Disney World ‘Villains’ Fifth Park Will Not See The Light of Day. I sat in Hall D at D23 Expo 2022, in the media section, while Josh D’Amaro the Chairperson of Walt Disney Parks along with Kristen Lee from Walt Disney Animation Studios and Chris Beatty of Walt Disney Imagineering explored all the possibilities of what lies ‘Beyond Big Thunder Mountain’. The mention of Villains living there got a bigger ovation than anything else mentioned during the hour-and-a-half presentation.
People jumped out of their seats and hands raised as if a shock wave just went through the audience. You see, a villain’s Park has been discussed Adnauseum for years amongst Disney World fans. This was different though, this wasn’t a fifth gate. This ‘could’ be a Land inside an existing Park.
Which is much different than a whole park dedicated to Maleficent, Chernabog, Captain Hook, The Queen of Hearts, and other Disney baddies. This basically put the nail in the coffin of ever seeing a whole Park dedicated to the ‘Dark Side’ of Disney movies. This is a more feasible direction for those who love the idea of a Villains Park.
We’ve delved into the concept of a Villains Park repeatedly, both in live streams, forums, and face-to-face discussions with seasoned Disney World enthusiasts and media personnel. The prevailing sentiment has evolved since D23. Initially, people thought that Disney had to pursue this idea to stay competitive with Universal, especially since they’re developing Epic Universe, set to open in 2025 as the first significant new theme park in Orlando in nearly two decades. However, the current consensus leans towards the belief that Disney should focus on its strengths. Instead of creating something entirely new, they should leverage their existing assets and expertise to create uniquely magical experiences.
But, why would Disney build a new villain’s park, to begin with, became the topic. While the idea of a Villains Park has sparked fan theories for years, here are five reasons why it won’t become a reality:
Disney prides itself on being a place for families. A park dedicated to villains might be thrilling for some, but it could be a scary or confusing experience for younger guests, especially those unfamiliar with the darker Disney stories. Imagine little Timmy, our imaginary 6-year-old child, being dragged into Maleficents Castle kicking and screaming because the evil dragon just breathed fire and Little Timmy doesn’t understand why it is dark and evil-looking. Little Timmy is a child who still runs to Mom and Dad at night when he hears a strange noise, and now there is an evil clown under his bed, and the monster named Sully is going to make him, scream.
Some cultures and religions have strong reservations about glorifying evil. A Villains Park could be insensitive to these beliefs, and Disney is known for its global inclusivity. This could be the most important reason Disney will never build a Villains Park. I know some very religious people, and they do not want to glorify supposed evil entities. That is their belief, and Disney does not want to build something that would limit millions of people who believe this way. Just think of the cultural divide happening in Florida now, and then amplify those sentiments by bringing religion into the debate. While this would make the tabloid Disney sites happy to report on, this would not be good for Disney, its guests, or the Cast Members who would have to deal with it.
Disney stories often explore the potential for good within even the most villainous characters. A park solely focused on villains might miss that message, which is a core part of the Disney experience.
Disney is already adept at incorporating villains into the parks in fun and engaging ways. We see them in parades, character interactions, and even dedicated rides like the Haunted Mansion. There’s no need for a whole park when they can add villainous flair to existing experiences. Does anyone Remember Disney Villains After Hours at Magic Kingdom? Hades and Meg take over Cinderella Castle, and Maleficent Dragon parades down Main Street USA. The snacks and treats with a villainous twist. Unfortunately, we have not seen this special evening since 2020, and who knows if we will ever get it back.
Disney World is constantly evolving, and recently we’ve seen incredible expansions like Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge and Toy Story Land. These additions celebrate cherished characters and stories, and it’s likely future expansions will follow suit, giving guests even more reasons to visit. Disney is going all in on Encanto, Zootopia, and Frozen. These IPs have seen major expansions at Disney Parks across the globe.
So, while a Villains Park might be a fun thought experiment, it’s just that – a thought. But fear not, Disney fans! The future of Disney World is full of villains. Remember, you cannot have a redemption story arc of good -vs- evil without the bad guy. I think Scott Hall aka Razor Ramon said it best “Bad times don’t last forever, but bad guys do”.
