In the latest episode of We Call It Imagineering, Walt Disney Imagineers take us behind the scenes for “balloon tests” at Piston Peak National Park and Villains Land. Balloon tests, as explained in the video, show the high-point elevations of buildings and theming elements. Balloon tests are a critical early step in the construction process, showing how the new construction will impact existing sightlines. In the video, we can see that Villains Land will be reaching for the sky on a massive scale. Here’s the latest.
Massive Scale of Villains Land Revealed
Ok, this first screenshot below is the key video frame for this article. If I’ve got my bearings correct, we’re looking at two balloons over Villains Land, and one balloon closer by in Piston Peak National Park. The balloon in Piston Peak National Park is relatively low, and likely represents a lower rock formation near the end of the Cars Ridge Run Rally attraction. We’re not concerned with that red balloon right now.
Instead, it’s the blue and teal balloons in the background that caught my eye. If rumors are correct, the blue balloon likely represents Maleficent’s fortress, while the teal balloon is likely the high point for the Magic Mirror dark ride. We expect that both balloon heights are significantly taller than the nearby Haunted Mansion and Big Thunder Mountain Railroad mountain range. Keep in mind that there is a ceiling of 200′ tall for any themed element in the theme parks. We expect that Maleficent’s fortress will push that boundary. As seen in the Villains Land concept art above, Maleficent’s fortress will be the high point of the roller coaster theming that will run through the land.
Here are some more screenshots from the video, showing Maleficent’s fortress as being visible from Fantasyland, near Mickey’s PhilharMagic, and from Tomorrowland, near the Tomorrowland Launch Depot gift shop. If this height holds, we expect that we’ll be able to see Maleficent’s fortress from many points around Magic Kingdom.
Shifting gears, the highest point of Piston Peak National Park will also be somewhat imposing. The high point seen in the photo below is that of the snowy Piston Peak mountain, which is the tallest point in the land. In the screenshot below, we can see an Imagineer walking past the Diamond Horseshoe after exiting the Adventureland bypass near the Swiss Family Treehouse.
For more on how Imagineers are designing Piston Peak National Park to fit in with the existing Frontierland theming, check out our article below!
As always, keep checking back with us here at BlogMickey.com as we continue to bring you the latest news, photos, and info from around the Disney Parks!