The new Villains Land that’s planned for the Magic Kingdom is one of the most highly-anticipated additions coming to Walt Disney World. So far, Disney hasn’t revealed too many of their plans for the Villains Land outside of some vague concept art. But, now we have a few more details thanks to a new story about Walt Disney Imagineering seen in the Wall Street Journal.
While discussing the shift in Walt Disney Imagineering over the past several years, the topic of the Villains Land came up. Imagineers are reportedly the most excited about the Villains project because it’s not based on one specific film. Characters from Snow White, Peter Pan, and Aladdin are planned for the Villains Land.
Some Imagineers say what they’re most excited about is Villains Land, an expansion of Orlando’s Magic Kingdom currently under construction. Though it will feature characters from “Snow White,” “Peter Pan” and “Aladdin,” it’s not based on a specific film. That makes it the closest thing to an original land in Disney’s U.S. parks in 25 years.
Wall Street Journal
Get ready to see the Evil Queen, Captain Hook, and Jafar in some capacity in the Villains Land. We assume Maleficent will also be featured based on the concept art. Then there’s a long list of villains we’d also like to see (Hades!), but we know a line has to be drawn somewhere.
The Villains Land isn’t an original land by definition (guests will already know the characters), but it sounds like Imagineering has more creative flexibility here than they have in years. After some very rocky years under former-CEO Bob Chapek, it sounds like Imagineering is once again being trusted to do what they do best.
We’re cautiously optimistic that some of Imagineering’s current projects (Piston Peak, Tropical Americas, Villains Land) will be a return to form. It needs to be after an underwhelming EPCOT overhaul (why do those in-ground lights still not work?) and a series of resort updates that were bland, boring, and even lifeless.
Disney hasn’t announced an opening date for Villains Land. We expect guests will be enjoying a new side of the Magic Kingdom around 2030, give or take.
