Magic Kingdom’s major expansion plans just passed another hurdle.
Cinderella Castle
The permit for the park expansion has just been approved by the South Florida Water Management District signaling the first major move towards the park’s updates. The permit was first filed in August 2024 with a few additions and expansions added throughout 2024.
Project 407 Basin Stormwater Modifications has been approved! This project is for the construction and operation of a stormwater management treatment facility just east of Magic Kingdom. It also includes pavement upgrades, facility renovations, and other minor upgrades around the area.
Permit number 48-00714-P
The permit doesn’t expire until February 17, 2030. In previous permit filings connected to this project, there were mentions of impacts to 7.3 acres of surface water to the Rivers of America implying that this project is directed to Cars Land specifically.
©Disney
The drainage system will most likely impact both the Cars Land and the upcoming Villains Land. This permit approval could signal Disney’s ability to begin construction on one or both projects. At the time of writing, Disney hasn’t revealed a specific opening date for either project although construction is expected to begin in mid to late 2025.
Villains Land ©Disney
The Cars expansion is replacing Tom Sawyer Island and Rivers of America to bring 2 new attractions! For the first attraction, guests are going to race through the mountains on wild terrain along mountain trails as we dodge geysers and splash through mud holes. The second ride will be geared toward “smaller racers.”
©Disney
The Villains Land will also be bringing two new attractions to the parks as well as new shopping and dining options as well! In regards to the new land, Disney has shared “Guests will be able to venture Beyond Big Thunder Mountain into an all-new land dedicated to Disney Villains. Inspired by the wicked characters fans know and loathe, the multi-acre expansion will include two major attractions, plus dining and shopping. Walt Disney Imagineering is pushing creative boundaries to dark and mysterious levels to bring this new, first-of-its-kind land to life.”
©Disney
We can’t wait to see these lands come to life! As always, keep following DFB for all of the latest Disney news.
Magic Kingdom Expansion in Disney World — Everything You Need to Know
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What is the construction just southwest
of the above map?