--Cold Opening--
In Scene 1: Act a Fool, each of your studio teams will be creating our own Planet Spaceball, but on a much smaller scale. We will be picking one IP and creating a mini, 2 attraction land for the IP you choose. We are not looking for a sprawled out 11 acre land like Toy Story Land, but something on a smaller scale that won't overwhelm a theme park.....
--Fade to Opening Credits--
presents....
Wakanda
Disney's Hollywood Studios
--2023--
--Act I--
Introduction
Wakanda is located in equatorial Africa and in the MCU Planet Earth. It is what explorers used to think was 'El Dorado'. Wakanda is a very secretive and hidden country. It is also very advanced in their technology and innovation when compared to the rest of the countries on Earth. While it is a technological country, it also has vastly large areas of forests and jungles. It has absolutely stunning views and beautiful flora and fauna. While the flora and fauna are beautiful, Wakanda’s main claim to fame is the large pool of Vibranium, a rare Earth metal, that they have. It is important to the MCU as it is what Captain America’s Shield is made out of and also what Ultron was made of.
Based off of the prompt we felt Wakanda was a good idea for many reasons. The first being that we knew we had to be careful with what we put in Hollywood Studios as Universal Studios still has the contract deal. Due to this, there were some limitations on what we could build. That means we had to focus on some of the newer superheroes in the MCU. We felt that focusing on the Black Panther was the best option out of them all. With those large forests, the new, updated technology, the unique buildings, there are endless possibilities to it. With the Jungle design, we can add them further back to almost make a façade making the land seem larger than it is. Using the trees to our advantage, we expect that this land would be 6-8 acres but could feel as big, if not bigger than Toy Story Land which is 11 acres.
Backstory
Due to the aftermath events of Captain America: Civil War, and Avengers: Infinity War - the MCU 'earth' as radically changed for good. The whole world is aware that aliens from far away planets and galaxies exist, that we are not the only species in the universe, and that we need to stand together on earth in order to defeat enemies domestically and around the multi-verse.
With this, the Wakandan government, led by T'Challa, has overruled their stance on secrecy and isolationism in this new world. The once protected whereabouts of Wakanda will be opened to the planet of earth, allowing the planet as a whole to share in the wealth of technological advancements needed to sustain a suitable defense for future adversaries. Yet while there is an ominous reason for the Wakanda to be known to the people of earth, there is also an incredible opportunity for edutainment and offerings that were not available before.
The afro-futurism of Wakanda has become a hot spot for not only the world's top scientists and inventors, but also a tourist capital of the planet. Millions of people travel to Wakanda in order to walk its technologically advanced streets, explore their jungles and caves, from the ground, and the air.
--Act II--
Location
(click once on the blueprint to zoom if needed)
Wakanda will be inserted into the south side of Disney's Hollywood Studios; an area currently preoccupied by Star Tours, the Backlot Express, and Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular backstage venues. After the 50th anniversary and opening of Star Wars Land as well as the Indiana Jones attraction in 2021, Star Tours experienced a decline in attendance and there was no need for cast backstage areas for an Indy Stunt Show.
Wakanda is approximately 7 acres and encompasses all of the Backlot Express, Star Tours, and the backstage areas. Backstage roads were maneuvered around the show buildings for both attractions in Wakanda.
Map Key
1 - (VIB) Journey to the Vibranium Mine (Boat Ride)
2 - (WFE) Warrior Falls Excursions
3 - (QS) Jabari Cafe
4 - (GS) The Marketplace
5 - (WT) Wakanda Trail
For a zoomed out view of Disney's Hollywood Studios, and the mini-land's 7 acre size as well as its location in the park, a diagram is provided below, along with a representation of the new Indiana Jones attraction neighboring the mini-land.
--Act III--
1 - Journey to the Vibranium Mine
Queue
As you meander pass the Indiana Jones attraction, a pathway catches your eye. A glowing sign with neon that seems to sparkle sits to the left of the path. You follow it, and you find yourself in a lush forest that soon breaks away to reveal the outskirts of a prosperous city. A building in front of you that seems to lead into the earth reads “Wakandan Mine”. It looks abandoned. Intrigued, you enter, and walk down steps that lead you deeper and deeper into the earth. This tunnel is relatively cramped at first, and the walls are made of stone held by wood beams. Eventually, the queue opens up into a larger room that feels more and more technological, akin to Navi River Journey. The queue wraps around the room in rows, and in between rows are dusty glass cases showcasing some of the enormous gems found in the mines, like diamonds. As you progress further, the cases show weapons and shields created with vibranium, the country’s most valuable export. Eventually the now expansive tunnel is covered in silver and white panels that glow with technicolor circuitry. The queue turns left, and you face an enormous waterfall, in stark contrast to the slick background. Cracks from the worn panels, revealing stone underneath, can be seen at the top of the waterfall. As your gaze falls from the waterfall, you notice that a river is behind it. You begin to notice rafts, like the ones on Kali River Rapids, are floating through the river. Again, the queue circles around, and this time, you can see the loading dock.
Attraction Statistics
Type: Boat Ride
Ticket: C-Ticket
Duration: 4 min 30 seconds
Height Restriction: No
Wheelchair Accessibility: Yes
FastPass+: Yes
Theoretical Hourly Capacity: 1,320
Operational Hourly Capacity: 1,150
Attraction Ride-Through
After you board, the boat rocks and takes you through a dark passageway. You can feel the boat going up a hill. A voiceover can be heard:
“For centuries, we have remained isolated from the world, but now we open our doors to you. Welcome to Wakanda.”
The tunnel ends, and you are now outside. You are on the outskirts of Wakanda, and billowing skyscrapers can be seen in the distance. The boat then turns right and goes down a thrilling hill that is parallel to the tunnel. Again, you are in a dark tunnel, except this time, the walls shimmer and sparkle with gems. It is a cool room and mist is ubiquitous.
“Our most prized possession: vibranium. Mysterious as it is beautiful, it is the lifeblood of our country. As much as we try to protect it, there are others who do not see it for what it truly is: a gift from the unknown.”
An AA of a raider can be seen trying to use a chisel to break a chunk of vibranium free from the wall. Another AA is behind him, facing the boat. He points a blaster at the crowd.
“You didn’t see anything.”
The boat stops at a barrier and turns around to face the scene. A Black Panther AA comes out of a crevice in the wall.
“It would be wise to return that to its rightful place.”
Instead of obeying, the one AA shoots a blaster at the boat, causing it to fall straight down (similar to the Verbolten attraction at Bushe Gardens Williamsburg.) Deeper in the mine now, and the structure now compromised, the raft starts to shake as a gust of water pushes them forward rapidly, passing the scene you can see in the queue. After the turn in the queue, there is another small drop and then a series of sharp turns. You can hear footsteps and breathing of the Black Panther and the thieves as you sweep through the dark mines.
The boat slowly loses momentum and starts to drift. The thieves pant. The room is really shaking now.
“Did we lose him?”
“Lose who?” the Black Panther’s voice booms. There is a large smash, and a burst of light comes from above. A Black Panther AA is holding a large piece of stone/ceiling, sets it on the ground.
“You have made your bed, and now you must lie in it,” BP says. The AA moves towards the boat but disappears in darkness. You hear footsteps in the water and then the boat starts to rise towards the crevice in the ceiling. You feel yourself being thrust into the air and back on ground level again. A BP AA is there, and you can hear the mine collapse beneath you.
“Hope you enjoyed the tour,” he says. The boat heads back to the loading dock.
2 - Warrior Falls Excursions
Location
Warrior Falls Excursions will replace 'Star Tours' - after the opening of Star Wars Land in 2019 at Disney's Hollywood Studios. Themed after a flight simulator, the exterior and interior of the attraction will be refurbished and renovated to fit the thematic considerations of a Wakandan jungle terrain, as you approach the technologically advanced structure within the forest that houses the flight vehicles for the Wakandan tours.
Queue
Walking through the dense forestation, you wind through intricatly designed hedges stacked on top of each other to completely enclose the guests from the outside environment of Disney's Hollywood Studios. You feel completely immersed in the world of Wakanda as you continue to trek further into the jungle. Guests pass by various signs and signatures from the Black Panther comics and film such as directions to the Woods of Solitude and Paradise Forest.
Replacing the AT-AT in front of the queue, and a large artifact that you walk around before entering into the flight wing, is an intimidating Panther statue, glaring over the guests, with greenery and waterfalls flanking it on both sides, adding a much needed sense of foliage and water to Disney's Hollywood Studios - a park known for being a 'concrete jungle'.
Inside the facility housing the tours, guests note the astonishingly futuristic designs of the Wakandan citizens. Guests have entered a multipurpose facility, with three layers, each designed for a different means of transportation. The first wing guests walk through is an emergency medical bay as seen in Captain America Civil War - intended for high risk patients if they need transport into or out of Wakanda quickly for security measures. Several oxygen tanks containing people from the Marvel Cinematic Universe, including Bucky Barnes placed in an induced coma. On the wall are several video monitors and checkpoints displayed on a large screen, with the medical bay information throughout.
As you walk further, you enter into the entirely robotic transportation hub of the facility. The purpose of this wing is the accumulation of vibranium needed to be exported out of Wakanda and to other governments for their specific needs.
The final bay in the multi-purpose facility is the Wakandan tours - where you watch a 5 minute video explaining the security procedures and safety precautions for the flight. You will be flying in custom Wakandan quin-jets designed by King T'Challa himself, to hopefully offer the most comfortable and entertaining experience for the tourists of this great nation.
Attraction Statistics
Type: 3-D Simulator
Ticket: D-Ticket
Duration: 4 min 15 seconds
Height Restriction: Yes (40 inches)
Wheelchair Accessibility: Yes
FastPass+: Yes
Theoretical Hourly Capacity: 1,800
Operational Hourly Capacity: 1,650
Attraction Ride-Through
The attraction begins as the guests put on their 3D glasses and the screen opens up to reveal a launch bay with a jungle surrounding in front of it. Flight attendant crews announce the launch and the tour-jet takes off and you feel the force of the launch propel you backwards in your seat, before a feeling of floating sensation as the high mountain peaks crest underneath the jet.
The quin-jet makes a sharp right turn at a 45 degree angle and soars down towards Warrior Falls, where many of the local inhabitants are participating in a chant with powerful drum beats emanating through the canyon hillsides.
The flight continues on before dark clouds encapsulate your vehicle in a lightning storm and you hear a thunderous growl of a panther in the distance, as lightning flashes shaking the cabin inside the quin jet. Suddenly, gunfire can be heard and seen all around your flight, as invading ships attempt to board your quin-jet. The self-defense mechanism of the ship takes into effect as your quin-jet begins firing back and proceeding to evasive maneuvers, which includes a large drop into the falls and a 720 spin out of fire, now facing the invading ships head on.
In the distance, you see Wakanda, lit up in vibrant light blue colors in the darkness of the storm, looming on the horizon. Your quin-jet launches towards the city as you head for the Central Wakanda Palace to safety. You feel the strong force propel you back into the seat, yet experience turbulence, when a Hydra jet smashes into the side of your vehicle - claiming that you hold the Winter Soldier.
Your pilot android alerts the King of Wakanda, T'Challa, and you are informed to head to Primitive Peaks and lose them in the valley, awaiting savior from the Black Panther Cult.
A 180 spin and you head over the Serpent Valley, soaring through and around the trees, as a 3D snake almost pierces your windshield. You sail over the River of Grace and Wisdom as water splashes up to the screen and you can smell the tranquil waters below.
Continuing on T'Challa's you arrive at Primitive Peaks with Hydra still hot on your tail, The android pilot once again engages in evasive maneuvers in an attempt to shake the incoming fire. After sailing around the peaks, the Dora Milaje charges out in quin-jets of their own and begins to fire at the Hydra agents, saving you in the process. One of the bullets however from Hydra vessels is able to hit your back engine, causing you to crash land inside the Primitive Peaks.
Surrounded in darkness, you can only hear the faint gunfire outside, and the gravel inside the mountain still shaking upon your crash landing. A faint light can be seen in the distance, as Erik Killmonger, an infamous supervillain the Black Panther comics, arises from the darkness, and attempts to board your vehicle with surrounding agents. A prowl is heard as loud as can be, and leaping over the screen in front of you is the Black Panther himself, and an epic 3D hand to hand combat ensues in front of you. Using the spirit of the Panther, Black Panther flips back on top of your vessel and launches you out of the Primitive Peaks and back towards the launch bay. With one final blast of speed, you propel back towards the tour bay and to safety.
While your experience was a treacherous one, throughout the enduring adventure, guests are able to take in the beauty and charm of the Wakanda landscape.
Thank you! I could only imagine the crowds at these events.
