At a Glance
- Disney’s Magic Kingdom is building a villains-themed land that blends original storytelling with classic characters.
- Construction started in 2025; no opening date announced.
- Two major rides, plus dining and shopping, will anchor the land.
- Why it matters: The shift back to Imagineering-driven narratives signals a new creative era for Disney parks.
Disney’s next big bet is a place where evil reigns. The company broke ground on Villains Land at Magic Kingdom in 2025, promising an ambitious original story that still folds in familiar faces like Maleficent, Jafar, and Ursula.
Inside the Villains Land Plan
The Wall Street Journal spoke with current and former Disney Imagineering leaders about the project. Bruce Vaughn, president of Imagineering, called the current slate of builds “by far the most ambitious period” in the division’s history.
> “We’re going to ramp up and reignite Imagineering culturally and we’ve got a tremendous amount of investment coming through,” Vaughn said.
The land was first teased at Disney’s D23 expo in August 2024. A TikTok posted by Disney Parks showed concept art populated by Yzma, Gaston, the Evil Queen, and other fan-favorite antagonists.
A Return to Original Stories
For years, the parks leaned hard on franchises. After Bob Iger took the CEO role in 2005, major lands opened for Cars, Star Wars, and Avatar across U.S. resorts. Original attractions like Jungle Cruise and Haunted Mansion became exceptions rather than the rule.
Barbara Bouza, who led Walt Disney Imagineering from 2020 to 2024, told the Journal that staff pressed for fresh IP at every all-hands meeting.
> “At every all-hands meeting, I would be asked if we’d get to create new Imagineering original stories again,” Bouza said.
Villains Land answers that request. While classic villains will appear, the overarching narrative will be new-crafted by Imagineers rather than lifted shot-for-shot from films.
What Guests Will Find
- Two headline attractions (details under wraps)
- Themed dining
- Specialty shopping
- Immersive landscaping designed to make guests feel they’ve stepped into a realm where villains rule
No ride names, menus, or exact footprints have been released. Construction activity is visible behind construction walls near Frontierland, but Disney has not announced an opening timeframe.
Bigger Park Overhaul
Villains Land is one piece of a multiyear reshuffle across Walt Disney World. Other confirmed projects:
| Land | Location | IP Tie-in | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tropical Americas | Animal Kingdom | Encanto, Indiana Jones | DinoLand U.S.A. closed; land under design |
| Monsters Inc. Land | Disney Studios | Monsters Inc. | Replaces Muppet*Vision 3D |
| Cars Land | Magic Kingdom | Cars | Replaces Rivers of America area; expansion planned |
Together, the builds represent billions in capex and the largest addition of new experiences since the 1990s.
Key Takeaways
- Villains Land blends new narrative with recognizable characters, marking a pivot toward Imagineering-originated stories.
- Construction timing positions the land for a possible 2026-2027 debut, though Disney has not confirmed.
- Guests should expect two major rides plus supporting food-and-retail when the land finally opens its gates.
