How to Make Villains Land for Families and Those Wanting a Darker Side

Josh D'Amaro and the Imagineers at Disney have their work cut out for them when it comes to designing a Villains themed land that will please everyone. Some will want it darker to match the tone and emotional thrill factor of Epic Universe and their Dark Universe. Can you really blame them for wanting it? No. I mean, come on now, Monsters Unchained: The Frankenstein Experiment has to be one of the best rides of the genre ever created. Those in pursuit of a family friendly approach won't go for this! They couldn't even handle the excellently funny and a bit scary Alien Encounter two decades or so ago. Some folks would prefer a more humorous vision for the land. Maybe, in small doses, I could go for this. How about a blend? I'd like to see something along these lines:
 

The family friendly portion is in the front of the land. This makes it approachable for kids of all ages. The environment has to look a bit different than what's in Fantasyland, however. The rides for smaller kids focuses on attractions with less scary villains, while rides like the big rollercoaster use much darker ones. In village, use the Queen of Hearts, Captain Hook, and even Cruella DeVille. This will be the spot for character meet and greets, a couple of classic "C Ticket" level dark rides, a spinner hidden within a show building, a theater show, friendly themed shops, and a couple of quick service spots that would appeal to the family. Oh yeah, add a 'middle ground" coaster somewhere between the intensity of Seven Dwarfs Mine Train and Big Thunder Mountain Railway.

What about those wanting more "bite"? Let's take a shot of creating a foreboding place with the scarier, darker, more thrill focused portion in the back. Make it accessible through three hidden entrances as you walk into the village. Think of how Universal handled Diagon Alley and the entrance to Knockturn Alley, but with multiple entry points.   Use other, creepier villains for the incredibly themed boat ride using Shanghai Disneyland's famous Pirates of the Caribbean: Battle for the Sunken Treasure technology. Maybe the water villains like Ursula and her friends. 

Save Malificient, Chernabog, Dr. Facillier, and Hades for the big, big, t thrills that call teenagers and thrill seekers. A giant, very well themed  coaster with a higher height requirement- and cleverly disguised if not hidden track. It doesn't have to be taller than Cinderella Castle to be thrilling. Play up the dark factor. Go underground first. Send sounds of screams outside to the open areas, much like what the bakeries in the parks do with their smellitizers. 

This area needs a spookier dark ride as well. Start with a take on the Haunted Mansion with a series of two or three different first acts as the first show spot. Let the riders experience different routes from there on out. (Can you imagine what the Haunted Mansion would have been like with trackless vehicles traveling to different rooms. Every journey could be different. And think of the Lightning Lane passes you'd sell!) Want more? Add in highly desirable sit down dining that plays up the chill factor and a great bar. Quick service better play a role here, too. Think Gideon's Bakery for inspiration.

This year's D23 should be interesting! I'm not even an Imagineer, and I can come up with some great ideas. What are yours? 

(Art copyright Mark Taft.)