Walt Disney World’s Villains-Themed Land: A Wickedly Immersive Experience

Walt Disney World has been cooking up something special for fans of the dark and twisted side of its universe. At the Destination D23 event, Disney Imagineers unveiled some exciting details about the highly anticipated Villains-themed land.

This area promises to bring the iconic Disney Villains – Maleficent, the Evil Queen, Scar, Ursula, Jafar, Hades, and Cruella de Vil – into a brand-new, immersive environment unlike anything seen before at Disney parks. Imagineers shared that they are using a term called ‘Conjured Architecture’ to describe the design philosophy behind this upcoming land.

So, what is Conjured Architecture? Simply put, it’s an innovative way of blending the magical and mysterious aesthetic of Disney Villains with the elegant yet eerie style of Art Nouveau. This architectural approach will have a fluid, organic appearance, with swirling shapes and intricate designs that evoke the feeling of nature being frozen or cursed – perfectly capturing the essence of these notorious characters.

To bring this concept to life, the Imagineering team traveled to two European cities – Paris, France, and Barcelona, Spain. Paris, with its rich Art Nouveau influence, provided inspiration through its natural motifs and designs that make nature appear almost enchanted. The team drew particular inspiration from how the city’s architecture seems to give off a magical, frozen feeling – something that echoes the villains’ own worlds, full of supernatural elements and darker tones.

In Barcelona, the team discovered Modernisme, a style that focuses on more abstract and unnerving shapes. The architecture there almost seems to melt or twist into strange, surreal forms, which added another layer of magic to their design palette. Imagineer Caroline May explained how Barcelona’s influence made it clear that buildings can appear as though they’re alive – almost as if they were created by magic itself. This surreal quality of the architecture will be reflected in the new Villains land, adding a sense of intrigue and eeriness that fits perfectly with the villainous atmosphere Disney is aiming for.

One of the most surprising elements the team encountered during their research was the vibrant use of color, particularly in stained-glass windows and painted metals. These deep, jewel-toned colors will be incorporated into the land’s buildings to reflect the villains’ iconic color palettes – think Maleficent’s rich purples, Ursula’s deep blues, and the Evil Queen’s striking greens. The integration of these colors into the architectural designs will help bring the villains’ personalities to life in a way that feels magical and immersive.

All of these influences culminated in the creation of Conjured Architecture, a blend of historical and fantastical elements that will bring a wickedly charming atmosphere to the land. This new design philosophy will allow visitors to feel as if they’ve stepped into a world where Disney Villains are not just characters in movies but actual beings in a living, breathing environment.

In addition to the innovative architecture, Disney Legend Andreas Deja – an animator known for creating iconic characters like Gaston, Scar, and Jafar – has been brought on as a consultant for the project. Deja’s expertise will ensure that the land captures the villains’ bold personalities and distinct visual styles, bringing them to life in an even more immersive way. Deja himself expressed excitement about the project, noting that the villains’ larger-than-life personalities will be front and center in this new land.

Guests can look forward to not only seeing their favorite villains but also having the chance to interact with them in unique ways. Imagineer Wyatt Winter hinted that the land will feature some exciting crossovers, allowing for thrilling meetings between villains from different Disney films. This immersive experience will give visitors the opportunity to step into a world of villainous magic like never before, combining the rich backstories of these classic characters with a brand-new setting.

While the land’s name is still under wraps, it’s clear that this project is going to be one for the ages. With Conjured Architecture setting the stage for a wickedly immersive experience, Disney is sure to deliver something that fans of both Disney Villains and theme park design will absolutely love. The details revealed at Destination D23 have only fueled the excitement, and we can’t wait to see how this villainous land unfolds in the coming years.