We continuously update this page with developments and announcements about the new land.
At the recent D23 Experiences Panel, Disney fans received thrilling news: a Disney Villains-themed land is coming to Magic Kingdom. This announcement marks one of the most exciting developments for the Walt Disney World park. The expansion adds a new dimension to the Disney experience by celebrating the villains that have captivated audiences for decades.
The Disney Villains land will introduce guests to the darker side of Disney. It promises to offer immersive experiences centered around some of the most notorious characters from Disney’s rich history. While specific details remain under wraps, the land will feature new attractions, character meet-and-greets, and themed dining options inspired by classic Disney villains like Maleficent, Ursula, and Captain Hook.
Jump to section:
- Disney Villains Land Concept Art
- Land Location
- Attractions & Experiences
- Construction & Opening Timelines
Disney Villains Land Concept Art
2022 Concept Art
At the D23 Expo in 2022, we got our first official mention of a Villains-themed land. “Beyond Big Thunder,” the hypothetical blue sky project, included a small mention of a Villains land. At the time, Coco and Encanto-themed areas were also part of the concept. Since then, we have learned that it will instead be Cars joining Frontierland and taking over the Rivers of America.
In the shared art for the project, you could see a distant land with a dark aura. Additionally, one could see the silhouettes of an ominous-looking castle and a dragon. The presentation would mention a Disney Villains concept, but the speakers offered no details. Then, between the 2022 and 2024 D23 Expos, critics mocked the “blue sky” nature of the ideas. During this time, expectations for the concept to ever be a reality waned.
2024 Concept Art
Cue D23 2024, where Disney Experiences Chairman Josh D’Amaro announced “very real” projects that were not “blue sky”. In fact, Disney confirmed a Villains-themed land and shared detailed concept art of the area. As a result this new art, we can see a larger and more intricate depiction of what the land may include.
Land Elements
A mysterious castle, one of the few elements we saw in the 2022 art, appears in the new art. While the castle is prominently located, it’s difficult to determine its actual size from a single piece of art. Consequently, the castle could be as small as Beast’s Castle found in neighboring Fantasyland. However, it could also be a larger structure with more potential (more on that later in the Attractions & Experiences section). Either way, the below areas could be the entrance to one of the land’s attractions.
The other familiar inclusion from the 2022 art is a dragon. In the new illustration, we can see pretty clear confirmation that the dragon in question is, unsurprisingly, Maleficent. Given the character’s major presence in Disney Parks, she is expected to be part of any villains-themed land.
To the right of the castle is an eerie looking structure. This would most likely be the facade for either an attraction or, more likely, retail or dining locations.
Further to the right of Maleficent, the castle, and the facades just mentioned is another structure. This one happens to bear a passing resemblance to The Haunted Mansion. While this could be coincidence, it’s also possible the existing ride is going to be our transition into Villains Land. The expected layout of the Cars and Villains expansions suggest this is very real possibility.
Disney Villains Land Location
The map from a permit filing (above) and concept art for the Cars land give us a good idea of where the Villains land will be located. We now know Cars will take over Tom Sawyer Island and the southern section of the Rivers of America. The Haunted Mansion, shown in a red box on the map, is located adjacent to where Cars will be. As a result, one of two potential points of entry into a bordering Villains land will be via The Haunted Mansion. The other potential entrance would be between Big Thunder Mountain Railroad and Cars land.
Disney has confirmed that the combined Cars and Villains expansion will be the largest in Magic Kingdom’s history.
Attractions & Experiences
Rides
One of the key highlights of the new land will be its attractions. Guests may encounter rides where they step into the shoes of a villain, offering a unique perspective on Disney tales. Additionally, the land is expected to feature a dark and enchanting atmosphere. Gothic architecture and hauntingly beautiful landscapes will transport visitors to the realms where these villains reside.
Disney has confirmed the land will contain two new attractions.
While we don’t have much detail on those potential attractions, the art gives us two clues. First, you’ll find the art above adjacent to Maleficent at the rear of the land. It includes what appears to be roller coaster track, surrounded by jagged rocks and thorns.
At the bottom edge of the art is another depiction of a roller coaster with a train full of passengers. This could be a depiction of a proposed theme for the ride which includes simulating going underground or underwater. However, it could potentially be a second totally separate coaster. Disney has not confirmed the exact types of attractions or ride systems going into the land.
Special Events & Experiences
Another exciting aspect of a Disney Villains land are the potential special events and shows that center on these characters.
One of the challenges Magic Kingdom has increasingly faced over time is the limited amount of space for guests to view nightly fireworks. Main Street U.S.A, the castle hub, and adjacent pathways are often filled to capacity on even moderately busy days. Disneyland, having similar issues, has made efforts to spread out the fireworks crowds into other areas of the park. They have implemented projections on the Rivers of America and specially crafted alternate audio in Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge to help. The latter idea, Fire of the Rising Moon, may give an interesting glimpse at something that could come to the Villains land: an alternate icon with an excellent view of the fireworks. The art suggests the land having something of an open nature, meaning it could potentially hold a significant number of guests and give them a different version of a given fireworks show.
A character dining experience, like a sinister Be Our Guest or Cinderella’s Royal Table, could also be in the works. In this case, of course, the characters would be a bit more sinister than their princess counterparts.
With the popularity of Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party, and past Villains After Hours parties, the possibilities for the land are endless. Hard-ticket events, dessert parties, unique character meet & greets, and more experiences are all realistic offerings for the new area.
Disney Villains Land Construction and Opening Timelines
While Disney has not announced an opening timeframe for the Villains land, we do have some clues and precedents.
Permits have been filed as of summer 2024 for core work to the Rivers of America and surrounding sites, the first step in any development project. With this in mind, we expect work to begin this year in currently unused areas, primarily for construction staging.
Disney will likely close the Liberty Square Riverboat and Tom Sawyer Island in 2025 to make way for these new lands.
Construction of the Cars land has been confirmed to begin in 2025. Starting next year, they can clear the entire Rivers of America site for both Cars and Villains, with Cars expected to be the smaller and faster of the two projects.
Given the scope and scale of the expansion, a 3-4 year construction timeline is realistic to expect. For example, Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge in Disney’s Hollywood Studios began construction in 2016 and completed in 2019 – a four-year span. A 2028 or 2029 opening for these new lands would be in line with comparable projects.
Update: Disney has announced that a new Villains stage show will be coming to Disney’s Hollywood Studios. While this show is not directly tied to Villains Land coming to Magic Kingdom, it will increase the villains’ presence in the parks ahead of the new land.
Disney Villains Land Closing Thoughts
The introduction of a Disney Villains land is part of Disney’s broader strategy to expand its parks with more immersive and story-driven areas. This addition will complement other recent redevelopments, such as the reimagined EPCOT and upcoming Tropical Americas area at Disney’s Animal Kingdom.
Disney promises to reveal more details about the attractions, opening dates, and other information in the coming months. Until then, the anticipation continues to build as guests prepare to embrace the dark side at Magic Kingdom. Stay tuned for every new piece of information as it’s shared.
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