Dark Kingdom

[Donald Duck 001]

Has anyone heard anything about a new theme park called Dark Kingdom? I have heard people saying stuff but havent seen any articles or infomation about it at all. From what I have heard it is going to be a new theme park dedicated to the Disney Villians which sounds really kewl. Any info anyone has about this would be great.

[JPL]

This was a rumour a few years back but nothing has come of it. This was suppose to be Disney's answer to Islands of Adventure. I wouldn't expect to see a 5th gate at WDW anytime in the near future.

[DizneyRox]

Near future would mean at least 10 years...

They need to build up MGM and AK still before anything new opens... Frankly, right now, WDW is capable of absorbing whatever crowds currently show up, they don't need additional capacity. The additional staff and infrastructure for another park would only eat into their profits at this point.

[JabberJaws]

Yeah this is an oldie but a goodie.

As JPL said this was a rumor that surfaced shortly after the initial success of IOP. At that time, Disney thought they had a real contender on their hands and bounced around the idea of building a 5th gate that was more focused on thrills, to contend with IOP. The rumor was that it would be all themed around villains and be called "Dark Kingdom." A neat idea in concept, though not really practical given Disney's audience IMO.

When IOP opened and showed to not really be that much of a threat to WDWs attendance (I love IOA, but check the top #20 US parks by attendance figures and you will see what I mean), they scrapped those plans.

I believe it was later publically stated that WDW would not be getting a 5th gate in the foreseeable future as they felt they had enough to manage in the 4 gates and should focus money and resources on updating and maintaining those parks.

A good strategy IMO. As much as I would love a "Dark Kingdom," 5 gates would be bordering on stretching themselves too thin.

[Ian]

There's a chance you're confusing "Dark Kingdom" and the villians park with the recent "Night Kingdom" rumors that revolved around Disney possibly building a boutique theme park with a quasi-Animal Kingdom/adventure kind of theme.

[GBBT]

My DW would LOVE if they did anything to put the Villains in the parks more. As she says,"They're not evil.....just misunderstood." She wants the character meal brought back,more big t-shirts,more collectibles,etc.

[crltkcagle]

That would be awesome if they did do it! For those of us that love MNSSHP it would be like that everyday there! Oh well we can always hope!

[bruin1344]

they should add it a villian section to DHS or possibly AK rather than build another park, those 2 parks could use more attractions

[Donald Duck 001]

Okay, so what are the Night Kingdom rumors? This might be were I am getting my confusion from.

[VolMickey]

They need to find a home for that dragon on the original AK logo somewhere!

[DizneyFreak2002]

They have a home.. Animal Kingdom.. Now that TDO came to its senses with closing Stitch's SuperSonic dance party, maybe they will finally allow Beastly Kingdom...

[CaptainSad]

Please fix and update what they have first...

[Ian]

Just a general comment on this ...

Disney tried pushing villians about five years ago when they came out with all the villians branded merchandise, they had villians events, etc. and it was widely regarded as a "test balloon" to see if they audience would support some type of theme park dedicated to the villians.

But from what I understand, it largely tanked (notice how the merch is all gone now?) so the idea was scrapped entirely.

Also, it should be noted that this was still during Eisner's reign. I think Iger has made it pretty clear that they're going to focus on building out what they have as opposed to adding new theme parks.

I wouldn't look for a 5th gate any time in the next decade and I wouldn't look for a villians themed park ... well ... ever.

Okay, so what are the Night Kingdom rumors? This might be were I am getting my confusion from.

Eh, I mean rumors vary widely, but basically Jim Hill (consider the source) reported awhile back that Disney was going to build a high-end, boutique park that would compete with Sea World's Discovery Cove.

It was going to be something along the lines of $250 for 6 hours or so and it would only be open in the evenings. It sounded sort of like an adventure park, where most activities were along the lines of spelunking (in a cave full of bats), zip lining, rock wall climbing, etc.

[JPL]

Unfortunately the Beatly Kingdom section of AK which has not ever been entirely scrapped just put on indefinate hold will be considered only if Harry Potter has a significant impact at IOA. If Harry flops then Beastly Kingdom will continue it's holding pattern.

[BriarRose]

Yeah this is an oldie but a goodie.

As JPL said this was a rumor that surfaced shortly after the initial success of IOP. At that time, Disney thought they had a real contender on their hands and bounced around the idea of building a 5th gate that was more focused on thrills, to contend with IOP. The rumor was that it would be all themed around villains and be called "Dark Kingdom." A neat idea in concept, though not really practical given Disney's audience IMO.

When IOP opened and showed to not really be that much of a threat to WDWs attendance (I love IOA, but check the top #20 US parks by attendance figures and you will see what I mean), they scrapped those plans.

I believe it was later publically stated that WDW would not be getting a 5th gate in the foreseeable future as they felt they had enough to manage in the 4 gates and should focus money and resources on updating and maintaining those parks.

A good strategy IMO. As much as I would love a "Dark Kingdom," 5 gates would be bordering on stretching themselves too thin.

What does IOP stand for? I would have assumed Islands of Adventure but as a typo, but the post has it in there three different times, and the post also mentions IOA (I bolded and underlined the letters).

[Cinderella's mom]

I have heard of IOA, but not IOP. What is that?

[DisneyFanaticDargon]

I swear these rumors come in cycles. Just for reference, I'm 23, almost 24, and I first read about this whole 'Dark Kingdom' a.k.a 'Shadowlands' a.k.a. 'generic villains park' thing when I was 13. It's called wishful thinking that people spout so often they actually believe it.

Unless Disney manages a huge turnaround in attendance and revenue, not to mention dealing with turnover and staffing, don't expect a 5th gate anytime soon, if ever. It's hard enough seeing everything in Orlando without feeling rushed, why would you want ANOTHER park added to the mix?

Especially considering that of the 4 parks only Magic Kingdom and Epcot have seen considerable improvements since their openings. Studios has been open for 20 years, Animal Kingdom for 11, and both of them are STILL 1/2 to 3/4 of a day parks. Don't even get me started on the California Adventure fiasco. They need to start working on improving the parks they have rather than building new ones.

[Imagineer1981]

I think an area devouted to the Villians would be very cool, but more as a section of a park, DHS being the prime candidate. Since its no longer a working studio, use some real estate and expand

[Supercali]

Dark Kingdom and Night Kingdom are two different theme park concepts. Dark Kingdom or Shadowlands was designed in the 90's. It was to have been sort of a dark version of the Magic Kingdom. There would have been villain rides and attractions based around the dark or scary parts of Disney films. I'm interested in where you have been reading these rumors, Donald Duck 001. There have been a few rumors about Disney planning a new park for the future and they might be revisiting the idea. The Night Kingdom concept was rumored last year and wasn't an actual "park", it was more like Discovery Cove at Sea World. The whole concept sounded elitist to me. You would have paid around $300 to have close encounters with animals, ride on ziplines, and climb on things - snooze. Donald Duck 001, have you read about Dark Kingdom on other sites or have you just heard rumors from people?

[ransam]

we had lunch w/ an imaginear last december and asked him about both those parks...and he pretty much said there is talk about ideas for different parks, nothing defniite, but they always talk about different ideas, but that neither of these ideas were on the current drawing board.