Walt Disney Imagineering is now sharing a closer look at the creative research shaping the design of the highly anticipated Villains Land expansion at Magic Kingdom. WDI Executive Producer Wyatt Winter explained that the land’s foundation comes from both Disney Animation and the architecture of Europe’s most visually striking cities.
Starting With Animation
According to Winter, the design process began where Disney storytelling always starts–animation.
“Our journey to developing the land began with the animation source material and the Walt Disney Animation Studios artists responsible for it. These conversations made us realize that it was critical to reflect the look and feel of the characters’ animation in the land’s physical structures and appearance.”
That realization led Imagineers to Europe to study architectural styles that could complement the aesthetic of Disney’s villains.
Research in Paris and Barcelona
The Imagineering team traveled to Paris, France, and Barcelona, Spain to immerse themselves in the rich history of Art Nouveau and Modernisme architecture.
- Paris: Known for Art Nouveau, where natural motifs and swirling designs make nature appear twisted–almost as if cursed. Winter noted how these shapes resembled the magical, frozen forms often associated with villainy in Disney animation.
- Barcelona: Famous for its Modernisme style, defined by its dreamlike forms and unnerving visual impact. Unlike Paris’s natural patterns, Barcelona’s style had a more surreal quality that Imagineers found ideal for creating an unsettling yet beautiful atmosphere.
The team worked with local professors and historians to better understand how these styles could be adapted into a new kind of themed design.
Color, Texture, and “Conjured Architecture”
Another key discovery came from the rich use of color in both cities’ architecture. Imagineers studied stained-glass windows, painted metals, and jewel-toned surfaces that aligned perfectly with the deep, vibrant palettes of Disney villains.
Combining these influences with the exaggerated designs of animated characters, Imagineers coined the term “Conjured Architecture.”
This design approach merges historical European styles with the fantastical worlds of Disney villains, creating a setting that feels simultaneously authentic and otherworldly–an environment where guests can step directly into the villains’ domain.
About Villains Land at Magic Kingdom
Villains Land, announced last year, will feature:
- Two major attractions
- Dining
- Shopping
- All on an “incredibly twisted grand scale”
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