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

[Sorcerer Mickey]

People talking about Disney not making villains too scary for kids after I’ve had to leave Fantasmic with my hysterical toddler because that was too frightening for them.

 

[Casper Gutman]

To me, Disney "edgy" is Haunted Mansion - an excellent classic attraction that I don't think would ever be considered as a new concept (IP themed or otherwise) by modern management. It's clearly meant for an audience over the five year range and has themes that young children might consider scary without there being anything truly offensive or offputting for most riders on it.

Not something with crazy height requirements or that will give anyone motion-sickness or result in an experience like Alien Encounter but the kind of dark humor and quirkiness that the Splash redo could have had with the IP they chose but that they clearly went out of their way to dodge.

MK used to house attractions like SWSA and MTWR.

Are you of the opinion that it's better without those kinds of attractions? (honest question)

Personally, that's the kind of feeling I'd want from a land like this. A dark mirror to the modern fantasyland (which really, it could be argued, could be the old fantasy land with updated tech) - not essentially a repeat of it just with more green and purple.

Got the acronyms! Removing dark rides is always bad and Toad was great and a perfect example of the removal of dark humor I despise. Snow White, on the other hand, was a poor representation of the film and a good example of squashing an IP into a format that doesn’t fit.

 

[DrStarlander]

I've seen a few posts saying "don't listen to the fans" and "they don't know what they want or not." Yet sometimes they do. And Disney should listen and think about it.

 

[Chi84]

For all of those who cheered; the Rivers of America closed for a 2nd rate Cars ride and a version of Villains land that nobody wanted.

Do you know something more than everyone else here?

There are many people looking forward to Cars and we know next to nothing about Villains land.

I thought the River and TSI were removed because people weren’t interested in those attractions.

 

[Chi84]

I've seen a few posts saying "don't listen to the fans" and "they don't know what they want or not." Yet sometimes they do. And Disney should listen and think about it.
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Wait, who wanted that?

 

[Lord Fozzinator]

I would wait for D23 or an official Disney announcement to really know what's going to be in the land. A lot of rumors go around the Disney parks that end up untrue.

My thoughts on this new plan if it is true? I do say that the tone possibly shifting from spooky to kiddy is a bit disappointing as I was expecting a tone level of Haunted Mansion. On attractions, I really hope that each attraction is truly ground breaking and great attractions but I'm concerned facade-wise as I fear that the land will be filled with so many different looking facades rather than a cohesive theme.

My thoughts on the inspiration from Berk? I hope it means that it's taking inspiration when it comes to ride lineup or making the land feel more complete. Ideally, I would like to see a minimum of 3 and a max of 4. I hope that this land is a mix of headliner attractions and people eaters. I want every single experience to get a sh*t ton of funding to make it truly ambitious.

My thoughts on how intense the land should be? While I do feel that the land should be open for all ages, I think there should be one attraction exclusively for each group. Ideally, the coaster would cater to adults and teens; and the flat ride would cater to toddlers. The boat ride would be for all ages obviously. Ideally, another ride would be created that would also cater to somewhere in between toddlers and teens.

 

[Jack Torrence]

As I said, the land you walk around in might not reach those tonal levels, but the dark rides scenes should.

I would much rather see that and those tones in a dark ride, with some excitement and thrill elements, than something like a Captain Hook or Cruella DeVille show tune scene with bright colors everywhere. Which is where this feels like its going.

 

[Casper Gutman]

I've seen a few posts saying "don't listen to the fans" and "they don't know what they want or not." Yet sometimes they do. And Disney should listen and think about it.
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Yes, based off the box office results of films like Beauty and the Beast and Jungle Book, I’d say the live action remakes of classic animated films are a pretty good example of fans wanting something that is a terrible idea.

 

[doctornick]

Yes, based off the box office results of films like Beauty and the Beast and Jungle Book, I’d say the live action remakes of classic animated films are a pretty good example of fans wanting something that is a terrible idea.

While I can appreciate your point, using The Jungle Book as an example is terrible - that's probably the one live action remake that is actually better than the original.

 

[DrStarlander]

Yes, based off the box office results of films like Beauty and the Beast and Jungle Book, I’d say the live action remakes of classic animated films are a pretty good example of fans wanting something that is a terrible idea.

Uh, no. In multiple ways.

Specifically, fans were clear in telling Disney that the Snow White movie, as conceived, was going to be a failure and that they didn't want it. And then proceeded to demonstrate that by not buying movie tickets.

 

[DrStarlander]

Wait, who wanted that?

(almost) Nobody. That's the point.

 

[AidenRodriguez731]

For all of those who cheered; the Rivers of America closed for a 2nd rate Cars ride and a version of Villains land that nobody wanted.

I wish I lived in an alternate reality with Michael Eisner built the Bald Mountain version of Villains Land plus Fire Mountain, never left Disney and kept Splash Mountain around.

The original California Adventure was awful, but Iger ruined what he fixed anyway!

Yes guys! Let's pack it up now when we hear various different conflicting news sources right now from multiple different people with some possible insider information. Clearly everything is all done and over with.

 

[mickEblu]

This is actually kind of what I’m thinking with the coaster idea I posted right above you though I didn’t specify it. That ride would be a bit more light hearted and show some funny interactions between the “lesser” villains.

The Shanghai boat ride that would include Maleficent, Hades, Jafar and other more powerful threats would be less lighthearted but nothing terrifying. Just more of these guys meaning a bit more business.

Considering the coaster is the secondary ride I wouldn’t expect anything near the scope/ scale of Hagrids unless they’ve indicated otherwise?

 

[SirLink]

Yes, based off the box office results of films like Beauty and the Beast and Jungle Book, I’d say the live action remakes of classic animated films are a pretty good example of fans wanting something that is a terrible idea.

I don't think fans want them at all ... I think Disney thinks fans think that they want those. Reading the original script with the Snow White and the 7 magical creatures it reminded me of one of those cheap animated movies you would buy at the supermarket on VHS for £5 before Disney started releasing its content.

Reading the script told you it was trash and they went ahead with it. When the set caught fire it was a divine intervention telling them not to make it but they pursued it. This shows how much a lack of knowing what 'good' looks like in TWDC.

 

[Tha Realest]

Yes guys! Let's pack it up now when we hear various different conflicting news sources right now from multiple different people with some possible insider information. Clearly everything is all done and over with.

We heard from Len Testa and The Wrap, and the counterpoint was offered by a site they won’t let us link to. A lot is unclear, to be sure, but it’s not exactly a he said, she said.

 

[FigmentFan82]

For all of those who cheered; the Rivers of America closed for a 2nd rate Cars ride and a version of Villains land that nobody wanted.

I wish I lived in an alternate reality with Michael Eisner built the Bald Mountain version of Villains Land plus Fire Mountain, never left Disney and kept Splash Mountain around.

The original California Adventure was awful, but Iger ruined what he fixed anyway!

Amazing how you’ve traveled into the future and ridden these terrible rides and then traveled back to warn us of their mediocrity. The hero we deserve

 

[bmr1591]

My concern is that typically when something like this comes out, insiders will be quick to say this isn't what they've been hearing. On the contrary, this article seems like it's given many of our insiders the opportunity to finally voice their opinions on what they've been hearing, but have been unwilling to speak to due to confidentiality.

 

[Mike S]

Considering the coaster is the secondary ride I wouldn’t expect anything near the scope/ scale of Hagrids unless they’ve indicated otherwise?

Merely an idea I was putting out.

 

[MrPromey]

Let me preface this by saying I haven't been to EPIC yet.

The Island of Berk land at EPIC is nearly a perfect land when it comes to the components:

• Live show
• Coaster
• Spinny Ride (Dragon's racers)
• Boat Ride/Play Area
• Dining Options
• M&G Options/Animatronics

Compare that to SWGE and it's a massive difference. If they want to use Berk a target - then I don't think you can pick a better one.

I have no issue with a family coaster. I love Slinky - I just hope it's more than just a naked steel coaster. And longer. MK does not need a VelociCoaster or anything like that in MK.

The land doesn't also need to be scary. It needs to be menacing and spooky if that makes sense. Horror Night vs. Not-So-Scary.

Only real problem I see with Berk (having been there) besides sight lines is it's almost entirely outdoors. Even the waiting area for the show is 90% in direct sun/rain.

From a theme perspective, that works for what it is but being in Florida when you go from punishing heat and direct sun standing in line for the coaster to punishing rain (or heat and direct sun) waiting to be let into the theater it's a whole other thing.

 

[DrStarlander]

Yes, based off the box office results of films like Beauty and the Beast and Jungle Book, I’d say the live action remakes of classic animated films are a pretty good example of fans wanting something that is a terrible idea.

I don't think fans want them at all ... I think Disney thinks fans think that they want those.

Fans don't all want live action remakes or not want live action remakes. The box office is clear: there are huge winners, and huge losers.

So no point generalizing about that. Each movie is case by case, and with Snow White, specifically, Disney was given fair warning they were going down the wrong track.