Aug
Disney World Unveils ‘Twisted’ Villains Land in Chilling Magic Kingdom Expansion
Disney fans with a love for the dark side have something thrilling to look forward to, as Disney World has officially announced the creation of a much-anticipated Villains Land at Magic Kingdom. This new expansion promises to bring some of Disney’s most notorious villains to life in a way that will make “happily-ever-after” feel like a distant dream.
The big reveal took place at Disney’s D23 convention in Anaheim, California, where pop star and Descendants: The Rise of Red actress Rita Ora set the stage with a haunting rendition of “Trust in Me” from The Jungle Book. Following her performance, Disney Experiences Chairman Josh D’Amaro took the stage to unveil the details of the new land.
“We love our Disney villains, right? Their evil ambition gives us endless possibilities to tell brand new stories,” D’Amaro told the enthusiastic audience as they cheered for the concept art displayed behind him. “This land will be home to the villains that you know and those that you loathe, which means happily-ever-after might feel like a distant dream,” he continued. “It will feature two major new attractions, dining, shopping, and so much more fiendish fun for you to explore. This is storytelling on a grand scale that only Disney can deliver. So, be prepared, you poor unfortunate souls. It’s going to be a fearless new vision for what a Disney experience can be.”
The official Disney Parks Blog later elaborated on the announcement, describing the new Villains Land as a place that will “encompass all your dreams—er, nightmares,” with an “incredibly twisted grand scale” that surpasses anything Disney has done before.
“You might have just felt a shiver run down your spine,” the blog post teased. “That’s because preparation is already underway at Magic Kingdom for this new land. Maybe think twice before you indulge in that next shiny red apple.”
Villains Land will be the first Disney park area dedicated entirely to the studio’s iconic villains. While D’Amaro did not specify which villains would be featured, the concept art showcased a fiery Maleficent in her dragon form, with a roller coaster winding through dark cliffs and waterfalls in the background.
Fans have long speculated about and hoped for a villains-themed area, and while rumors have circulated for years, nothing official materialized until this announcement. Disney had previously teased the idea of a villains-themed area at the 2022 D23 convention, and it has been a topic of discussion among Disney Imagineers ever since.
In a 2023 interview with Entertainment Weekly about Magic Kingdom’s new Tron Lightcycle Run roller coaster, Imagineer Chris Beatty hinted at the possibility of a villains-centric expansion. “We’re dreaming every day about what could be next at Walt Disney World,” Beatty said, emphasizing the spirit of creativity and innovation that drives the Disney team.
“The applause for the villains concept was pretty loud,” Beatty acknowledged. “We took note of that.”
Disney World Unveils ‘Twisted’ Villains Land in Chilling Magic Kingdom Expansion
The D23 presentation also featured other exciting announcements, including actor Billy Crystal’s appearance to celebrate a new Monsters, Inc. land coming to Disney World’s Hollywood Studios park, which will feature a suspended roller coaster through the film series’ door vault.
In addition to Villains Land, Disney confirmed new Indiana Jones and Encanto rides set to replace Dinosaur and DinoLand U.S.A. at Animal Kingdom, as well as a Cars-inspired expansion in Magic Kingdom’s Frontierland area. These developments showcase Disney’s commitment to continuing to expand and innovate its parks, keeping the magic alive for generations to come.
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