Walt Disney World has introduced large growth plans for Magic Kingdom, formally confirming Villains Land is being constructed ‘Past Large Thunder.’ This put up shares particulars, idea artwork, and every little thing we all know concerning the plan–plus complete commentary about why that is taking place and whether or not we predict these are doubtlessly good or dangerous additions for the park.
This information was introduced in the course of the “Horizons: Disney Experiences Showcase” or Parks Panel presentation in the course of the 2024 D23 Expo on the Honda Heart in Anaheim, California. Disney Parks Chairman Josh D’Amaro supplied a sneak peek at idea artwork for the longer term as well as and teased what was to return in just a few years.
The all-new Villains Land positioned ‘Past Large Thunder’ was simply certainly 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 may come on-line within the subsequent 5 years, together with over a half-dozen additions that may debut earlier than the tip 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 smash your entire 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 carry the veil on a forthcoming Villains Land at Magic Kingdom Park in Walt Disney World Resort.
This new land will probably be dwelling to the Disney Villains we all know and detest from fan-favorite Walt Disney Animation Studios traditional movies. As Josh D’Amaro shared, it’s a spot the place “fortunately ever after could really feel like only a distant dream.”
The evil ambition of all these Villains signifies that the probabilities are limitless for the tales that may be instructed — and guests to the darkish and thorny land must be ready for no matter chaos would possibly come their method. The brand new land will embody all of your dreams- er, nightmares.
Villains Land at Magic Kingdom will probably be dwelling to 2 main points of interest, 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 could 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, “Every part we’re going to share with you is in lively growth. Plans are drawn. Dust is transferring. I simply need to be clear about this: We’re doing every little thing 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 truly been anticipating permits for some time on this growth (albeit not figuring out that Villains Land was one of many ideas that “received”). Right here’s hoping that these permits are filed quickly now that the cat’s out of the bag!
Should you zoom in on the idea artwork, you may truly see an incredible quantity of element. There are thorn-covered curler coaster tracks, a darkish village, Maleficent the Dragon, and far more. It has apparent Sleeping Magnificence vibes, but it surely additionally jogs my memory numerous Epic Mickey!
Turning to commentary, Villains Land was–indubitably–the announcement that received the most important and most enthusiastic response out of the Honda Heart viewers. Regardless of it being Walt Disney World information and this being a Disneyland dwelling crowd, followers completely erupted. Far and away essentially the most loudest and most energetic response of your entire night. Simply because it was two years in the past when Villains Land was teased in the course of 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 optimistic…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 inside apprehensions about transferring ahead with Villains Land. That it could be “too darkish” or “not sufficiently mainstream” for Magic Kingdom. (Sure, the identical park that simply gave us a TRON experience. Ironic.)
This may occasionally appear absurd, however the pondering was that despite the fact that followers really feel a technique, they aren’t essentially consultant of most people. There’s additionally the truth that Magic Kingdom has a popularity as being the park for households with children of all ages.
Excessive as this would possibly sound, Disney truly 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 target market. It could’ve been completely superb for the park now often known as Disney’s Hollywood Studios.
Extra just lately, Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser is one other area of interest mission that will have given sure leaders chilly toes about creating one thing that lacks widespread enchantment. That may be a horrible instance for causes which might be in all probability apparent to anybody studying this.
To be clear, this isn’t my perspective in any respect. I used to be and am absolutely on board with Villains Land in Magic Kingdom. On the contrary, I’ve truly been involved by Disney seemingly shying away from villains and battle in sure points of interest, and am each excited and relieved that Villains Land received out.
In my opinion, Villains Land matches the mould for an ideal Magic Kingdom themed land. Though it’s develop into a franchise or model, at its coronary heart, this can be a extra open idea like the prevailing lands, moderately than a single mental property, film or character. As a lot as I take pleasure in Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, I nonetheless suppose 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 evaluate this to Darkish Universe at Common’s Epic Universe, maybe claiming that’s the rationale why Walt Disney World is making a Villains Land–as their “reply” to that. It isn’t, however the comparability is completely superb. factor, truly. Darkish Universe appears unbelievable–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 an alternative of continuing with apprehension, Walt Disney World will go all-in on Villains Land, giving it the price range and house wanted to create one thing really…properly, magical feels just like the incorrect phrase.
Past that, it’s probably not an enormous shock that growth is occurring in Magic Kingdom. Josh D’Amaro first received up on stage to speak about ‘Past Large 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 an alternative 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 increase Walt Disney World. Each have indicated that Imagineers are already at work on enhancing 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 just lately returned to the helm at Walt Disney Imagineering. Vaughn first expressed shock that D’Amaro would pull again the curtain on the artistic course of, as usually WDI doesn’t like to try this. Vaughn additional indicated that he’s been blown away by the ideas being explored for Magic Kingdom.
The Past Large Thunder mission 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 mission would seemingly exceed New Fantasyland over a decade in the past.
Through 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 exterior the berm makes a ton of sense. We’ve been bullish on the Magic Kingdom Growth Potentialities “Past Large Thunder” since final D23 Expo, whilst different followers expressed (utterly comprehensible and legitimate) skepticism. That’s completely truthful, particularly in mild of Disney’s not-so-stellar monitor report in constructing issues that had been introduced at previous D23 Expos.
Nevertheless, we predict this time is totally different. (Well-known final phrases.) That is a type of uncommon events the place the celebrities align and what’s good for buyers is sweet for company. Parks & Resorts has confirmed a monetary powerhouse for the corporate–robust and secure whilst different enterprise items have faltered. Increasing Magic Kingdom improves capability, offers 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 Large 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 motive it’s one of the best park for Lightning Lane availability–as a result of it has the deepest attraction roster.
Against this, there’s clear room for enchancment at Animal Kingdom, Hollywood Studios, and EPCOT. Whereas extra is on the best way for the primary two parks on that record, EPCOT’s overhaul is now largely thought of finished. Regardless, all of these parks may have additional expansions and nonetheless wouldn’t be on par with Magic Kingdom.
Realistically, that may all the time 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 fort on the finish of Principal Road, and even because the worldwide parks have deviated from the tried and true playbook, they all have that in widespread. There’s a motive for that.
It doesn’t matter what Walt Disney World provides to the opposite three gates, Cinderella Fort will beckon company from around the globe. Due to that and its 50+ yr legacy, it simply is sensible to increase Magic Kingdom. The sensible actuality is that it’s the park that may all the time want extra capability, and that’s the best to “promote” from a advertising perspective.
Not solely will Villains Land and the remainder of the ‘Past Large Thunder’ mission add that wanted capability, but it surely’ll enhance crowd stream and additional improve the crown jewel of Walt Disney World. It’s straightforward to nitpick selections from the fan perspective and wanting higher steadiness among the many current gates. However on the similar time, it makes an incredible quantity of sense to satisfy company the place they’re, and construct out the park that company are almost definitely to go to.
(I’ve a tough time imagining that many followers will complain about this provided that we’re getting a Villains Land out of this, however simply felt it wanted to be preemptively addressed for the old fashioned EPCOT Heart lovers who really feel spurned. At the same time as somebody perpetually hoping for the subsequent model of Journey into Creativeness, I’ve zero complaints about this!)
In the end, I’m excited for the way forward for Magic Kingdom and the way this new Villains Land positioned ‘Past Large 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 may nonetheless use some assist.
It shouldn’t be an issue to do each spend money on new additions and improve or keep what’s already there. If all goes properly, the last decade to return at Walt Disney World might be larger 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, so much of cash was wasted on issues that didn’t come to fruition or had been brief lived.) If much more cash is invested with out the misallocations of assets, it might be a blockbuster decade for Walt Disney World. We will’t wait.
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YOUR THOUGHTS
What’s your response to Villains Land being formally introduced for Walt Disney World? Glad 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 figuring out 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 can assist you reply? Listening to your suggestions–even while you disagree with us–is each fascinating to us and useful to different readers, so please share your ideas under within the feedback!
