The plans for Disney’s Villains Land only highlight why a 5th gate is needed

The plans for Disney's Villains Land only highlight why a 5th gate is needed

As a long-time Disney enthusiast and frequent visitor, I can’t help but feel a tinge of disappointment with the recent announcement about Villains Land at Magic Kingdom. Don’t get me wrong; it looks fantastic, and the roster of villains is impressive, but as someone who has spent countless hours wandering through the parks, I can’t help but wonder if this could have been so much more.

With Disney unveiling details about the new Villains Land, it underscores the strong argument for adding a fifth gateway at Walt Disney World!

At Disney World, D23 unveiled several major updates, one of which is the transformation of Frontierland into a zone themed around the movie “Cars”. However, this decision to eliminate the Rivers of America has stirred some controversy.

Additionally, there’s been the confirmation of the long-anticipated “Villain’s Realm,” a fitting concept given its focus on Disney’s notorious villains. Artwork for this unique space has also been revealed. Further details have emerged thanks to D23 Brazil, with Josh D’Amaro, head of Disney Parks, disclosing which villains will be featured in the land.

The Queen of Hearts (Alice in Wonderland); Jafar (Aladdin); Lady Tremaine (Cinderella); Yzma (The Emperor’s New Groove); Cruella de Vil (101 Dalmatians); Captain Hook (Peter Pan); Gaston (Beauty and the Beast); Mother Gothel (Tangled); Ursula (The Little Mermaid); Hades (Hercules); Chernabog (Fantasia); and both versions of the Evil Queen (Snow White and the Seven Dwarves) and Maleficent (Sleeping Beauty).

Check out this sneak peek of the Disney Villains making their appearance at Villain’s Lair in Magic Kingdom Park!
— Drew Smith (@DrewDisneyDude) November 9, 2024

D’Amaro added more, including a hint at the storyline creating this land:

In our story, a mysterious spell has been cast, summoning villains from every realm. In this land, heroes don’t come to save the day — and there may not be a happy ever after! Their evil ambitions give us endless possibilities to tell new stories. This new land will be home to the villains you know and loathe!

The specific details about the attractions remain unknown, yet the announcement underscores that such additions would be more advantageous for a fifth gate rather than an expansion within Magic Kingdom.

The Villains Choice

First, the choice of villains is interesting. Many are no-brainers of Hook, Gaston, Ursula, Cruella, and Maleficent. Yzma is an interesting choice, as Emperor’s New Groove has always been more of a cult classic than a major hit. Notably absent are Scar, Dr. Facilier, and others who might have fit nicely. Throwing in Yzma still seems a little odd and Gothel may be a top foe but not the same iconic place as the others.

Disney is focusing on more well-known villains who can bring an ominous atmosphere. The artwork suggests settings such as a foreboding castle and a roller coaster featuring what appears to be Maleficent in her dragon form. While blending the villains sounds intriguing, it might have been preferable to have separate areas for each character to maintain a more immersive experience.

And that may be a key issue for guests: Rather than an expansion to Magic Kingdom, Villains Land could have been the basis for a 5th gate to solve so many other Disney issues.

Why a 5th gate serves this idea better

The idea of a spell bringing the foes together may make sense for them in one area. Yet it seems Disney is leaving a lot on the table, not trying to expand this idea for an entire new park that could showcase other parts of Disney’s Imagineering’s dreams.

Picture an enchanting district inspired by Alice in Wonderland, featuring a reimagined version of the Disneyland ride along with a maze made of flowers similar to those found at Disneyland Paris. Additionally, you might find a fresh interpretation of the Teacups with the Queen presiding over it all. Furthermore, there could be an area dedicated to Rapunzel, offering a boat ride that mirrors her lantern journey and even a chance to climb her tower.

Would you fancy an exhilarating journey? Envision a locale inspired by Neverland, complete with a life-size pirate ship captained by Hook and his crew. This ship voyages towards an “underwater” realm, where a reimagined Little Mermaid tale unfolds under the rule of Ursula in a darker setting. Blending elements of Hades and Chernabog, experience a thrilling descent into the underworld on a dark ride.

One could contend that confining villains to a specific region might seem logical, but incorporating this into Magic Kingdom appears restrictive compared to another park that can further develop the theme. Additionally, it would be more sensible for Cars-land to be constructed from the ground up in that location instead of reworking Frontierland to accommodate it.

Although Disney World currently has plenty of unused space, accounting for approximately two-thirds of the property, you might expect that Epic Universe would be further progressing its development given this circumstance. It’s not only about these open areas; a new park presents an opportunity for Disney to explore bigger concepts based on different intellectual properties or even (surprising notion) a unique section that isn’t tied to movies or similar content.

Still, it’s astounding Disney doesn’t grasp that a 5th gate would be a boon for such ideas. It can have versions of Frozen and Zootopia lands in international parks; a video game city based on Wreck-It Ralph (imagine seeing classic video game characters mingled with the Disney characters); a bit of Marvel and/or Star Wars, and more.

Epic Universe, modeled after Harry Potter, Nintendo, and Universal Monsters, could serve as an excellent blueprint for a new park. Given Disney’s focus on expansion and reaching greater heights, it seems odd that they would overlook this challenge. At a minimum, constructing another park would provide justification for increased ticket prices. Furthermore, the additional revenue generated from merchandise, concessions, and other areas could significantly benefit Disney compared to adding another land. Moreover, Epic Universe offers ample space for future rides and attractions, promising even more entertainment in the future.

It’s possible that this is an outstanding enhancement and Villains Land provides a wonderful adventure. However, it’s also perplexing why Disney appears to be confining themselves with expansions instead of simply constructing a fifth park that offers ample space for their ideas to take flight, as they used to do in the past.

2024-11-13 18:27

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