Walt Disney World To Finally Get A Villains Land In Magic Kingdom
There’s been talk for a while about the possibility of a villain-themed expansion to Disney World. At the 2022 D23 Expo convention, Disney Parks Chairman Josh D’Amaro announced several “Blue Sky” concepts, including the addition of a villains land in Magic Kingdom. During the concept preview, the applause was so thunderous, that Disney Imagineers really took notice. Fast forward to this year’s D23 Expo and we have confirmation: part of Magic Kingdom will get a villains-themed transformation!
At 2024’s D23 Expo in Anaheim, Rita Ora (acclaimed singer and actress recently seen in Descendants: The Rise of Red as the Queen of Hearts) came onstage with the Magic Mirror to sing “Trust in Me” from The Jungle Book. As D’Amaro got the crowd’s attention, he exclaimed “Our Disney villains have given us endless possibilities to tell new stories.” Will Kaa from The Jungle Book be one of these possibilities? We’re looking forward to seeing Disney adventures that aren’t yet prevalent at Walt Disney World, like perhaps Hades from Hercules, Yzma from Emperor’s New Groove, Maleficent from Sleeping Beauty, or Cruella de Vil from 101 Dalmatians - though there have been no specific films connected to the dark and mysterious land yet.
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Fans will be amazed by the “storytelling on a grand scale that only Disney can deliver” in this new Magic Kingdom expansion, as described by the D23 panel’s presenter D’Amaro. Other news surrounding the Disney Villains takeover included two attractions, dining venues, shops, and other marvelous sights. Concept art for the area shows dark colors, thorns, a raven, and maybe a coaster track in the distance. The Disney Villains will be taking over previously unused acreage past Frontierland, beyond the Big Thunder Mountain ride. No word from Disney about when construction will start.
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Sources: D23, Orlando Sentinel, USA Today, WDW News Today