MK Piston Peak and Villains Land Construction Thread

[Mr. Sullivan]

So how ‘bout that construction

 

[Ayla]

Huh. So this is where Bicker ended up...I've always wondered.

 

[GordoInTheParks]

Villians 2030-31 (maybe)

Have you watched this video? She seems to think that 2031 is likely, but it's all speculation, at this point. I think that she's stating that the consensus leans more towards 2030. I am more bullish on these two projects being closer together, since they are so logistically intertwined. I have said that I can even see them 6 months apart, but a) this is probably wishful thinking, on my part, and b) I believe that this would only happen if Piston Peak opens in the second half of a year, as Disney would probably benefit from having a new attraction open during two consecutive fiscal years.

 

[Ayla]

Have you watched this video? She seems to think that 2031 is likely, but it's all speculation, at this point. I think that she's stating that the consensus leans more towards 2030. I am more bullish on these two projects being closer together, since they are so logistically intertwined. I have said that I can even see them 6 months apart, but a) this is probably wishful thinking, on my part, and b) I believe that this would only happen if Piston Peak opens in the second half of a year, as Disney would probably benefit from having a new attraction open during two consecutive fiscal years.

I never click on youtube videos posted here.

 

[GordoInTheParks]

...I should add that I think that we'll have a better idea of the Villains Land opening when we start to see Land construction besides site prep, apart from the one building that's next to Haunted Mansion. Contractors were just seen at that site, btw.

What that building is, seems to be up in the air for all of us who aren't in the know, at this moment. I was originally of the thought that this would be a HM themed lounge, but now I feel like I could really see the queue starting from over there, in order to keep the path clear. It's also not yet revealed where the physical entrance will Villains Land, so that building could technically be outside that land.

 

[rreading]

I’ve been under the impression that the retaining walls are to support and define the creek/stream/river(?) that’s apparently going in.

But do the walls that we’re seeing make sense with this? Clearly there’s something planned, but it appears that the retaining wall is pretty small towards liberty square

Perhaps the retaining wall will be to support the stonework and maybe towards liberty square, the water would be flowing off the peak so a tall wall would be counterproductive?

 

[GordoInTheParks]

I’ve been under the impression that the retaining walls are to support and define the creek/stream/river(?) that’s apparently going in.

But do the walls that we’re seeing make sense with this? Clearly there’s something planned, but it appears that the retaining wall is pretty small towards liberty square

Perhaps the retaining wall will be to support the stonework and maybe towards liberty square, the water would be flowing off the peak so a tall wall would be counterproductive?

My read on this is that the creek or river is at a steep pitch to carry the water quickly and go down steam more naturally, without jets completely forcing it. I think that the river will be at its lowest where the waterfall meets it, near where Frontierland meets Liberty Square, and that's where it will mostly drain, but some of it will continue to a second drain further down in Liberty Square. Both drain areas will have a pump from there to recirculate the water.

Both pieces of artwork are actually admittedly pretty bad at capturing this path, and what I'm assuming will perhaps be a nice gap down to the water from the former riverboat dock. That's actually one of the main reasons for me considering that this former dock could possibly be considered an "overlook", since it will appear that you're up higher, with the river/steam running down below you. I could absolutely be wrong on this, but the downward grade of the water's path on the Frontierland side lines up perfectly with my theory. I think that this could all make more visual sense once the rockwork actually goes into place. This map makes much more visual sense, but then none of the geometry or scale is correct.

I believe that a lot of MK is built up higher over the water table, so that's also part of my speculation , since there should be nothing below this section, as far as I know.

 

[EricsBiscuit]

Pictures from the Haunted Mansion queue line yesterday afternoon during a light shower.

 

[Nickm2022]

Today's timeline cleanse- Piston Peak National Park entrance across from Haunted Mansion: Mistake, or will it have "The Shining Headlights" vibes?

As far as I can tell, that now iced over park ranger vehicle is in a bubble that's right in front of (or map left of) of the HM house, itself.

View attachment 914314

Yes, I made up the in-universe horror movie title for my own amusement. I'm sorry, and/or you're welcome, depending on whichever the case may be.

My honest question is does the HM enterence move? Very curious if they keep it where is or move it towards the front of the Piston peak area

 

[James Alucobond]

My honest question is does the HM enterence move? Very curious if they keep it where is or move it towards the front of the Piston peak area

I'm not really sure why they'd want to move it somewhere both less impressive on approach and less thematically consistent. The path to Piston Peak looks to be pretty far away anyway, splitting off right after the Liberty Belle dock.

 

[TrainsOfDisney]

I'm not really sure why they'd want to move it somewhere both less impressive on approach and less thematically consistent. The path to Piston Peak looks to be pretty far away anyway, splitting off right after the Liberty Belle dock.

Yeah - I would think keep the entrance itself where it is - but then wrap the line through a new extended area so it doesn’t spill out into the pathway. They are obviously making some significant changes in that area - so it may be interesting to see what we end up with.

 

[GordoInTheParks]

My honest question is does the HM enterence move? Very curious if they keep it where is or move it towards the front of the Piston peak area

I'm not really sure why they'd want to move it somewhere both less impressive on approach and less thematically consistent. The path to Piston Peak looks to be pretty far away anyway, splitting off right after the Liberty Belle dock.

Yeah - I would think keep the entrance itself where it is - but then wrap the line through a new extended area so it doesn’t spill out into the pathway. They are obviously making some significant changes in that area - so it may be interesting to see what we end up with.

The leading theory is that the HM queue will soon start where the new building (shown here in purple) is going to be.

Originally, some people were speculating that this would be a themed HM lounge, and that was kind of what I thought, as well. Now, I'm agreeing with the queue take, and thinking that a new queue entrance there would really make the most sense, as to what that building could be, as it would keep the pathway to Piston Peak (directly below the green canopy on this map) and the other path up to Villains Land more clear.

 

[TrainsOfDisney]

The leading theory

Who is defining the “leading theory”?

 

[James Alucobond]

Who is defining the “leading theory”?

Was about to ask the same thing.

Even if it is additional queue space, there’s no reason it can’t simply connect to the existing queue, maintaining the current entrance.

 

[MisterPenguin]

All of Pandora took 3 1/2 years.

If Villains, which already has had site work done, takes that long to build, starting the clock now, it will be done in September of 2029.

​

"Josh D’Amaro said during D23 that the time horizon is not remote–everything discussed will “start to come to life over the next five years.” At first blush, this suggests opening dates no later than 2029. In addition, media was separately advised the announced projects would all open within the next 5 years, which would mean by 2029."​

Disney World's 5-Year Plan: Construction, Closing & Opening Dates for New Lands & Rides

There's a ton on the horizon in the next 5 years at Walt Disney World with new lands and attractions themed to Villains, Cars, Monsters, Indiana Jones, Encanto & more. There are also reimagined rides,

www.disneytouristblog.com

 

[J4546]

I think that purple building will be a new que as well. The current setup mansion dont make sense esp now that the river is gone Also imo the HM que should been redone/relocated decades ago it was an eyesore on the riverfront.

As to what the que could be themed as, perhaps a mausoleum or greenhouse for the garden?

 

[GordoInTheParks]

Who is defining the “leading theory”?

The small sample size of observers that care enough to speculate on this that I've seen on websites and YouTube have been saying that they believe that it will be a new queue entrance for a while. I think that Jack from DSNY imagined that maybe it would be a mosuleum-themed entrance. I think that's a nifty idea, but it's just a theory, so don't shoot the messenger.

Note that the shape of this building also shrank a bit, and changed from a box to more of a C-shape in the 2nd permit submission, but I was also advised by someone here to ignore the building shapes for these types of permits.

 

[GordoInTheParks]

As to what the que could be themed as, perhaps a mausoleum or greenhouse for the garden?

Ha, I missed this when I responded that a mausoleum is what Jack from DSNY was suggesting. I could actually see either of these things, but I'm not sure if a greenhouse is redundant with this version of HM and the faux conservatory facade on the house itself, and also the fact that a greenhouse might be too close to Villains land, where things will look rather... devoid of natural life.

 

[lazyboy97o]

It’s poor queue design to put people inside and then send them back outside. It also doesn’t make sense to spend that much for the furthest extents of a queue.

 

[DisneyDodo]

It’s poor queue design to put people inside and then send them back outside. It also doesn’t make sense to spend that much for the furthest extents of a queue.

There are other attractions that do this (TBA jumps to mind)