adamant on full steam ahead on parks development... why not BOTH expansion in Adventureland and Beyond Thunder Mountain? In addition to the Animation Courtyard, DAK (after Tropical Americas), and whatever happens to EPCOT-- AFTER all the current stuff we already know.

I have a good feeling Disney is 100% committed to their 10 year plan for the Domestic Parks. While all the current stuff is being built and opening, I feel like D23 2026, D23 2028, and D23 2030 should be announcements of all that other stuff that would be opening from years 2030-2035.

 

[DisDude33]

You could also do a suicide squad type story/ride as your epic dark ride (bad guys teaming up to face a worse bad guy)

The story line could be something like Yensid has created a potion/device to harness the evil/powers from all the villains of the land. The villains must team against Yensid to stop him from stealing their power.

You could get some fun character interactions where they try to one up each other (Hades seems like he would tease the other Villains), while battling brooms, alternative versions of themselves, with a finale against Yensid.

The Villains could win, while not defeating any Heroes
(Yes I used AI to make the image, the ride idea was mine and I thought it would be fun to give it a small visual)

View attachment 862672

You could even tie the whole land together by having the big bad of this ride being the star of the Rollercoaster. Within the story you laid out the rollercoaster could have story elements about Yensid getting the potion he needs for his plan which he does at the end of the ride. Then the two rides are a fun experience individually but tell a complete story together.

 

[Disgruntled Walt]

Um, Yensid isn't a villain. And he's cool, so let's not have the villains defeat him, ok?

Plus, it's highly unlikely they would have the character whose name is D-I-S-N-E-Y spelled backwards be the antagonist of anything!

 

[SamusAranX]

You could also do a suicide squad type story/ride as your epic dark ride (bad guys teaming up to face a worse bad guy)

The story line could be something like Yensid has created a potion/device to harness the evil/powers from all the villains of the land. The villains must team against Yensid to stop him from stealing their power.

You could get some fun character interactions where they try to one up each other (Hades seems like he would tease the other Villains), while battling brooms, alternative versions of themselves, with a finale against Yensid.

The Villains could win, while not defeating any Heroes
(Yes I used AI to make the image, the ride idea was mine and I thought it would be fun to give it a small visual)

View attachment 862672

Similar to monsters unchained at epic, they could give us multiple villain AAs. But they need to be committed. The ones on Monsters are incredible. If only we could get the same ride system. Monsters is great, with Disney villains would be amazing. But Disney, thankfully, isn’t in the business of copypasta. Just not another trackless. Please.

 

[Purduevian]

Um, Yensid isn't a villain. And he's cool, so let's not have the villains defeat him, ok?

Plus, it's highly unlikely they would have the character whose name is D-I-S-N-E-Y spelled backwards be the antagonist of anything!

Honestly thought Yensid was a villain... hmm maybe the magic mirror?

Similar to monsters unchained at epic, they could give us multiple villain AAs. But they need to be committed. The ones on Monsters are incredible. If only we could get the same ride system. Monsters is great, with Disney villains would be amazing. But Disney, thankfully, isn’t in the business of copypasta. Just not another trackless. Please.

I'm having fun with the concept art and chat gpt, but I doubt we will get anything much scarier than TOT especially in MK

 

[MisterPenguin]

No reason to delay if the next CEO also thinks the parks are a priority.

Disney needs to spread the wealth among at least 8 theme parks and various other enterprises.

We know that WDW will eventually get $17B in capex. Most of that is from future profit, not what's in their pockets now.

 

[Advisable Joseph]

Could someone skilled at searching FDEP records find what this permit for trailers/a parking lot is referring to:


Is it a paved lot or gravel?

See, it is close to what the following referred to as Villains Land -- that could just mean that is where the HQ for construction would be:

As suggested by danlb_2000, I will post this here for those that are interested... The below is a screenshot from a well know development/realtor in Orlando discussing something he found on a website where projects are put out to bid. Looks like Villians Land has some kind of plans far enough along for a contractor to bid on. Job worth up to 50 million just for the construction company and work to start 60 days after bid accepted. I would say things are moving along. Just hope it gets to dirt moving.

View attachment 844414

The dirt road through the new parking lot was considered Maple Rd: