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

[MouseEarsMom33]

Eh I kinda like when coasters weave through lands depending on how, through the entire land nah but through a decent section if it LOOKS good, sure. Curse of the werewolf's main problems is that there is netting everywhere, it blocks a major weenie, and its just not a good ride. It screams cheap and gaudy

I agree. Hiccups's Wind Glyders is fun and I enjoy weaving through the land. If they make the roller coaster appear like thorns, I think it could complement the land as well.

 

[Disstevefan1]

Catching up on the villains news and these are my thoughts:

-Maleficent as the key villain of the main ride makes a ton of sense and I don't see another choice that would be better. Hoping for Shanghai pirates or something similar.

-ENG - I am not surprised by the news on the coaster. Since Villains Land news came out, I have seen multiple posts about people wanting a pull the lever coaster, so it's not like it's a brand new concept. But the idea is likely favored by minority vs majority. I don't think ENG should be a sole focus of the coaster when there are only 2 large rides. I think by pulling a lever, it could take us to a section of villains land with some other villains present, and then Yzma says "wrong lever" and we go to another section until we end up to where we are meant to go. Using this approach, I think it's a great way to incorporate ENG with other villains. I think it could feel like Hiccups wing gliders as well depending upon how much of Villains Land it covers. If you incorporate a lever, there has to be a stop, with a drop or backward movement for wrong lever. It think this could really work, but they need more than ENG.

I also think it's a good idea to change the focus from Dark Universe to Isle of Berk. Magic Kingdom is meant for anyone, especially families. One of my pre-teen kids did not like and wanted to leave Dark Universe. I doubt Disney would want this in their #1 theme park that they position for families. Can you imagine kids getting scared and not wanting to go back to Disney?

It seems @TrainsOfDisney theory of the grand circle tour never returning could be a possibility!

Everything is speculation at this point and Disney could change their mind at any time since this project is still a long way off.

I think when they made the announcement at D23 ( in 2024 was it?) they had no idea what they were going to do and I think they are still thinking this project over.

They have plenty of time to figure it out.

 

[MouseEarsMom33]

So a Villains station would cut the distance between stops. I'm confident one of the things balancing that out is the need to get guests from the back of the park to the front at the end of the day, without making all of them walk.

Also, weren't there rumors that Disney is considering putting a resort/DVC outside Villain's Land? That would also be a reason to encourage another stop, so those at the resort could travel easily to another section of the MK.

 

[Bocabear]

Making the entire attraction based on a 26 year old movie that was not a hit just so they can say "Pull The Lever" seems ridiculous and really would not match tonally with anything we have seen of what they are supposedly working on... the art nouveau inspired architecture etc.... Going then to the Emperors New Groove for the big ride seems so far off it is nuts... maybe they should build the ENG coaster in the Tropical Americas where at least it fits the general location theme.... but certain;y not in the Villains Land they have been talking about....

 

[Bleed0range]

Enough about the coaster, the dark ride is rumored to be a boat ride right? How big is the show building supposedly vs the Shanghai show building which I believe is massive. Makes me think it’s probably not going to use that tech (although it probably should).

I’m switching to focus on the dark ride because now I think it’s going to end up being the big exciting attraction.

 

[Brer Oswald]

If I've done the math correctly, here's what the approximate distances would be between stations:

• Main Street, USA (MSUSA) to Frontierland: 2,050 feet
• Frontierland to Villains Land: 1,420 feet
• Villains Land to Storybook Circus: 1,825 feet
• Storybook Circus to MSUSA: 2,460 feet

So a Villains station would cut the distance between stops. I'm confident one of the things balancing that out is the need to get guests from the back of the park to the front at the end of the day, without making all of them walk.

View attachment 909669View attachment 909670View attachment 909671

Pretty solid breakdown. Definitely would be the shortest stretch, but not overly short. Wish they’d add some scenes to the longer stretches to enhance them a bit.

 

[bmr1591]

It seems @TrainsOfDisney theory of the grand circle tour never returning could be a possibility!

Everything is speculation at this point and Disney could change their mind at any time since this project is still a long way off.

I think when they made the announcement at D23 ( in 2024 was it?) they had no idea what they were going to do and I think they are still thinking this project over.

They have plenty of time to figure it out.

I personally think it’s nonsensical to think Disney isn’t going to bring the train back to full circle once construction is complete.

 

[DrStarlander]

How big is the show building supposedly vs the Shanghai show building which I believe is massive.

Here's two versions of the Shanghai Pirates building brought into Villains Land at scale. Note this building also includes some other functions (retail/F&B) so it's not just the attraction. I'm showing it on the East and West, and of course the building does not need to replicate the shape in Shanghai, this is just for rough "could it fit?" scale. Th blue outlined shapes are the respective building from the recent VL permit image.

 

[Brer Oswald]

Do we know for sure that it’s using the same ride system as Shanghai Pirates or is that just speculation?

 

[AidenRodriguez731]

Do we know for sure that it’s using the same ride system as Shanghai Pirates or is that just speculation?

We know about nothing for sure. Not really one thing, even the speculation currently is saying that the plans are to be finalized in a few weeks iirc. I'm imagining that the speculation shows one of the bids of Villians Land but not all of them,

 

[TrainsOfDisney]

I personally think it’s nonsensical to think Disney isn’t going to bring the train back to full circle once construction is complete.

It was one of the options that I mentioned as being possible. It would certainly save money - the shuttle mode is working.

But Disney has very much implied it’s coming back so I would lean towards that.

 

[AidenRodriguez731]

It was one of the options that I mentioned as being possible. It would certainly save money - the shuttle mode is working.

But Disney has very much implied it’s coming back so I would lean towards that.

Yeah it definitely seems to imply its temporary. Also how exactly would a shuttle mode work with so many train stations, they would just stop and return and you wait for the next one? Seems like more work and you would need all 4 at all times, no?

 

[TrainsOfDisney]

Yeah it definitely seems to imply it’s temporary. Also how exactly would a shuttle mode work with so many train stations, they would just stop and return and you wait for the next one? Seems like more work and you would need all 4 at all times, no?

Sorry…. I was referring back to my previous post.

Shuttle mode means keeping the operation as is now - and not rebuilding the grand circle tour. When I say “shuttle mode is working” I mean it’s satisfying guest demand, providing the visual at Main Street, and it lowers costs vs. the entire railroad.

The other options would be -

No station at Villians - reopen as was before.

No stop at Frontierland - add a stop at Villians

Stop at Frontierland and add a stop at Villians.

 

[mattpeto]

It was one of the options that I mentioned as being possible. It would certainly save money - the shuttle mode is working.

But Disney has very much implied it’s coming back so I would lean towards that.

There is a ton of things they can do to save money though.

There hasn’t been any credence or any rumbles of them not bringing back the Frontierland station at least so I wouldn’t give it a 2nd thought.

This is the info officially from Disney:

“To make way for the largest expansion in history at Magic Kingdom, the Walt Disney World Railroad is operating under a modified route that excludes Frontierland. The attraction will operate as a shuttle between Main Street station and Fantasyland station only.”

 

[TrainsOfDisney]

There hasn’t been any credence or any rumbles of them not bringing back the Frontierland station at least so I wouldn’t give it a 2nd thought.

If the liberty belle has been a target for years as many have said - I’m quite certain the railroad is too.

Running 1 train with 2 stations is way cheaper than running 2-3 trains with 3-4 stations.

So it’s definitely a possibility- but like I said - Disney has implied the grand circle is coming back so that’s what I’m leaning towards and hoping for.

 

[mattpeto]

If the liberty belle has been a target for years as many have said - I’m quite certain the railroad is too.

Running 1 train with 2 stations is way cheaper than running 2-3 trains with 3-4 stations.

So it’s definitely a possibility- but like I said - Disney has implied the grand circle is coming back so that’s what I’m leaning towards and hoping for.

I hear you but you’re literally the only one acting like it’s a possibility of it being killed.

 

[AidenRodriguez731]

If the liberty belle has been a target for years as many have said - I’m quite certain the railroad is too.

Running 1 train with 2 stations is way cheaper than running 2-3 trains with 3-4 stations.

So it’s definitely a possibility- but like I said - Disney has implied the grand circle is coming back so that’s what I’m leaning towards and hoping for.

The thing is the train doesn't take up that much room. With the Liberty Belle, you could atleast make the argument it closed for the "largest expansion ever" in MK. With closing the railroad, what benefit could you spin on it?

Also what would be the purpose of building a 4th train station like what is basically confirmed at this point? If you're only going to use 2 of them.

 

[TrainsOfDisney]

Also what would be the purpose of building a 4th train station like what is basically confirmed at this point? If you're only going to use 2 of them.

Obviously if there is actually a train station in Villians land they will be using it. There is nothing about that building that confirms it’s a train station. It could be, it could also be something entirely different.

I’m just mentioning all of the possibilities.

 

[AidenRodriguez731]

Obviously if there is actually a train station in Villians land they will be using it. There is nothing about that building that confirms it’s a train station. It could be, it could also be something entirely different.

I’m just mentioning all of the possibilities.

Ah gotcha gotcha. I thought though that the new leaks also confirmed it + it does seem to align but I get it.

 

[MisterPenguin]

Also, weren't there rumors that Disney is considering putting a resort/DVC outside Villain's Land? That would also be a reason to encourage another stop, so those at the resort could travel easily to another section of the MK.

Rumors of that were just wild guesses by fans. And then it bounced around the Internet echo chamber making it seem credible.

Not based on any insider knowledge.