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

[HauntedPirate]

Are you saying concepts of a plan shouldn't be enough to put our faith in?

Maybe...

I mean, look at the Epcot concept art and how well that all turned out. It was spot on!

 

[Mike S]

Are you saying concepts of a plan shouldn't be enough to put our faith in?

Is it at least higher than 12% of a plan?

 

[ChewbaccaYourMum]

Because it's only rumored that thing's have changed. A shareholder meeting isn't the best time to announce if everything has changed and the don't normally release new concept art in a meeting

I understand. I am not expecting new concept art or a surprise announcement of changes at a shareholder meeting lol.

I am asking a simple question: Why even choose to show Villains Land and that old concept art, IF the whole concept and look and feel they were going for is changing? That's all, everyone! There are a number of examples of things coming in WDW that could be considered expansions that they could have shown instead of that same concept art that is (rumored) to look and feel completely different when they announce the supposed changes in 5 months at D23. (Last part about D23 is a guess on my part)

 

[Gusey]

I understand. I am not expecting new concept art or a surprise announcement of changes at a shareholder meeting lol.

I am asking a simple question: Why even choose to show Villains Land and that old concept art, IF the whole concept and look and feel they were going for is changing? That's all, everyone! There are a number of examples of things coming in WDW that could be considered expansions that they could have shown instead of that same concept art that is (rumored) to look and feel completely different when they announce the supposed changes in 5 months at D23. (Last part about D23 is a guess on my part)

It's probably because Villains Land is the next major project at WDW, so they need to acknowledge its still happening, especially with everything that's been rumored about changes etc,. You'd want to reassure them that the next major project is happening.
That said, I do think people have made more of it being included than necessary, as it's literally no more info about Villains, and its the same animation as what we saw in 2024, we're just used to seeing the still

 

[James Alucobond]

I mean, look at the Epcot concept art and how well that all turned out. It was spot on!

The original concept was even more destructive and muddled than what actually happened.

 

[Professortango1]

Why not, it looks fun.

Hagrids is a flying motorbike. Its hard to hide tracks when the vehicle is supposed to be flying outside. The last thing they should have done is gone the Disney route and came up with an excuse for the bike to be riding down a mountain.

I never said you had to be riding down a mountain, but they could have certainly done more to hide the tracks.

And as for the F&F Coaster, the issue isn't it being fun, it is that it is a Six Flags level of themeing. Universal used to try and do more immersive attractions, but now we are getting a big ugly mass of steel zig-zagging without much else to see or enhance the experience either on-ride or off-ride.

Most rides are fun in nature, so being fun isn't a high bar to set. That's like saying "kids like it" as an argument about something's quality. Superstar Limo was fun. Doesn't mean it was good.

 

[mattpeto]

The original concept was even more destructive and muddled than what actually happened.

The tracks in the water (front of art) is gone in the art today. Not sure if it's just them adding animation effects that cleared it or it was intentional.

Again might not mean anything, just pointing out the differences.

For what it's worth, I like they used the old art - gives me hope they are sticking with an ominous tone. I do think this land is a super hard fit (family friendly vs dark) and it's not going to please everyone.

For my taste, I'm good with MNSSHP tone and even if it's unpopular, a little bit of unfairly ever after tone. Probably still safe enough for grandmom.

 

[neo999955]

The tracks in the water (front of art) is gone in the art today. Not sure if it's just them adding animation effects that cleared it or it was intentional.

Again might not mean anything, just pointing out the differences.

For what it's worth, I like they used the old art - gives me hope they are sticking with an ominous tone. I do think this land is a super hard fit (family friendly vs dark) and it's not going to please everyone.

For my taste, I'm good with MNSSHP tone and even if it's unpopular, a little bit of unfairly ever after tone. Probably still safe enough for grandmom.

Has what they showed leaked? If there are subtle changes like that, that would be very interesting to me. And would indeed make me think it won't be the drastic change of tone some are fearing.

The art in the 4 second clip Drew shared looked the exact same to me, but I assume that's not what was actually shown (it also wasn't animated in his post).

 

[mattpeto]

Has what they showed leaked? If there are subtle changes like that, that would be very interesting to me. And would indeed make me think it won't be the drastic change of tone some are fearing.

The art in the 4 second clip Drew shared looked the exact same to me, but I assume that's not what was actually shown (it also wasn't animated in his post).

that was actually it and it is animated (slightly). Look at the water in the front where tracks used to be.

 

[James Alucobond]

The tracks in the water (front of art) is gone in the art today. Not sure if it's just them adding animation effects that cleared it or it was intentional.

Again might not mean anything, just pointing out the differences.

For what it's worth, I like they used the old art - gives me hope they are sticking with an ominous tone. I do think this land is a super hard fit (family friendly vs dark) and it's not going to please everyone.

For my taste, I'm good with MNSSHP tone and even if it's unpopular, a little bit of unfairly ever after tone. Probably still safe enough for grandmom.

I was referring to the EPCOT blue sky art versus what was delivered in response to the post I quoted.

 

[Purduevian]

I never said you had to be riding down a mountain, but they could have certainly done more to hide the tracks.

And as for the F&F Coaster, the issue isn't it being fun, it is that it is a Six Flags level of themeing. Universal used to try and do more immersive attractions, but now we are getting a big ugly mass of steel zig-zagging without much else to see or enhance the experience either on-ride or off-ride.

Most rides are fun in nature, so being fun isn't a high bar to set. That's like saying "kids like it" as an argument about something's quality. Superstar Limo was fun. Doesn't mean it was good.

I think at disney world we only have 4 types of coasters:

Indoors: (Space, guardians, RnRC, soon to be monsters)
Themed to a train (Big thunder, Mine Train, Everest)
Themed to a toy coaster (SDD)
Unthemed, exposed track (Barnstormer)

I'm trying to think of a disney coaster that doesn't follow these 4 anywhere in the world (Incredicoaster is themed to a coaster, just not a toy coaster)

 

[neo999955]

that was actually it and it is animated (slightly). Look at the water in the front where tracks used to be.

Hmm, I don't think they're removed honestly. I think the lower compression of the Twitter video makes them look removed, but you can still see the artifacts of the track.

Maybe there's a higher quality version out there and it's more obvious, but it looks like they're there when I zoom in.

 

[Professortango1]

I think at disney world we only have 4 types of coasters:

Indoors: (Space, guardians, RnRC, soon to be monsters)
Themed to a train (Big thunder, Mine Train, Everest)
Themed to a toy coaster (SDD)
Unthemed, exposed track (Barnstormer)

I'm trying to think of a disney coaster that doesn't follow these 4 anywhere in the world (Incredicoaster is themed to a coaster, just not a toy coaster)

True. However, I think you could argue that Test Track/RSR's outdoor sections are a modern themed coaster, even if it isn't a traditional gravity-fueled rail design. Rocket Rods were intended to be a slot car application to a coaster layout and while no longer around and flawed due to cutbacks, the ride was zippy and coaster-like without being themed to a train, in a box, or as an unthemed kiddie ride.

 

[Purduevian]

True. However, I think you could argue that Test Track/RSR's outdoor sections are a modern themed coaster, even if it isn't a traditional gravity-fueled rail design. Rocket Rods were intended to be a slot car application to a coaster layout and while no longer around and flawed due to cutbacks, the ride was zippy and coaster-like without being themed to a train, in a box, or as an unthemed kiddie ride.

I don't really consider RSR/Test track to be rollercoasters as the propulsion method is inside the actual vehicle. However, if you wanted to make a rollercoaster with that kind of theming I guess you could put a coaster train on a boom arm with a slot in the middle of the "road" where the fake car's wheels hover just above the surface... This is what Minecart madness does (boom is just on the side) and people complain about it being a rough ride because of it.

I personally always envisioned a rollercoaster where each car was enclosed in a box/domed screen synced to the movement of the ride (think star tours if the box was on a coaster track). However, I'm guessing there are serious motion sickness issues with this... also it doesn't block out the bare track views from the non-riders

 

[networkpro]

I don't really consider RSR/Test track to be rollercoasters as the propulsion method is inside the actual vehicle. However, if you wanted to make a rollercoaster with that kind of theming I guess you could put a coaster train on a boom arm with a slot in the middle of the "road" where the fake car's wheels hover just above the surface... This is what Minecart madness does (boom is just on the side) and people complain about it being a rough ride because of it.

I personally always envisioned a rollercoaster where each car was enclosed in a box/domed screen synced to the movement of the ride (think star tours if the box was on a coaster track). However, I'm guessing there are serious motion sickness issues with this... also it doesn't block out the bare track views from the non-riders

It was tried with Kraken Unleashed at Seaworld but used VR goggles that took too long to clean after each ride. Thats the closest they've gotten to a Screen pod so far. all the cabling and compute required to be onboard isnt feasable for a traveling projected or LED screen image dome/capsule. Forbidden Journey got around this by having the arms pass by the screens instead of carrying them along with each car.

Sum of all thrills was a fun attraction to watch people exiting the Kuka Arm ride pods. Some it didn't bother, some had serious inner ear issues.

 

[_caleb]

Why jump straight to Six Flags? Hagrids has visible coaster tracks, current Disney would do well to create a coaster that fantastic.

Hagrids is a flying motorbike. Its hard to hide tracks when the vehicle is supposed to be flying outside. The last thing they should have done is gone the Disney route and came up with an excuse for the bike to be riding down a mountain.

Yes, it is difficult to hide the tracks. But that's the point. Rather than developing new ride systems (like the recent patents we've seen from Disney) or putting in the extra effort/resources to properly theme the ride, Universal took a huge shortcut and used an exposed track on an outdoor attraction.

Of course, Hagrid's is well done for what it is. But in my opinion, the use of exposed-track coasters cheapens the ride, the land, and the entire park by showing a lack of creativity, effort, and show quality. They could have accomplished a Flying Motorcycle in the Woods in any number of ways, but it would have been more difficult and (likely) more expensive.

California Screamin' was well-themed before they added the Incredibles because the theme was "boardwalk roller coaster." Everest, BTMRR, 7DMT, and DLP's Indiana Jones coaster are well-themed because those are trains/mine carts. If they can't properly hide or explain the tracks, they just put it in the dark (Space Mountain, TRON (except the exterior bit), GoTG, RnRC, etc.).

For Villains Land, brambles might be a good way to hide the tracks. We'll have to see how it's implemented. But if they plop down even a customized Intamin/Vekoma whatever and don't provide a good, in-story explanation for why we can see the track we're on, I'll consider it to be poorly themed and better suited for Six Flags.

 

[_caleb]

I don't really consider RSR/Test track to be rollercoasters as the propulsion method is inside the actual vehicle. However, if you wanted to make a rollercoaster with that kind of theming I guess you could put a coaster train on a boom arm with a slot in the middle of the "road" where the fake car's wheels hover just above the surface... This is what Minecart madness does (boom is just on the side) and people complain about it being a rough ride because of it.

The way I see it, RSR/Test Track are what you get when creating a fully-themed "coaster" attraction. Development of a ride shouldn't start at the roller-coaster store, it starts with immersive, themed-environment storytellling. If a coaster gets the job done, great! If not, modify heavily or create a ride system that does!

 

[Jrb1979]

Yes, it is difficult to hide the tracks. But that's the point. Rather than developing new ride systems (like the recent patents we've seen from Disney) or putting in the extra effort/resources to properly theme the ride, Universal took a huge shortcut and used an exposed track on an outdoor attraction.

Of course, Hagrid's is well done for what it is. But in my opinion, the use of exposed-track coasters cheapens the ride, the land, and the entire park by showing a lack of creativity, effort, and show quality. They could have accomplished a Flying Motorcycle in the Woods in any number of ways, but it would have been more difficult and (likely) more expensive.

California Screamin' was well-themed before they added the Incredibles because the theme was "boardwalk roller coaster." Everest, BTMRR, 7DMT, and DLP's Indiana Jones coaster are well-themed because those are trains/mine carts. If they can't properly hide or explain the tracks, they just put it in the dark (Space Mountain, TRON (except the exterior bit), GoTG, RnRC, etc.).

For Villains Land, brambles might be a good way to hide the tracks. We'll have to see how it's implemented. But if they plop down even a customized Intamin/Vekoma whatever and don't provide a good, in-story explanation for why we can see the track we're on, I'll consider it to be poorly themed and better suited for Six Flags.

I feel different about the exposed track thing. I'm ok with some exposed track if it means the coaster has more thrill and higher forces.

IMO a coaster shouldn't be a faster dark ride. You lose a lot of what makes coasters good when you have to slow them down to tell a story.

 

[_caleb]

I feel different about the exposed track thing. I'm ok with some exposed track if it means the coaster has more thrill and higher forces.

IMO a coaster shouldn't be a faster dark ride. You lose a lot of what makes coasters good when you have to slow them down to tell a story.

Different people like different things. There's nothing wrong with a good roller coaster.

Your comment begins with a ride type ("a coaster") and the sensations coasters are designed to provide (thrill, higher forces). So clearly, you're a fan of coasters.

Me, I'm more of a fan of themed, immersive storytelling regardless of the ride type. So I'm not looking for a coaster per se, I'm looking for a well-themed attraction. Of course, some of my favorites (Everest, BTMRR) are roller-coaster type rides, so I definitely enjoy them.

In my opinion, slowing a coaster down to help tell a story (Hagrid's) is a result of choosing a ride type and then trying to figure out how to use it to tell a story.

On the other hand, using a dark ride conveyance that you can speed up to simulate a race course through, say, Radiator Springs, proved to be a very effective way to tell that story (in my opinion).

 

[Fox&Hound]

So does Blizzard Beach.

Hi, I'm new here, but really enjoy seeing the imagineering process. Just a few things on my mind:

Villains: There's a lot that we still don't know about Villains Land, but the fact that there are seemingly two separate rumors that are getting rolled into a single one on a lot of videos makes it kind of hard to separate fact from fiction. In the beginning, I was not sure what to believe, but I do think that there's obviously some truth to Len's claim, and many people have vouched for him, here and elsewhere, so here I am at ground zero for this rumor, in hopes of separating fact from fiction. My main issue was that it was not initially clear if the claim of starting over to go bigger and bolder was referring to the entire land design or the content of the ride(s), but the latter seems more believable, to me, especially now, with the change in size and shape of the show building submission for water management permits. The second rumor was the piece that was in The Wrap, where there were additional details mentioned, like Maleficent jumping ship to the dark ride, and it becoming a water ride, while the coaster is now themed to The Emperor's New Groove, and the entire theme of the land is being reimagined to be more "family friendly". I've got to admit that this rumor just sounds more like fiction, to me. It also sounds kind of the opposite of "bigger and bolder", imo. Has Len ever confirmed or denied this, or is it a "no comment" situation? I'd hate to see people call out his credibility because they are putting words in his mouth by rolling these seemingly unconnected things into one.

Piston Peak: IMO, the initial concept art for Piston Peak seems to still be a better representation than the "fun map", and despite what content creators keep repeating about it being reimagined, it seems to be nearly identical, in layout. The main difference that I can see, is the location and possibly scale of the 2nd attraction, and that it now has a split entrance/exit. As far as we know, this is basically what they're building, and just because one shows more scale and detail, while the other dumbs it down, (probably so you can see all of the water features, which was a major early complaint) it doesn't mean that they changed course anywhere... Obviously the perspective is from two different locations, as well. One from the former riverboat landing and one from the "National Park" entrance, across from Haunted Mansion. Speaking of that landing, what are your opinions of what it's being kept for, since it's in both pieces of artwork? My guess is that it's going to be some form of "scenic overlook" of the " National Park", as the placement will be most people's first full view of the faux natural scenery when walking into the area, and it looks out at the waterfall and bridge. I live in the CO mountains, myself, so perhaps that's why my brain automatically went there. Thoughts?

Really enjoying your posts! Welcome