Walt Disney World has introduced massive growth plans for Magic Kingdom, formally confirming Villains Land is being constructed ‘Past Huge Thunder.’ This put up shares particulars, idea artwork, and all the pieces we all know in regards to the plan–plus complete commentary about why that is occurring and whether or not we expect these are probably good or dangerous additions for the park.
This information was introduced throughout the “Horizons: Disney Experiences Showcase” or Parks Panel presentation throughout the 2024 D23 Expo on the Honda Middle in Anaheim, California. Disney Parks Chairman Josh D’Amaro supplied a sneak peek at idea artwork for the long run as well as and teased what was to come back in a number of years.
The all-new Villains Land situated ‘Past Huge Thunder’ was simply considered one of a number of blockbuster bulletins for Parks & Resorts at Horizons, throughout which D’Amaro revealed a number of ‘shovel to soil’ tasks that can come on-line within the subsequent 5 years, together with over a half-dozen additions that can debut earlier than the top of 2025. He and head Imagineer Bruce Vaughn adopted via on their promise to ship concrete particulars and never simply tease extra ‘Blue Sky’ prospects.
Disney shared that Villains Land is a spot the place poison apples are aplenty and magic potions can spoil your complete day; the place as soon as upon a dream is definitely as soon as upon a nightmare. For all these issues hiding within the shadows, it’s time to hitch them as we raise the veil on a forthcoming Villains Land at Magic Kingdom Park in Walt Disney World Resort.
This new land will probably be house to the Disney Villains we all know and detest from fan-favorite Walt Disney Animation Studios basic movies. As Josh D’Amaro shared, it’s a spot the place “fortunately ever after might really feel like only a distant dream.”
The evil ambition of all these Villains signifies that the probabilities are countless for the tales that may be advised — and guests to the darkish and thorny land must be ready for no matter chaos may come their method. The brand new land will embody all of your dreams- er, nightmares.
Villains Land at Magic Kingdom will probably be house to 2 main sights, eating, and purchasing on an extremely twisted grand scale.
“Be ready, you poor unlucky souls,” Josh teased. “It’s going to be a fearless new imaginative and prescient for what a Disney expertise will be.”
Earlier than you get dismissive about Villains Land being a distant dream nightmare, it’s price mentioning that Josh emphasised in his opening remarks to the Parks Panel on the 2024 D23 Expo, “All the pieces we’re going to share with you is in lively improvement. Plans are drawn. Filth is shifting. I simply need to be clear about this: We’re doing all the pieces you’re going to listen to tonight. This isn’t Blue Sky—we’re going to do all of this.”
Josh introduced this level full circle when concluding the presentation with Villains Land, sharing that preparation is already underway at Magic Kingdom for this new land. We’ve really been anticipating permits for some time on this growth (albeit not understanding that Villains Land was one of many ideas that “gained”). Right here’s hoping that these permits are filed quickly now that the cat’s out of the bag!
If you happen to zoom in on the idea artwork, you may really see an incredible quantity of element. There are thorn-covered curler coaster tracks, a darkish village, Maleficent the Dragon, and way more. It has apparent Sleeping Magnificence vibes, nevertheless it additionally jogs my memory numerous Epic Mickey!
Turning to commentary, Villains Land was–certainly–the announcement that acquired the most important and most enthusiastic response out of the Honda Middle viewers. Regardless of it being Walt Disney World information and this being a Disneyland house crowd, followers completely erupted. Far and away essentially the most loudest and most energetic response of your complete night. Simply because it was two years in the past when Villains Land was teased throughout the Blue Sky session.
It’s my understanding that Disney was unsure how Villains Land can be acquired, and wished to gauge the response. Each with the in-person and at-home audiences. Clearly, it was and is overwhelming constructive…amongst followers. This has been clear for a few years now.
Regardless of that, it additionally was my understanding–till tonight–that there have been nonetheless inner apprehensions about shifting ahead with Villains Land. That it will be “too darkish” or “not sufficiently mainstream” for Magic Kingdom. (Sure, the identical park that simply gave us a TRON trip. Ironic.)
This may occasionally appear absurd, however the considering was that despite the fact that followers really feel a method, they aren’t essentially consultant of most of the people. There’s additionally the truth that Magic Kingdom has a fame as being the park for households with children of all ages.
Excessive as this may sound, Disney really has trigger for concern–Alien Encounter is an notorious instance of an attraction that was too darkish for Magic Kingdom and was prematurely shuttered regardless of being fairly well-received by its audience. It could’ve been completely tremendous for the park now generally known as Disney’s Hollywood Studios.
Extra not too long ago, Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser is one other area of interest challenge that will have given sure leaders chilly toes about creating one thing that lacks widespread attraction. That may be a horrible instance for causes which can be most likely apparent to anybody studying this.
To be clear, this isn’t my perspective in any respect. I used to be and am totally on board with Villains Land in Magic Kingdom. On the contrary, I’ve really been involved by Disney seemingly shying away from villains and battle in sure sights, and am each excited and relieved that Villains Land gained out.
For my part, Villains Land suits the mould for an ideal Magic Kingdom themed land. Although it’s develop into a franchise or model, at its coronary heart, it is a extra open idea like the prevailing lands, reasonably than a single mental property, film or character. As a lot as I get pleasure from Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, I nonetheless assume it feels odd and disconnected from the remainder of Disneyland. So I’m glad to see Villains Land versus Encanto or Coco lands.
It’s inevitable that followers will examine this to Darkish Universe at Common’s Epic Universe, maybe claiming that’s the explanation why Walt Disney World is making a Villains Land–as their “reply” to that. It isn’t, however the comparability is completely tremendous. An excellent factor, really. Darkish Universe seems unimaginable–just like the early #1 space of Epic Universe.
That plus the fan pleasure for Darkish Universe plus the fan enthusiasm for Villains Land means the Imagineers are going to convey their a-game. Extra importantly, it signifies that as a substitute of continuing with apprehension, Walt Disney World will go all-in on Villains Land, giving it the finances and house wanted to create one thing really…effectively, magical feels just like the fallacious phrase.
Past that, it’s not likely an enormous shock that growth is going on in Magic Kingdom. Josh D’Amaro first acquired up on stage to speak about ‘Past Huge Thunder’ on the final D23 Expo, when he was joined by Imagineer Chris Beatty and Jennifer Lee, the Chief Artistic Officer of Walt Disney Animation Studios.
They didn’t present any substantive particulars and even an official announcement, as a substitute being cautious to make use of language crouching the presentation, indicating that that is an “early idea exploration” and one of many “potential growth alternatives” (but in addition extra concrete than a blue sky brainstorming session).
Since then, each CEO Bob Iger and D’Amaro have finished interviews or displays and repeatedly doubled-down on their intentions to develop Walt Disney World. Each have indicated that Imagineers are already at work on bettering the visitor expertise at Walt Disney World and including capability in a number of methods.
Ultimately yr’s Vacation spot D23 occasion, Josh D’Amaro was joined on stage by Bruce Vaughn, who had not too long ago returned to the helm at Walt Disney Imagineering. Vaughn first expressed shock that D’Amaro would pull again the curtain on the inventive course of, as usually WDI doesn’t like to do this. Vaughn additional indicated that he’s been blown away by the ideas being explored for Magic Kingdom.
The Past Huge Thunder challenge scope and scale are supposedly on par with Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge or Pandora – World of Avatar. Final yr, Vaughn additionally indicated that the challenge would possible exceed New Fantasyland over a decade in the past.
In the course of the 2024 D23 Expo, Josh D’Amaro indicated that Villains Land can be the most important growth in Magic Kingdom historical past. That signifies that, at minimal, that is bigger than New Fantasyland–which is definitely pretty sizable.
Within the medium or long-term, increasing Magic Kingdom outdoors the berm makes a ton of sense. We’ve been bullish on the Magic Kingdom Enlargement Prospects “Past Huge Thunder” since final D23 Expo, whilst different followers expressed (utterly comprehensible and legitimate) skepticism. That’s completely honest, particularly in gentle of Disney’s not-so-stellar monitor file in constructing issues that had been introduced at previous D23 Expos.
Nonetheless, we expect this time is completely different. (Well-known final phrases.) That is a type of uncommon events the place the celebs align and what’s good for traders is nice for visitors. Parks & Resorts has confirmed a monetary powerhouse for the corporate–robust and secure whilst different enterprise items have faltered. Increasing Magic Kingdom improves capability, provides the park extra drawing energy, and is simply plain enjoyable for followers. (All classes realized again in 2009, proving but once more that historical past repeats itself!)
One of many extra legitimate criticisms of the ‘Past Huge Thunder’ plan is that it arguably is an growth of the one park at Walt Disney World that’s least in want of it. Magic Kingdom is already a strong full day park, with all kinds of rides, exhibits, leisure, and extra. There’s a purpose it’s the perfect park for Lightning Lane availability–as a result of it has the deepest attraction roster.
In contrast, there’s clear room for enchancment at Animal Kingdom, Hollywood Studios, and EPCOT. Whereas extra is on the way in which for the primary two parks on that listing, EPCOT’s overhaul is now largely thought of finished. Regardless, all of these parks might have additional expansions and nonetheless wouldn’t be on par with Magic Kingdom.
Realistically, that can at all times be the case. Magic Kingdom is the oldest park, so it has a headstart on the remainder. Extra importantly, it’s essentially the most iconic park. There’s nothing extra “Disney” than a citadel on the finish of Essential Road, and even because the worldwide parks have deviated from the tried and true playbook, they all have that in widespread. There’s a purpose for that.
It doesn’t matter what Walt Disney World provides to the opposite three gates, Cinderella Fort will beckon visitors from world wide. Due to that and its 50+ yr legacy, it simply is smart to develop Magic Kingdom. The sensible actuality is that it’s the park that can at all times want extra capability, and that’s the simplest to “promote” from a advertising perspective.
Not solely will Villains Land and the remainder of the ‘Past Huge Thunder’ challenge add that wanted capability, nevertheless it’ll enhance crowd circulation and additional improve the crown jewel of Walt Disney World. It’s straightforward to nitpick selections from the fan perspective and wanting higher stability among the many current gates. However on the similar time, it makes an incredible quantity of sense to satisfy visitors the place they’re, and construct out the park that visitors are almost certainly to go to.
(I’ve a tough time imagining that many followers will complain about this on condition that we’re getting a Villains Land out of this, however simply felt it wanted to be preemptively addressed for the old fashioned EPCOT Middle lovers who really feel spurned. Whilst somebody perpetually hoping for the following model of Journey into Creativeness, I’ve zero complaints about this!)
Finally, I’m excited for the way forward for Magic Kingdom and the way this new Villains Land situated ‘Past Huge Thunder’ involves fruition. The idea artwork and the animating concepts present an incredible quantity of potential, and I’m actually curious as to how the opposite adjoining lands–Frontierland and Liberty Sq.–additionally evolve to assist this historic transformation. Talking of different lands, I hope these aren’t forgotten within the course of, as Tomorrowland might nonetheless use some assist.
It shouldn’t be an issue to do each put money into new additions and improve or keep what’s already there. If all goes effectively, the last decade to come back at Walt Disney World could possibly be greater than the prior one. The present plan to speculate $17 billion quantities to greater than was spent on New Fantasyland, Pandora, Toy Story Land, Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, the EPCOT overhaul, new resorts, and a big quantity of infrastructure. (As beforehand mentioned, rather a lot of cash was wasted on issues that didn’t come to fruition or had been quick lived.) If much more cash is invested with out the misallocations of sources, it could possibly be a blockbuster decade for Walt Disney World. We are able to’t wait.
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YOUR THOUGHTS
What’s your response to Villains Land being formally introduced for Walt Disney World? Blissful about this idea? Happy with park growth within the current footprint of the park and past the berm at Magic Kingdom? Are you extra excited for this plan understanding that work is already in progress at Magic Kingdom, or nonetheless in ‘wait and see’ mode? Do you agree or disagree with our assessments? Any questions we may help you reply? Listening to your suggestions–even if you disagree with us–is each attention-grabbing to us and useful to different readers, so please share your ideas under within the feedback!
