Villains Land at Magic Kingdom

[DOOMBOT]

In an age where Disney seems to be hesitant to commit to tension and scares in their attractions, and has been actively removing the grittier and scarier rides in its' lineup, this feels like a pretty sensible opportunity to buck that trend, even just a little bit. To give an inch of menace to a land devoted to the meanest and scariest of all the Disney characters. They can still be fun, as they are in the films - but these are the bad guys! This is the bad part of town! There should be a little bit of danger in stepping foot over here; some higher stakes compared to walking through New Fantasyland next door.

IMO it'd be disappointing if after decades of fan requests, Villainsland ended up just being more "Let's slowly ride to Elsa's Party" or poppy whimsy-centric attractions. There's a place for attractions like that, but I personally want different from this project. Something like Darkmoor with the camp flair of Unfairly Ever After / Club Villain feels tonally in-line with something this project could achieve.

 

[Freak]

I watched Orange Grove 55’s video discussing the rumors for this land. I understand that this is all just here say online and nothing is definite, but to give more specifics, there was a Malefecant coaster planned and now has been scrapped for the Ezma coaster. The Ezma coaster is supposed to be on the thill level of Slinky Dog Dash. Malefecant has been to changed to the boat ride.

Like I said, I’m down for an ENG coaster, but a Slinky Dog Dash style coaster is literally the WORST model to go off of. I find the Seven Dwarfs Coaster to be more thrilling. I’m convinced that Disney reads the forums and say “Oh that’s what the fans want? Yeah let’s do the opposite of that and make them pay double what we’re charging today. Screw them.”

Ugh. Just when we think they’ve learned from Epic. Again, I understand it’s all online here say but this sounds like something Disney would do.

 

[Mad Dog]

Well, we do have the new Villains show at DHS. I'm guessing the new MK land will be in that vein. I'd put money on it not being in the realm of Monsters, or even close to it, at Epic. I'm thinking it will be very family/kid oriented. ....That's not going to be popular with the IU people, but that is the MK target demographic......and kids love Slinky. There is never ever a short line for it at any moment of the day.

 

[UniversalRBLX]

D23 needs to come sooner than later to ease everyone lol

 

[DOOMBOT]

Well, we do have the new Villains show at DHS. I'm guessing the new MK land will be in that vein. I'd put money on it not being in the realm of Monsters, or even close to it, at Epic. I'm thinking it will be very family/kid oriented. ....That's not going to be popular with the IU people, but that is the MK target demographic.

I personally wish for this land to be equivalent to how Tron feels for Tomorrowland. It doesn't have to be scary perhaps, but Tron is definitely a significant step-up in intensity and grounding compared to offerings like Cosmic Rays and Laugh Floor towards the front of the land. The Maleficent coaster could be like that: an addition to the larger Fantasyland area for older kids who've already conquered Space Mountain. Acting similar to an Everest, Tron, or hopefully even Hagrid's. I do think Magic Kingdom has an open spot for a ride like that still.

I think a dark ride going through a number of rooms featuring iconic Disney Villains makes a lot of sense too. They would be able to represent a great amount of the Villain cast in a singular big project. And more importantly, it allows a lot more opportunity to be both a little dangerous and significantly more whimsical. Like the in-between step of Spider-Man and Unchained - dangerous villains coming after you from every corner, but still having that necessary level of camp and comedy that makes these villains engaging in the first place. "Things are starting to heat up!" and "Happy landings!"-type vibe.

That's why I'm not quite sure why a Maleficent boat ride would be the move - in any plan, honestly. Maleficent can have some good fun, but she's also often serious business. She's portrayed as the head honcho of the group for a reason: she's both the lead tactition, with the potential strength of an enforcer. She's camp, but all of that is clearly just barely covering up incredible malevolence backed by significant power. It makes sense to save her for the thrill ride, where a limited amount of Ghost Host-type quips could effectively show off her characterization. I have no idea what we'd be doing for the extent of an entire slow-paced boat attraction starring her. Is she giving a tour of her castle? Why limit this to only her?