What do you want to see in Villains Land?

I've had a few ideas, so I'll go first.

I'm thinking three attractions: a maleficent-themed vekoma coaster (of any thrill level), a hades river styx boat ride, and a flat ride of some sort themed to jafar. I'm not expecting to see too much of Ursula or Captain Hook considering they've already got representation of the park. Maybe an Evil Queen themed restaurant?

Since this is clearly Disney's response to Dark Universe, I hope this land manages to differentiate itself.

I’d love to see a Monsters Unchained-level dark ride that is also a massive people eater. That, and a highly themed coaster or thrill ride that is totally immersed in a contained environment. I’m thinking something along the lines of a super-plussed Matterhorn mixed with Journey to the Center of the Earth from Tokyosea (sorry if that actual attraction name is different).

The issue with the expansion of MK is that the park already has so many different attraction types and when you expand to the other WDW parks, it's tough to identify a ride system that is not already utilized in Orlando. To me, WDI has to be really careful with the design and choices they make in this land, and not simply fall back on old Beastly Kingdom concepts. Also, I anticipate that fans will expect to see something similar to what Universal has produced with their Dark Universe land at Epic Universe, so WDI needs to address those expectations while not creating something that is too similar to what Universal has presented up the road. I think there are a lot of potential pitfalls here for Disney, and obviously whatever they're planning for Piston Peak will change the MK landscape before Villains Land opens.

I do think MK is missing an iconic modern motion-base e-ticket indoor dark ride, and could also probably use a motion theater attraction. My initial thought was a revamp of the old inverted coaster concept from Beastly Kingdom (ultimately was "borrowed" for Dueling Dragons at IOA). This idea could probably be revamped using a modern Axis-style coaster so as to not replicate the coaster type being utilized over at DHS for Monsters Inc. The whole point of Beastly Kingdom and the current revolution into Villains Land is to appeal more to adults, which the Axis Coaster does with its intense maneuvers and unique ride experience. However, if Disney wants to be more accommodating, which is probably the case, they could use the SFX Coaster concept from Dynamic Attractions to create a more accessible coaster experience that would allow for more intricate theming than you could get from Axis. This thrill attraction could be themed to a journey to the various settings of the animal-based villains like Maleficent, Chernabog, Ursula, Scar, Jafar (in snake form with Genie's powers), and more. Riders would be flung into each environment (block) to escape the clutches of the villains.

The motion theater or motion-base dark ride attraction could be based on classic Princess villains in a Soarin' type or RotR-type experience visiting each of their iconic castles/environments. Initially, I think perhaps a system similar to FoP would work here with guests boarding horses instead of banshees, though I do think WDI could come up with an experience that could be differentiated from the system over at DAK.

The most important thing is that this land needs to be filled with live characters, preferably walking around and interacting with guests, not stuck in rooms with hour long queues for staged photography. It might also be great for this land to have a water-based attraction that allows guests to cool off. The proximity here to TBA makes it a bit difficult, but perhaps WDI could take a queue from BGW and come up with a concept that could work with a shoot the chutes style attraction like Escape from Pompeii.

The Villains IP gives WDI lots of latitude, also sky high expectations in a park that is already full of iconic experiences, so I think regardless of what they actually do here, it's bound to be heavily criticized.

As the Toy Story float is an integral part of the parade I want a Sid attraction with his monstrosity toys which can be bought in an adjoining shop called Sid's Monstrosities.

velocicoasterFan idea of the hades stix river Is great, they can use the system from the POTC ride from the Shanghai Park, also a Slot Car ride system for a Cruella car chase ( like test track or radiator Springs.) I like the idea of a themed steel coaster, but i prefer a nigth on bald mountain (Chernabog from the fantasía movie ) Theme.

First off, let's take a look at the villains Disney is considering as the cast for this land: Captain Hook, Chernabog, Cruella De Vil, Evil Queen, Gaston, Hades, Jafar, Lady Tremaine, Maleficent, Mother Gothel, Queen of Hearts, Ursula, and Yzma. Some of these characters already have a presence in the Magic Kingdom, so we'll deprioritize them within the land, but everyone will be represented in some way. I am also going to make the assumption that the land is allowed to major attractions (D/E ticket level) and two minor attractions (B/C ticket level) in order to round out the offerings. Lastly, I am going to use the rule that nothing can be more extreme than existing WDW attractions. Following that, here's how I'd do things...

The overall aesthetic of the area will be kind of like an anti-Fantasyland, more or less the forsaken version of a medieval town. It is a world where high noon is the same as twilight, and ominous shadows drown out all thoughts of a happily ever after. This is the world in which the bad guys triumphed over the hero and carved out a magical place that reflected their inner darkness. Among the dead trees and jagged rocks, shops cobbled together in a distinctly unaesthetic manner line a village square that sits before the gates of a dark, foreboding castle perched high on the hilltop. Amongst their tenants are the following:

-Cruella De Vil's clothing store, featuring the latest in upscale black and white attrire
-Evil Queen's fruit stand, featuring a variety of specialty apples with both desirable and despicable flavors
-Gaston's tavern, a full service dining hall serving up food and drinks as no one else could
-Jafar's cavern of ancient treasures, where shoppers might be able to get their hands on a magical artifact if they can resist being swindled
-Lady Tremaine's house, where those of sufficient worth can meet whichever villains are visiting on any given day
-Ursula's makeover den, where guests can be transformed into an honorary villain for only a token cost

But every great theme park land needs attractions, and villains land has plenty to satisfy everyone with three separate rides as well as a play area:

-The headliner attraction is a motion base dark ride using the same technology being employed on the upcoming Avengers Infinity Defense attraction. Maleficent has called a meeting of the council of villains due to the increasing amount of love and imagination threatening their world, and it is up to them to stop it once and for all. Using her powers in conjunction with those of the Evil Queen, Jafar, and Ursula, they have created a vehicle capable of jumping between worlds and siphoning away any good thoughts that may be found there. Guests are recruited to join in this adventure as a test of whether they are worthy in the company of the villains or are instead an enemy that must be dealt with.
-The big thrill ride of the area is a roller coaster based around Night on Bald Mountain, featuring the demon Chernabog as the central character. Built by Vekoma, this is one of their sit down thrill coasters, featuring speeds up to 60 mph, heights up to 130 ft., and 2-3 inversions over a track length of 4,000-4,500 ft. Picture something with elements and style similar to those found on Siren's Curse (though without the tilt track feature), but an intensity level on par with Incredicoaster, and you've got a rough idea of what I'd hope to see in this ride.
-The third ride would be a smaller scale dark ride (perhaps a boat ride) featuring a team up between Hades and Yzma. Both have been disgraced by their past failures and have decided to work together in order to extract their revenge. Here in this world, the odds are in their favor.
-Lastly, there is the villains recreation zone, featuring three connected play areas...a hedge maze full of the Queen of Hearts's roses, the moored and fully explorable Jolly Roger captained by Hook, and the tower owned by Mother Gothel, which has been retrofitted with stairs to offer a scenic overlook of the area.

The result of everything above is one of the largest projects Disney has ever created, with a fully immersive land on par with Pandora and Galaxy's Edge in scope, scale, and detail, but featuring a unique world driven by the characters that inhabit the land in a new context outside that which guests have seen before.

Russell: "The most important thing is that this land needs to be filled with live characters,"

Me: Preach, brother!

Russell: "I think regardless of what they actually do here, it's bound to be heavily criticized".

Me: Amen!

Unlike many, I don't care at all about what the rides or attractions in this land will be.

I just want them to include as many villains as possible and make sure they come across as true to themselves and cool (in the way that the best WWE villains do).

The modified Once Upon a Dream "entrance music" for Malificent in the Villains Show in Hollywood Studios, and much of the rest of that show, is a great template.

And per above: Lots of live characters. One time years ago when my daughter was maybe 5 years old, we went to Cinderella's Royal Table and she was wearing a "Disney Princesses" t-shirt. The Stepsisters showed up, saw her t-shirt, and gave her a ton of heat for it. It was unexpected and just really great. Even she realized it -- once she got over the initial shock!!

Even though I think they’re going to box themselves into the theme of Walt Disney Animation Studios villains, I would love it if this became the East Coast version of Villains Grove from Oogie Boogie Bash with a rotating lineup of characters from various studios under the Disney umbrella.

Feels like we need to bring back Theme Park Apprentice for this....

I doubt we'd see the full version of this, but I would love a life-sized Chernabog in any capacity. A humongous animatronic would be top-tier, but judging by Disney's previous attempts at large-scale animatronics, a statue or projection is more likely.

I really just want to be overwhelmed by the scale, complimented with Night on Bald Mountain blaring in the background.

A Night on Bald Mountain coaster would be sweet. Also a turn on Mystic Manor set in Maleficent's palace would rule.

You take the liberty bell to Villain Kingdom...okay scratch that.
You walk into Villain Kingdom that is divided into Classic Kingdom (all villains from the classic Walt Disney animated movies), New Kingdom (every villain from after Walt) and Bought Kingdom (every villain from ip's they bought and slapped a Disney sticker on). The last kingdom will be a later addition.
Classic Kingdom leans on gothic architecture but with an animated style. It's truly scarry and doesn't hold back. The rides are more grown up and has at least one coaster with more than one looping. It has a castle and is mainly a thick forest with villain specific buildings spread out.
New Kingdom is more whimsical and lighter reflecting the animations from the Disney renaissance era. It's a village like Zootopia, each villain owns his own style of (ride)building or home. It has a tame dark ride and of the shelf spinners.
The bought villain land won't be build.

@AJ, I really like your Hades & Yzma boat ride idea. The thing that sets many Disney villains apart from the Universal Classic Monsters is their humor and cheekiness and sense of fun. So while I am sure we will get attractions based on the more pure evil villains like Chernabog or Maleficent or Jafar (Frollo is the most evil of all but don't think he would translate well into an attraction at a Disney park lol), I hope we will also get more humorous attractions based on villains like Hades or Yzma.

As for your Gaston's Tavern idea, that makes the most sense in terms of villains and restaurants, but they already have that in Fantasyland so I doubt they would replicate it or spend money and time retheming the current one. An Ursula themed seafood restaurant could be a fun idea.

I’d love to see an Ursula restaurant and see Disney lean in hard with the “Poor Unfortunate Souls Popcorn Shrimp” lmao

Bob Chapek since everyone hated him - hahahahaahahaha

Fatty - I am still thinking about the spicy shrimp you mentioned.
Can you mail me some?

I’d love a big, high capacity indoor dark ride where you feel like you’re with the villains, plus lots of roaming characters who actually interact and talk back instead of posing for quick photos. Last Orlando trip a Blue Nile Livery ride from our hotel turned into a “villains playlist” singalong and that playful slightly menacing vibe is exactly what I want this land to lean into.

ThemeParkFanatic, interplay between villains is something I really want to see Disney do with this land, and I do hope they're mindful to group together villains that work will with each other. There are a lot of interesting concepts that they could go for using that mechanic, so it would be a shame if the attractions wind up being centered on a singular character. Most indicators are that this will likely be a two ride land like many others Disney has done recently, but with the cast of characters available I worry that might feel incomplete, so a lighter supporting attraction like what I suggested would be perfect compliment for the "fun" villains and provide a nice counter to something headlined by the "evil" ones.

I did consider the presence of a Gaston's Tavern in the park, but my understanding is that's more of a snack shop while this one would be the signature dining location for the land. The simple way to rectify that would be to use a different name and twist the concept far enough that there isn't confusion. I've definitely got ideas for how both could coexist, though some would probably be far too dark for Disney. Ursula could work as a restaurant host instead, though I did try to cast the characters in a way that relates to what they're most known for.

I do wonder if because of the presence of Little Mermaid, Beauty and the Beast, and Snow White in Fantasyland, with Ursula, Gaston, and the Evil Queen each featuring at least somewhat in those attractions, means they won't use those villains in Villains Land for continuity's sake so you don't have the villains showing up in multiple places in the same park. Instead they would focus on villains not represented in Magic Kingdom like Maleficent, Chernabog, Hades, Yzma, Jafar, or Cruella.