Disney Insights on Villains Land, Haunted Mansion, Disneyland Handcrafted, & Star Wars Galaxy’s Edge

Several topics have been circling around recently, and I thought it would be a great opportunity to offer some thoughts about what is going on in several Disney park realms. Anything about Villains Land has people curious as to what is happening. This includes some work being done by The Haunted Mansion. We’ll explore the rumors and conjecture on how this land will be laid out. Next we talk about Star Wars Galaxy’s Edge. There have been announcements of not only new additions, timelines, and offerings being added not to Disney’s Hollywood Studios version of this land, but at Disneyland. Finally, speaking of Disneyland have you seen Disneyland Handcrafted? This film done by Leslie Iwerks gives insights to what things looked like when Walt Disney determined he would open a brand new themed park concept in the space of a year of construction. This is a fascinating documentary with some terrific ideas, So join us for Disney Insights on Villains Land, Star Wars Galaxy’s Edge and Disneyland Handcrafted.

This podcast is produced by myself and Performance Journeys, which offers training, development and consultant support to organizations big and small and entrepreneurs new and established. With a wide variety of resources and long-time in-the-trench experience, we offer workshops, online learning, coaching and more to organizations that want to build their teams, raise organizational excellence, improve leadership and create customer loyalty. Check us out at PerformanceJourneys.com.

Please support us by not only subscribing to this podcast but offering up a rating, review, or referral to others. Be sure to check out Disney Insights where we offer key points, photos, videos, links and more. Note that YouTube carries now carries our podcasts. So please subscribe to our Disney Insights YouTube page as it will be more a part of our social media strategy moving forward. We welcome any positive thoughts and comments on YouTube as well.

Villains Land

Lots of conjecturing going on about Villains Land and especially around guest flow. This may be due to some fantastic photos made available by Bioreconstruct. Recent construction near the Haunted Mansion is making some wonder if a lounge isn’t on its way to the Haunted Mansion. This certainly has been a huge success on the Disney Adventure and Destiny cruise ships. I would guess it will be much more than a lounge. It will be a restaurant. And I believe all of this would be a perfect segue into Villains Land.

Still others are looking at a large amount of land cleared not just behind Haunted Mansion’s large show building but “it’s a small world” show show building as well. The conjecture is, could guests be entering between “small world” and Rapunzel’s restrooms or between Rapunzel and The Haunted Mansion. Both ultimately go to the same corridor of space. and It’s not a big corridor. To theme that section would be doing something akin to what they do behind Main Street U.S.A. the space where guests go when they’re entering a special Halloween or Christmas party, or perhaps exiting the park on heavily congested days. Could that happen? Yes. but I think that would be a waste. and it would not help traffic flow. I’ve been back there several times, and it’s not conducive to moving guests. It barely handles service vehicles that are needed to support the operation in that area.

Moreover, traffic flow is hindered specifically between “it’s a small world” and Peter Pan’s Flight. This is the ultimate Magic Kingdom bottle neck. It was poor design, not thought through when Imagineers were trying to figure out how much space the entry to “it’s a small world” would necessitate. Nothing here is fixing that problem–sort of.

So why the large space behind “small world” and Haunted Mansion? Well, a portion of it on the east side may be taken up by additional support buildings that feed into the utilidor “tunnel” entrance to the Magic Kingdom on the North end of the park (underneath Pinocchio’s Village Haus). But I also think it’s something more.

We know that there are two attractions planned. One is a coaster. It seemed themed to Maleficent’s castle in the Forbidden Forest. We’ve also learned that another attraction would be a major indoor style experience.That bigger attraction will need a huge show building and my guess is that space behind Haunted Mansion is where that show building is going to be. It will be large like the “small world” and Haunted Mansion buildings. And yes, guests will be in that space, but in some ride vehicle–I would guess a boat, but I have no inside insight.

I think that the land will be something like Star Wars Galaxy’s Edge. That space has an urban section (Black Spire Outpost) and forest section–where Rise of the Resistance exists. I think that the same will apply to Villains land. I think that the space will be hidden by berm from Piston Peak. But that the “urban” portion where the indoor ride attraction will board, will be closer to beyond the Haunted Mansion. The Haunted Mansion lounge or restaurant, will be part of the segue that will evolve us into other areas with retail locations, entertainment and food & beverage spaces will be found. Note that both versions of Star Wars Galaxy’s Edge has the major pedestrian flow with buildings and attractions on one side and a berm like section on another. It’s the same thing here I believe.

And the “forest” section with a coaster experience? That will segue more into the area where Big Thunder Mountain currently is and where Piston Peak will be. It will still use berms and landscaping to transition from that section of Villains Land into a Frontierland entrance so as to separate the theming. But the transition will work more effectively in that way.

If guests were walking through this, they would be walking as far North as Fort Langhorn and the cabin on fire once was. So imagine walking past Haunted Mansion and then slowly moving past other buildings done in the “Conjured Architecture” style based on a late 1880s Art Nouveau movement as they move from the center of the Villains land eventually over to the forbidden forest portion where the coaster will be. It’s important that the guest flow connects between Haunted Mansion and the Big Thunder Area, so that it no longer becomes a deadline. Meanwhile, another pathway will cut directly through on the more North end of Piston Peak from the Steamboat landing directly to Big Thunder. Those two paths will perhaps do much to hopefully reduce traffic flow currently required past “it’s a small world”.

Remember that the train has to run through it or around it. So it makes sense to move the show building for the major attraction east of where Villains land and north of Small World and Haunted Mansion rather than running it to the north. As for the coaster, that could play in and out of the train experience. It doesn’t have to stay inside the rails, and would make some of that experience more interesting to those on The Walt Disney World Railroad. Up until now, it just ran through a large segment of forested wetland. Perhaps there’s a possibility of a Villains Land Railroad Station. That could be interesting as well, and would support the movement of people through out the park.

Imagineers have stated that Villains Land is a departure from other lands they have created. Is it a departure from lands before? Yes, but in the theming and how it mixes villains from different intellectual properties into one community. But it’s not in the layout. I think it will be somewhat similar to Galaxy’s Edge in terms of layout.

By the way, more interesting is the land that is west not of Frontierland but of Adventureland, and of the potential space that is still possible for new attractions and offerings in Adventureland but also for a resort that would be west of Magic Kingdom.

Star Wars Galaxy’s Edge

A long time ago in a galaxy found at Disney’s Hollywood Studios there was a time and place where characters from the Star Wars universe interacted with one another, even though they were timelines apart. Star Wars Weekends were filled with characters from all over. A Galaxy Far Far Away showed Kylo Ren and Darth Vader standing side by side. No one thought of it. Over at Jedi Training: Trials of the Temple you found the same thing with Kylo and Darth. There was nothing new of this.

Then came the big opportunity to build an entire land–not just a ride based on Star Wars. Dan Cockrell spoke to Lou Mongello that when he was VP of the Studios there were plans to create a Star Wars land around Echo Lake that would merge into Star Tours, which had a theme based on the forested moon of Endor. That theme ties to the first trilogy, especially Return of the Jedi. Apparently the head of Lucas Film, Kathleen Kennedy felt that the land should be based on newer characters not the older characters, such has Darth Vader, Hans Solo, Luke Skywalker or Princess Leia.. That decision changed the trajectory of the timeline to a time and place no one had ever heard of before known as Batuu. There we saw Kylo Wren, Chewbacca and Rey.

At the heart of all this was the idea that you became part of the Star Wars experience. You build your own story. That level of interaction was expected to really bring young people more into the experience. With Disney’s Hollywood Studios, that storyline thread became even more immersive with the establishment of the Star Wars Galactic Starcruiser. The tie into each other would especially emphasize the newer trilogy.

There were several challenges when things opened at Star Wars Galaxy’s Edge. Both parks opened with only the Millennium Falcon Smuggler’s Run experience. It wasn’t bad, but as a New York Times article shared recently, the original thought was to have several different flight plans. That will happen this May as the experience will be tied to the hit Disney+ series, The Mandalorian. But at the time, that was it in terms of attractions.

Rise of the Resistance came on line a number of months later. The very complex attraction was not only late in opening, it simply had a lot of down time working out the bugs. The version at Disneyland had barely opened when the park (and the rest of the world) closed for Covid. When everything was back on line finally, the excitement and anticipation of Star Wars Galaxy’s Edge had long passed. With the budget gone to the building of a Star Cruiser hotel (which would close not long after opening), droids and characters walking around, a sit down restaurant experience, Cast Members knowing your story, and other offerings were missing from the menu. Given that both versions of the attraction were in the far back of Disneyland and Disney’s Hollywood Studios, it gave opportunity for things to feel kind of dead. At least it kind of lacked kinetic energy. If you wanted to see Darth Vader, you had to go to Launch Bay located in very different sections of the park. None of this played out poorly. But you would struggle to say that this is the huge success that was envisioned nearly a decade ago when it was being planned out.

I always enjoyed it, especially at night with the lighting. Amazing. But I always have missed something since the first day I walked into it at Disneyland when it opened. Since the beginning, it was decided that arguably, the most famous sound track John Williams ever created, would not be heard as you walked around–only during climactic moments on the ride attractions themselves. I remember being at Islands of Adventure and having John Williams score come to life as you passed by the gates as they opened on Jurassic River Adventure. That was nothing of an attraction compared to anything Disney spent time on with Star Wars. And yet, the experience was elevated from the music. In an effort to make you feel like you were “in the middle of your Star Wars story” it was decided that guests should hear the sounds of passing airships and fighter jets. Hmmm.

All of that changed–at least for one park–Disneyland. Beginning April 29, 2026, Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge at Disneyland park will expand its timeline to include more Star Wars eras. Darth Vader, Leia Organa, Han Solo, and Luke Skywalker will arrive on Batuu, joining other beloved characters roaming the Outer Rim outpost. Rey and the Resistance will continue their fight against the First Order in the Resistance Camp. And here’s the big thing for me. Musical selections from John Williams’ Star Wars film scores will be played throughout the land.

With this, new storylines will be brought to life on Batuu, spanning multiple eras of the planet’s history. These updates will enable you to experience the Galactic Civil War and New Republic, as well as the Age of the Resistance and First Order.

Black Spire Outpost will roll back in time several decades, introducing beloved characters from across the Star Wars timeline, new props and graphics in some areas, musical selections from Star Wars film scores throughout the land and more. As you take in the towering remains of petrified trees that create the skyline of Batuu, you’ll be further transported into the world of Star Wars with the addition of beloved scores from legendary composer John Williams, pulling themes from the first six films.

Passing through the tunnels of Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, the iconic “Main Title” and Force Theme will beckon you to a galaxy far, far away. As guests move through the land, you’ll hear motifs from other classic tracks including “Han Solo and the Princess,” “The Desert and the Robot Auction,” “The Emperor” and more. As guests move through Batuu, you’ll be further transported into the world of Star Wars with the addition of scores from legendary composer John Williams, pulling themes from the first six films.

As explained “each era will be brought to life with the same care and attention to detail that the land was originally designed with, masterfully weaving together stories from across time and space in one location.” First Order Cargo will transform into Black Spire Surplus, a military salvage operation offering artifacts from across the history of the galaxy, including Imperial and Rebel items from the Galactic Civil War.

Dok-Ondar’s Den of Antiquities will display a different array of one-of-a-kind items from its past. The curiosities and artifacts in his shop will change with the times.

And even an earlier generation of the Mubo family will operate Droid Depot, where they will be prototyping the BB style of droid.

Oh…even the famous “Cantina Band” sound will be heard at Oga’s Cantina. Apparently DJ Rex has found some golden oldies to play!

Finally, the spires of Batuu again become a one-of-a-kind backdrop each night for the legendary story of the Skywalkers in the projection show “Shadows of Memory: A Skywalker Saga.” On select evenings, “Fire of the Rising Moons”  will showcase a unique view of the Disneyland park fireworks accompanied by iconic music and tales from across the galaxy. I’ve seen this, and as I have mentioned on previous podcasts, it is worth seeing over the regular fireworks in front of the castle.

So, yes…there are changes coming. And curiously, this was announced at the same very time Kathleen Kennedy, chosen by George to lead Lucas Film, decided to retire. Curious, but not surprising.

By the way, other than the new plot lines at Millennium Falcon: Smuggler’s Run, none of this is happening at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. This may be in keeping with something of a different leadership mantra–not at Lucas Film per se, but Imagineering. Somebody’s finally dug into data and realized that there are a lot of Disney fans who will go to other Disney Parks if they offer something different than their home park does. For instance, the new Avatar experience at Disney California Adventure will be very different than the still incredibly successful one at Disney’s Animal Kingdom. Perhaps doing things in one park moving forward and not both may in time create two different experiences within the same themed land. Maybe. I know that for myself I spend little time in Black Spire Outpost when I’m at Disneyland. there are simply too many other things to do. But I was captivated by their nighttime offerings and now that this differentiation has come to occur, I’m simply far more invested in checking the rest of all this that is coming its way.

So what will happen at the Studios? Not sure. It still needs something more kinetic. We’ll have to see how it all plays out in the months to come–and especially, how different generations of guests will come to attend. After all, will the next generation connect with Leia and Vader when they visit? I know I will. I was a teenager when Star Wars first came out. There are other kids ten years younger that saw the original as a small child. I have at least a dozen and a half more years of Disney Parks to enjoy, and the younger ones have a couple of dozen. They shouldn’t be ignored any more than those who are now young. I think there’s room and time for both.

As an aside, I’ve been watching the second season of Light & Magic, which documents Industrial Light and Magic, the George Lucas institution that made Star Wars a reality and so many other scores of films from Spielberg and others. I highly recommend it. A recent episode chronicled the complex computer graphics in Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace. In particular, it played out the creation of Jar Jar Binks and his reception by the earlier generation to his advent in the film. In this documentary, the actor Ahmed Best really bares his soul as to how ridiculed his character was at that time. George Lucas took it in stride, reminding the artists that when the first Star Wars film came out, people didn’t like C-3P0. And yet, that changed. But now, a few decades later Ahmed Best is hugely received at different Star Wars conventions! There is a whole world of fans who think Jar Jar Binks is the greatest Star Wars character of all time. In time fans do rise to the surface. And I think that experience predicts well how guests will feel about Star Wars Galaxy’s Edge decades from now.

Disneyland Handcrafted

If you are a Disney fan like me, and I hope you are, you may have already seen Disneyland Handcrafted. This documentary film debuted on Disney+ and Disney YouTube on January 22. Created by Leslie Iwerks, you get a first-hand look at the trials and tribulations behind the rapid construction of the park leading up to its opening day in July 1955. Told through rare archival footage and insightful soundbites, the documentary will allow fans to journey behind the scenes of early Disneyland and uncover the vision, obstacles, and breakthroughs of this ambitious project.

Want to Visit Disney?

Hopefully this podcast has made you realize you need help and support in planning your next trip to Disney. David and Leah with Zanolla Travel know Disney in ways few do and they can make your next trip on land or sea an exciting one–or at least less stressful! Be sure to contact them as you explore your next vacation, whether it is a Disney theme park vacation, a cruise, or an Adventure by Disney. There is no charge to utilize their services, but it will save you enormous time getting all the details right, and with their insight you can be assured you’re going to experience the best trip possible. Contact them today!

David & Leah Zanolla

ZanollaTravel.com
Owner/Agents

Books From Your Host at Disney Insights

Another way you can support the podcast is through our books!

My newest book, A Century of Powerful Disney Insights, Volume I 1923-1973, The Walt & Roy Disney Years is available! 

Also, check out my two of my other books, The Wonderful World of Customer Service at Disney and Disney, Leadership and You. 

Also, for those examining other business benchmarks beyond Disney, check out Lead with Your Customer: Transform Culture and Brand Into World-Class Excellence.

Find Excellence in Your Organization!

This podcast and post is provided by J. Jeff Kober and Performance Journeys, which celebrates more than 20 years as a training and development group bringing best in business ideas through books, keynotes, workshops, seminars and online tools to help you take your organization to the next level.

Want a Keynote Speaker? More than just nice stories, I offer proven insight and solutions having worked in the trench.

Need Consulting? I’ve worked for decades across the public, private and non-profit arena. 

Need Support? We offer so many classroom, online, and other resources to help you improve your customer service delivery, leadership development and employee engagement.

Contact us today, and let us help.

Thanks for joining us for this podcast. Know that as in the title of Performance Journeys, it’s as much about the journey as it is about performance. Find the second star to the right, and keep going straight on till you reach it. Follow the compass of your heart, and know that with a smile and a song, a little faith, effort and pixie dust, your dreams can come true. After all, if we can dream it, we can do it. Until next time, bright suns, we’ll see you real soon!