#1 - Explain why or why not Disney/Universal/SeaWorld (pick one or do each) need another park to add to what they already have in Orlando, and give ideas about what kind of park it would be.

Ah, so we meet again. This time around I think I am going to flip to the parks for something to write on. Orlando is constantly evolving. It seems every time I venture up there, something new is stirring. There is always a chance to build more in this area because it drives in massive amounts of people from all over the world year-round. The weather and resources make it so appealing for droves of folks to visit there anytime they wish. So, of course, there is a want and need for more parks to be added to its roster.

With the extreme hype over the addition of the Wizarding World of Harry Potter, “a theme park within a theme park” to Islands of Adventure, it seems Disney really needs to step up their game. Followers of the Harry Potter series are vast worldwide. Fans will travel endless miles to get a taste of this magical world. I can also attest that it will draw in all age groups as well.

Disney is widely known to cater more towards the families, while Universal brings in the teens and adults with their thrill rides and such. Disney really needs to fill that gap with a park that will compete with drawing in the demographic they are severely lacking. That brings only one thing to mind, the highly rumored and desired concept of (dun dun dunnnn) The Dark Kingdom. Sure there have been so many ideas thrown out there on how to go about bringing this park to life and making it truly appealing.

First of all, I think a near exact comparison to all the attractions in Magic Kingdom should be present in Dark Kingdom. Picture all the beauty and majesty that encompasses the Magic Kingdom, now drape a shroud of darkness over it all. Of course this means Villains, and lots of them. They have basically taken over all the existing lands in what once was a bright and cheerful kingdom. From the landmark Castle to the world of tomorrow, evil conquers. Being a true lover of all things sinister, here are some ideas that I conjured up.

Upon entering the park at sundown, you would park your happy little vehicle as you normally would at any respectable theme park. A short tram ride to the ticket windows as usual, and then you must choose your mode of transportation to the Dark Kingdom’s wretched gates. Which will you chose?

On one side you have the fastest mode of the monorail. Only in this kingdom, the vessel is painted as black as a raven’s wings. The inside is fashioned as that of some old stagecoach. Sconces with flicker lights glimmer dimly inside and make shadows dance on the faces of the other grave passengers. Or would you prefer to take another route? Then head towards that eerie green glow coming from the edge of the black lake. There you will be greeted by some somber, undead cretins. They will mindlessly usher you onto Hades’ boat through the dark waters of the Underworld. Special devices below the boat are activated to give the impression that fingers are tapping or grabbing at the vessel. Lightly, of course, just to create a creepy feeling that you are truly gliding in the waters of the undead.

Using either form of transport, you will both arrive at tall wrought iron gates that open out to reveal a side of Disney you have never seen before. Step cautiously upon the aged cobblestone walkway. You discover thick vines of sharp thorns atop a collection of themed shops located along both sides of the long path. These spiky strands curve their way up and embrace the entity that towers over the entire park, Maleficent’s Castle.

Gone are the beautiful ivory spires of Cinderella’s towering abode and in its place, an ominous castle on a dark, distorted cliff. An audio-animatronic of Maleficent in her dragon form cling onto one of the highest peaks. Every hour on the hour we hear her devious cackle and the dragon’s eyes glow bright green and simulated fire rages from its teeth. From here you continue straight underneath the castle through a large archway to explore the rest of what this world has to offer. But if you so choose to linger, you can head to the dungeons below and enjoy a grand character feast. One in which you can dine and rub elbows with all the evil queens and stepmothers of the land.

From the caverns below the dreaded castle, you emerge to find a shadowy world to delve into. All the same concepts of separate lands are represented, but in extremely warped adaptations. Following the path off to the left, fog rolls in low at your feet as you enter a thick and dense forest that covers all that is above. Scowling, lit eyes of the unknown glare back at you through the dark branches overhead. Welcome to Sleepy Hollow. Chills dance down your spine when the cries of nightly creatures echo through these woods. The sounds of horse hooves grow closer and louder accompanied with maniacal laughter and the glow of a Jack-O-Lantern. The deadly ride of the Headless Horsemen occurs at various and unsuspected times throughout the evening to everyone’s delight.

Haunted Mansion resides on these dark and dank grounds. Only this version will be much more frightening than the tame version at Magic Kingdom. A lot more pop-ups on the graveyard section will be found. Utilizing live actors throughout the attraction will elevate the emotion and storyline as well. If I elaborated on this favorite ride of mine, this article will never end. Plus I think this attraction is near perfect as-is.

What can be done to what is known by some as the most boring encounter with our countries leaders? Easy, it transforms into a much darker tale told in “The Hall of Dead Presidents”. Only deceased leaders will be included in this of course. Each historic figure will progressively be more and more decayed as it goes further back down the timeline of their rule. Each animatronic will add a very dim story of themselves and the details involving their imminent demise.

Now it’s time to head over to ‘Misadventure Land’. The Pirates of the Caribbean ride is now known as ‘Cursed Mutiny’. So climb aboard the Black Pearl and hold on. At first it may seem like the classic ride we all know and love with an upgraded traveling vessel. But then the moonlight rises in the opening scene and all the AA’s of the pirates on the opposing ship turn skeletal and menacing. Continuing on, more hexed, undead pirates hauntingly rise from the depths of the sea to threaten all aboard. The thrilling peak is when the boat stops and begins to shake. Then the slimy tentacles of the Kraken emerge from below and surround the craft, whipping it side to side then sending it down the usual drop. The ride’s conclusion in true rogue fashion, divulge the damned pirates victorious.

The rest of this area consists of altered versions of existing attractions. Jungle Cruise will simply be just that, except dim scenes including Scar and his cronies, the hyenas creeping about causing mischief. Also, Shere Khan and Kaa, the classic scoundrels from Jungle Book, will be present throughout the voyage as well. The area of Aladdin will simply be catered to encompass the true villainy of Jafar.

Tomorrowland is a tough one since there are not too main futuristic villains in the Disney realm. The only thing I can imagine is it being taken over by the evil emperor, Zurg and renamed after his home planet, Planet Z. All rides will be themed around this idea. Alien Encounter will return to its previously popular state with one exception. The extra-terrestrial will have the appearance of the much more terrifying creature from the movie “Alien”.

Since Frontierland and Toontown Fair really have no meaning of any kind in a park of this sort I decided they should be eliminated and make room for a much more relevant land. I am only talking about Halloweentown. The Nightmare Before Christmas franchise is a cult classic and has a huge following spanning a rather large age group. A full rendering of this fabled town will be created. Take a spin on the dangerous dark ride, Snake Eyes, with Oogie Boogie. It is a 3-D adventure in which you are the target of his cruel and usual game of chance. He will sick his dagger-tossing Kings and Queens from his deck of cards after you as you spin in his roulette wheel of vile. If you want a touch of the happy, seasonally you can experience the Christmas Town side of this land. Complete with beautifully simulated snowfall.

Last but not least we travel to the Fantasyland area, now known as ‘Valley of the Villains’. The old 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea will now be home to ‘Ursula’s Lair” A underwater show featuring the sea witch and her wicked eels, Flotsam and Jetsam. It will be fashioned much like the Nemo ride in Disneyland, only much darker. Basically it follows the story of the Little Mermaid only it will end revealing her triumph over King Triton. Thus crowning her the true queen of the ocean and making the rest of the ride a whole lot rougher for its travelers.

All other classic rides in this area will follow the same theme. The bad guys always win. Hook and the Evil Queen will also reign supreme in their designated dark rides. Cinderella’s Carousel will now have you riding on skeletal horses as Chernabog rises from the center to loom above. It’s a Small World’s figures will be taken over by Stromboli, the malicious puppeteer from Pinocchio. Now titled appropriately, “It’s a Mad World”

Every park has a grand way to finalize the evening, and what would a Disney Park be without parades and fireworks? ‘March of the Malicious’ will showcase amazingly themed and detailed floats. All villains will be out flaunting their wickedness right along. There must be a rival to the disgusting sweetness of the Magic Kingdom’s fireworks show, ‘Wishes’. Prepare to be shocked and dazzled by ‘Curses’, and elaborate display of pyrotechnics as you have never seen before.

So there you have it. Hope you all made it to the end of this awake. I know it was pretty lengthy, but there are endless ideas for a park of this nature. And I truly believe that it could be successful if carried out right. This will also very much rival Halloween Horror Nights at Universal. Special events are sure to take place here at that magical time of the year. I know some of these plans may seem too dark for Disney to even consider, but this is my dream and I like my dreams pretty shady.

Pleasant nightmares, lovelies.