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

[_caleb]

They might explain why they have exposed coaster track... but they still have it. Velocicoaster is the same way at IOA (Its an in universe coaster).

If disney makes an exposed coaster and say the villains built a roller coaster in this village to terrify the villagers... the coaster is "in theme" but its not a good theme (just like slinky and Primeval whirl)

Totally agree. I’m not saying Disney has always executed this well, or that others haven't.
Unlike Hagrid's, Velocicoaster gives an on-theme, in-story explanation for why guests are on a roller coaster.

Sometimes, the theme, story, backstory, and setting for a ride are a real stretch. But, in my opinion, Disney has no excuses for poorly-themed attractions, and a visible roller coaster with decorations along the way doesn't cut it.

 

[phillip9698]

I hate the idea that the only acceptable coasters disney can build must either be inside in the dark or going down a mountain. Because otherwise, seeing the tracks just ruins all ability to use imagination, the story and theming at that point are completely ruined by seeing steel, right?

Never have I ridden Hagrids and thought, "boy riding this flying motorbike outside sure is awesome but seeing that track over there just completely ruined this ride".

 

[_caleb]

I hate the idea that the only acceptable coasters disney can build must either be inside in the dark or going down a mountain. Because otherwise, seeing the tracks just ruins all ability to use imagination, the story and theming at that point are completely ruined by seeing steel.

It's the Imagineers' job to use all of their imagination so that guests have to use less of theirs.

The ride vehicle (whatever the type) should be selected for its ability to help immerse the guest and convey the story. The degree to which the attraction distracts from the story is what's in question here.

Never have I ridden Hagrids and thought, "boy riding this flying motorbike outside sure is awesome but seeing that track over there just completely ruined this ride".

I'm sure you've never given thought to a great many details in themed environments. And that's the point– good themed attractions use tricks, illusions, psychology, and gimmicks to allow you to suspend disbelief and be immersed in the story.

Hagrid's is great. But I bet you'd agree that the same ride with no visible track would be truly magical. The exposed coaster doesn't "ruin" the ride; it detracts from it.

"Pretend you can't see the tracks/wires/buildings" is poor theming, regardless of who does it.

 

[AidenRodriguez731]

They both have exposed track coasters. I wish neither did. Universal’s exposed track coasters are better themed and more fun and fit into their long-time “thrill” focus much more comfortably.

Some brambles will hide a coaster track just as well as the pointy rocks hide Velocicoaster.

The Disney Villains are not Hannibal Lecter.

Seriously, I think if Disney announced a highly-themed Villains bar it would go a long way to shutting up the “make it scary,” people.

Yeah I guess the exposed bright yellow tracks visible from a viking village are pretty well themed.

Just oodles of theming here.

Immersive in the viking village where chainlink fencing, construction equipment and roads are just visible through see through walls. (would argue the coaster itself is not especially well themed there)

 

[Professortango1]

I hate the idea that the only acceptable coasters disney can build must either be inside in the dark or going down a mountain. Because otherwise, seeing the tracks just ruins all ability to use imagination, the story and theming at that point are completely ruined by seeing steel.

Never have I ridden Hagrids and thought, "boy riding this flying motorbike outside sure is awesome but seeing that track over there just completely ruined this ride".

I think the themeing just needs to outweigh the exposed elements. I look at Taron at Phantasialand. Or F.L.Y. The exposed track is so well integrated and the other details are so well executed that it makes what usually is an eyesore (twisted tracks and supports) and makes them part of the landscape.

In regards to Hagrids, I would just love it to feel more like a forest. Oftentimes hiding the track isn't for the guests on the ride, it's for those who are observing the ride. Stardust Racers is a blast to ride and looks gorgeous at night. But outside of the queue facade and vehicles, its not themed and detracts from the park. Not to mention some of the less than stellar views when on it during the day.

Had Universal built Curse of the Werewolf similar to Taron with an entrenched coaster that zipped through trees, wagon camps, and rockwork, it would be a ton better as the supports and steel could be camouflaged in the dark forest.

 

[Fox&Hound]

If the coaster does stay, and is themed to Maleficent, and it's the brambles/thorns we saw in the OG concept art- I wonder what the train cars would be themed to? A horse? A dragon? Red, blue, and green to represent the fairies? Story-wise it's hard to tell what would work in that concept.

 

[DCLcruiser]

If the coaster does stay, and is themed to Maleficent, and it's the brambles/thorns we saw in the OG concept art- I wonder what the train cars would be themed to? A horse? A dragon? Red, blue, and green to represent the fairies? Story-wise it's hard to tell what would work in that concept.

Black and purple. We are the ravens flying around the dragon, and other scenes.

 

[_caleb]

If the coaster does stay, and is themed to Maleficent, and it's the brambles/thorns we saw in the OG concept art- I wonder what the train cars would be themed to? A horse? A dragon? Red, blue, and green to represent the fairies? Story-wise it's hard to tell what would work in that concept.

I agree. Brambles can help hide/camouflage the track, but the ride vehicle is a different thing altogether. Obviously, we don't have any info on this yet. But I'm interested to see what they come up with!

ETA: @DCLcruiser, I know the folly in scrutinizing promotional artwork, but this doesn't look like a raven-themed ride vehicle to me:

 

[𝐌𝖆𝖓 𝖎𝖓 𝐖𝖊𝖇]

So, if a Maleficent coaster proved too ambitious (despite having exposed track), and a Yzma coaster is considered not ambitious enough (we don't know this to be true, just a guess) even though it’s fully enclosed (“coaster in a box” prefab?) then what would be the ideal middle ground—one that balances thrills and immersive theming to satisfy most guests? Should the concept be reworked, or would it be better to explore a different IP altogether?

 

[ToTBellHop]

I will say that I loved Stardust escape especially at night. It’s basically right on the upper edge of intensity that I can enjoy. Velocicoaster is too intense for me to have fun on it.

Universal’s serious issues with Stardust don’t involve whether someone likes it or not. I understand high level discussions have at least floated removing it and building a new coaster. But, it looks like they’re trying to work with what they have.

I wouldn’t have believed it a year ago, but I doubt Stardust will still be there in 10 years.

 

[neo999955]

Universal’s serious issues with Stardust don’t involve whether someone likes it or not. I understand high level discussions have at least floated removing it and building a new coaster. But, it looks like they’re trying to work with what they have.

I wouldn’t have believed it a year ago, but I doubt Stardust will still be there in 10 years.

Oh wow, what's the issue? Is it structural or the intensity that's causing worries?

 

[DCLcruiser]

I agree. Brambles can help hide/camouflage the track, but the ride vehicle is a different thing altogether. Obviously, we don't have any info on this yet. But I'm interested to see what they come up with!

ETA: @DCLcruiser, I know the folly in scrutinizing promotional artwork, but this doesn't look like a raven-themed ride vehicle to me:

View attachment 912523

I know. It’s a mine train or something that’s in inventory.

 

[DisneyDean97]

Oh wow, what's the issue? Is it structural or the intensity that's causing worries?

Structural

 

[Jrb1979]

Universal’s serious issues with Stardust don’t involve whether someone likes it or not. I understand high level discussions have at least floated removing it and building a new coaster. But, it looks like they’re trying to work with what they have.

I wouldn’t have believed it a year ago, but I doubt Stardust will still be there in 10 years.

I think it will be there longer than that. Its not the first coaster to have structural issues. Steel Curtain at Kennywood had structural issues and they reinforced it. Its been running fine since.

 

[UNCgolf]

I hate the idea that the only acceptable coasters disney can build must either be inside in the dark or going down a mountain. Because otherwise, seeing the tracks just ruins all ability to use imagination, the story and theming at that point are completely ruined by seeing steel, right?

Never have I ridden Hagrids and thought, "boy riding this flying motorbike outside sure is awesome but seeing that track over there just completely ruined this ride".

It's not seeing the track on the ride that's an issue (ideally it's hidden on the ride as well, but that's less of a concern, at least IMO); it's seeing it from the surrounding area. If the Hagrid's track was looming overhead at Hogsmeade, it would significantly detract from that whole land. It would kill the theming.

 

[DCLcruiser]

It's not seeing the track on the ride that's an issue (ideally it's hidden on the ride as well, but that's less of a concern, at least IMO); it's seeing it from the surrounding area. If the Hagrid's track was looming overhead at Hogsmeade, it would significantly detract from that whole land. It would kill the theming.

I know concept art means little, but the amount of visible track is minimal. A few outdoor portions with thorns and then back inside, as long as it is at a distance, is fine.

The underground/water section shows that this is an indoor coaster at times.

 

[ToTBellHop]

I think it will be there longer than that. Its not the first coaster to have structural issues. Steel Curtain at Kennywood had structural issues and they reinforced it. Its been running fine since.

How many deaths that made national headlines? And I’m not saying the death is the cause for these issues. But, if you are a headliner in a new park that needs capacity, you have serious flaws and a troubled history, eventually the calculus supports replacement. And Universal has no problem with replacing their coasters.

 

[Jrb1979]

How many deaths that made national headlines?

THe structural issues have nothing to do with the death. Get rid of the coaster

 

[Professortango1]

I just want a Disney version of Danse Macabre themed around Night on Bald Mountain. Would be a blast for guests of all ages, celebrate classic Disney, and show that we aren't just going to get lightly themed coasters, trackless projection rides, and spinners from Disney.

 

[BlindChow]

Just a reminder this is the Villains Land thread, not the "Alcohol at WDW" thread.