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

[Gusey]

I do think there is a common misconception that a flat ride is always a spinner and that spinners are always just aerial carousels like Dumbo. I feel like the flat ride for this land will not be an aerial carousel, and will use a less common spinner flat ride that can be well themed and even more thrilling with a small height requirement. If we're thinking that, it could be the often rumoured Ursula Octopus style ride, a caterpillar like Slinky Dog at the international Toy Story Parks (maybe riding in a giant Jafar Snake), a wave swinger like Silly Symphony Swings (could be themed to the creepy trees in Snow White or a magic villain that's making guests "fly") or even a Sky Fly flat ride like at Isle of Berk that's very intense (again themed to magic/flying). There are a lot more types of spinner flat ride and it would be nice to have something no seen at a Disney Park before

 

[britain]

I read it on a construction wall so it must be true!!!!

It’s in Randy Bright’s “Disneyland Inside Story” published 4 decades ago, and Randy would have known.

 

[Stripes]

Except for the huge target you’ve painted on your back that you’re violating your NDA or using unsolicited ideas.

Sure, but obviously some people are talking LOL!

 

[Pizza Moon]

I do think there is a common misconception that a flat ride is always a spinner and that spinners are always just aerial carousels like Dumbo. I feel like the flat ride for this land will not be an aerial carousel, and will use a less common spinner flat ride that can be well themed and even more thrilling with a small height requirement. If we're thinking that, it could be the often rumoured Ursula Octopus style ride, a caterpillar like Slinky Dog at the international Toy Story Parks (maybe riding in a giant Jafar Snake), a wave swinger like Silly Symphony Swings (could be themed to the creepy trees in Snow White or a magic villain that's making guests "fly") or even a Sky Fly flat ride like at Isle of Berk that's very intense (again themed to magic/flying). There are a lot more types of spinner flat ride and it would be nice to have something no seen at a Disney Park before

Flat rides are good things.

Only a fool wouldn’t want them.

They just have to be integrated well.

 

[ChewbaccaYourMum]

I'm gonna take a shot in the dark here... if this stuff is true, does that mean any of the insiders here could speak on what the scrapped plans were? Like the rides or architecture or tone?
@lentesta @marni1971 (any other insiders I am not aware of hah)

Or do we have to wait like 5 years for everything to be open till any info on that could come out?

 

[TrainsOfDisney]

It’s in Randy Bright’s “Disneyland Inside Story” published 4 decades ago, and Randy would have known.

i did read about it on a construction wall too during the refurbishment. Perhaps the photos and writing were from his book?

 

[Surferboy567]

This kind of conflicts with @lentesta was saying on the Disney Dish. Can you confirm this report was different from what you were hearing?

 

[RobbinsDad]

I think the Yzma coaster idea is too perfect for Disney to actually consider. Villains land can't all be the scariest villains in Disney movie history. Maleficent ride is a no-brainer, but this coaster is 1) something tied to the actual movie, like the Door coaster, 2) from an overlooked but beloved cult classic, and 3) adds an element of whimsy to the land instead of just all-gothic, all the time. Put simply, I love it. Which is probably why it's just a rumor.

 

[lazyboy97o]

It’s in Randy Brights’s “Disneyland Story” published 3 decades ago, and Randy would have known.

He does not. He states that Walt become fascinated with the mountain and also made the movie. It was two projects that came from the same fascination, part of a bigger interest in winter sports.

But even then, Disneyland: Inside Story also repeats the color blind bulldozer operator story (that Marty Sklar made up) and the heels sinking into asphalt story.

 

[lazyboy97o]

Sure, but obviously some people are talking LOL!

Yes, but that’s not something you announce in a meeting.

 

[phillip9698]

This sounds ridiculous. So they scrapped previous plans and pivoted to all these supposed different rides in a month?

 

[Stripes]

Yes, but that’s not something you announce in a meeting.

True. Perhaps I should’ve used a different word. It wouldn’t be part of the pitch, but the businesspeople do pay attention to social media.

 

[lazyboy97o]

This sounds ridiculous. So they scrapped previous plans and pivoted to all these supposed different rides in a month?

They pivoted from years of work and development on WestCOT to Disney’s California Adventure in a weekend.

 

[danlb_2000]

It's not that I don't want to believe it, but rather I just really doubt such a drastic change in every single way while they already filled permits. expanding or plussing is one thing, but the article suggests a brand new land different then the one announced. And that is what I disagree with and doubt

It wouldn't be the first time they pivoted on something at the last minute. Demolition work had already started for Hyperion Wharf when they pivoted to Disney Springs.

 

[britain]

What the heck is with people wanting “edgy?” The Magic Kingdom isn’t “edgy.” Frankly, Disney villains aren’t “edgy.” They’re flamboyant and a bit spooky. Stop trying to make the Disney parks adult-oriented thrill parks!

I’m skeptical of this lineup, but if it’s real, it makes me more excited for the land. A ride based on a great movie with a unique tone that Disney barely acknowledges? Great! My only trepidation is that I expected several villains in the headliner and, if it’s going to focus on just one, Maleficent isn’t particularly interesting or amusing compared to Ursula, Hades, Hook, or several other villains.

It’s possible that we may be able to find a compromise that satisfies the “Let’s cram every villain in the land” and the “none of these characters would actually work with (or even know) each other” schools of thought:

What if the expansion is more or less just more Fantasyland, with individual IPs in charge of their individual ride/shop/restaurant. But the big Maleficent boat ride COULD involve a ‘summoning of sorcery’.

Maleficent all by herself is not that interesting. Maleficent with Capt. Hook, Cruella DeVille, Sir Hiss & Prince John, Gaston, Ratigan and Tomatoa is stupid.

BUT, a measured, thoughtful retcon that pulls together the wicked witches and sorcerers that all have the same vibe … maybe all study the same book of dark magic… that might work. We might just be talking about a league of 3-5 villains here, but it makes sense.

Again, this idea is for a single attraction where action commences, climaxes and ends, not for the whole land.

 

[ManicMillennial]

They pivoted from years of work and development on WestCOT to Disney’s California Adventure in a weekend.

A lot of drinks were drank on that weekend.

 

[DoTheImpossible]

Everything sounds solid to me except the rumored ENG family coaster. The IP choice just doesn’t add up. In a land where almost any IP could work, choosing one that feels outdated and not substantial enough for the space feels like a miss.

I’m not against a family coaster at all. But even if it’s not the headliner, it still needs to feel stronger than a Slinky-tier coaster. A Berk-level coaster could be perfect. Thrilling but accessible and re-ridable.

My biggest concern is the vibe of the land. Are they still delivering on the original concept art and immersive atmosphere, or has that shifted too? If the tone and world-building changes, that’s the real issue to me.

 

[britain]

He does not. He states that Walt and become fascinated with the mountain and also made the movie. It was two projects that came from the same fascination, part of a bigger interest in winter sports.

But even then, Disneyland: Inside Story also repeats the color blind bulldozer operator story (that Marty Sklar made up) and the heels sinking into asphalt story.

Thank you, I appreciate the clarification that comes from good historians doing good work.

 

[phillip9698]

They pivoted from years of work and development on WestCOT to Disney’s California Adventure in a weekend.

Yeah, that isn’t very reassuring on the quality.

 

[Pizza Moon]

Absolutely not. But, certain Imagineers may have a favored direction that conflicts with what the businesspeople are leaning toward. Leaking that direction, if it got positive feedback, would give that team some added credibility when they make their case to management.

I’ve always been of the opinion that execution matters a great deal more than the IP. Could all of this turn out spectacularly if this is the direction? Absolutely. But the logic of the leaks themselves don’t add up. And that’s why I’m skeptical.

The direction matters.

Villains as a concept would work. There’s a million approaches.

If it isn’t Shanghai pirates Maleficent ride with all the villains like hades jafar and Ursula AND. Very thrilling coaster that the park just doesn’t have like Taron or Hagrid’s they’d drop the ball.

They’re making the kids rides for Cars, and a villains land would obviously have shows and entertainment they could enjoy too.
I’d imagine a boat ride wouldn’t have a height restriction over 32”-40”, or maybe none at all.

I’m not asking for VelicoCoaster but the overlap of people wanting an actual ride like a Hagrid’s at Disney is huge.

Look at the queue times for that ride still, makes Rise look like a step down because in a way it sort of is what the speeder bike or podracing coaster should’ve been. And Disneyland should’ve gotten it in their Star Wars expansion.

Absolutely, they should give MK its one at last.

If they weren’t doing cars I’d agree, but they are.

An Yzma laughing goofy ride would work in its own way with the right budget, but it’s like nowhere near what they should be doing. It is catering to younger audiences instead of respecting that kids will grow into it.

You have all of these TikTok and Instagram reels like this online. Sometimes Disney should listen to the fans (ie. anctually incorporate Luke Skywalker, Han, Leia, Darth Vader, etc. into the land).

This, however, is not the best approach. Sometimes Disney management gets it wrongs and sometimes the fans do. It takes a good CEO to differentiate the two, Iger couldn’t, let’s see if Josh can:

Pardon the crudeness, but in picking this.