UPDATED November 9, 2024
BEWARE… there is something wicked on the way to Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom. In August 2024, Disney officially announced that Magic Kingdom is expanding the theme park with a brand new Villains Land!
Villains Land Concept Art
©Disney
In September of 2022, Disney announced a “blue sky” project — “Beyond Big Thunder Mountain” — that would potentially bring a NEW land (or possibly lands) to Magic Kingdom. Then, in April of 2024, Disney shared that the first steps had been taken to begin this massive expansion. Finally, in August 2024, Disney confirmed that a previously-hinted-about Villains Land is indeed becoming a reality!
VILLAINS LAND IS CONFIRMED FOR MAGIC KINGDOM AT #D23!!! pic.twitter.com/KvJegH7utx
— Disney Food Blog (@DisneyFoodBlog) August 11, 2024
The “dark and thorny” new land — or perhaps we should say, new LAIR — will be home to those famously evil Disney Villains and might just make happily ever “feel like just a distant dream,” according to Disney Experiences Chairman Josh D’Amaro.
Villains Land Attractions, Dining, and Shopping
So, what’s coming to Villains Land? TWO major attractions, along with new dining and shopping experiences will be presented “on an incredibly twisted grand scale.”
©Disney
When we zoom into the concept art (as seen above), we believe one of the things we are seeing are tracks for a potential roller coaster in the land.
Take a DEEP DIVE into the Villains Land concept art HERE.
Villains Land Location
So, where will Villains Land be located in Magic Kingdom? According to the Disney, “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.”
There is some land past Big Thunder Mountain Railroad (which is in Magic Kingdom’s Frontierland) that has been deemed suitable for new construction.
RCID Comprehensive Plan map and map of Magic Kingdom’s Frontierland
That’s right — Villains Land will literally be located beyond Big Thunder Mountain Railroad.
This massive new Villains-themed land, together with the also-announced Cars expansion coming to Magic Kingdom’s Frontierland, will make up the largest expansion in the history of Disney World’s original theme park.
As D’Amaro teased, “Be prepared, you poor unfortunate souls, it’s going to be a fearless new vision for what a Disney experience can be.”
NEW VILLAINS LAND
Villains Land Characters
In November 2024 at the D23 Brazil event, Disney presented a glimpse at the Villains that serve as the inspiration for Villains Land! Let’s take a look at this photo posted by @omelete.
©omelete
We see the Queen of Hearts, Jafar, the Evil Queen, Yzma, Cruella, Captain Hook, Maleficent, Gaston, Mother Gothel, Ursula, Hades, Chernabog, and Maleficent as a Dragon.
According to Entertainment Weekly, the new land will is where the villains have been summoned to converge in one place. Chairman of Disney Experiences Josh D’Amaro said, “In our story, a mysterious spell has been cast, summoning villains from every realm. In this land, heroes don’t come to save the day — and there may not be a happily ever after!”
Villains Land Timeline
Disney has not shared a timeline for the opening of Villains Land; however, the company has confirmed that preparation is already underway at Magic Kingdom. In April 2024, Disney had confirmed that permits were going to be filed for storm drainage and other foundational work. This means that work is officially happening NOW on this new land!
Preparations are already underway at Magic Kingdom where Villains Land will join the existing Main Street, U.S.A., Fantasyland, Tomorrowland, Liberty Square, Frontierland, and Adventureland!
We CAN’T WAIT to share EVERYTHING about this positively frightful new land as it is revealed. In the meantime, find a COMPLETE GUIDE to Disney World’s Magic Kingdom HERE!
Looking for the latest news about Villains Land? Click any of the links below!
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